Marketing for Trades: Why Your Business Needs To Be Winning Awards.
Let's talk about something that could completely transform your Trade and Construction marketing.
Awards. 🏆
Yes, you read that correctly.
Those shiny trophies and certificates aren't just for show.
They're marketing gold dust for your Trade and Construction marketing and business.
And if you're not already entering them, you're missing out on one of the most powerful marketing tools available to you.
Think about it.
What speaks louder to a potential client…
You telling them how great your business is, or an independent panel of industry experts confirming it?
According to Forbes:
Smaller award-winning companies saw a 63% increase in operating income and a 39% growth in sales compared to non-winners.
That's the power of third-party validation.
Let's dive into exactly why awards should be part of your Trade and Construction marketing plan, and how to make them work for your business…
1. The Marketing Power of Trade and Construction Awards.
Let's start with the obvious.
An award gives your Trade and Construction business instant credibility.
It's like having a five-star review from the industry itself.
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When a potential client is choosing between you and your competitors, that award could be the deciding factor.
It shows them that experts in your field have looked at your work and deemed it worthy of recognition.
That's powerful stuff.
But it goes deeper than that.
Think about an electrical contractor who won 'Best Customer Service' at their local business awards.
Suddenly, they're not just another electrical company.
They're the electrical company that's been recognized for outstanding service.
That's a game-changer in client conversations.
Here's what winning an award really means for your Trade and Construction marketing:
🏆 Instant credibility boost with potential clients.
🏆 Recognition from industry experts.
🏆 Multiple marketing opportunities across all channels.
🏆 Strong differentiator from competitors.
🏆 Higher perceived value for your services.
Let's look at how you can leverage that win:
📢 Press releases about your nomination and wins.
📢 Social media content that positions you as an industry leader.
📢 Website badges and certificates that build trust.
📢 Email marketing campaigns celebrating your success.
📢 Content for your brochures and marketing materials.
📢 Vehicle graphics showcasing your achievement.
📢 Networking opportunities at awards ceremonies.
📢 Local media coverage and industry recognition.
One award can fuel your marketing strategy for months, if not years…
2. How Marketing Through Awards Builds Trust in Your Trade and Construction Marketing.
Trust is everything in Trade and Construction.
We all know this.
And building that trust through your Trade marketing requires multiple touchpoints.
Awards help accelerate this process.
Let's look at a real-world scenario.
Picture two roofing companies quoting for the same job.
Both have good reviews.
Both have been in business for the same amount of time.
But one has just won 'Excellence in Roofing' at the regional construction awards.
Which one instantly feels more trustworthy?
When a potential client sees that award badge on your website or van, what does it tell them?
That you're:
✅ Committed to excellence.
✅ Recognised by industry experts.
✅ Proud of your work.
✅ Established in your field.
✅ Confident enough to put yourself forward.
✅ Independently verified as exceptional.
✅ Invested in your industry.
✅ Setting standards others aspire to.
Each of these points helps build trust before you've even met the client.
And in the Trade and Construction, trust equals contracts.
Simple as that.
But here's where it gets really interesting…
Awards don't just build trust with potential clients.
They build trust with:
🏗️ Suppliers who want to work with award-winning businesses.
🏗️ Other trades who want to collaborate.
🏗️ Potential employees who want to join a recognised company.
🏗️ Banks and investors who see you as lower risk.
That's the compound effect of award-winning status.
3. Using Award Marketing to Stand Out in the Trade and Construction Sector.
Here's something to consider.
How many of your competitors are actively pursuing awards?
Probably not many.
And that's exactly why you should be.
In Marketing for Trade and Construction, standing out is crucial.
You already know this.
Let's break this down with a practical example.
A heating engineer won a regional award for their innovative approach to sustainable heating solutions.
What happened next?
They became known as the 'eco-friendly heating specialists' in their area.
Every marketing message suddenly had more weight.
Every sustainability claim had proof behind it.
That's the power of specialisation through awards.
Here's what happened:
📈 Their website traffic increased.
📈 Enquiries specifically mentioning eco-friendly heating went through the roof.
📈 Local architects started recommending them for green building projects.
Awards give you that edge.
They provide talking points in your marketing that other Trades simply don't have.
Consider these opportunities:
📣 "Award-winning plumbing solutions"
📣 "As featured in [Industry Magazine] Awards 2025"
📣 "Voted Best Local Builder 2025"
📣 "Regional Winner: Excellence in Construction"
These aren't just taglines.
They're conversation starters.
They're differentiators.
And when everyone else is saying the same things in their marketing, being different is priceless.
4. The Hidden Marketing Benefits of Trade and Construction Awards.
Let's talk about something that often gets overlooked.
The networking opportunities that come with awards.
Because Trade and Construction Marketing isn't just about digital presence.
It's about connections too.
Picture this scenario:
You're at an awards ceremony.
In the room are:
🤝 Property developers looking for reliable contractors.
🤝 Architects seeking trusted Trade partners.
🤝 Other successful Trade and Construction business owners.
🤝 Industry suppliers who want to work with the best.
🤝 Local business leaders who could recommend you.
Even if you don't win, these connections can transform your business.
But it gets better.
Award ceremonies often lead to:
📱 Partnership opportunities.
📱 Supplier discounts.
📱 Media coverage.
📱 Industry speaking opportunities.
📱 Local business partnerships.
And if you do win?
Those connections become even stronger.
Because success attracts success.
5. Making Awards Part of Your Trade and Construction Marketing plan.
Right then.
You're convinced awards are worth pursuing.
But how do you make them part of your Marketing for Trade and Construction strategy?
First up, you need to:
📋 Research relevant awards in your sector.
📋 Create a calendar of submission deadlines.
📋 Gather evidence of your best work.
📋 Start documenting your successes.
📋 Take high-quality photos of your projects.
📋 Collect client testimonials.
Let's break this down further.
Types of awards to consider:
🏆 Local business awards.
🏆 Industry-specific awards.
🏆 Regional excellence awards.
🏆 National Trade awards.
🏆 Customer service awards.
🏆 Innovation awards.
For each award, you'll need:
📊 Project case studies.
📊 Financial performance data.
📊 Customer feedback.
📊 Evidence of innovation.
📊 Team development stories.
📊 Community involvement examples.
Because here's the thing.
Award submissions aren't something you can throw together last minute.
They require planning.
And the best time to start planning is now.
6. Maximising Your Trade and Construction Marketing After Winning Awards.
So you've won an award. 🏆
Brilliant.
Now what?
This is where your Trade Marketing plan really kicks in.
Here's an action plan to consider:
📢 Update your website with a news article.
📢 Create a press release.
📢 Share across all social media platforms.
📢 Email your client database.
📢 Add the award logo to your email signature.
📢 Update your vehicle graphics.
📢 Include it in your quotes and proposals.
📢 Create a case study about the winning project.
📢 Develop a content calendar featuring your win.
📢 Create video content showcasing your achievement.
📢 Update all your marketing materials.
📢 Include in all tender documents.
📢 Feature in recruitment materials.
📢 Use in networking presentations.
📢 Incorporate into your brand story.
Remember…
🎁 Your award win is a gift that keeps on giving.
Use it in different ways:
🎯 Client testimonial videos.
🎯 Behind-the-scenes stories.
🎯 Team celebration posts.
🎯 Project showcase features.
7. Choosing the Right Awards for Your Trade and Construction Marketing Impact.
Not all awards are created equal.
Some carry more weight than others.
When selecting awards for your Trade and Construction marketing plan, consider:
🎯 Industry recognition - how respected is the award?
🎯 Geographic reach - local, national or international?
🎯 Competition level - who else typically enters?
🎯 Entry requirements - can you meet them effectively?
🎯 Cost implications - what's the return on investment?
Let's break these down:
⚒️ Industry Recognition:
• Trade-specific awards often carry more weight than general business awards.
• Look for awards backed by respected industry bodies.
• Research past winners and their success stories.
🌎 Geographic Impact:
• Local awards can boost community presence.
• Regional awards expand your market reach.
• National awards provide wider recognition.
📈 Competition Level:
• Research past winners.
• Understand entry criteria thoroughly.
• Assess your chances realistically.
Because entering awards takes time and often money.
You need to be strategic about which ones you pursue.
Focus on those that align with your Trade and Construction marketing goals.
And remember - quality over quantity. 🙌🏽
One prestigious award is worth more than multiple lesser-known ones.
⬇️ Marketing for Trades: Why Your Business Needs To Be Winning Awards Rundown:
1. The Marketing Power of Trade and Construction Awards.
2. How Marketing Through Awards Builds Trust in Your Business.
3. Using Award Marketing to Stand Out in the Sector.
4. The Hidden Marketing Benefits of Awards.
5. Making Awards Part of Your Marketing Strategy.
6. Maximising Your Marketing After Winning Awards.
7. Choosing the Right Awards for Marketing Impact.
Need a little more help nailing your Trade and Construction marketing?
Course you do.
First. Let's work out where you are with your marketing.
Got 3 minutes?
Take our Trades Quiz to discover how you score with all things 'Off The Tools'.
We have heaps of tips, tricks and hacks for your Trade and Construction business in our cheat sheets, videos and ideas waiting for you on the other side... i.e., your results page.
So, you can improve your score. And NAIL your Trade and Construction business.