Get Customers to Show Their Love

Intuit, the company behind software programs like QuickBooks, Quicken, and TurboTax, has started a sweepstakes called the "Love a Local Business." The contest asks Americans to enter their favorite local business into a drawing for a chance to win a $1,000 Intuit Growth Grant.

Winning businesses will receive a $500 Visa gift card and $500 in Intuit business services, such as Intuit Web sites and WebListings, to help them grow their business.

"Strong local businesses help build strong communities,” said Justin Kitch, chief growth officer of Intuit’s Small Business Group. "We hope that these communities will rally together to not only help their favorite businesses win a growth grant, but to share with each other what makes these businesses special and unique."

Fans nominate their favorite businesses by sharing reasons for why they like them in a comment of 250 characters or less. Each nominee will appear on a customized Google Map. The map is embeddable, so fans can share it on their site or blog.

The sweepstakes lasts until August 30. Five winners will be selected each week for a total of 30 winners.