Seize the summer - get prepped for success

It might feel a bit bleak to be the only one in the office while everyone else is sipping piña coladas by the pool (or that's how it feels, anyway), but there are some upsides - honest! Not only do you get the pick of the desks, you can also make the most of the quiet time to get ahead of the game. Summer is the perfect time to prep for your awards programme launch – and trust us, your future self will thank you for it!

Start with the big picture - use these quieter weeks to map out your awards journey from start to finish. Think about the entire programme from the pre-launch prep to the post-judging review - how will you promote the awards, what categories will you include, what are your timelines, who will the judges be? Getting the fundamentals sorted now means you won't be scrambling come autumn when everyone's back from holiday, and hitting the ground running.

Build your dream team - summer's more relaxed pace means it can be easier to have those important conversations with potential judges, sponsors, and stakeholders. People are often more available for planning chats when they're not drowning in deadlines, so lock in your key players now, and you'll have a rock-solid foundation when launch time arrives.

Get your tech sorted - don’t leave it until the last minute to check your awards platform is as you want it to be - use the summer lull to test everything including entry forms, payment systems, and the judging set up. Run through the entire process with a few colleagues and iron out any wrinkles ahead of time.

Create your content calendar - awards programmes live or die by their marketing. Summer gives you breathing space to plan your promotional strategy, write compelling category descriptions, and create all those essential assets like entry guides and FAQs. Your launch will feel much less fraught if you're not writing everything last-minute.

Admittedly, getting your awards organised isn’t quite as glamorous as sunning yourself in St Tropez, but just think how smug you'll feel when your competitors are playing catch-up in September, while you're confidently launching a polished, well-planned programme.

At AwardStage, we’re here to help you streamline your awards, whatever the season, so drop us a line or book a call. We’d love to chat to you!