The finalists in this year’s Be Inspired Business Awards, the BIBAs, are being encouraged to plan for the publicity opportunities that lie ahead or risk missing out on a major reputation boost.
Known as ‘the one they all want to win’, the BIBAs have an enviable reputation across Lancashire and beyond.
With the judging process being as stringent as it is, making it through to the finals of the BIBAs is a major achievement while scooping an award on the night is a real triumph.
Finalists and winners have much to gain from promoting their participation in the competition and their association with the BIBAs brand, but need to plan ahead for their own PR in order to take full advantage.
That’s the view of two of this year’s sponsors.
Jamie Griffiths at Smooth Radio, sponsors of the Leisure and Tourism award, said: “Being part of the BIBAs is a huge opportunity to gain positive publicity, but it doesn’t happen by itself.
“While the organisers at the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce work hard to publicise the competition throughout the year, including by securing ample media coverage when announcing details of the finalists and the winners, individual businesses shouldn’t overlook the chance to get their own stories circulating in the press.”
Jordan Conlin at Shout Network, social media partners for the BIBAs, agrees: “Just because finalists and winners are guaranteed to get a mention in the Chamber’s press releases, it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try and get their own media coverage too.
“There’s more of an opportunity for them to get personal about their business achievements and the chance to have a bigger say when they do their own PR.
“The BIBAs is such a powerful brand, aligning your business with it can give you a serious reputational boost but only if you set out to make the most of the publicity opportunities on offer.”
The business benefits of securing media coverage are well documented, and include increased awareness, enhanced credibility and improved trust.
Ahead of the big reveal on Friday 16th September, when the winners will be announced at the black-tie ceremony in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the Chamber says finalists should start thinking ahead about drafting their own press releases and that, to improve the chances of them being used by journalists, they should feature quotes from people in the business, a unique twist on their BIBAs experience, and be accompanied by a high quality, relevant photograph.