Awards season is in full flow. We’ve already had the FT Innovative Lawyers and the Law Society Excellence awards this month and many more are due to follow before the end of the year.
Last night was the turn of the Chambers UK Bar Awards – another evening teeming with talent. Thanks so much to Radcliffe Chambers who hosted me for the evening – and massive congratulations to them on their win (Chancery Silk winner Keith Rowley QC) and all the other winners and finalists.
Lawyers can sound pretty cynical about awards. But as the hangover starts to clear and you get flashbacks of drunkenly gurning at the official photographer, here are a few thoughts on why awards are beneficial and how you capitalise on your success.
Make some noise, you’re a winner!
Even though there are plenty of them these days, awards are still a differentiator. If you win, make sure you generate as much noise as possible:
- Make sure the winner’s logo is visible on all your channels – your website, social media, email footer, blogs. Any communications channels you have should be shouting about your success as soon as possible.
- Draft a press release – local media may want to shout about a local firm’s success. You can also use it as an opportunity to let journalists know that you have expertise in a certain area and can provide expert commentary for future articles or news pieces.
- Use it in your pitches for work.
Great networking opportunity
If you’re lucky enough to win an award, great, but whether you win or not, awards ceremonies are a great opportunity to work the room. How often do you find yourself surrounded by peers from such a variety of practices? The contacts you make here can add huge value to your firm. From a greater network you develop more and more interest in the things your firm does, whether it’s events, blog posts or social media.
Online networking is so important. Congratulate other finalists on Twitter or LinkedIn and keep the conversation going. Build and maintain these new relationships.
Reputation attracts talent
Recruiting the right people is a tough, strenuous process. But having an award or two in your back pocket is helpful when trying to lure the brightest talents to your team. An award-winning firm is an attractive place for any ambitious legal professional.
The after-party (of sorts)
Your shiny new award may get you into some exclusive city bars for a good after-party (it won’t), but I’m talking about the followings days, weeks and months.
There’s plenty you can do once the party’s over to keep people talking about your success.
If you want help to get your awards submissions to stand out, get in touch.
MD Communications has a vast wealth of experience with awards submissions and we offer a fast turnaround. We can tailor our service to you with either a draft submission from scratch, or review and edit a submission you’ve pulled together.
