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Best Practices for Promoting Your A-List Text-to-Nominate and Text-to-Vote Keywords

A guide for advertisers participating in St. Louis Magazine's A-List Readers' Choice Awards

Make it easier for your customers, clients, and supporters to recognize your business in St. Louis Magazine's A-List Readers' Choice Awards!

Your unique text-to-nominate or text-to-vote keyword provides a convenient way for supporters to participate in A-List directly from their phones. Rather than searching through the online ballot, supporters can simply text your assigned keyword to the designated phone number to submit their nomination or vote.

Whether you're encouraging nominations or rallying support as a Top 5 contender, promoting your keyword throughout your marketing efforts can help increase participation and keep your business top of mind.

How Your Keyword Works

  1. Receive your unique keyword. St. Louis Magazine assigns participating advertisers a keyword (a 4-digit code) for each sponsored category.
  2. Share your keyword with supporters. Customers can text the keyword to the designated phone number during the appropriate nomination or voting period.
  3. Make it easy to participate. During the voting phase, your enhanced A-List ballot listing also features a clickable text-to-vote option. On mobile devices, supporters can tap to open a prefilled text message and send their vote.
  4. Supporters receive a confirmation. An automated reply provides information about their nomination or vote, subject to the A-List's official rules and participation limits.

Best Practices for Promoting Your Keyword

1. Promote your keyword across your marketing channels

The more visible your keyword is, the easier it is for customers to participate. Incorporate it into the marketing channels and customer touchpoints you're already using, including:

  • Social media: Share your keyword in posts, stories, and reminders throughout the nomination or voting period.

  • In-store signage: Display your keyword at entrances, checkout counters, or other high-traffic areas.

  • Menus and receipts: Include a short reminder where customers are already engaging with your business.

  • Email marketing: Feature your keyword in newsletters, promotional emails, and email signatures.

  • Customer communications: Incorporate your keyword into invoices, follow-up emails, and other relevant communications.

Tip: Keep your keyword and phone number prominent so supporters can quickly identify how to participate.

2. Make it a clear, simple call to action

Your messaging should tell supporters exactly how to participate, including the keyword, phone number, and A-List category.

During the nomination phase:

"Nominate us for St. Louis Magazine's A-List! Text [KEYWORD] to [PHONE NUMBER] to nominate us for [CATEGORY]."

During the voting phase:

"We're in the A-List Top 5! Text [KEYWORD] to [PHONE NUMBER] to vote for us in [CATEGORY]."

Keep these tips in mind:

  • Clearly identify the A-List category.

  • Maintain consistent messaging across your marketing channels.

  • If you're participating in multiple categories, clearly identify the corresponding keyword for each.

3. Incorporate a QR code

Make participation even easier by creating a QR code that opens a prefilled text message with your keyword and the designated phone number.

Include the QR code on printed materials, signage, flyers, or other promotional pieces alongside a simple call to action, such as: "Scan to text your A-List nomination/vote!"

Be sure to display your keyword and phone number as well for supporters who prefer to text manually.

4. Keep your keyword visible throughout each phase

A-List nominations and voting take place during separate periods, giving your business multiple opportunities to engage supporters.

Rather than sharing your keyword just once, incorporate reminders throughout the applicable phase.

During nominations: Encourage customers to nominate your business in the appropriate category.

If you advance to the Top 5: Celebrate your recognition and encourage supporters to vote during the official voting period.

As voting continues: Share additional reminders to keep your business top of mind.

Tip: Update your messaging when A-List transitions from nominations to voting. A nomination and a vote are different actions, so your promotional materials should always reflect the current phase.

5. Encourage your team to spread the word

Your employees interact with customers every day, making them valuable advocates for your A-List participation. Encourage your team to mention your keyword during natural customer interactions, such as at checkout or following a positive service experience.

6. Pair your keyword with your existing A-List promotions

Your text-to-nominate or text-to-vote keyword is an additional way for supporters to participate, not a replacement for your online ballot listing.

Continue sharing your A-List ballot link through social media, email marketing, and other promotional channels while highlighting the text option.

For example:

"Support us in St. Louis Magazine's A-List Awards! Nominate/Vote using the link in our bio or text [KEYWORD] to [PHONE NUMBER]."

Giving supporters multiple ways to participate helps make the process more accessible and convenient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to submit a nomination or vote by text? There is no additional charge from the A-List ballot, but standard message and data rates from the participant's mobile carrier may apply.

What happens if someone texts an incorrect keyword? The participant receives an automated response indicating that the keyword is invalid. Be sure to double-check your keyword and phone number before publishing promotional materials.

What happens if someone texts outside the nomination or voting period? Participants receive an automated response indicating that the promotion has not started or has ended, as applicable.

Can supporters still nominate or vote through the online ballot? Yes! Your text keyword provides an additional participation option. Supporters can continue to access the A-List ballot online.

What if my business is participating in multiple categories? Each eligible category will have its own assigned keyword. Clearly identify the appropriate keyword for each category in your promotional materials.

Can participants stop receiving text messages? Yes. Automated messages include instructions for texting HELP for additional information or STOP to opt out.

Can supporters nominate or vote more than once? All nominations and votes are subject to St. Louis Magazine's official A-List rules, including applicable participation limits. If a supporter reaches their nomination or voting limit, they will receive an automated text message notifying them that they have reached the maximum number of submissions allowed.

What do I need to receive text nominations or votes? Your business must have purchased an advertising package that includes the text-to-nominate or text-to-vote keyword feature.