Why your business deserves to win – and why hiring a professional to write your award submission is also a win!
Winning an award for your business can position you as credible and professional. It not only puts you in front of more customers - a worthy investment.
You're good at what you do. Really good. Your clients love you, your results speak for themselves, and your team works hard every day. But when it comes time to put all of that into an award submission? It gets put on the back burner or the “too hard” basket.
You stare at the criteria. You try to explain what makes your business special. You write a paragraph, delete it, write another. Hours pass. The deadline creeps closer. And the submission still doesn't feel like it does justice to what you've achieved.
Sound familiar? You're not alone – and you don't have to do it alone.
Professional award submission writing is one of the most high-value services a copywriter can offer. And if you're an Australian business ready to be recognised for your hard work, I can help you get there.
What is an award submission – and why does the writing matter so much?
An award submission is a formal written entry submitted to an industry awards program. Depending on the category and the awards body, you might be asked to answer between three and fifteen criteria questions – anything from describing your business model and community impact, to detailing your financial performance, your sustainability practices, or your customer experience.
The quality of your writing directly affects your chances of winning. Judges read dozens – sometimes hundreds – of entries.
The businesses that get shortlisted aren't always the biggest or most profitable.
They're the ones who told their story most clearly, connected their evidence to the criteria, and made the judges feel something.
That's where expert award writing makes all the difference.
Award writing isn't just answering questions. It's crafting a persuasive narrative that makes judges stop and take notice.
Behind every winner is a story told well. Let's tell yours.
What makes a winning award submission?
After 16+ years in writing and communications – and real wins under my belt for Australian businesses – here's what I know makes a submission stand out:
Strategic alignment: Every sentence is written with the award criteria in mind, not just a general overview of what you do.
Measurable outcomes: Judges want evidence. Numbers, percentages, before-and-after comparisons – concrete proof that your work made a difference.
A compelling narrative: Facts alone don't win awards. Your story – your why, your journey, your people – needs to come through.
Clear, confident language: No jargon. No waffle. Submissions that are easy to read and get to the point are far more persuasive.
Tailored tone: A tourism award reads differently from a manufacturing award. The voice needs to match your industry and your brand.
I work with you to understand all of this before I write a single word. The result is a submission that sounds like you – just at your absolute best.
Real results, real award wins: what my clients say
I don't just write award submissions. I help businesses win awards.
Here's what some of my recent Australian clients have shared:
"Abby's award submission writing was outstanding! It was insightful and right on point with the message I wanted to convey. I ended up with a professional, beautifully worded piece of writing and we won!"
— Vanessa Rose, Owner, Coolamon Station
Vanessa came to me knowing her business had an incredible story – but she struggled to articulate it. We had a strategy session, I reviewed the criteria, and together we built two submissions that spoke directly to the judges.
They won the Tweed Business Awards in the Excellence In Sustainable Tourism category and were also a finalist in the Outstanding Visitor Experience category!
"We used Abby to write our Queensland Tourism Awards submission and we won bronze in the 2025 awards. Abby really took the time to understand our business and what makes it unique for our guests and translated that insight seamlessly into a compelling and well-crafted submission."
— Kim Turner, Broadwater Tourist Park (Gold Coast Tourist Parks)
Tourism awards are highly competitive – especially at a state level. Helping Broadwater Tourist Park earn a bronze at the 2025 Queensland Tourism Awards was a real highlight. Kim's team were kicking so many goals; my job was to make sure the submission reflected that.
"Working with Abby was both positive and professional. Her writing style is clear, engaging and captured GCCEC's story with clarity and ensured it aligned with the criteria. She made the process easy and collaborative, and our entry went on to win Silver at the 2025 Queensland Tourism Awards."
— Kerri Brown, Executive Manager – Marketing and Communications, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC)
GCCEC is one of Australia's premier event venues, and their submission needed to match that calibre. Working closely with Kerri and the team, we developed a response that was sophisticated, evidence-led and unmistakably them – earning Silver at the 2025 Queensland Tourism Awards.
Who is award submission writing for?
My award submission writing service is for:
Small and medium Australian businesses entering local or industry awards for the first time
Established organisations aiming for state or national recognition
Tourism operators submitting to Queensland Tourism Awards, Australian Tourism Awards and similar programs
Teams who have been shortlisted before but never quite taken home the win
Time-poor executives and business owners who know they need a polished entry but don't have the bandwidth to write it themselves
Whether you're a sole trader entering your first local business award, or a large organisation putting together a complex multi-criteria national submission, I can help.
What's included in my award submission writing service?
Every submission package is tailored to your specific award, but typically includes:
An initial strategy and discovery session to understand your business, goals, and the award criteria
Full review of all award guidelines and criteria before writing begins
Professionally written responses to each criterion, structured for maximum impact
Editing and refinement for clarity, tone and persuasion
Two rounds of revisions to ensure you're completely happy
Optional support with selecting supporting evidence, images and appendices
I make the process as easy as possible for you. My job is to take the pressure off.
How much does award submission writing cost in Australia?
Award submission writing is an investment – and one that pays off when you win.
Here's a general guide to my pricing:
Small local business awards: from $1,300 AUD
Mid-tier state or industry awards: from $2,500–$4,000 AUD
Larger state or national awards with multiple complex criteria: from $4,000–$6,000 AUD
Final pricing depends on the complexity of the award, the number of criteria questions, the word count required, the depth of research involved, and the number of stakeholders I'll need to liaise with.
I provide a clear quote after an initial discovery call – no surprises, no hidden fees.
Frequently asked questions about award submission writing
How long does the process take?
Every award is different, but I recommend providing at least 4 weeks before your submission deadline for small local business awards. Complex national awards may require 8 to 12 weeks. Get in touch early – I can only take a limited number of award clients at any one time.
Will the submission sound like me?
Absolutely. I spend time getting to know your business, your voice and what makes you different. The submission will reflect you authentically – just the most articulate and compelling version of you.
Do you write for specific industries?
I work across all industries, with particular experience in tourism, hospitality, events, small business, and professional services. I've written for Queensland Tourism Award entrants and Tweed Business Awards.
What if I've never entered an award before?
Even better. I'll guide you through the full process – from choosing the right categories to identifying your strongest evidence. First-time entrants are very welcome.
Do you guarantee a win?
No ethical copywriter can guarantee a win – judging panels make their own decisions. What I can guarantee is a submission that gives you the best possible chance: professionally written, strategically aligned and genuinely compelling.
Why work with an Australian award submission writer?
There's a difference between a generic copywriter and one who specialises in award submissions. I understand:
How Australian awards programs are structured and what judges are trained to look for
The specific requirements of programs like the Queensland Tourism Awards, and local business awards
How to balance warmth and personality with the formal requirements of award criteria
What evidence resonates – and how to present it persuasively within word limits
I’m based in Australia and working with clients across the country, bringing both local knowledge and professional craft to every submission.
You've done the hard work. Let me make sure the judges know it.
Ready to write your winning award submission?
If you have an award deadline coming up – or you want to plan ahead for the next round – now is the time to get in touch.
I offer a free 20-minute discovery call to find out more about your business, the award you're entering and whether we're a good fit.
There's no obligation and no hard sell. Just a conversation about what it would take to help you win.
Book your free discovery call today!
List of 2026 Australian Business Awards: A guide for your award submissions
Here’s a few business and Tourism Awards to consider entering in 2026 (not an exhaustive list - check their websites for details):
National Business Awards
AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies
AFR Fast 100 and AFR Fast Starters
AFR BOSS Best Places to Work
AusMumpreneur Awards
Australian Achiever Awards
Australian Business Awards (ABA100)
Australian Small Business Awards
Australian Small Business Champion Awards
Australian Young Entrepreneur Awards
Community Achievement Awards
Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific Awards
EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
Ethnic Business Awards
Executive of the Year Awards (CEO Magazine)
Franchise Council of Australia Excellence in Franchising Awards
Smart50 Awards
Telstra Best of Business Awards
Xero Awards
Young Achiever Awards
International Business Awards (Open to Australian Businesses)
Asia Pacific Stevie Awards
BIG Awards for Business
Tourism Awards
Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
Australia's Top Tourism Town Awards
NSW Tourism Awards
NSW Top Tourism Town Awards
Queensland Tourism Awards
Queensland Top Tourism Town Awards
Victorian Tourism Awards
Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards
Perth Airport Western Australian Tourism Awards
South Australian Tourism Awards
Tasmanian Tourism Awards
ACT Tourism Awards
Northern Territory Tourism Awards
✍️ I'm Abby — a freelance copywriter who loves helping businesses and not-for-profits find the right words to shine.
If this post has got you thinking about award submissions, let's talk! Whether you're starting from scratch or just need a hand polishing your entry, I'm here for it.
Book a call with me and let's make it happen.