Some of the most successful creative pros out there display their awards everywhere. Why wouldn’t they? A couple searching for a really great pro to shoot their wedding want proven results… they want experience… and what’s more proven than awards? It proves they’re worth top-dollar, right?
When I was first getting into the wedding pro trade, I remember thinking to myself, “how am I going to compete in this market if I can’t say I’m ‘an award-winning videographer?’” It was a real concern, but I decided to put myself out there anyway! My passion for storytelling drew me to weddings because there aren’t many greater stories to tell! Call me a romantic. Call me obsessed… maybe that’s true. But I still didn’t have a coveted award to parade around.
So I looked into what it would take to earn the awards that my competitors have earned. It was no surprise that you have to pay these “award” companies to even enter to be considered for the award! It’s not cheap either. I decided that maybe after a few weddings I’ll put in for an award.
Those few weddings came and went. I kept getting hired, and I was able to start raising prices, but only a bit. Eventually I thought, “do I really need to have awards that I pay for in order to be successful?” The answer is a resounding NO. I know my worth. I know what I’m capable of without having to pay some company to declare my work “Best of State.”
I let my results speak for me. I’m not pushy, so I don’t have tons of reviews… but the reviews I do have are glowing. In the end, an award is just another form of recognition that I don’t need.
So is it worth the extra price tag to pay for the award-winning companies? Well, I guess I’ll let you decide.
