awards


is…


What judges want If you are struggling to know where to start with an awards entry, have entered an award in the past, but didn’t manage to get shortlisted, it can be extremely disheartening. While it is disappointing to spend hours perfecting an


awards entry only to read through the shortlist weeks later and realise that you’re not on it, don’t give up. Half the battle is knowing what the judges are looking for. Tilley says that judges like ‘the out-of-the-ordinary’


in entries.


She explains: “They mainly want to see something unique that they haven’t seen before, and they want to feel your passion.” Lily Canter is co-director of Freelancing for Journalists – and part of the team that shortlists entries for the Freelancing for Journalists awards. Her advice is: “First, make sure you enter awards. Some


categories have so few entries that it can be relatively easy to be shortlisted. You can usually tell if awards are struggling for entries as they extend the application deadline.” Canter also recommends trying to surprise the judges or those deciding on the shortlist. “The pieces that really resonated with us this year


were unusual takes on well-worn subjects, or something we didn’t know about that we just found fascinating,” she explains. “It doesn’t need to be mainstream at all – just super interesting.”


Find an award scheme


• There is a list of free-to-enter journalism and student journalism awards on the JournoResources website, which is updated regularly: https://tinyurl. com/jr-awards


• You can viewthe 2023 Freelance Journalism Awards winners, with the judges’ comments, here: 2024 winners: https://tinyurl. com/fl-journo- awards-2024


How to perfect your entry This sounds obvious, but it is important to read and check all the criteria carefully. Canter says: ‘This year, we had feature articles entered into


the news category and campaigning stories entered into the features category. Think carefully about which category your entry fits best. And don’t write a really long supporting statement. Like good journalism, keep it short, snappy and engaging.’ You also need to evidence everything, whether through


stats showing growth or client satisfaction, or via stories of hardships overcome or clients awed. ‘It’s important to use a mix of both because, while the stats are necessary, it’s the stories that will resonate and be remembered,’ Tilley explains. ‘Top bloopers include not using all the word count


available, wasting words with unnecessary intros, making big statements without giving specific examples and writing like a corporate business report. Write like the human you are and let your passion show.’ Tilley also suggests using active tenses to take ownership of


what you have done and not being shy about writing about your achievements. One tip is to pretend you are writing about your best friend – or get them to read it through and big you up. ‘And, if you’re nominated, shout, shout and shout some


more,” she adds. ‘Waiting until you actually win is one of the biggest mistakes a finalist can make. ‘Shout as soon as you’re shortlisted because 90 per cent of the benefits of awards are accessible purely through being a finalist – but only if you make the most of it. Connect with all the other finalists, sponsors, judges etc, attend all the events, and share, like and comment on social media.’ The Women in Journalism (WIJ) Scotland website also has some great advice on how to enter awards and some top tips for entering the Scottish Press Awards. First, it advises that ‘substance trumps style every time’. Then, it recommends choosing your strongest stories. Also awards entrants should not worry about an article’s


layout as the judges will be going beyond that. WIJ Scotland notes what they will be looking for: ‘powerful story-telling, inclusive comment or game-changing investigation will impress, however presented on the page or online’. Provide plenty of context, and explain to the judges why


your work had impact when it did – and how important that was.


And don’t think that just because your work is local, it will not stand up against national stories: ‘Strong, impactful journalism is strong impactful journalism on whatever landscape or platform it’s published.’ And WIJ Scotland’s final piece of advice? Just enter. It states: ‘There is no point in simply muttering about the same old people winning if you don’t take part. Have confidence in your own work and get it out there.’


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