Awards may come with shiny trophies and black-tie galas, but their true value goes deeper than any of that. They are powerful tools for growth, recognition and momentum, internally and externally. Earning recognition from respected peers and organizations is a powerful signal that you are doing all the right things. Awards shape perception, create opportunities, prove your impact and validate all the tireless work you’ve put into your organization.
When woven into a larger brand and marketing strategy, awards become trust builders and newsworthy moments that amplify your voice in a noisy market. As insight-driven strategists and creators, we treat every award submission as a way to reinforce the story behind your brand and all the work it represents. From our earliest brand assessments to ongoing strategy and execution, we consider awards useful for making headlines today and great for cementing your legacy tomorrow.
With that in mind, here are four reasons you need to invest in awards.
Brand Awareness
Awards are a form of earned media, a third-party endorsement that builds trust and credibility. Whether the award in question is from a local organization or a nationwide honor, these recognitions get shared, posted and remembered. Especially for new businesses, an award can level the playing field, helping them compete on equal terms with more established brands. And with the right strategy in place, like our strategy for Savannah Quarters, awards can become a headline, a conversation starter and a lead generator all at once.
Savannah Quarters is part of a packed market of master-planned communities in Savannah, GA, filled with highly respected and established new home communities and golf clubs. To stand out in such an esteemed field, accolades were essential. Early in our work with Savannah Quarters, our strategy was to build credibility and prestige through a sustained campaign of applying for and winning awards that proved Savannah Quarters’ place among the best. Running from 2016 to 2021, this strategy positioned Savannah Quarters as a contender across multiple categories, earning recognition not only as Community of the Year but also for Best of the Best, Best Amenities, Best Golf Courses, and Best-Selling Community.
The pivotal 2017 “Community of the Year” honor from the Home Builders Association of Greater Savannah was one of the most significant results of our deliberate, multi-year effort to showcase consistent excellence. We developed messaging guides to leverage these wins across signage, digital campaigns, and social media. This ongoing recognition campaign validated Savannah Quarters against larger competitors, strengthened its reputation, and laid the foundation for long-term growth and success.
Networking Opportunities
Awards open doors. From galas and ceremonies to post-win press coverage, every point of the process is a chance to connect with potential partners, clients or collaborators. These events bring together the best in the industry under one roof, making them an ideal platform for future business. Even beyond the event itself, being named alongside other industry peers strengthens your brand’s reputation by association. In many instances, simply participating in awards programs, through sponsorship and partnership opportunities, is a winning strategy. Doing so shows your commitment to the industry and your willingness to elevate the industry perception as a whole.
Boost Brand Credibility
Recognition from a respected industry organization or judging panel lets clients, customers, employees or prospects and competitors know that your company is setting the standard. These accolades validate your expertise, elevate your reputation and position your brand as a credible and trustworthy player. People do business with brands they believe in. Awards build and reinforce that belief. We’ve seen that happen in our work with Barrington.
Our work on the Barrington community in 2021 and 2022 earned top recognition at the Major Achievements in Marketing and Excellence (MAME) Awards, hosted by the Triangle Sales and Marketing Council (TSMC). Judges acknowledged our commitment to fully establishing and defining Barrington’s brand, awarding Best Graphic Continuity, Best Overall Advertising Campaign for a Community and Best Signage. The campaign increased the community’s visibility, and the awards enhanced the community’s perceived value. The combination of a practical, strategically aligned marketing approach and the prestige of these honors positioned Barrington to be sold to Dream Finders Homes, before construction had even been completed.
Boost Employee Morale
Finally, winning awards is beneficial not only for your brand but also for your people. Recognition fuels pride and purpose, giving your team a boost that can’t be replicated by internal praise alone. Employees want to work in an environment where their work is lauded by the industry. The spotlight can energize your culture, boost retention and help you stand out to top-tier talent. An award-winning workplace is one people want to be a part of and stay part of.
Our Process
At Able&Co., our awards process is rooted in intention, strategy and a deep respect for our craft as well as the clients we serve. Every submission requires a significant time investment and is the result of a rigorous, collaborative process that ensures the work we believe sets an industry standard earns the recognition it deserves.
We begin by strategically selecting award programs that align with our clients’ industry, goals and the creative work we’ve delivered. Not all awards are created equal, and we only seek out those that are worth our clients’ investment. Collectively, we review the submission guidelines and research award winners from previous years to find common paths to success. We also learn as much as we can about the judges to tailor the content to them as best as possible. From there, we write compelling, results-driven narratives that go beyond surface-level descriptions and speak to the strategic thinking, collaboration and creativity behind every project. Our designers create powerful visual assets that bring the submission to life, and our operations team meticulously reviews each entry for accuracy and compliance with guidelines.
This disciplined approach has garnered over 200 awards since 2012, including recognition in healthcare, real estate, service and advertising industries. While we proudly share in those accolades, the true honors belong to our clients, because it’s their stories we’re privileged to help tell.
Ready to get MORE of the recognition your brand deserves? Partner with Able&Co. to build an award strategy that celebrates your success, supports your goals and puts your brand in the spotlight.
