In October every year, the publishing world waits to hear the winner of The Man Booker Prize. The Oscars of the publishing industry, The Man Booker Prize generates column inches and comment and though not everyone might agree with the choice made, the winning title is sure to become a bestseller. This prize is so prestigious to be nominated bestows credibility to each author, agent and publisher involved. They are, by the simple virtue of their selection, deemed to be the best.

Awards are equally important to any business or services

How often do we find ourselves looking for third party endorsements before we purchase something new? An award from TripAdvisor for example, can have a positive impact on a hotel or restaurant and bring new business. It is crucial for any organisation, in Business or the Arts to gain recognition for its products and services. Winning an award allows you to distinguish your publishing company from competitors and ensure that as many potential readers as possible are aware of your titles.

In 2013, Vearsa has been shortlisted for a Web Award for our website design, an eircom Spider for Best Professional Services Website, Business and Finance Enterprise of the Year Award, IIA Fastest Growing One to Watch, European Tech Cluster Innovation that Matters award. We are happy to say that we have won the European Tech Cluster and IIA award and are hopeful to add more to this list after the ceremonies later this year.

We are also delighted to be the Best Technology Innovation category sponsor at this year’s FutureBook Awards which will be held on 21st November 2013. As a company and as individuals, Vearsa share a passion for Books and Technology. This category recognises publishers or a tech company that have developed a digital solution. This could include all areas of the publishing process, production, distribution and/or marketing.

Awards recognise and reward the efforts of your company and staff.

They can also raise awareness of your brand and your titles in the following ways:

--Differentiation. As each publisher strives to achieve stand out in an increasingly difficult and changing market, awards set a company apart from competitors and differentiates the quality of its achievements from others.

--Visibility. Awards can make you and your titles more visible. They can attract new customers, investors and authors by giving an organisation an edge over its competitors.

--Validate. Awards speak volumes about a publisher’s titles and services and provide third party endorsement of your achievements. Being nominated or shortlisted can be helpful because it places you at the forefront of your genre and industry.

--Testimonials. Being shortlisted or wining an award serves as testament to a company’s work ethic, dedication and unique specialty. The award attracts readers and authors who will be more likely to consider a company or author’s work over another if it has won an award. It also serves to reinforcing the loyalty of existing customers and readers.

Considering the benefits and the positive impact awards can have on employees, readers and the company itself, it can be important to make submission for awards a critical part of your eBook marketing strategy.