Your 2013 Image Committee has already started working on this year’s program. We held our first call with the state association, have developed a theme and will be putting out deadlines for submitting your entries shortly.
But, in the meantime, we
want to tell you something that will really help as you think about your
projects and prepare to enter the competition. It is quite simple, but very
important – the “devil
is in the details!”
We know it seems obvious, but it really may be your key to success. Image guidelines are very specific. Since projects are different, there must be a uniform approach to presenting an entry so that judging can be fair and impartial. And remember, PR professionals are sticklers for details and they are the ones who judge your entries. There is a certain way to submit or present your entry, what should be included and how your presentation materials need to be formatted. We have seen award-worthy projects fail to win or, even worse, be disqualified for wrong formatting, sloppy presentation and typos in written materials.
Put most of your effort into
the 2-Page Summary. Seventy percent of your score is based on the summary of
your project that states the reason and need for development of the public
relations program or tool, how it was implemented and the results. Make sure
you address five elements - Research, Objectives, Implementation, Evaluation
and Budget. And it should be clear, concise and factual.
Judges then review support
materials for professionalism, innovation and design to score the remaining 30
percent of the entry. Please think about what you can include to help them
understand or appreciate your project. Don’t lose valuable points by failing to
include support materials that detail what you have presented in the summary.
Show the judges what you did – this is your opportunity to be creative!
Read the Call for Entries, use the checklist and follow
the specific directions. And, of course, your Image Committee is here to help
you at any time.
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