To streamline your journey to victory, APSCo has curated 12 invaluable pointers to set you on the right course.
- Grasp the criteria: The judging panel will evaluate your submission based on these guidelines, so understanding them thoroughly is paramount.
- Mind the word limit: With our online portal, there's no room for exceeding word counts. Familiarise yourself with the maximum allowed words and craft your responses accordingly.
- Cut the fluff: Flowery language eats into your word count and often fails to convey the necessary information. Choose clarity and conciseness.
- Back it up: Support your claims with solid data or evidence. Instead of stating "excellent staff retention," provide specifics like "78% staff retention in the last 12 months."
- Avoid replication: Resist the temptation to lift content directly from your website or marketing materials. Tailor your submission to the awards' purpose.
- Utilise bullet points: Bulleted lists can effectively convey information while preventing excessive prose. Consider using them where applicable.
- Review, revise, repeat: Thoroughly proofread your entry multiple times and be open to making revisions as needed.
- Include supporting documentation: Ensure you provide all requested supporting materials and feel free to supplement with additional content to bolster your points. Indicate additional content within your submission.
- Address the questions: Stay on target by directly answering the prompts provided.
- Stay honest: If shortlisted, be prepared to defend your submission during questioning. Avoid exaggeration or embellishment.
- Stay focused: Keep your messaging clear and cohesive throughout your submission.
- Seek feedback: Ask multiple people for a final review, ideally including some who are unfamiliar with the content.
Chair of Judges for the Awards for Excellence, John Rose, shares his insights for success:
