HOW TO ENTER
DEADLINE COUNTDOWN
IMPORTANT DATES
Be part of the celebration of Northern Ireland’s brightest social media talent. Here’s everything you need to know about submitting your entry:
- Entries Open: Monday, 7th July 2025
- Entry Deadline: Midnight, Tuesday, 26th August 2025 (No extensions will be granted)
- Finalists Announced: Friday, 19th September 2025
- Awards Gala: Saturday, 18th October 2025, at the Europa Hotel, Belfast, 6.30pm
Celebrate your success and shine at our glittering gala dinner. Join us as we recognise outstanding achievements across the Northern Ireland social media landscape.
Rules & Eligibility
- The awards are open to businesses, brands, freelancers, agencies, public sector bodies, and individuals delivering exceptional social media marketing in Ireland.
- Entries must relate to work carried out between 1st July 2024 – 30th June 2025.
- Entrants can submit multiple entries across different categories or tick categories for the same submission to be entered for. Please note criteria for each differs so it is in your best entry to submit relevant entries per category.
- Entries should demonstrate creativity, measurable results, and innovative use of social media. Judges will look for evidence of engagement, impact, and return on investment.
- Entries must be submitted by midnight on Tuesday, 26th August 2025.
- Submissions should include supporting evidence, such as analytics, campaign metrics, screenshots, or testimonials where possible.
- For any questions about eligibility or the entry process, please contact our team in advance of the deadline.
Terms & Conditions of Entry
All entries must be received before the closing date stated above. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Entries must be accurate, complete, and truthful. Any misleading or false information may result in disqualification.
- Judges’ decisions are final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the judging process or results.
- By entering, you confirm you have the rights to use any images, logos, or materials included in your entry.
- Entries may be used in publicity materials for the awards ceremony and future promotions. Content remains the property of the entrant.
- Awards organisers reserve the right to reallocate entries to more appropriate categories where necessary.
- By submitting an entry, you agree to these terms and conditions.
For any queries, please contact our awards team at
awards@nisocialmediaawards.com.
Award CATEGORIES
> BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: START-UP
(for businesses under three years old)
> BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: MICRO / SMALL BUSINESS
(open to businesses with up to 50 employees.)
> BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: SME / LARGE ORGANISATION
(for medium-large sized businesses with over 50 employees.)
> BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: CHARITIES, NONPROFITS & SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
> BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: HOSPITALITY & TOURISM
> BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: RETAIL
> BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: HEALTHCARE OR AESTHETICS
> BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: PUBLIC SECTOR OR EDUCATION
> BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: MEDIA, PODCASTS, BROADCAST OR PUBLISHING
> BEST USE OF INSTAGRAM
> BEST USE OF TIKTOK
> BEST USE OF FACEBOOK
> BEST SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
> BEST INFLUENCER CAMPAIGN
> BEST LOW BUDGET CAMPAIGN
(for campaigns delivered with a budget under £5,000 that used clever content, smart insight or creative execution to deliver strong ROI.)
> MOST IMPACTFUL CAMPAIGN
> BEST CAMPAIGN – HOSPITALITY & TOURISM
> BEST CAMPAIGN – RETAIL
> BEST CAMPAIGN – PUBLIC SECTOR OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT
> FOOD / DRINK / HOSPITALITY CONTENT CREATOR OF THE YEAR
> HAIR / BEAUTY CONTENT CREATOR OF THE YEAR
> FASHION / LIFESTYLE / WELLNESS CONTENT CREATOR OF THE YEAR
> HOME / FAMILY CONTENT CREATOR OF THE YEAR
> SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
> RISING CREATOR OF THE YEAR
(this award recognises a new content creator who has under 25000 followers and has shown exceptional growth, creativity, and potential. Someone who has shown great audience growth and a unique style that engages and inspires their community.)
> AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD (this award is entirely decided by public vote. it will go to the finalist who receives the highest number of verified votes across all public categories — a true reflection of audience support and connection.)
> DIGITAL MARKETER OF THE YEAR
> BEST SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM – IN-HOUSE
> BEST SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM – AGENCY
> CONTENT CREATOR OF THE YEAR
> RISING BRAND OF THE YEAR(this award is judged from all submissions and recognises a brand that has seen significant digital growth through strong social media strategy, engagement and visibility.)
> BEST OVERALL USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA(this award is selected by the judges and is not open to public entry. it recognises outstanding use of social media across strategy, creativity, engagement and impact.)
> JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARD(this special award is selected by the judging panel to recognise an outstanding individual or brand who made a significant impact through social media this year.)
