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Best of Forsyth 2024 header

What is Best of Forsyth?

The Best of Forsyth is an annual voting contest presented by the Forsyth County News that allows residents to choose their favorite local businesses in over three hundred different categories. 
During the entire month of September, nominations are open. Anyone can nominate any business they feel best represents the best that Forsyth has to offer in that category. Note that nominations do not appear immediately, they are nominated to be sure they are in the correct category. If a nomination does not appear within one business day, please email us at Marketing@forsythnews.com and we'll look into it. 

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions about the contest. 


NOMINATIONS
Open September 1 through September 30

I don't see my business in the contest, what do I do?  You may nominate your own business if you wish to do so. If you know of a business that should be nominated but hasn't been, please go ahead and enter that business.  Please note that a nomination must go through a moderation process, so it will not appear immediately.  If you have difficulty entering a nomination, please email us at marketing@forsythnews.com so we can look into the issue. 

How are nominations moderated?  We look to see that a business is in the correct category and is actually located inside Forsyth county. 

I've nominated a business, but I don't see them in the contest, what should I do?  As mentioned, businesses won't appear immediately.  During the opening days we get hundreds of nominations per day, and it may take time for them to be placed in the contest. This should never take more than 24 hours, and usually takes less than that.  If you still don't see your nominee, please be certain the nomination was correct. The two most frequent reasons a nomination is not approved are:
The business is not located in Forsyth county. 
The business is in the wrong category. 
If you're certain it's in the correct category and is a Forsyth county business, please email us. 

Who is eligible to participate? The contest is open to any business with a location inside Forsyth County.  Businesses with a physical address outside Forsyth county may be allowed in the contest if they do a significant portion of their business inside Forsyth County. This would include businesses such as painting contractors, construction and remodeling. Essentially it would be any business that does their work on the customer's premises. We do ask that businesses only enter in this way if they truly do significant work inside Forsyth County.  Contact marketing@forsythnews.com if you feel your business would qualify. Contest moderators decisions on this are final and made on a case-by-case basis. 

 How often do I need to nominate a business?  Only one nomination is needed for a business to move to voting on October 1st. As mentioned, nominations do not appear immediately.

How many categories can one business enter?  We ask that businesses only enter those categories that truly represent what they are the "best" at. In some cases where categories could overlap or services are similar, our moderators will decide which category that business best fits into based on their business description. We reserve the right to limit the number of categories that an individual business is entered in. 

I don't see a category that I know was in the contest previously? Every year our staff reviews previous contests to be certain the category list is current and appropriate. At times, we may remove a category that had little or no participation in previous years. The best way to be sure "your" category stays in the contest is to encourage your customers to vote. If you feel a category was removed in error, please email us. 

I'm having trouble registering, what should I do?  When you start nominating or voting, you'll be asked for your email address and zip code.  This will allow you to register, and you can continue making selections on the ballot.  If you encounter issues registering, please email us at marketing@forsythnews.com so we can assist you. 

Every year we get entries from Forsyth County North Carolina.  This contest is for Forsyth County Georgia.  

    Voting

    Open October 1 through October 31 

How often can I vote?  Each person can vote once per day per category during the voting period, which is October 1 through October 31.


Can I create multiple user accounts to vote from?  No, users should only have one voting account.   Please note that the company that administers this contest will flag suspicious voting patterns, and votes that violate the terms of this contest will be removed. 
Can a business pay to win?  No. The winners are determined by the numbers of votes they receive.
Can I campaign for my business?   Campaigning is fine but paying directly for votes is not.  It's acceptable to enter your customers/clients/supporters into a raffle, but giving them a gift or offering payment in a one one one or direct exchange for votes us is not allowed. For example, you can hold a voter appreciation raffle, and award someone a prize, but it has to be a raffle with a random drawing.  Awarding something to the person who votes the most would be a rules violation, as would giving something for each voter. Please not e that screenshots of votes are NOT reliable indicators that someone voted for an entry, they can be changed after the screen shot is taken. 

I see ads for businesses on some of the categories, how can I get one of those?  Those ads are available for anyone who wants to increase their visibility in the contest.  Remember, once a person votes in the category they came in for, they will likely continue to vote in more categories, so having more visibility is important.  Contact us via email at marketing@forsythnews.com to learn more.  Some of the ads are limited to one per category and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  


Any tips on how I can share my nomination myself?  Absolutely. Follow these steps to create a direct link you can email to anyone. If the contest is still in the nomination phase, click nominate on your entry. If it's in voting, click vote. That button has now changed to SHARE. Click SHARE. Now click the email icon, and it will open an email with a link in it that starts with https://forsythnews.secondstreetapp.com/ and has a series of numbers behind it. Copy that link and save it. If you email or share it with a supporter, it will go directly to your entry. You can create the link during nominating, it will start working as a voting link once voting opens up, the URL does not change. 


How are votes tracked?  We use a third-party company that utilizes a variety of systems and techniques to monitor voting patterns to assure a fair and equitable contest.  Demonstrably fradulent votes will be removed from the contest, and any business showing significant voting irregularities may be contacted or removed from the contest. If you are solicited by anyone offering you a "win" in exchange for payment, please forward the email to our contest manager. 

Do you still have a question?  Email us at marketing@forsythnews.com, and thank you for participating in your Best of Forsyth Contest!