There are many key elements that your nomination should include to set them up for success, and testimonials are one of the most important.
Supporting letters are so much more than just words of praise; they are truly powerful endorsements that root your claims in reality and bring your candidate’s story to life. Facts alone don’t necessarily demonstrate the impact that your candidate has had, so testimonials are crucial for enhancing your nomination.
In this article, we’ll dive into how testimonials are presented in a royal honours nomination letter, how to build your testimonial network and why these letters of support matter to the Honours Committee during their decision-making process.
We’ll also share why Awards Intelligence is your trusted expert for royal honours nominations and how you can enhance your chances of success with our services.
What Are Testimonials in a Royal Honour Nomination?
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to keep your nomination a secret from anybody apart from your nominee.
Testimonials are firsthand accounts from individuals who have witnessed the nominee’s contribution to their community, charity, industry or country. They are a key part of the British Honours System, validating and enhancing the credibility of each nomination that has shown a distinguished level of service.
It’s strongly advised to contact people who know your nominee well and can therefore provide comprehensive and genuine letters of support. A minimum of two letters must be included in your nomination. However, there is no upper limit, so giving the Honours Committee between 5 and 15 letters is recommended to add trustworthiness and influence to your nomination.
These endorsements offer valuable insights into the nominee’s character, commitment to their services and the tangible difference they have made. This truly bolsters the nomination and makes a stronger case as to why the nominee deserves one of the most prestigious accolades in the country, if not the world.
Recording the voices of respected industry leaders, colleagues, and beneficiaries for your nomination enriches your application as they provide all-important authenticity, thus strengthening the core narrative of your letter.
Since nominees cannot be put forward for a specific honour, testimonials additionally help guide the Honours Committee toward an appropriate level of recognition.
Why Testimonials Matter in the British Honours System
Testimonials, in the form of supporting letters, validate the nominee’s achievements, grounding them through concrete examples of impact and long-term commitment.
With independent perspectives, testimonials can also highlight a nominee’s significant impact beyond small-scale efforts that can be felt on a more national level. This demonstration of the breadth of support for your nominee also signals to the Honours Committee that your candidate is widely recognised and respected for their work. As you can imagine, this is a truly crucial factor in differentiating them from other potentially equally impressive contenders.
Testimonials might just give your nominee the competitive advantage.
How Testimonials Influence the Honours Committee Selection Panel
With countless nominations to carefully evaluate and only a select number who will become recognised with royal honours, the Honours Committee faces a challenging task, all while upholding the integrity and reputation of the British Honours System.
As a result, testimonials are a great tool for this selection panel to gain a more comprehensive and rounded understanding of each candidate and therefore can better evaluate who is worthy of such an accolade.
Beyond the black and white facts of one’s credentials and achievements, testimonials bring some colour back to the nomination, revealing the nominee’s personal qualities and enduring dedication to making our country a better place. Often, these more authentic insights can tip the balance in the nominee’s favour when the selection committees face tough decisions.
What Makes a Strong Testimonial for Outstanding Achievement?
As we’ve discussed, testimonials truly add weight to your nomination and provide that extra layer of credibility. However, not all testimonials carry equal weight. The most compelling ones are:
- Authentic: Supporting letters should be honest, heartfelt, and personal rather than generic or overly formal.
- Specific: They should include clear, substantiated examples of the nominee’s impact.
- Credible: Testimonials should be from individuals with relevant knowledge or social standing.
- Diverse: More authentically reflect the nominee’s influence by including supporting letters from a range of supporters, colleagues and more.
Tips for Building a Powerful Testimonial Network
Gathering these valuable insights takes time and planning to ensure each testimonial authentically represents the nominee. We’ve listed the following tips for gathering effective testimonials that will enhance your nomination:
- Start early: Allow plenty of time to identify and approach each suitable endorser, and plan for backup testimonials, just in case.
- Be strategic: Choose individuals who truly understand your candidate and can speak confidently about their work. For nominations involving public service, testimonials from government departments or service personnel can be especially impactful.
- Offer guidance: To help make the process as seamless as possible, provide these individuals with key points that they can focus on, whilst avoiding scripting the testimonials yourself.
- Seek variety: A mix of voices from different areas of the nominee’s life can enhance the nomination further, presenting a more accurate picture of the candidate.
Draft a Compelling Nomination with Awards Intelligence
Testimonials are a vital piece of the puzzle towards winning a royal honour.
By offering powerful, independent evidence of a nominee’s value and impact, they help build a strong support network that can sway decision-makers in the Honours Committee. With careful preparation and thoughtful selection of testimonials, you can significantly strengthen your candidate’s chances of being rewarded for their years of service and dedication to their work.
At Awards Intelligence, we specialise in helping you craft compelling nominations backed by powerful, strategic testimonials. If you’re preparing a nomination and want expert advice on how to craft an effective testimonial strategy, Awards Intelligence is here to support you every step of the way. Together, we’ll ensure your nominee’s story shines with the authenticity and strength it deserves.
Get in touch with us today to discover more about our services and how we can help you secure a royal honour for an inspiring individual in your life.