Is being an ‘Award Winning’ pet business a goal you’d like to achieve?Have you seen your colleagues celebrating after winning and wonder how they go about it?Or maybe you feel a bit weird nominating yourself for a gong?If the answer’s yes then then you will love this interview with the Queen of Awards, Kirsty Skeates from Fit4Dogs Hydrotherapy centre in Hull.I first met Kirsty two years ago when she was on a mission to win Theo Paphitis’ Small Business Sunday - which she achieved.Since then she’s gone on to win and be shortlisted for dozens of other awards, raising her profile as a small business.In this episode she shares everything you need to know about awards from how to find ones to enter to filling out your application to press releases after winning.Key timings and topics in this episode:2.19 - Kirsty's background at Fit4Dogs.3.35 - The late entrepreneur Damien Lee and how he inspired Kirsty to start looking into awards.5.24 - Why Kirsty books power hours to work on her awards applications.6.17 - Applying for awards and how it's not about you, it's about your clients and demonstrating how you give value and why you should win.7.33 - Why publicity was Kirsty's goal when she first started winning awards and how she used them to connect and build relationships with journalists.9.39 - How winning Small Business Saturday meant she had a huge PR team supporting her and raising her profile.10.38 - Why just being nominated in the top ten is still a huge achievement and can lead to opportunities, networking and connecting with the media.11.45 - How awards can keep you front of mind with journalists.15.58 - The benefits of local business awards.18.12 - How COVID has impacted on Kirsty's business.20.51 - Why you shouldn't get disheartened if you don't win straight away.22.35 - Kirsty's advice for people who are feeling nervous about applying for awards.23.53 - Why you can nominate yourself for an award.25.07 - How you can get your customers to nominate you for awards - you have to TELL THEM!29.07 - Expensive awards and what to do if you're asked to pay for an award.32.34 - How to research awards to find out if they're credible.36.14 - How customers respond when you're an award winning business.37.51 - The awards Kirsty would love to win.39.45 - What's next for Fit4DogsLinks mentioned in this episode:Kirsty's website: www.fit4dogsuk.com/Kirsty's SBS win: http://www.hu17.net/2019/05/10/canine-hydrotherapy-centre/Kirsty's nomination for Animal Star Awards: www.hu17.net/2021/03/05/vet-nurse-hydrotherapist-named-as-finalist-in-the-animal-start-awards/

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