We put our awards and honors on our C.V.s and resumes, but once we’ve started our own home business, we may either not know how to share this information in a classy way with prospects, customers, clients, and prospects–or we may forget that it can even make a difference. What happens when you receive recognition and how do you go about sharing that information and using it to help you build your business?
Let’s say you are named an important “up and comer” by your chamber of commerce or other business group, or perhaps you receive an award for a contribution you make to your field or community–if you were working a traditional job, there might be a press release sent out and you would add the recognition to your resume’; maybe even post the certificate in your office. As a home business owner, you may wonder how you can go about sharing this information without looking like a big braggart. My advice is to think of how you can use this honor to promote your business, and to think about how it can be done in a less “bragging” way.
For example, you can still send out a press release–written in the third person with your business as the subject, it can be both professional and tasteful: Suzy Smith of Suzy’s Interior Design has been named one of the “Ten Most Promising” small businesses by the XYZ Chamber of Commerce.” You can also put the information on your web site and put a “grateful” spin on it: Suzy’s Interior Design is so thankful and appreciative of the recent recognition by the XYZ Chamber of Commerce. Being names one of the “Ten Most Promising” small businesses is such an honor and a call to action. Your web site is a great place to list any honors or recognitions that you or your business might receive and can add validity and stability to your business reputation.
Finally, some awards can become a major part of your marketing or even part of your business slogan: “Named favorite day care by the XYZ Neighborhood Association.” This can be a great way to incorporate an award or recognition and make the most of it–again, adding credibility to your home business operation.
Also: Do You Need More Recognition?