Awaiting the Awards

The time has come to get those entries ready for the 2009 Channel Awards, writes Sara Yirrell

I find it hard to believe I am writing this, but this week we are launching the Channel Awards 2009.

It hardly seems like five minutes since I was nursing my hideous hangover last November.

Last year’s event was a raging success, with a wide variety of winners and plenty of Judges Commended awards as well.

Now is the time to start thinking about your awards entry ­ the criteria is exactly the same as last year ­ no fewer than 300 words and no longer than 1,500. We have 23 categories again this year, with the new Services Provider of the Year category added after numerous reader requests.

Last year was my first ever judging experience and it was a real eye opener. As a result, I would like to offer some tips.

Think about your entry carefully and how it is going to stand out from the others ­ judges have to read every one, and if an entry is just a block of text, it is not going to compel us to get to the end.

Keep entries concise. Facts, figures and customer testimonials to support growth claims all help to make a more interesting, informative and entertaining read.

Avoid corporate jargon at all costs ­ we all know how to leverage synergies already.
But most of all, enjoy writing the entry.

If you take the step to enter the Awards, it means that your company has done plenty to be proud of.

To find out more, visit: www.channelawards.co.uk

Sara Yirrell is editor of CRN