Sometimes, getting smacked in the face with cold hard truths is the best way to see your mistakes. No one likes a slap in the face, but the harsh reality is that it’s the only way to grow. That is especially true in online reputation management where it’s easy to get fooled by vanity data and lose sight of what really matters to customers.
How great does it feel when hard work finally pays off? After months of dedicated effort, you managed to build a steady customer base. This step alone deserves a virtual pat on the back. But, before you pop open the champagne, you need to think your next step very carefully. If your customers aren’t satisfied with your product or service, your reputation might suffer. Not to mention that customers will go to the competition before you can say “client retention.”
There’s been a photo that’s been circulating on social media for quite some time. It’s a snapshot of a conversation between an Amazon customer service rep and a customer whose package failed to arrive on time. The customer initiated the chat and a representative, who introduced himself as Thor, responded. The two talked about the delivery issue as Thor and Odin.
Social media is a great opportunity for small business owners looking to increase their visibility, reach, and leads. But, when it’s not used properly, it can actually harm your brand’s online reputation. Having an unsystematic social media strategy or no strategy at all can be a waste of time and resources. Not to mention that it could turn away prospects.
How much time do you spend every day managing your brand’s online reputation?
If you are anything like any other marketer with a myriad of tasks on your hand, you probably let your online reputation work slide. And that’s not good at all.
According to a Nielsen study, 54% of consumers decided not to do business with a company based on the information they learned about the way the company handled customer service, products, delivery and so on.
When you’re trying to get a handle on your online reputation – either just starting out or patching up a negative one – there are a few key things to keep in mind. The first is that you need to avoid negative approaches that either aren’t honest, or aren’t above board.
Watch out for these dishonest tactics and make sure your reputation management is based on real, reputable information.
Back in 2010, an Icelandic volcano with a complicated name – Eyjäfjälläjökull – erupted. Heavy clouds of ash were thrown into the air, disrupting European air traffic. All flights in the area were grounded, and over 10 million travelers were stranded at different local airports.
At that time, the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, who was just beginning to experiment with social media, found their Twitter feed flooded with confused, desperate and often angry messages from customers seeking guidance.
If you have a local business and want more customers walking through your door, don’t overlook the power of an online presence to draw them in. More people than ever before are now checking for online reviews and websites before darkening the door of a local establishment they’re interested in. Are you missing out on this wealth of opportunity? Check out this helpful advice from a business owner whose been there and knows exactly how to draw people in using their online reputation!
This may sound a little crazy, but here it goes…
Getting negative reviews is not always bad. In fact, they can actually help your business thrive and improve your reputation.
Really…
While you should strive to get good online reviews and increase your ratings, a nasty comment should not cause a panic attack. Contrary to popular belief, bad ratings will not immediately turn your customers away from your products and services. In fact, they are a great opportunity for your small business.
These days, there’s not a store, business, or individual in existence that doesn’t need to manage their reputation online. Everyone from the small mom-and-pop shop around the corner to behemoths like Wal-Mart can and should engage in online reputation management – and it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Here’s a detailed look at how to manage your online reputation yourself, without the aid of expensive firms or fancy technology!