Top five tips for entering the UK IT Industry Awards

Whether you're putting the finishing touches to your entry or haven't started yet, check out our judges' top tips to creating the perfect UK IT Industry Awards 2016 entry.

Entries have to be completed by 8 July 2016. Enter here, and good luck!

1. Get to the point, and stay on the point!

Less is usually more, and though the temptation is there to sell your point to the maximum potential, that can be detrimental to you when judges have to sit down and pick through it all.

A well-crafted UK IT Industry Awards entry doesn't need to be War and Peace, and should stick to the word limits laid down in our judging criteria.

But beyond that, cut down on waffle and repeating yourself, and don't feel you need to exactly fill the word limit to write a good entry

2. Actually write your entry

This sounds obvious, but it's amazing how many UKIT entries are actually press releases or sales leaflets pasted without alteration into the entry form.

This will do you no favours.

All our judges are well acquainted with sales puff and can spot it a mile away. We advise you think specifically about the brief, and create material to closely reflect it.

3. Include customer case studies (if relevant)

The "measurable success" criteria can rest very heavily on case studies, if your entry is appropriate. While your own opinion on the success of your project, initiative or approach is important, it's always good to get the opinions of stakeholders. Please make sure to spend the time gathering this insight.

4. We love stats and numbers

Try to back up your arguments with evidence that supports them. Statistics go a very long way, and we want to see them.

5. Nobody's getting fired on judging day

If you're lucky enough to make it to judging day, it can be a daunting experience knowing you need to present supplementary information and case study examples in front of a panel or IT worthies.

But all we're looking for is a little more background information to help us make a clear decision.

Your presentation doesn't need to be an Apprentice-style, polished, surface-level sales spiel - we'd much rather learn more about your entry by having a puff-free conversation.