Choosing Categories
Each year, the editorial and management teams evaluate our list of categories for the Best of Lake Minnetonka survey, usually eliminating a few of the less popular ones—where fewer people voted—and adding new topics to keep things fresh. And of course, we always take into account feedback from our readers; we appreciate hearing from you about categories you’d like to see added or nixed.
When we began publishing the Best of Lake Minnetonka as a separate issue of Lake Minnetonka Magazine two years ago, we expanded our list from around 30 to almost 50 categories, and added an Editor’s Pick section that recognizes special individuals or businesses.
Casting Ballots
Beginning on October 1 and running through November 15, 2014, we invited readers to go online to lakeminnetonkamag.com to tell us their favorites in the selected 50 categories. As in past years, it was a write-in ballot with no pre-selected choices from the editorial staff. We truly rely on readers to decide on the finalists and winners in each category.
Counting Votes
Once voting closed on November 15, our editorial and management teams began the challenging task of tabulating the results. To make the process efficient and fair, we do adhere to a few rules as we count the votes.
Readers cannot vote more than once from the same IP address, and each device has its own IP address. We automatically eliminate any additional votes from an IP address to control any possibility of ballot-stuffing.
Readers must vote in a minimum of 10 categories for their ballot to be considered valid; ballots with votes in fewer than 10 categories are eliminated. Again, this is to obtain a fair representation of selections by readers.
The top three vote-getters in each category become finalists, and the top vote-getter is the winner. At this point, our editorial team fact checks the address and contact information for each finalist. If the finalist is no longer a valid selection due to a closed business, etc., we move to the next highest vote-getter, who then becomes a finalist.
When the 2015 votes were tabulated and finalists determined, we posted the results at lakeminnetonkamag.com. Winners were kept secret until the Best of Lake Minnetonka event at The Lafayette Club on February 5.
More Inside Scoop:
Community-centric: Occasionally, we get questions from readers about the inclusion on the finalist list of a business that is located just outside of Lake Minnetonka Magazine’s coverage area. In order to qualify as a finalist in the Best of Lake Minnetonka survey, the business or individual must be located in the community and/or provide services to Lake Minnetonka area residents.
Spreading the word: Just as we advertise the Best of Lake Minnetonka voting in our print publications, online, and through Facebook and Twitter, it’s also become very common for local businesses, individuals and others to do the same and encourage their clients, fans and friends to cast a vote for them in a particular Best of Lake Minnetonka category. We love seeing the enthusiasm for the Best of Lake Minnetonka survey from members of the local community!
Winning ways: Each winner receives a framed copy of this year’s Best of Lake Minnetonka cover design, which indicates the winning category and their business name. In addition, they receive a “Best of 2015” icon, perfect for marketing and promotional materials.
