#94 How to Attract Massive Publicity by Applying for Grants and Awards
“Fake it ‘til you Make it”
I used to say that to my yoga students all of the time when I would teach them arm balances.
Guess what, it works! They would believe they could levitate and eventually they did.
Do you get uncomfortable at the thought of faking it till you make it?
I see it this way…
If you’re acting like a professional…you’ll be seen as a professional.
So when it comes to marketing efforts in your business, do what the pros do!
One little-known ninja marketing and PR tip is to apply for grants & awards.
Before you start thinking,
“Now, Tracy…my designs aren’t worthy of any awards yet!”
Remember what we talked about, act like a professional!
You would be surprised how many people wait years to even apply for anything like this because they don’t feel ready.
Well, my friend Hilary Halstead Scott is back on the show today to shed some light on how you can use these applications to up your marketing game…even if you don’t end up winning.
Hilary Halstead Scott is the Vice President and Marketing Director of Halstead Bead Inc., an importer and wholesale distributor of supplies for the jewelry trade.
She is the visionary behind an annual business development grant competition sponsored by Halstead Bead that awards startup capital, supplies and industry exposure to an emerging, American jewelry designer each year.
For more info on their grant, click here.
But for now, let’s get started!
Click here to download the show notes
Marketing Tool Belt
Don’t take it personally if you don’t win. View it as a way to get your designs in front of new people! Treat the application fees as part of your marketing budget, because it really is a form of marketing!
If you do win, the work has just begun! Use this to fuel your marketing plan, share it like crazy, and make it work for you!
Rethink Submissions
Design your submission piece so it’s reusable across your business. This will justify the time spent making it and help you in the long run! Maybe invest a little in the materials and use it as the front page of your website!
Stretch yourself creatively, take advantage of the opportunity to create something that truly shows the scope of your talents!
Research Your Judges
Think of who is judging these competitions and reviewing the applications! They are some of the most influential, respected people in the industry.
You never know who is rooting for you, even if you aren’t a finalist or award winner. Just the opportunity to get your brand in front of those people can be a huge game changer!
Find out who they are and maybe send them a thank you note afterwards!
There are so many more reasons to apply for grants and awards on the show.
The Halstead Grant is open for applications, so do not put this off!
It’s an amazing opportunity to be discovered by people in the industry you never knew you needed to know!
Click Here to Apply for the Halstead Grant! >>>
Hilary has some super smart insight on this episode, you’re not gonna want to miss this!
xo, Tracy
Links:
Halstead Grant Application
Halstead Bead Website
Jewelry Business Incubator (FREE Group)
