By Vicky Sidler | Published 23 October 2025 at 12:00 GMT+2

There are two types of people. Those who never tell anyone they’ve won an award. And those who mention it every five minutes.

I’m about to become the second one. But not because I need a pat on the back. Because this is actually about you.

Strategic Marketing Tribe has been named a Top 10 Agency and Global Leader for 2026 by 50Pros, a global platform that connects top-performing agencies with companies—including Fortune 500 brands.

This wasn’t a lucky draw. Their research team vets each agency based on leadership strength, client success, and what they call probabilistic future performance—a fancy way of saying, we trust you to keep delivering.

It’s a flattering nod. But we didn’t build this business to collect trophies. We built it to help small business owners win their own battles.

So yes, we’re proud of the recognition. But we’re even prouder of what it represents.

Because in the StoryBrand world, the business is never the hero. The customer is. And our job—as the guide—is to bring the map, the tools, and maybe a few snacks.

Still, even guides need to show they know what they’re doing. That’s what this award helps us do. It shows future clients they’re in competent hands. It reassures existing clients they made the right call.

And that’s the real point here.

Authority matters. Not to boost your ego. But to earn trust—without having to shout.

So if you’ve ever won something and weren’t sure what to do with it, this article is for you.

TL;DR:

• Strategic Marketing Tribe is now a 2026 Top 10 Agency, named by 50Pros

• Recognition builds trust—but only if you use it wisely

• StoryBrand guides need to show authority without stealing the spotlight

• Use your awards to reconnect with clients, convert leads, and earn media trust

👉 Need help getting your message right? Download the 5-Minute Marketing Fix

Table of Contents:

What This Means for You (Not Just for Us):

Winning an award is great. You get a badge, maybe a LinkedIn post, and your parents finally understand what you do for a living (well, hopefully).

But for small business owners, the value isn’t in the trophy. It’s in how you use it.

This isn’t about being boastful. It’s about removing doubt.

If someone is thinking of working with you, third-party recognition helps close the gap between “Who are you again?” and “Let’s move forward.”

It’s social proof without the awkward email asking for a testimonial.

Use Recognition the Way a Guide Would:

Most businesses either downplay their wins or spotlight them too hard. Neither builds trust.

If you make the story all about you, you’ve missed the point. In StoryBrand, your job is not to impress your audience. It’s to lead them.

And leaders don’t just shout credentials from the rooftops. They show up with empathy and earned authority.

That’s what third-party recognition gives you. It’s not about bragging rights. It’s about quiet confidence—the kind that makes people feel safe choosing you.

When someone is thinking about hiring you, they’re not just looking at price or process. They’re asking:

“Will this person actually help me win?”

An award helps answer that before you say a word.

But only if you use it well.

Reassure the People Who Already Chose You:

One of the most overlooked audiences in your business? Your existing clients.

They’ve already bet on you. An award gives you a reason to reaffirm their choice.

Luxury brands do this constantly. They don’t just win awards—they remind their customers that they back a winner. It’s how they turn a handbag into a loyalty program.

You can do the same.

A short message to your current clients saying:

“This recognition belongs to you too”

goes further than any homepage badge ever will.

It turns a business update into a trust-building moment. And it makes your clients feel like insiders—because they saw your value before the market did.

Help Strangers Feel Confident Saying Yes:

For new leads, awards reduce the mental friction of working with someone new.

It’s not about ego. It’s about risk.

They’re wondering:

“Can I trust this person with my time, money, and reputation?”

When you share recognition from a credible third party, you’re giving them a shortcut to confidence. You’re not just another face in their inbox. You’re someone who’s been vetted, tested, and recognised for results.

That’s why your award shouldn’t live in a drawer or buried on the About page.

• Mention it in your proposals.

• Add it to your email signature.

• Use it in onboarding.

• Print it out and stick it in the office kitchen if you want to.

You’re not showing off. You’re giving people a reason to trust you faster.

If You’re Raising Funds, Don’t Leave It Out:

Awards also carry weight in conversations you’re not even part of yet—like with potential investors or strategic partners.

They don’t just want to know what you say about your work. They want to know what the market says.

That’s what third-party recognition gives them.

It signals that your business isn’t just promising—it’s proven. That others in your industry have taken a good, hard look and said, “This one’s worth watching.”

And that’s a big deal when your pitch deck is sitting next to forty-nine others.

Turn Recognition Into Reputation:

Let’s be honest—no one’s waiting for your press release. You weren’t waiting for this update from me either.

But that doesn’t mean you should stay quiet.

Use your award as a moment to talk about what it says about your clients, your values, or your place in the industry.

That’s the difference between a humblebrag and a brand moment.

• Record a quick video.

• Share a short story with your list.

• Pitch your local paper if there’s a community angle.

Recognition is not the destination. It’s a door.

Whether you walk through it—or just hang a plaque on the wall—is up to you.

What We’ll Be Doing Next (Besides Bragging Just a Bit):

Being named a Top 10 Agency by 50Pros means we’re doing something right.

But more than anything, it’s a reminder to walk our talk. Clarify the message. Celebrate the win. Use it to build trust with those we serve.

And if you’ve got your own good news but don’t know how to talk about it without sounding self-important—start with your one-liner.

The 5-Minute Marketing Fix helps you explain what you do in one clear sentence that builds trust, authority, and momentum.

Even if you haven’t won a trophy. Yet.

👉 Download it free here

Related Articles:

1. LinkedIn's AI writing tool failed to impress. Here's what small business owners can learn before trusting AI with their message

You just learned how awards help build trust. This article shows why cutting corners with AI can undo that trust just as fast. A good guide knows when to use the right tools—and when not to.

2. AI may boost profits, but small brands relying too heavily on it risk losing trust, jobs, and long-term loyalty. Here's what to do instead

Now that you're thinking about how to showcase credibility, this post shows how quickly you can lose it by outsourcing your brand voice to AI. Your authority isn’t just earned. It has to be protected.

3. Email marketing is still one of the most effective tools in your small business toolbox. Here's how to use it right

Awards are great—but only if people know about them. This post helps you turn your recognition into relationship-building fuel by showing how to use email to stay top of mind with clients and leads.

4. Meta's AI Flirts With Kids—What That Tells Us About Trust

If you think trust is a soft metric, think again. This article shows how even massive brands can damage credibility by tolerating the wrong things. Authority gets attention. Values keep it.

5. Generative AI is stalling on cost, trust, and results. Here's what small business owners need to know before jumping in

Awards signal expertise. This article helps you stay credible by making smart tech decisions that support your message rather than automate your identity out of existence.

FAQs on Using Awards to Build Trust and Authority

1. Why does winning an award matter in marketing?

It gives your brand third-party credibility. Instead of just saying you’re good at what you do, the award does it for you. That builds trust faster—especially with people who’ve never heard of you.

2. Should small businesses promote their awards publicly?

Yes. Hiding your wins helps no one. Whether it’s a badge on your website, a social media post, or a mention in your emails, sharing awards reassures current clients and converts new ones.

3. How does this tie into the StoryBrand framework?

StoryBrand says you're the guide, not the hero. But even guides need authority. An award helps prove you know what you're doing—so your audience feels safe following your lead.

4. What’s the risk of bragging too much about awards?

If it’s all about you and not about how you help clients, it can come off as ego. But if you frame it as proof of value for your clients, it builds credibility without sounding self-important.

5. Can awards help with fundraising or getting investors?

Absolutely. Awards act as validation from outside sources. That can ease concerns from potential investors or partners who want proof you’re the real deal.

6. What’s the best way to use an award in email marketing?

Use it as a confidence boost. Remind your list that working with you wasn’t just a good decision—it was award-winning. Then link to a relevant offer, story, or case study.

7. Do I need to issue a press release?

Only if you have something fresh to say. Generic announcements get ignored. But if you can tie your win to a local story or bigger trend, it’s worth pitching to media.

8. I’ve won something. What now?

Start with your clients. Let them know they backed a winner. Then add the badge to your website, email signature, proposals, and sales decks. And if you don’t have a clear message to go with it?

👉Download the 5-Minute Marketing Fix to make sure your next announcement is actually saying something worth hearing.