Win Better Clients Using Effectiveness Awards

Every autumn, Charlotte gets the same question: should you enter the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards, and what do you actually get out of it? The honest truth: if you win and then wait for new clients to appear, very little happens. The real value is in using an effectiveness award as independently verified proof that your work delivered commercial results.

In this episode, Charlotte explains why the DBA awards are different (judged against your objectives, by client-side decision makers) and how a strong entry can help you speak your buyer’s language, get through procurement, open warmer outreach conversations, and strengthen client relationships. You’ll also learn how to handle a common stumbling block: proving impact when there are no “before” metrics.

Key topics covered
- Why “win and they will come” is a myth
- Proof in client language: growth, savings, market share, risk reduction
- Procurement credibility and enterprise buying
- Turning a case study into repeatable marketing assets
- Lessons from an entry that didn’t win
- Practical entry tips, deadlines, and confidential vs publication versions


Entering the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards? Good to know:

• DBA members get their first entry free, and it can’t be carried over to next year.
• Pay your entry fee by 23 October to save £100+VAT, even if you submit later.
• Entries close 1 Dec
• I’ve written DEA entries for 16 years, with a 95%+ win rate.

Not sure if your project is a contender? Get a free verdict.
Tell me about your project in a short form. Within 24 hours, I’ll send you a personal verdict covering:

• whether it’s a contender
• what evidence you’d need
• whether 1 December is realistic

👉 Submit your project: https://airtable.com/app8LMAyKzDMkh7mZ/pagvVTcsBugtWN7Eu/form

Already have a strong contender in mind?
If you know you’ve got a serious project, or you want to re-enter something that didn’t win last time, skip the form and book a quick call with me.

👉 Book a call: https://calendly.com/kaffeen/quick-collab-call

Entering the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards? I’ve written DEA entries for 16 years, with a 95%+ win rate.

Not sure your project is a contender? Tell me about it and get a free verdict

Got a serious contender, or re-entering? Book a call