Five metrics that reveal how your awards are really performing
Entry numbers are the metric every awards programme leads with. And fair enough - they’re visible, easy to track, and a satisfying headline for your annual report. But if entry volume is the only KPI you're watching, you're only getting part of the picture.
Here's a look at the metrics that tell you how your programme is really performing - and what they can help you improve.
Entry conversion rate
How many people start the entry process and actually finish it? A big drop-off here is a red flag that your entry form is too long, too confusing, or too clunky. If you're using awards management software, this data should be right at your fingertips - and it's invaluable for simplifying the experience year on year.
Category spread
Are certain categories inundated while others are barely touched? Lopsided distribution can be a sign that category titles aren’t clear, or that some categories don’t feel relevant to your audience. Tracking this helps you refine your structure and keep your programme appealing.
Judging completion rate
Monitoring how many scoring tasks are completed on time (and following up when they're not) keeps your programme on schedule. Slow judging might be a sign that you need to streamline your scoring process (hint: AwardStage makes this a breeze!)
Entrant retention
What percentage of last year’s entrants also entered this year? High retention means people had a good experience and found value in entering. Low retention is worth investigating - did something change in your process, your categories, or your comms?
Time to results
From entry deadline to winner announcement: how long does it take? Cutting down this window without cutting corners on judging quality makes your programme more attractive to busy professionals.
Finding, and tracking, all these figures needn’t be a full time job - the right awards management platform makes these metrics visible as a matter of course.
If you'd like to talk to us about how AwardStage can help your awards programme, just drop us a line or request a demo - we'd love to chat to you!
