9xb - Creating Online Success

YORKSHIRE DIGITAL AWARDS 2007: A VIEW FROM THE DANCEFLOOR!

Much to our surprise, our humble website has already been shortlisted for 2 awards this year - The Ackrill Media Awards in March and, last night, The Best B2B Website in The Yorkshire Digital Awards. Naturally we're very flattered, but rather than preen ourselves (after all - we didn't win!) here's a snapshot of how you can use dance, alcohol and slightly iffy photography as an effective marketing tool. Ahem.

Such awards are, of course, a chance for businesses to gain press coverage and recognition. In most cases, they are attended by key decision makers from all kinds of business sector. This keeps your name in their mind, and perhaps might generate some business for you further down the line.

So How Do You Get Nominated?

Getting the recognition to appear at a good awards ceremony is a bit of a minefield. In some cases, the awards are run by press organisations - so it is possible that if you've run PR campaigns they will already be aware of your name and you stand a chance of getting nominated.

In other cases, the panels contain representatives of such bodies as Business Link - who exist to promote excellence in business on a regional level. Again, if you've used their services there is more chance that they will already have heard of you and be willing to look at your site.

Finally - and this is perhaps the best way - simply be amongst the most innovative in your local area. Many award shows are based regionally. If your business is distinctive within that region you are likely to have gained natural press coverage and business attention anyway. Look at what your competitors are doing, and find an angle they've missed. It isn't easy, but once you've cracked it you should be able to strike up press relations and start to see your brand name spread.

Today's Moral

Getting a media profile is a virtuous circle. Find local contacts in the media or business world and you'll be surprised how quickly your name gets about. For that to work though - make sure you're genuinely good. All the press and awards in the world won't amount to anything if you can't do what you say on the tin.

Appendix A: After the Show...

We pride ourselves on our "warts and all" honesty. In that spirit, we're not ashamed to admit that (like 90% of the attendees) we partook of the bar and the dancefloor. So for your amusement/disgust, we proudly present our photographic record of the event.

If you want to see all our photos, visit our page on Flickr - these are just the 'highlights.' If you attended, you might even appear as a slightly puzzled face in the background!

He's still single Ladies! (Correct at time of going to press)

Emma and Rob proudly hold aloft 9xb's trophy - Best Newcomer 2007

Paul C wows a clearly bedazzled female onlooker with a move he calls "Raw Power"

Paul E wows a clearly bedazzled female onlooker with a move he calls "I'm taller than you"

Paul demonstrates to Emma the clearly discernable difference between A Man's Drink and A Girl's Drink

We don't understand it either. We think it's called "Dadrock"?

See all the pics here (these are the least embarrassing ones!!!)

Today's Moral (Part II)

Watch out for the complimentary wine!

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