Congratulations on your award! 10 tips on how to communicate your honor – with professionalism

It seems springtime is the season for flowers as well as showering the deserving with praise. It’s a popular time for banquets and awards. If you’re talented, accomplished and noteworthy, not to mention fortunate enough to receive recognition, you may be wondering, with some modesty along with pride: How do I let people know about my honor without seeming to be an egotistical braggart? Well, if you’re even wondering how to communicate your award with professionalism, you’re not that kind of blatantly self-serving person, anyway. Awards and recognitions are bestowed for worthy reasons. Recognize that your moment in the sun is deserved and provides multiple opportunities for publicity and communicating your values and gratitude to your community, clients and potential clients. Here are some ideas:
• Write a one-page news release announcing the award; be sure to connect it to the unique values you bring to your business and clients.
• Express appreciation in the news release as well as personally to your staff or others who were instrumental in your accomplishments.
• Distribute the news release not only to your local and regional media (don’t forget weekly and business publications) but also organizations to which you belong such as chambers of commerce, economic development associations, university alumnae groups and magazines. Include a photo; this always enhances reader interest.
• Offer to write an editorial on a business topic for your local newspaper business section and/or the area’s weekly or monthly business publication, and include mention of the award in your brief (two-sentence) bio that these publications usually include at the end of the editorial. Send your photo, too.
• Add the news release to your website, including a photo of you receiving or holding the award.
• Share the link to the news release (even better if the link is from a publication, but you can do this right away by posting on your website) with all of your social networks.
• Update your online profiles to include your achievement.
• Display the award if a plaque in a prominent place in your office. If it didn’t come with a plaque, display a framed photo and brief explanation of the honor.
• Make it an event: invite clients and business partners/ associates to an after-work wine and hors d’oeuvres event (or whatever format suits you) to celebrate and thank them for making it possible for you to have received the honor.
• Keep in mind that your community and the organizations with which you’re connected genuinely want to know about your achievement. It reflects positively on your dedication and success as well as on everyone who has ever helped or supported you in your professional growth