It’s almost time for our biggest promotion of the year – Best in the New England is back very soon! Brought to you by New England Times, this community-driven campaign shines a spotlight on the outstanding businesses, services and personalities across our vibrant region.
From bakeries to beauty salons, mechanics to motels, each day we’ll announce a new category. And every day, it’s locals who decide who takes out the title.
This is not a stuffy award judged by people who have never stepped foot in your shop or heard your story. There’s no complicated nomination process, no hidden panels or confusing criteria. It’s the people’s choice – pure and simple. You don’t need a perfect pitch or glossy PR. You just need people who love what you do.
Here’s how it works: each day beginning on June 30 we’ll post a category, New England locals vote for their favourites via an easy online form, and the business with the most votes wins. That’s it.
So, how can you make sure your business stands out and makes it to the top? There’s no secret formula, but we’ve got a few helpful tips to give you a winning edge:
1. Ask people to vote for you
It sounds obvious, but it’s the number one thing that separates winners from the rest. Your customers, family, and followers won’t vote unless they know you’re in the running. Post about it on social media, send out a quick email, stick a sign in your window – tell your people, and tell them often. A simple “Hey, we’re up for Best Coffee – we’d love your vote!” goes a long way.
2. Make it easy
The voting process is super simple, but people are busy, so help them out. Share the direct link to the vote on your Facebook and Instagram pages. Add it to your Linktree, put it in your stories, and pin it to the top of your page. If you’re chatting with customers, tell them to head to the New England Times website to cast their vote, or have a spare tablet at the counter so they can vote while they wait. But remember – there’s only one day of voting for each category, so they need to do it that day!
3. Celebrate your community
The Best in the New England isn’t just about winning – it’s about celebrating what makes this region great. Share your story. Talk about your team. Thank your customers for their support. A heartfelt post or a fun behind-the-scenes photo is a great way to connect with voters and show them why you deserve their support. Start doing that now, so there’s lots of warm fuzzy positive energy about your business when your category is up.
4. Get your team involved
If you’ve got staff, let them know what’s happening and get them excited. Encourage them to tell their friends and family. Have them share the vote on their own social pages. The more people who are spreading the word, the better your chances.
5. Raise your profile
Make sure your business is top of mind. Do some extra social media posts, send an email out to your customers, make sure you’ve got a listing on our free community directory, and even do a little advertising. Anything you can do to increase your visibility will help. This is your moment to shine, so make the most of it.
And here’s the most important tip: join our daily alert email list so you make sure you don’t miss each day’s category.
The competition officially kicks off soon, so now’s the time to get ready. Rally your crew, warm up those voting fingers, and prepare to show the region just how brilliant your business really is.
We can’t wait to celebrate the great local businesses that make the New England region such a special place to live, work and shop.
Stay watching for more details soon on New England Times – and may the best businesses win!
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