Our judges have compiled some practical tips for creating an impactful, attention grabbing entry.

Dos and Don’ts

Dos:

Read the Questions Carefully:

• Understand each question thoroughly. Revisit them to ensure clarity.
• Allocate ample time for thoughtful responses.

Answer Directly:

• Address the prompts precisely. Avoid going off-topic.
• Focus solely on the questions asked.

Provide Evidence:

• Back up your statements with data and examples.
• Quantify achievements—numbers speak volumes.

Choose the Right Category:

• Explore specialised themes beyond the obvious.
• Look at all the possible categories – you can enter as many as are relevant to you but tailor your answers to category selection.

Collaborate and Seek Feedback:

• Involve colleagues for fresh perspectives.
• Review almost-final drafts to fine-tune.

Don’ts:

Rush the Process:

• Prioritise quality over speed.
• Avoid last-minute scrambles.

Use Jargon Excessively:

• Keep language clear and concise.
• Minimise technical terms.

Stray from Format:

• Stick to word counts and specified systems.
• Don’t provide collage images as we can’t use there – provide single high res images.

Forget the Evidence:

• Substance matters more than style.
• Back up claims with proof.

You can also read more of our judges' advice on our Blog pages.