I just launched the new Odell (where I work) website, updated the DNS and all’s pretty much well with the world (the site still needs some tweaks). All, that is, except my email. Having been banished to Email Hell, this post will be a bit short so I can get things sorted.

The other day, I posted about HOW Magazine’s 2008 International Design Awards Call for Entries. That got me thinking. Yeah, I know … dangerous. But, hopefully, you’ll glean something useful.

Design awards, or rather, winning design awards, can be a great marketing tool. Sure, it’s nice to be acknowledged by your peers and getting a little statue thingy or plaque to hang on the wall. But winning an award gives you something to promote. Winning is a great topic for a news release and/or e-newsletter or blog. Plus, many of the more prestigious awards publish books with the winners and often with their contact info. Others, like Rockport Publishers, hold awards for the sole purpose of publishing a book. Winning makes your clients happy and prospects are reassured knowing that you have the respect of your peers for doing good work.

Our BoDo bud, Jeff Fisher, uses design awards heavily in his promotional efforts. As luck would have it, he wrote an article about it found on BoDo’s sister site, Creative Latitude. So, to get me off the hook and back down to the Seventh Level of Email Hell, I’ll let Jeff tell you how he does it. The article also has a list of awards with handy dandy llinks.

Until the next
Marketing Minute
all the best,
nt