Media Training Message: How to Leverage Your Awards on Social Media

Spoiler alert: You’re not bragging, you’re building your brand.

If you’ve read any of my blog posts, you know how much value I place on the importance of establishing authority and credibility in your industry. While video is always a bull’s eye, in my experience, you do have other arrows in your quiver. What am I talking about? Celebrating and communicating your success on social media.?

Lately, I’ve observed too many people shy away from sharing on social media what I know are major accomplishments or professional wins. If you’re one of them, I’m sorry to say you are wasting a golden opportunity to build your brand and establish your voice as one of authority in your industry.?

Don’t get me wrong — no one likes a bragger, but this isn’t about showing off, it’s about demonstrating expertise, experience, and excellence. Stick with me while I explain why highlighting your awards on social media is crucial… and I’ll provide a few tips on how to do it effectively.

Establishing credibility: why should anyone listen to you?

Right, wrong, or otherwise, awards and accolades serve as third-party validation of your skills, expertise, and accomplishments. By showcasing these honors on social media, you’re not only bolstering your own credibility but also providing reassurance to your audience that you are a trusted authority in your industry.?

Between winning a prestigious industry award, receiving recognition by a professional association, or getting glowing testimonials from clients, each accolade reinforces your position as a leader in your field. Don’t keep these gems to yourself!

Building trust: you have competitors, why choose YOU over them?

No matter if we’re talking about a professional or personal relationship, I think we can all agree that trust is paramount, especially in the often shadowy digital realm. This is another reason why sharing your successes on social media can help build trust with your audience. When potential clients or customers see that you’ve been recognized for your achievements, they’re more likely to view you as a reliable and trustworthy source of information or services. This trust is invaluable when it comes to attracting new clients, forging partnerships, or securing opportunities within your industry.?

Just think about the last time you Googled a product, service, or company. Did you not check the level and quality of reviews before making a purchase, booking a consultation, or scheduling a call? Of course you did and you are well aware that those reviews influenced your decision.?

Your audience wants this information — they want to know you and what you bring to the table because they want their problems solved. Show them you — and only you! — can do it.?

Demonstrating expertise: do you really know what you’re talking about?

So, you’ve checked the box on credibility and trust, now what about expertise? Spotlighting your awards on social media allows your expertise to speak for itself. Each award or accolade you share serves as evidence of your knowledge, skills, and accomplishments within your field.?

Whether it’s a certification, a publication feature, or a speaking engagement, every win reinforces your expertise and positions you as a thought leader in your industry. This can lead to increased visibility, recognition, and opportunities for growth and advancement that you don’t want to miss.

So, how do you not miss these opportunities that can result from showcasing your successes?

Be value-driven about sharing your victories!

A good rule of thumb is always shift the focus to your audience. What do they need to know? How can you share your news while still providing value to them? It’s actually pretty easy…??

Instead of simply posting the details about your achievements, focus on the insights, lessons, or inspiration that led to your success. Share the story behind each award, highlighting the challenges you overcame, the strategies you employed, or the lessons you learned along the way.?

When you provide value through your experiences, you’re not only presenting your expertise but also providing actionable insights that resonate with your audience. Win-win!?

Engaging Your Audience: let your success start a conversation!

By taking a candid and transparent approach about what is going well in your business, you engage your audience and foster meaningful connections.?

Take this one step further: encourage additional interaction by inviting your followers to share their own experiences or insights related to your achievements. Create opportunities for dialogue by asking questions, soliciting feedback, or encouraging collaboration. Psst… you can do so much of this right on your social platforms and then repurpose the content into video, emails, blog posts — you name it!?

Actively engaging with your audience not only strengthens your relationships but also positions yourself as a relatable and approachable authority within your industry. People tend to work with people they like and they will root for you, if you open the door to celebrating their successes as well.?

Ultimately, I encourage you not to shy from the limelight. Step into it and share your achievements on social media with humility, authenticity, and a value-driven intention.??

Need more of a push to get started??

Let’s go!?