3 Reasons Why Getting An Award is Great PR

At the heart of public relations is reaching out to the public to get the message out.

One way to do this is to apply for an award or recognition. I can rattle off three quick reasons why you or your company should constantly be on the lookout for award opportunities.

Related: 3 Reasons Why Publicity Should Be Part of Your Marketing

1. It's an awesome feeling. Who doesn't like getting an award? It definitely makes you feel good -- and look good -- when you're recognized for your work. Everyone wants to be a winner, after all.
2. It's another way to get the word out. Organizations that give awards, especially prestigious recognition, typically have some sort of announcement or ceremony. They may blast the winners' name to their list serve, feature you on their website or even pitch you as a story to their media contacts. It's another way to have a ready-made audience to receive your message.
3. It lends credibility. Winning an award from a panel of judges that evaluated your organization or project against others and deemed yours top quality is a great measure of the good work you're doing. This is an honor that is often used -- think of how many times you've seen "award-winning" this or that in marketing/PR material -- to an organization's advantage.

The moral of the story? Finding opportunities to apply for awards in your industry is another way to solidify your organization's reputation and expertise.

Read more: 3 Ways Publicity Can Make You Money
                     It Takes More Than An Idea

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media relations consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc. With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.