What are you doing to improve your online reputation? In the past, a business had control over your public relations – you chose what you projected – you spent a lot of time thinking about your logo and what kind of business card you should design. And it made a difference. You didn’t have to worry about negative buzz unless you had a disasterous event occur.
Today, the people control your brand. One comment from a dissatisfied customer can cause a drop in your bottom line. Every individual with a computer has access to dozens of review sites where they can complain about you and your way of doing business. And there are mean people in the world who relish the idea of knocking you down a peg or two. I could show you examples. but I know you believe me.
But you are not powerless. Studies show that 10% of your current customers are willing to be evangelists on your behalf. They are the person who happily provides a word of mouth testimonial to their friends about how great you are. All you need to fight back against the mean people is to harness the words of your best customers and get them to put them on line.
All you need to do is:
1. Do a very thorough search to find where your business is listed online. Use your business name, address and phone number in Google’s search bar. Use quotes to increase the relevancy. Something like this “lakeside beach grill” “4081 lakeshore” lake tahoe (btw, I love the Lakeside Beach Grill – visit there the next time you go to Tahoe)
2. Click on each search result that looks like it could be a directory with reviews. Find your business.
3. Copy the URL where a consumer would write a review.
4. Email the URL links to your best customers asking for their help. Remind them that you don’t want them to make a review at all the sites, just one or two.
5. Thank them for their help.
Please let me know how it goes.
Taking my own advice
If you’re one of my clients, participated in one of my workshops or asked & received advice on how to market your business online from me, I’d love it if you would review my services. If you are a member of any of the sites listed below, all you need to do is click on the link and it will take you to the spot where you can write a review.
Improve Your Online Reputation
If you’d like some help implementing a strategy to improve your rep, please call Julie at Get on the Map, 916-265-2521. This is just step one.
