Here’s your checklist!

1. Check who’s behind the awards Look for an established company with a visible track record. If you can’t
easily find who’s running it or the organisers seem newly formed or vague that’s a red flag. Authentic awards
will have a professional website, named organisers, and visible activity on LinkedIn or press channels.

2. What is the judging process? Genuine awards name their judges usually industry experts, business
leaders, or credible professionals. You should know exactly what is being judged and how. Authentic awards
often offer feedback, even for non-winners.

3. Reasonable entry fees. Many awards charge fees to cover admin and judging but these are transparent
and proportionate. If you’re constantly pushed to “upgrade,” “buy a winner’s package,” or pay to attend to claim
your award, it’s likely a cash grab. Be wary of vanity awards – the ‘Pay-to-win model’ which is so prevalent
these days. Genuine awards never guarantee wins or hint that sponsorship or ticket sales influence results.

4. Check the past Winners. Do past winners have credible websites, press coverage, and trading histories?
Authentic awards celebrate a range of industries and sizes not just whoever paid to enter.

5. Be wary of unsolicited “Nominations” and here is why!

Surprise nominations: “You’ve been nominated!” sounds flattering but if you’ve never entered or been
contacted by a peer, it’s likely automated and fake. Might read well but with AI now these are easy to generate
in a couple of clicks!

Data harvesting: Some schemes exist purely to collect email addresses and business info. Some are
dangerous phishing scams so be careful what you click on!

Ask who nominated you. Genuine awards can trace the nomination to a verified individual or process. If they
won’t tell you, it’s likely to be fake.

6. Voting. Being asked to garner votes makes it a popularity contest not a genuine award, this is a list building
exercise and is not a fair judging process. Even if it’s to decide the winner if there is a tie! The judges should
decide who wins based on the information they have in your entry.

7. Evaluate organisation & communication: Are emails personalised, proofread, and on brand?
Real awards are well-organised, with a published timeline, judging dates, and awards ceremony details. Do
reputable media outlets cover or partner with the event? If not, be cautious.

8. Look for independent validation

Are the awards mentioned in credible publications or supported by business networks?

Genuine awards have happy finalists and winners who talk about their experience online. Check You Tube and
their social media. If the awards are new, check if the organisers have a track record elsewhere.

9. Common Red Flags

 

• You “win” before entering.
• The same company runs dozens of unrelated awards.
• There’s no judging information or published timeline.
• All communication is about payment, not recognition.
• Their website focuses on buying packages, not celebrating achievement.
• No one credible seems to have heard of them.
• Allowing sponsors and judges to enter is not good practice!

IF YOU HAVE NOT ENTERED THE AWARD THE CHANCES ARE IT IS FAKE IF THEY CANNOT PROVIDE
THE NAME OF THE PERSON WHO NOMINATED YOU!

Debbie Gilbert is an award-winning entrepreneur, award organiser and judge for national and global
awards.