The Webby Awards, widely recognised as “the internet’s highest honour,” spotlight excellence in digital media—websites, video, apps and podcasts.
For a local podcast, winning or being nominated can raise your profile far beyond your region, give you press‑worthy credentials and open doors to new audience and advertiser opportunities.
What you need to know about entry
The 30th edition of the Webby Awards is open for entries, and one key category is “Podcasts.” Entry is straightforward: you submit your podcast work (episodes, series) and choose the appropriate category.
Important for local creators:
- You don’t need to be a large network; independent creators are eligible.
- Your podcast could be audio‑only or audio+video (if you’re doing “video podcasting” or repurposing your show into video format).
- Consider your strengths: local stories, niche subject matter, regional flavour — these can make your podcast distinctive in the competition.
How local podcasters should prepare a winning submission
- Pick your episode or series carefully. Choose an example that showcases excellent content, production and engagement—one that would impress a global jury.
- Highlight your unique angle. As a local creator you’ve got the advantage of place‑based authenticity: draw attention to how your show connects with your region, community or local theme.
- Prepare your submission assets. This includes show title, description, link or embed, cover art, and reasons why this show stands out. Think about how to convey your value to a jury that may not know your region.
- Leverage distribution formats. If your show has a video version (e.g., you record video of your podcast), you may also tap into broader “Video & Film” or “Creators” categories—adding video gives you more ways to be discovered.
- Promote the nomination or award. If you get nominated or win, amplify it: social media, local press, website banners. The credibility boost can help with sponsors, partnerships and audience growth.
Key benefits for your podcast and business
- Credibility & marketing: A Webby nomination acts as a badge of quality — useful when pitching sponsors, buyers or advertisers.
- Audience expansion: Being featured in winner galleries or press about nominees increases your reach beyond your local base.
- Network opportunity: Awards often bring exposure to industry players, potential collaborators or other creators.
- Motivation & improvement: Preparing a submission forces you to raise production standards, refine branding and sharpen your value proposition.
For local podcasters, the Webby Awards are not just for big networks: they are an accessible platform to gain global recognition.
By treating your submission like a strategic opportunity and aligning it with your podcast’s strengths — local voice, niche content, authentic storytelling — you can turn the entry process into a growth milestone.
