Azbee Awards of Excellence:
Submission deadline is Feb. 22

These tips for entering online will help you save time and money

It’s fast approaching. Feb. 22 is the deadline to enter the ASBPE Azbee Awards of Excellence.

You still have time to enter, however, and the process is easier than ever. Instead of assembling and mailing your entries, you can enter and pay online to save time and money.

The revised system also allows entrants in nearly all editorial and digital awards categories to upload entries online.

Details on the entry process and on which categories can be submitted fully online are available in the mailed contest brochure, a posted PDF of the brochure, and at the online submission page.

Here are some questions and answers about how the process works.

Why move to an online entry process?

Web-based entry saves entrants time and money, and it makes the process easier on ASBPE staff and judges, creating efficiencies that will improve the judging process and the contest overall.

Members have been asking for a simpler process, and we now have the technological capabilities to do so. With no more multiple tearsheets, envelope stuffing, and shipping for most editorial categories, entering online will save entrants time. Even for those categories in which only payment can be done online, entering one payment for all entries will make the process easier.

Do I have to enter online?

This year, no. But we highly recommend it. Not only is the process more efficient than mailing your entries, but it’s $10 cheaper per entry.

Which categories may I enter online?

For all contest categories — editorial, digital, design, and Magazine/Web Site of the Year — you may fill out an entry form, entry essays, and payment information together online. For most editorial and digital categories, you may also upload entry files at the same time.

The following categories will require you to submit hard-copy entries in addition to your online entry form/payment:

• All design categories,
• Magazine of the Year,
• Overall Headline Writing,
• Annual Buyer’s Guide,
• New Publication,
• On-Site Trade Show Coverage,
• Special Section,
• Special Supplement, and
• Newsletter — General Excellence.

Even if some of your entries require hard-copy submission, you may still enter online payment for all entries and upload entries for those categories that allow for it.

When entering your payment and entry information online, you will be prompted with specific instructions related to each category that will tell you what steps to take.

How do I enter online?

For complete entry instructions, please see the Azbee brochure mailed to you or available on our Web site. In addition, when you start your online entry process, you will receive step-by-step instructions.

All entries can be paid for and submitted at one time. You can key in the data for each entry, upload the files, and repeat, as the system keeps a running tab of your total fees. Once all of your entries have been input, you may submit one total payment.

Can you provide an overview of the process?

1. Go to www.asbpe.org and click on the contest entry link.

2. Create an account.

3. Select the category for your first entry; enter entry information, including a statement about your magazine’s mission and the value of the entry. Review information and submit.

4. If you are entering an editorial category that allows for online file upload, upload the files for the article you are entering, following the step-by-step instructions.

If you are entering a digital category, follow specific entry instructions for each category as directed.

If you are entering a category that requires hard copy entry (see previous question for category list), you will be prompted to “print this page.” Print four copies of the page to submit with three copies of your hard copy entry.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each separate entry.

6. When all of your entries have been submitted and uploaded, click on “Go to payment page,” review your entries, follow payment instructions, and submit payment.

7. Mail necessary documents: Ship materials for those categories that require hard copy entry as well as your check, if you choose not to pay by credit card.

How do I get more information?

Specific instructions are in the brochure and in the online entry process. Also, tune in for a free webinar on Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, when ASBPE staff will explain the process and answer questions.

For other information, e-mail info@asbpe.org or call (630) 510-4588.

Learn about new categories for 2008.

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