Crafting Gold Quill Excellence: Insider Advice from Global Evaluators

Editor’s note: Mandy Gibson, SCMP, is a distinguished senior communications leader with over 30 years of expertise in strategic communications. Currently serving as chair of the IABC Awards Committee, Mandy's impressive track record includes roles as Blue Ribbon panel co-chair, evaluator for both the Gold Quill and IABC Toronto OVATION Awards, past president of IABC Toronto, and dedicated IABC mentor. Her wealth of knowledge and visionary leadership are the cornerstone of this guide, equipping you with the tools and insights essential for achieving Gold Quill Award distinction.

Essential Strategies and Resources for Award-Winning Entries

The IABC Gold Quill Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement in strategic communication. Each year, a panel of distinguished evaluators from around the world review submissions, sharing invaluable insights into what truly distinguishes a winning entry. Drawing from their expertise and experience, this article curates top recommendations and actionable resources to help you elevate your submission to make it a Gold Quill Award winner.

What Sets Gold Quill Entries Apart?

Global Gold Quill evaluators consistently identify three key qualities in standout submissions: strategic alignment, demonstrable impact, and compelling storytelling. The strongest entries begin with a clearly articulated challenge or opportunity, followed by a solution that aligns seamlessly with organizational objectives. A deep understanding of the target audience, paired with clear evidence of success — quantified through data and tangible outcomes — helps entries rise to the top.

Maximizing Gold Quill Resources

Entrants are strongly encouraged to take full advantage of the resources available on the IABC website. The official Gold Quill Awards page offers comprehensive guides, sample entries, and training materials that detail the judging criteria. These submission resources are indispensable for ensuring your submission meets every requirement and is presented in the most compelling format.

Additionally, exploring stories from past Gold Quill recipients on Catalyst provides practical learning opportunities. Previous winners frequently share their Gold Quill projects, experiences, and insights, offering inspiration and actionable advice. There is also a video on how to write an award-winning entry  to provide additional helpful tips. Reviewing these examples will help you better understand the evaluation process and tailor your entry for success.

Evaluator-Endorsed Strategies for Success

Before you begin drafting your entry, it helps to understand what evaluators consistently look for. Drawing from their collective experience assessing hundreds of submissions, Gold Quill evaluators emphasize a few foundational strategies that distinguish good entries from great ones.

• Strategic Focus: Showcase how your entry aligns with organizational goals and demonstrates tangible business outcomes.
• Measurable Impact: Present quantifiable results to illustrate the effectiveness of your communication efforts.
• Clear Storytelling: Craft a narrative that vividly captures the challenge, solution, and results.
• Resource Utilization: Leverage Gold Quill guides, sample submissions, and training sessions for insights.
• Constructive Feedback: Seek input from peers and mentors and incorporate their suggestions to strengthen your submission.

Top 10 Tips From Global Gold Quill Evaluators

Ready to take your entry from strong to standout? These expert tips from experienced evaluators across IABC’s global network highlight practical ways to refine your submission, maximize your score, and showcase your impact with clarity and precision.

1. Carefully review official guidelines and select the most appropriate category. Some initiatives may qualify for multiple divisions and categories.
2. Review Gold Quill resources like best practice examples and Work Plan samples, available on the IABC website.
3. Use division-specific How-To Guides on the website, which include scoring rubrics and step-by-step instructions for maximizing your score.
4. Enhance your stakeholder analysis by including details like demographics, psychographics, education, preferences, and attitudes, plus any audience research.
5. Prioritize the Goals and Objectives section of your Work Plan, ensuring objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) and aligned with business needs for the highest scores.
6. In the Implementation and Challenges section, include a budget (even if it’s an estimate) so evaluators can assess project success.
7. For Measurement and Evaluation, provide a clear chart comparing initial objectives to actual results for easy reference.
8. Remember, Work Samples account for half of your score in Divisions 1, 2, and 3. Ensure they correspond directly to your Work Plan and organize them in the same order.
9. Have multiple people review and proofread your entry. Avoid unexplained acronyms and ensure your submission is understandable to evaluators unfamiliar with your organization.
10. Start early and submit early to take advantage of early bird pricing by 7 December.

By applying the insights and recommendations from global evaluators and making full use of IABC’s Gold Quill resources, you can significantly elevate your award submission. Not only do these strategies increase your chances of recognition, but the process also offers invaluable professional growth and the opportunity to learn from the best in the field.

Discover more about the Gold Quill Awards and how you can write an award-winning entry for this year’s awards deadline at: IABC > Awards and Recognition > Gold Quill.