Once again our 14 Days of Love campaign starts on February 1st.  This is an opportunity for you to show your appreciation of our local businesses and perhaps win a prize into the bargain!   

As we see more and more big household names fall by the wayside, it is reassuring to know that our small, local businesses continue to thrive. It's not about good luck, it's down to hard graft and excellent service.  Yet, as customers we may often be guilty of taking these businesses and the products and services they provide us with for granted, which is less than they deserve in return for the effort they put in to deliver the quality and service we demand. 

That's why thebestof's 14 Days of Love campaign is so valuable to both businesses and consumers alike.  That email you meant to send to the young builder's boss letting him know how friendly and polite he was, but didn't quite find the time.  Or the thank you card to the hairdresser who rescued your home colouring disaster at just an hour's notice, allowing you to get to that interview without green hair!  Time goes by so quickly; we are all so busy, these small but important niceties seem to get pushed onto the back burner until it seems too late to bother.

Well it's never too late. And it couldn't be simpler here at thebestof Haverhill.  All you have to do is 'show some love' for a local business, maybe in recognition of their constant reliability, value for money, or simply friendly service with a smile. And it doesn't have to be a job they did for you last week, it doesn't even have to be a job they did for you - if someone just gave your mum's bathroom the wow factor, then spread the word.  

Submit a testimonial or review and you can influence the Love-o-Meter score which rates most loved businesses both locally and nationally.  The campaign generates significant interest and excellent publicity for the companies involved, previously having made the pages of several national newspapers as the competition hots up!  When the campaign closes on the 14th February you can be sure that the Most Loved Business will be featured in local media, trade press and as mentioned, may also make the pages of the national press.

And business owners, this is no time to be reticent.  Make sure all your satisfied customers know about the campaign and how easy it is to submit a testimonial; it literally is just a two minute job that can make all the difference.  And don't forget business to business recommendations - we all need to help and support each other in these challenging times. Our members know that previous campaigns have generated a significant amount of new business and act as an excellent PR exercise. Make sure your staff know all about the scheme, particularly if they are more customer facing than you, and encourage them to gather testimonials - you could even set them an incentive based challenge!

Our Haverhill businesses did us proud last year, with Preview Property Services not just emerging as most loved Haverhill business, but triumphing as most loved letting agent in the entire UK!  Our second placed most loved in Haverhill was CXG Property Services (we clearly love our 'real estate' here in Haverhill!) and third placed on the local table were CW Couriers, who also emerged victorious at the top of the national table in their category. These businesses gathered well in excess of 100 reviews each, earned as a result not just of the exceptional service they provide, but no doubt through their awareness of the importance of testimonials.  Be proactive in your quest for reviews and you will reap the rewards!  

As a customer, you may not appreciate the value of good feedback for a job well done, but in this competitive world it is extremely important to that business who served you so well. And there's something in it for you too! 

Every testimonial submitted is entered into a daily prize draw from the 1st to the 14th February, with a chance of winning some spectacular prizes, including a Ferrari Driving Experience, dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant, a trip on the iconic Orient Express, a Magnum of Champagne and many more, and the lucky winners will be announced on a daily basis.

Very soon the site will have a new look in honour of the campaign.  When we blush pink you'll find the link!  We will also be making our presence felt on Facebook and Twitter.  We'll keep you posted with regular updates, guide you through any issues you may have regarding submissions and be on hand with hints and tips to help you get the best for your business out of our 14 day love fest!