Are you hiding in the shadows?

Are you hiding from the internationals? Or perhaps from residents of other states? Do you only want to be seen by locals?

Using your answers to those questions the fastest way to get your business or your destination under the appropriate spotlight is to look to relevant reputable industry excellence awards programs. Not the popularity contests or the advertising industry accolades. Seek out excellence awards programs judges by your peers and members of your industry or expertise.

Self nominate and reflect on your offering while responding to the questions. Stimulate conversations about what has been done well and what could have been done better. Communicate this to the judges while providing context and proof to the judges that your actions or offering is worthy of industry recognition.

Once you have successfully proven it to the judges then your profile is automatically enhanced and the credibility of your offering is elevated. Even a finalist status shows you are on the right path. It shows you are willing to step forward and are prepared to stand out - that you are hiding in the shadows.

Of course, the light shines brightest for longer on those whose actions and words are chosen as a bronze, silver or gold winners. This puts your achievements amongst a very select group in your industry.

But the best thing is that you will have also gained high ranking ambassadors for your offering (judges, awards managers, industry bodies, media) and critical direct links from reputable industry websites and social media to help with your SEO rankings and therefore increase the likelihood that others will get to know about you and find you easily.

Others will look to you when trying to understand how they can do better. They will look to you for ideas, inspiration and encouragement.

Before you know it you are leading the way to a better tomorrow for all.

I wish you well on your journey as you step out of the darkness and into the light.

Go well my friend.

For a list of reputable Australian Excellence Awards programs see ttps://www.awardsabsolute.com/awards-programs

Remember: Unless you make the conscious decision to stand out you are only seen by a few.

Most can't see you, don't know you are there, let alone who you are or what you do. The same applies with your business, your offering, your community or your destination. It is as if you are hiding - not because you want to be in the shadow, but often because you do not realise you are in it.

If you want success you must do what most people don't do. You must consciously step into the light, know that you are being seen and watched, and be prepared to learn from all it does bring.