Award entry is an integral part of many businesses’ growth strategy plans but with industry competition at a high, entering awards doesn’t guarantee a win.

As peculiar as it might sound, entering awards isn’t always about taking home a trophy. There are, in fact, several reasons to enter awards, all of which will benefit your campaigns, strategies, and teams even if you don’t make it to the stage – this time!

Boost your brand and gain recognition

Sure, winning an award can give your brand a significant boost. But did you know that simply entering an award can also raise your profile? By promoting your award entry on social media, blogs, and your website, you can increase the visibility and credibility of your brand. So, even if you don’t take home the trophy, you’re still making waves in your industry.

Attract new clients, new talent, and new partnerships

Entering awards is a fantastic way to show clients and potential partners just how passionate and dedicated you are to your work. It’s a chance to highlight your commitment to excellence and your willingness to go the extra mile. Plus, by recognizing your team’s hard work through award entries, you’re boosting morale and showing appreciation for their efforts.

Feedback from judges for external insight into your work

The entry process provides organisations with clarity on initial campaign objectives in relation to the results and gives an opportunity to reflect on the journey of the project, discover a new perspective, and identify areas for improvement.

The Don’t Panic Awards entry form is the perfect framework for reviewing the overall project and gaining clarity for future work, as well as an opportunity to judge projects. Shortlisted entrants into the Don’t Panic awards receive feedback from judges on whether their entries take home a trophy or not.

Expand your network

Networking is a crucial part of business growth, and awards ceremonies are perfect opportunities to connect with industry leaders and like-minded professionals. By attending a Don’t Panic Awards, you’ll have the chance to mingle with companies from the UK, Europe, the US and beyond. It’s a fantastic way to learn from others, share ideas, and even scope out the competition in a friendly and collaborative environment.

So, whether you’re aiming for the top prize or just looking to gain some valuable experience and insights, entering awards with Don’t Panic Projects is a win-win situation. Give it a try and see how it can benefit your business!

Don’t just take it from us…

“Being named an award finalist is a significant morale booster for our team. It’s a validation of the exceptional work they consistently deliver for our clients and a testament to our expertise. This recognition also plays a crucial role in our business development efforts, with several companies discovering our services through our participation in various awards. 

“Our participation in awards is not just a part of our growth strategy—it’s a strategic driver. It’s a powerful tool for us to showcase our exceptional work and expertise, which in turn attracts new clients to our business.” – Cristiano Winckler, Somebody Digital

By Veronika Höller

As a seasoned Digital Marketing Manager with years of trench warfare in the digital realm under my belt, I’ve had the unique privilege of sitting on both sides of the awards table. Whether it’s orchestrating campaigns that break the mold or dissecting submissions as a judge, the journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Through this lens, I’ve garnered insights into what transforms an entry from just another submission into an award magnet. Here’s the lowdown, straight from the trenches.

The Entry: Your Campaign’s Frontline

First things first, your entry is essentially your campaign donning its finest armor, ready for battle. It’s all we, as judges, get to see of the blood, sweat, and pixels you’ve poured into your project. This is where many fall at the first hurdle, treating the entry as a mere formality rather than the golden ticket it is. The trick? Craft it with the same zeal you reserve for your most crucial campaigns.

Rules: The Battlefield Guidelines

Every battle has its rules, and digital marketing awards are no different. Overlooking the submission guidelines is akin to sending your troops out with a map to the wrong battlefield. It’s not just about avoiding disqualification; it’s about demonstrating respect for the process and ensuring your entry is evaluated on a level playing field. Stick to the word limits, adhere to the format, and make every word count.

Supporting Evidence: Your Artillery

In this arena, your claims are only as strong as the evidence backing them up. Supporting documents and screenshots aren’t optional; they’re your heavy artillery. They bolster your narrative, providing tangible proof of your campaign’s impact and creativity. Use them wisely to illustrate your achievements and the innovative strategies that got you there.

Tailor Your Entries: No One-Size-Fits-All Armor

Rehashing the same entry across multiple categories is a common folly. It’s tempting to save time with a copy-paste job, but remember, each category is a different beast with unique criteria. Customizing your submission to fit each category is not just about playing by the rules; it’s about respecting the nuances of each battle you choose to fight.

Storytelling: The Soul of Your Campaign

Here’s where many entries miss the mark. An effective submission doesn’t just list achievements; it weaves a compelling narrative. As judges, we crave stories—tales of adversity, innovation, and triumph. Dive into the challenges you faced, the strategic pivots you made, and how you shattered expectations. This is your moment to bring us into the heart of your campaign, to make us feel the highs and the lows, and ultimately, why your campaign deserves to triumph.

In Conclusion: Beyond Just Winning

Crafting an award-winning entry is an art form that goes beyond the mechanics of marketing. It’s about storytelling, strategic evidence presentation, and a meticulous adherence to guidelines. But more importantly, it’s a reflection of your passion for digital marketing and the impact of your work.

Remember, each submission is a learning curve, an opportunity to refine your craft. Winning is the cherry on top, but the true victory lies in the journey—pushing boundaries, sparking innovation, and setting new benchmarks in the digital marketing landscape.

So, to my fellow digital marketers gearing up for your next awards submission, arm yourselves with these insights. May your entries not just participate but dominate. Here’s to crafting narratives that resonate, strategies that inspire, and campaigns that leave a mark long after the awards have been handed out.

In 2010, Don’t Panic’s founder and Managing Director, Nicky Wake, detected a gap in the market. The search industry was thriving and demonstrating business-changing innovations, but there wasn’t an award to recognise and celebrate the expertise, talent, and achievements of SEO, PPC, and content marketing agencies.

With the support of sector leaders, the most respected national search award was founded in Manchester, United Kingdom and has since come to dominate the search industry in every corner of the globe and is showing no signs of slowing down.

So, after 15 years and six global awards, how did the We Are Search Awards begin?

2010: UK Search Awards Launch

The UK Search Awards, now the biggest and most anticipated of the Search Awards series, launched in 2010 with a live event hosted in London. Since its launch, the UK Search Awards has hosted 14 live events and seen over 5,000 entries!

Now heading into its 15^th year, the awards continue to go from strength to strength (while the venues get bigger and bigger) and we’re pretty sure they have another 15 years (and beyond) in them.

2012: European Search Awards Launch

Following the success of the UK Search Awards, the team decided to branch the series out into Europe. The European Search Awards launched in 2012 and have grown to become one of the most exciting marketing awards in Europe.

12 cities across the continent have already hosted the European Search Awards, with Lisbon being the most recent in 2023. This year, the awards will be heading to the historic city of Prague, Czech Republic for another year of celebrating search success.

2013: US Search Awards Launch

In 2013, we took the Search Awards series across the Atlantic to launch the US Search Awards and we’ve never looked back. Like any British enterprise (or pop band) breaking into the United States is a big deal, which makes the achievements of the US Search Awards all the more impressive.

Now entering their 12^th year, the awards have experienced huge growth and recognition continues to develop across all 50 states. Having originally been hosted in Las Vegas, the awards graduated from Sin City to the Big Apple in 2023, and we think New York City definitely suits the growing prestigiousness of the US Search Awards.

2017: MENA Search Awards Launch

In 2017, we started to get the travel bug again, but instead of heading west, we took the Search Awards series east and landed in the Middle East and North Africa. As one of the fastest developing and most exciting territories in the world, taking the awards to the MENA region was a no-brainer.

And we haven’t been proven wrong! In the MENA Search Awards’ eight years of celebrating search successes, the awards have been hosted in Dubai’s most iconic venues, including the Madinat Jumeirah, and have become one of the brightest in the series with show no signs of slowing down.

2020: Awards Go Virtual

The Search Awards series were no stranger to the changes that the pandemic brought but like many businesses, the awards adapted and thrived. All four of the Search Awards went virtual as part of the ‘new normal’ but promptly returned from 2021 onwards.

2020: Global Search Awards Launch

2020 was a year of highs and lows but one huge high for the Search Awards was the launch of the Global Search Awards, the fifth award to join the series. The Global Search Awards were born with the aim of bringing We Are Search magic to every corner of the world, and in their five-year history, they’ve done a pretty good job!

Since 2020, the Global Search Awards have seen entries from over 30 countries (and counting) and over 1,970 entries in total. The huge success of the awards was solidified in 2023 when the awards ceremony was hosted live for the first time in Paris and were one of the biggest nights in Search Award history!

2021: APAC Search Awards Launch

Our goal of bringing the Search Awards to all four corners of the globe became closer to completion in 2021 when we launched the APAC Search Awards. The awards brought search recognition to the Asia and Pacific region and, like its predecessors, has already proven to be a huge success.

In 2024, after over 500 entries, the awards were hosted live in Melbourne, Australia. The event was one of the team’s biggest achievements, not only because of the jetlag but as a testament to how a small award launched in Manchester has grown to dominate the world’s search industry.

And the future? Watch this space…

We’re excited to share that Don’t Panic’s Awards Trust Mark accreditation has been renewed for 2024. We achieved ‘Outstanding’ across 28 of our digital awards, while our two new awards, the APAC Agency Awards and the US Business Tech Awards, have both been accredited for their first year.

The Awards Trust Mark is awarded by the Independent Awards Standard Council which runs the accreditation programme to enhance trust between award entrants and the organisations running them.

What is the Awards Trust Mark?

The Awards Trust Mark scheme is a not-for-profit accreditation programme run by The Independent Awards Standards Council.

The organisation works to enhance trust between those entering awards schemes and the organisations running them.

It’s based on a voluntary code of conduct that awards organisers commit to. All levels of the Trust Mark require a director to sign up for this code of conduct.

The highest levels (advanced and outstanding) not only have the most extensive list of elements within the code of conduct but are also validated by calling a randomly selected awards judge and awards entrant.

Why do we need the Awards Trust Mark?

The need for the Trust Mark, and the elements within an agreed code of conduct, are based on research by Boost Awards that gained input from both awards entrants and organisers.

This research showed that about 80% of businesses entering awards would be influenced by such a scheme when picking awards to enter. It found that transparency was essential and that most awards organisers were willing to consider such a scheme, for the benefit of all stakeholders within the awards industry. 

The research also showed that perceived trust in the judging process used in an awards scheme is one of the most influential factors for businesses in picking schemes to enter.

Don’t Panic’s Outstanding Accreditation

28 of Don’t Panic’s awards are accredited ‘Outstanding’ by the Independent Awards Standards Council – Awards Trust Mark. Two of our latest awards, the APAC Agency Awards and the US Business Tech Awards, have both been accredited for their first year. Awards need to be running for at least one year before they can gain an Outstanding accreditation.

Our ethical, transparent, and robust judging and confidentiality process means you, your team, and your clients can trust the results of your award entry.

The Don’t Panic Confidentiality Process

At Don’t Panic, we understand that many potential entrants into our 30 awards are worried about sharing sensitive client or business information in their entry forms.

More than often, however, this information is essential for a successful award entry, and not including it runs the risk of an entry not being shortlisted.

We have a number of processes and agreements in place to ensure that all evidence and documentation remain confidential to protect business privacy, protect sensitive business information such as formulae, strategies, and price lists, and preserve their reputation.

We ensure all private and sensitive material submitted as part of or to support award entries remains confidential to the judges.

All judges are required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and a judging code of conduct to ensure confidentiality and provide peace of mind to entrants.

Judges are required to ensure that:

• All judging discussions are confidential and are never shared or discussed with anyone outside of the judging panel or thereafter.
• Judges never share the confidential material they’re shown, whether that’s judging papers, entries, or supporting information.  
• All judges securely delete all judging materials immediately after the judging period or give materials to The Awards Team who will manage this.
• Judges can only access entries that they have been provided to score.
• Winning case studies may be used in post-event materials to promote best practices. Permission is always sought from entrants before publishing.

We believe that awards are only valuable to the digital industry when they’re trusted by entrants, their employees, and their clients. We strive to provide the best awards experience for all entrants which is why our confidentiality and judging process will remain ethical, transparent, and trustworthy.