Skift Take
Writing an award submission for the most coveted travel industry award is no mean feat. Luckily for you, I have the inside scoop to make sure your submission stands out from the crowd.
As someone who has been running award programs for the last decade, it’s safe to say I have seen my fair share of award submissions – the good, the bad and the ugly. So today, I am going to share some of my insider tips to make sure that your Skift IDEA Awards submission stands out in the crowd.
1. Planning is Key
Before you start, set aside some time to pull together all of the necessary details. Take a look at the website to confirm entry deadlines, make a note of any price increase dates and do your research on the previous winners. This would also be a good time to connect with any colleagues, clients or stakeholders who may also have a part to play in the process.
Top tip: Skift IDEA Awards entry costs increase the closer we get to the final deadline. Add the deadline dates to your calendar (you’ll thank me later) and pay for your submission early to secure the best rate.
2. Select the Correct Category
This one may seem obvious, but selecting the category that best aligns with your project is key. The 2024 program has 25 categories to choose from – including the new Travel Technology categories – and each category has its own set of criteria designed to ensure our team and judging panel are getting the full picture. Take a look at the tips and insights throughout the form, and remember, you can always apply for more than one category if applicable.
Top tip: You can download a blank PDF from our online portal to map out submission before you start inputting information.
3. Don’t be Put Off by the Word Count
We all know word counts can be a challenge. While providing a comprehensive picture is important, you should also aim to make sure that your submission is not excessively lengthy or monotonous. Our submission form has a minimum of 100 and a maximum of 500 words per section, so be concise but thorough.
Top tip: You can make edits to your submission up until the entry deadline in June, even after you have hit submit.
4. Add Some Personality
Yes, this is a corporate exercise, but we still want to get to know who you and your organization are. Our judging panel will be reviewing around 100 submissions, so don’t be afraid to add some character to your submission. A great way to do this is to include imagery and videos, along with any personal anecdotes that may leave a lasting impression.
Top tip: Make use of every section available within the form, there are no wrong answers.
5. Back up Your Submission with Evidence
This is an often overlooked one, but one of the most important. Always provide evidence and facts to back up the information included in your submission. As much as we want to hear about the amazing work you do, we also need to see the impact and results to back it up. A good place to start is to consider if there are any customer testimonials, case studies, revenue figures or media coverage that you could include.
Top tip: The submission form provides the opportunity to attach assets in the form of images, video, slideshows and PDFs, so make the most of the options available.
6. Proof, Proof and Proof Again
Before you hit that submit button, take an extra 30 minutes to proofread your submission. Check for any grammar and spelling errors, and make sure your entry has a nice flow to it. You could even bring in another team member to review your entry, as a fresh pair of eyes can often spot mistakes or areas for improvement that you might have missed.
Top tip: We may use parts of your submission for marketing purposes should it successfully progress through the process. These sections are clearly highlighted throughout the form.
There you have it. Take the above points into consideration, and you could be well on your way to winning a Skift IDEA Award.
Interested in entering? You can start your submission here. Don’t delay – prices will increase May 8, 2024.
