You know exactly whom you are going to put in the spotlight for the exciting and valuable contribution they are making. Now you only have to convince thousands of others to support your nominated candidate. Don't panic.

The following tips can help you write an award winning nomination.

1. Do your homework

Give yourself time. Think about your nomination for a while. Make notes. They will help you get a clear picture of why your candidate is simply the best. It is very sad to see your nominee losing out because you have omitted critical, totally persuasive points when submitting your nomination. List achievements and what impact they had.

2. Talk to your nominee

Don't keep your nomination a secret. Not only is it a great morale booster to know that someone is prepared to nominate you, but your nominee will also be able to help add to help you with additional information. Discuss your nomination with others who work with your candidate. Talk to friends and colleagues about it. Get facts, thoughts and anecdotes.

3. Grab the voters' attention

Your first paragraph is your chance to introduce your candidate. This is where you should say in just one or two sentences why your nominee deserves to win. Remember your 'who, what, where, when, why' and "how". When all is said and done they don't have to read on. Make sure you get them interested straight away.

4. Don't over-sell

Stick to the facts. Don't exaggerate. If you are confident that your candidate deserves to be nominated, just say so. Going completely over the top in your praise is just as likely to put voters off as under-selling your candidate's qualities.

5. Be memorable

Read the profiles of other nominated candidates. Carefully try to identify what they have in common and what makes some of them truly outstanding. Use moving case studies, funny real life examples or poignant facts to convince voters that your candidate is different. Remember that voters have until the end of the month to rethink their allegiances and put their weight behind one or more candidates. If they can't remember you, it will for sure cost you votes. Share what stands out

6. Be entertaining

Engage the voters. Don't be dull. Tell voters a story, a narrative with a beginning, a middle and an end. Anecdotes, quotations and witty nicknames enliven your nomination and encourage voters to read on. Getting voters on your side through gentle humour is always a vote winner. Make them laugh, make them cry, but never ever bore them.

7. Keep it brief

Remember that your voters are reading multiple candidate profiles and are looking for specific information to help them select their winner. Say what you have to say and support it with fact and observation. Avoid unnecessary detail. Too much information can be just as damaging as too little. Don't make people hunt for information.

8. Keep it simple

A good nomination should be like a conversation, not a formal appraisal. Be direct. Don't use jargon and don't write to impress. Let the facts speak for themselves. Use bullet points where appropriate to make it easier for busy voters to scan your nomination for positives. Respect their time. Remember they don't have to read your eulogy.

9. Make it personal

Explain what is truly unique about your candidate and his or her achievements. What core beliefs and values exemplify excellence in this person? What skills, qualities and characteristics does your nominee have that make that no one else could do the job in quite the same way? You don't have to list them all. Just choose one or two and give examples. Tell voters why you are passionate about your nomination. Speak from the heart. Be brave. Be honest. This is not a time to be modest or just average in your praise. If you are going to nominate, show that you are personally committed to supporting your candidate all the way

10. Enjoy

You deserve credit for nominating. Say what you have to say. Leave it at that and trust the voters' good judgment. Remember, at the end of the day it is all for a very good cause. If the worst comes to the worst, you will have helped to raise vital cash for charity. Enjoy the contest and encourage others to take part as well.