Many of you are quite familiar with our company’s Best of Des Moines poll that readers of CITYVIEW magazine have participated in for more than a quarter of a century. If you are not, check out the results in this month’s CITYVIEW (which will be available next week on racks in Guthrie County — while they last) or online at www.dmcityview.com. CITYVIEW’s Best of Des Moines certificates are proudly displayed in stores, restaurants, bars and offices, and the recognition provides an incredibly positive impact to the people, places, businesses and events that are deemed the winners.
This year’s Best of Des Moines poll consisted of 271 questions with a whopping 22,969 votes — the most ever in the history of the poll. I have learned a lot in administering this poll and the related event that we have now hosted for 16 years.
A few years ago, we implemented a similar effort with our 14 Iowa Living magazines called Residents’ Choice polls. Those polls are gaining traction now, too, and I expect them to continue to be game-changers for all involved.
The bottom line is that people want to know who local residents feel are the “best” in a variety of categories. It is a fun competition. Even so, whenever we do these types of reader polls, I have to stress that these are not our opinions but are the results of the votes of our readers. That is an important distinction.
Well, if a readers’ poll works in Des Moines and it works in the suburbs and the nearby communities, why wouldn’t it work in Guthrie County? It will, and that’s why I am excited to launch the Best of Guthrie County poll. This is our inaugural effort, and the poll will certainly change in future years. Meanwhile, we came up with 82 categories for you to vote in. Best pizza. Best pastor. Best park. You get the idea. Simply fill in the blanks in one category or all 82. The poll will be promoted in our publications, emails, social media and mailers to encourage widespread participation. I hope you take the time to vote and to also share the link with your family, neighbors, co-workers and anyone in Guthrie County and encourage them to do the same.
We make it incredibly easy. You can choose to vote in just one category, or you can vote in all 82. But just like the political elections, once you submit your choices, you can’t go back. In case you are wondering, we catch the cheaters who try to vote more than once and throw those votes out, so don’t even try. Click here for the poll rules and the link to vote.
I thank you in advance for voting and for helping us to recognize the people, places, businesses and events that make Guthrie County so great.
Thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115