Techno Granny's Guest JoAnn R. Forrester, the Empress of Biz, Shares Award Winning Writing Tips

Techno Granny Talks 02-10-2014

Secrets Revealed on Winning Awards for You, Business, or Organization

Listen to the Techno Granny show online here

Blue Ribbon Award Winning Writing Tips

By: JoAnn R. Forrester, The Empress of Biz

Awards are an excellent way to position a client, business associate or oneself for recognition and FREE publicity.   The publicity received is often worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.  The following tips will give you an overview of writing a nomination that will stand out and shout, “Pick me.”

1.  Preparation: Knowing the RIGHT steps to take, people to nominate and what awards to nominate your nominee for saves time, frustration and losing submission.

2.  READ, know and follow the guidelines exactly for the nomination.  If you have questions… ASK the organization sponsoring the award.

3.  Nominee’s Permission: It is essential to ask the intended honoree’s permission to nominate him or her for an award.     Explain the award and let the nominee know up front if financial data is required.  Some nominees are uncomfortable with disclosing financial information and will elect not to continue.

4.  Supporting material: If there are supporting documents required, start gathering them immediately.  The supporting documents and letters can be referenced in the nomination write-up to illustrate strong points of the candidate.

5.  Writing: Give yourself plenty of time to write.  Figure at least 10 hours for each nomination.  This covers research, interviewing, verifying material and writing.  List each criteria and answer that only.  Use short and brief sentences with strong follow-up points.   Long sentences and narratives are boring.  The committee soon gets tired of reading and will start to skim over material.

6.  Editing: Have the nominee review and verify what you have written.  If you are unsure of a fact, do not use it.  If it states no more than 5 pages, stick to that!

7.  Submission: Make sure All information requested is enclosed.  Do not guess on postage if mailing.  Get proof of mailing or delivery verification of nomination.  Make sure you have the name of the person who received it.

8.  Congratulate Yourself.   You did it!  Pat yourself on the back!  You deserve it and when your nominee wins…it will be a great time for all.

** Listen to Techno Granny's Interview with more Great Tips from JoAnn Forrester HERE **

Have a Nomination to Write?

JoAnn Forrester, of S. I. Business Associates, is an award winning business consultant, teacher, lecturer and writer. JoAnn has written over 300 award winning profiles for her clients, including the U.S. Small Business Administration National Small Business Journalist of the Year, U.S Small Business Administration National Small Business Person of the Year Award, YWCA Racial Justice Award, YWCA Tribute to Women, SBA Minority Business Advocate, Athena Awards, Stevie Awards and the PA Best 50 Award.

If you do not want to write your nomination she does.

JoAnn can be reached at 412-440-6969 or selfimagebz@aol.com. 

About the Author and Guest:

JoAnn R. Forrester is co-host of the Empress of Biz Talkcast and co-founder, president and partner in S. I. Business Associates, Small Business Solutions, LLC and Celebrate and Share.  She is an entrepreneur, writer, business growth specialist, teacher, columnist and award winning writer.  JoAnn specializes in helping small businesses grow and prosper.  She is the co-developer of the PRICE IT PERFECT™ cost management system for small business, and has secured over 40 million dollars in loans and investment for her clients.

JoAnn is a celebrated business author of two well received business books:  "Steps to Owning Your Own Successful Business©", and the "David vs Goliath Marketing Handbook©."  Her current project is "52 Dangerous Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make©."  JoAnn has been a featured business columnist for the Pittsburgh Business Times writing on Business Finance and for PPLMag.com.  In 2008, JoAnn started the Empress of Biz Talkcast Show, “Listen, Learn, Prosper!  The goal of the show is to provide inspiration, guidance and practical advice to business owners.

She is co-founder of The Women of Achievement Awards Dinner which has recognized over 250 prominent women in Pittsburgh while raising funds for Cribs for Kids®and other not for profit organizations.  JoAnn is also co-founder of the Pennsylvania Women’s Hall of Achievement and was elected President in June of 2012.The goal of the PA Women’s Hall of Achievement is to honor and highlight the accomplishments and achievements of the women of Pennsylvania.

In recognition of her contributions and championing of small and woman owned businesses, JoAnn has been recognized twice by the U. S. Small Business Administration as the Pennsylvania Women Business Champion (1989 and 2000). In addition she has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Best 50 Women in Business, an Honoree in the Pennsylvania Honor Role of Women, awarded the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners Founder’s Award, and recognized by the National Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2010, she was honored by the Greater Pittsburgh YWCA in their Tribute to Women Awards in the entrepreneur category.

© Joanne Quinn-Smith 2014 All rights reserved.