Every year, your city’s “Best Of” or “Community Choice” awards roll around—and every year, local businesses hustle for the top spot. That’s for good reason. These contests are golden opportunities to boost your brand visibility, gain community credibility, and yes, even climb the SEO ranks.
If you’ve ever felt unsure how to actually win one of these contests, or if you’ve been nominated but never made the final cut, this blog is for you.
We’re breaking it all down: why it matters, when to start, what to include, how to get votes without being annoying, and what to do after you (hopefully) win. Spoiler: We even included a toolkit to make your campaign plug-and-play.
Why You Should Win Your Local “Best Of” City Awards
Let’s start with why it’s worth the effort in the first place. Yes, it’s fun to win something. But there are serious business benefits behind those shiny “Best Of” badges.
1. Local Credibility
When someone searches “best orthodontist near me,” more likely than not, they’re looking for social proof: that reassuring signal that others in their community have already vetted and chosen you.
A “Best Of” city award delivers that instantly. It shows that you’re known, you’re trusted, and you’re loved. And that kind of local recognition enhances what your online reviewers are already raving about. When someone sees your name show up in both places, it reinforces what they’re already hoping to believe: “This isn’t just a good practice. It’s the one people actually choose.”
Whether they’re new to town or just ready for a change, your award can be the deciding factor that tips them from “maybe” to “let’s book it.”
2. Real SEO Value
Winning “Best Of” doesn’t just sound good—it performs well online, too.
That’s because most award sponsors (like local newspapers or city magazines) post the winner lists on their websites. And if they include a clickable link to your practice’s site? That’s a local backlink—and it’s a big deal for local SEO.
Why?
Local backlinks signal to Google that your business is connected to other credible sources in your area. They’re often more valuable for local rankings than national links because they reinforce geographic relevance. That helps you rank higher in map results, local packs, and “near me” searches.
When to Start Your Campaign
The biggest mistake we see? Letting it all run on autopilot.
A lot of practices assume that if they’re good enough, the votes will come in. But the truth is, most people won’t vote for you, not because they don’t love you, but because they don’t even know the contest is happening.
These awards are often underpublicized, and patients aren’t thinking about it unless someone reminds them. That’s where you come in.
The real power move is taking control of the narrative. The moment you start making people aware that you’ve been nominated (or that voting is open), you’ve already won half the battle.
Here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Search for last year’s “Best Of [City]” page and bookmark it.
- Sign up for email alerts or follow the hosting publication on social.
- Set a calendar reminder 4–8 weeks before the contest usually launches so you have time to prep your graphics, emails, and signage.
- If the contest includes nominations, start your campaign early but lightly, then ramp up when the final voting phase begins.
As much as they’re intended to feature the most popular candidates, the reality is that the winners are usually whoever shows up and spreads the word about voting. So if you’re the most popular in town and you’re not winning, it might be because you need to campaign using the toolkit below.
Your Local “Best of” Campaign Toolkit
Running a “Best Of” campaign shouldn’t feel like guesswork. The most successful practices don’t just post once and hope for the best—they create multi-channel campaigns that meet their patients where they are: on their phones, in their inboxes, and inside the practice itself.
The more thoughtfully you show up in those places, the more likely people are to follow through and vote. Below are the core elements to include in your campaign, along with the strategy behind why each one works.
Website Banner
Your website is often the first place people go when they’re learning about your practice. Your homepage gets the most traffic from new users to recurring patients, which makes it the ideal location to stage a campaign callout. Using a thin banner at the top of your home page is a subtle but strategic way to make voting part of the brand experience without hijacking your core messaging.
A good banner:
- Lives at the top or bottom of the homepage without blocking key information
- Includes a short call to action: Vote for us in Best of [City]! Voting closes August 13.
- Links directly to the voting page
Why it works:
Banners catch general website traffic—people looking for directions, services, or appointments—and give them a quick, non-intrusive way to support you while they’re already engaged with your brand.
Email Campaign
Email is one of the most direct and reliable ways to communicate with your audience, especially your existing patients. If they’re already on your list, they likely care about your practice and are more willing to take action.
That said, it’s easy to go overboard. Email fatigue is real, and inboxes are crowded. To avoid unsubscribes, plan to send no more than two or three emails throughout the campaign:
- Nomination phase (if applicable)
- Voting opens
- Final call before voting ends
Design matters. If you’re using tools like Mailchimp or Constant Contact, take advantage of their visually engaging templates. A well-designed email not only grabs attention, it also lends credibility and authority to your message. But even if you’re sending from a basic Gmail account, keep these rules in mind:
- Keep it short—ideally 50–125 words
- Avoid long blocks of text
- Bold key phrases to guide the eye
- Include one clear link to the voting page
- Add a friendly subject line: “We’ve been nominated! Can you help us win Best of [City]?”
Why it works:
Your email list is full of warm leads—people who’ve chosen to stay connected. A clean, skimmable email makes it easy for them to act on their loyalty without feeling overwhelmed.
Text Message Reminder
Texts are personal. They cut through the noise. But because of that, you need to treat them with care—this is a high-trust communication channel.
Keep it short, casual, and human. Think about how you text your own friends:
- Use emojis sparingly to add tone, not clutter
- Be direct and clear about what you want them to do
- Don’t send more than 1–2 messages during the campaign
What to avoid:
- Corporate speak or robotic copy
- Long texts that feel like marketing blasts
- Repetitive reminders that come off as spammy
Why it works:
When used wisely, text reminders are a powerful nudge. They reach patients in real time and often lead to immediate action, especially if you include the direct link. Just be mindful: overuse will hurt more than help.
Social Media Posts
This is where you build energy. Social media is a space for momentum, personality, and visual storytelling—but the trick is pacing yourself.
Start slow. During the nomination or early voting phase, keep things light and occasional. As voting nears its deadline, you can increase your frequency and urgency. That’s when people are most likely to take action.
Best practices:
- Use stories more than feed posts. Stories disappear in 24 hours, which means you can post more often without fatiguing your audience or cluttering your grid.
- Leverage countdowns. These add urgency and remind people that time is running out.
- Share real moments. Photos of your team celebrating, patients holding signs, or videos of your staff asking for votes will feel more authentic than static graphics alone.
- Include a direct link in your bio and refer to it in captions
Why it works:
Social is where your audience already spends time. A thoughtful, personality-driven campaign makes your followers feel like they’re part of something, not just being sold to.
In-Office Flyers & Signage
You don’t need to wallpaper your entire office, but having a few well-placed flyers or signs can go a long way, especially in areas where patients are already waiting and looking around.
Best placement spots:
- Front desk
- Restrooms
- Waiting areas
- Brushing stations
- Treatment chairs (laminated for wipe-down)
Each sign should include:
- A simple, friendly message
- A QR code that links directly to your voting category
- Optional visual (like a small photo of your team)
Why it works:
Patients are already in your space, thinking about how much they like you. Give them the opportunity to act on that while they wait.
Front Desk Script
Your team is your secret weapon.
Equipping your front desk with a short, polished script helps them confidently ask for votes without sounding forced. Keep it conversational and opt-in:
“Hey [Patient Name], we’ve been nominated for Best of [City]! If you have a second to vote, it’d mean a lot—there’s a QR code right here you can scan.”
You can also keep a clipboard or tablet at the desk if the contest allows it, but always let patients make the decision on their own time.
Why it works:
Sometimes, all it takes is a quick ask from a smiling face to get someone to vote. It keeps the campaign personal, and patients appreciate being included in something that matters to your team.
Should You Incentivize Votes?
Short answer: Maybe. Long answer: it depends on the rules, your brand, and your patient base.
When to Offer an Incentive
- You’re a newer practice or breaking into a crowded market
- Voting is complicated or requires daily action
- You missed the ballot last year and want to boost visibility
When to Avoid It
- The contest rules specifically prohibit it
- You’re already leading and don’t want to appear disingenuous
- Your patients prefer a no-pressure vibe
How to Do It (Without Crossing the Line)
Incentives can be a great way to nudge patients to vote, but they should feel like a bonus, not a bribe. Keep it light, on-brand, and optional.
Keep It Small & Thoughtful
Stick to low-cost, feel-good rewards that match your brand:
- $5 coffee gift cards
- Branded swag (stickers, t-shirts, lip balm)
- Treat bags or toothbrushes
- Raffle entry (ex, “Vote and win a Yeti cooler!”)
The goal is to make people smile, not buy their vote.
Trust Your Patients
Avoid asking for proof of voting—most contests prohibit it anyway. Just thank them and invite them to grab a treat, or let the front desk know they voted.
Make It Optional & Grateful
The ask should be casual and never feel pushy: “Voted for us? Grab a thank-you treat on your way out!” Lead with appreciation, and your patients will feel good supporting you, reward or not.
What to Do After You Win
If you take home the title, congrats! That’s a big deal. But don’t let the win sit quietly on a shelf or get buried in your Instagram feed. A “Best Of” award is a powerful marketing and SEO tool that can continue paying off long after the voting ends.
Here’s how to celebrate your “best of” city award win with strategic vision.
Celebrate It Publicly
You earned the win. Now let people see it. Here’s what to do right away:
- Add the award badge to your homepage and blog header
- Include it in your email signature for all team members
- Post photos or videos of your team celebrating
- Send a thank-you email to your patient list
- Pin a celebratory post to the top of your Facebook or Instagram feed
- Run digital ads that showcase your new title (“Voted Best Orthodontist in [City]!”)
- Include the win in job listings, referral templates, or community presentations
Remember: These awards are credibility builders that make people take your brand seriously.
Strengthen Your Local SEO (and AI Discoverability)
This is where the real magic happens.
Local media outlets and contest pages often have high domain authority. If your practice is listed—and linked—on a local “Best Of” winner page, that’s a local backlink, which is one of the strongest signals Google uses to boost your visibility in local search.
Winning also gives you content and citation opportunities that reinforce who you are, what you do, and where you’re located—three things AI-driven search is increasingly prioritizing.
Think of it like this: When Google or AI tools like ChatGPT are asked, “Who’s the best orthodontist in [City]?”, your award acts as a reputation signal that can push you into results, even outside traditional search.
To capitalize on that:
- Update your Google Business Profile to say: “Voted Best Orthodontist in [City] 2025”
- Add the badge to directory listings like Healthgrades, Yelp, and Facebook
- Write a blog post recapping your win, linking to the award site if possible
- Share the backlink with your SEO partner so they can monitor its impact
- If the award site doesn’t link to you, ask them nicely (it’s worth it)
Use the Win in Future Campaigns
A “Best Of” title has a long shelf life. Use it again and again:
- Highlight it in patient referral campaigns
- Include it in seasonal promotions (“Come see why we were voted #1!”)
- Mention it in community sponsorships or partnerships
- Reference it in new patient welcome materials
- Frame the award in your office—yes, literally
Winning isn’t the end of the campaign—it’s the beginning of your next phase of visibility. It’s a rare blend of social proof, search power, and storytelling potential all rolled into one. Use it fully, and it will work harder for you than most paid ads ever could.
Troubleshooting + FAQs
Even the best campaigns hit snags. Here are a few common questions and how to solve them.
“The award site isn’t linking to us—what should I do?”
Ask for the backlink! Send a short, polite email to the contest organizer requesting that they link your name to your site. This helps patients find you and gives your SEO a healthy boost.
“We missed the nomination window—can we still win?”
Not this year, but you can absolutely prepare for next time. Set a calendar reminder for 11 months out. Start building buzz earlier next year and focus on the nomination round.
“The voting site is hard to use.”
Make it easier for patients by sharing a direct link to your category. Create a screen recording or step-by-step graphic to walk people through it. QR codes help, too.
“Are we being annoying?”
It’s a fair concern. Mix up your messaging, limit asks to 2–3 times per channel, and keep things light and friendly. Don’t post the same thing daily unless it’s a daily voting contest.
“Should we build a landing page?”
If you’re really going for it, yes. A simple campaign page with the vote link, a thank-you message, and some context about what the contest is can absolutely help.
“My team isn’t excited—how do I get them on board?”
Make it a game! Offer prizes for the most scans, run a silly photo contest, or promise a team lunch if you win. People get excited when they feel like part of the action.
Let’s Win Together
Need help pulling it all together? With Neon Canvas’s on-demand creative request system, we can build everything you need for a seamless, stress-free campaign—web banners, emails, flyers, social posts, and more. All customized, all ready to launch.
We’ve helped practices across the country bring home the win—and we’re ready when you are.
Let’s make you the Best Of.