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Reputation Management Guide for Business Owners and Marketing Teams

img src=“reputation management.jpg” alt=“woman and reputation management”>

Reputation Management Guide for Business Owners and Marketing Teams


Reputation management is crucial for building trust, attracting new clients, and maintaining a positive brand image. This blog will help you understand how to manage your reputation effectively, get reviews from your clients, and leverage those reviews to grow your customer base.


Understanding Reputation Management

1. What is Reputation Management? Reputation management involves monitoring, influencing, and controlling your business’s online perception. It includes:
  • Monitoring online mentions and reviews.
  • Responding to feedback (both positive and negative).
  • Proactively managing your online presence.

2. Importance of Reputation Management
  • Builds Trust: Positive reviews and active engagement build trust with potential clients.
  • Influences Purchasing Decisions: Many consumers rely on online reviews before making a purchase decision.
  • Enhances SEO: Reviews contribute to local SEO, helping your business appear higher in search results.
  • Crisis Management: Effective reputation management allows for prompt responses to negative feedback, minimising potential damage.

How to Get Reviews


1. Ask at the Right Time Timing is crucial when asking for reviews. Ideal times include:
  • Immediately after a successful transaction or service.
  • Following a positive interaction or feedback from a client.
  • During follow-up communications or check-ins.

2. Make It Easy Simplify the review process by:
  • Providing direct links to your review profiles (eg. Google, Linkedin, Facebook, etc.).
  • Sending follow-up emails with a review request and link.
  • Using QR codes (eg. on receipts, business cards, at counters etc) that direct customers to the review page.

3. Incentivise Reviews While it’s important to follow platform guidelines to avoid penalties:
  • Offer discounts or coupons for customers who leave a review.
  • Run a monthly competition for reviewers.
  • Provide small freebies or added services in return for a review.
4. Train Your Team Ensure your staff understand the importance of reviews and knows how to request them. Role-playing and scripting can help them feel comfortable asking clients for feedback.

5. Automate the Process Use reputation management software to automate review requests. These tools can send follow-up emails or texts after transactions, simplifying the process for both your team and your customers.


Using Reviews to Attract More Clients


1. Display Reviews Prominently
  • Website: Feature reviews and testimonials on your homepage, product pages, and
    dedicated testimonial pages.
  • Social Media: Share positive reviews on your social media profiles regularly.
  • Email Marketing: Include reviews and testimonials in your email campaigns to build
    credibility.

2. Use Reviews in Marketing Materials
  • Videos: Create video testimonials or case studies highlighting satisfied customers.
  • Presentations and Proposals: Include relevant reviews in sales pitches and proposals.
  • Brochures: Include relevant reviews and case studies for social proof

3. Leverage Influencers and Partnerships
  • Collaborate with industry influencers to review your products or services.
  • Partner with complementary businesses to exchange reviews and testimonials.

4. Respond to Reviews
  • Positive Reviews: Thank customers for their feedback and encourage continuedengagement.
  • Negative Reviews: Address concerns professionally and constructively. Offer solutions and demonstrate a commitment to improvement.

5. Monitor and Analyse Reviews
  • Track Trends: Identify common themes in customer feedback to improve your products or services.
  • Respond Quickly: Promptly addressing negative reviews can mitigate damage and show potential customers that you care.
  • Use Analytics: Utilise reputation management tools to track review metrics and gain insights into customer sentiment.

6. Encourage Customer Advocacy
  • Referral Programs: Create programs that reward customers for referring new clients.
  • Loyalty Programs: Recognise and reward loyal customers who consistently leave positive feedback.
  • Engage with Your Community: Build a community of advocates by engaging with customers both online and offline through events, forums, and social media interactions.


Using OBMHub All in One Marketing Platform for Reputation Management


Using the Reputation Management Feature and Funnel on the OBMHub Platform offers robust reputation management tools that streamline the process of soliciting and
managing reviews. Here’s how to utilise these features effectively: The platform’s reputation management feature allows you to automate review requests by sending personalized SMS or email invitations to clients after interactions. You can create a review funnel that guides customers through the review process, making it seamless and straightforward. The funnel can include automated follow-ups for those who haven’t responded, ensuring you maximize the number of reviews collected. OBMHub also provides tools to monitor and respond to reviews across multiple platforms from a single dashboard.

This centralised approach allows for efficient management of your online reputation, enabling you to quickly address negative feedback and promote positive reviews. Additionally, the platform’s analytics help you track review performance, identify trends, and gain insights into customer sentiment, informing your overall marketing strategy. By integrating these capabilities, you can effectively enhance your business’s online reputation  and leverage customer feedback to attract more clients.

Other Reputation Management Platforms


There are comprehensive reputation management platforms that help businesses collect reviews, manage customer feedback, and enhance their online presence.
Example:
Birdeye
Podium
Yext
Manual Reputation Management


Step-by-Step Manual Process:


1. Collect Customer Emails and Phone Numbers:
o Ensure that you collect contact information from customers at the point of sale or through a sign-up form on your website.

2. Send Personalised Review Requests:
o After a successful transaction or service, send a personalised email or text message to the customer requesting a review. Include direct links to your profiles on review sites like Google, Linkedin, or Facebook.

Example Email Template:

Subject: We’d Love Your Feedback!
Hi [Customer Name],
Thank you for choosing [Your Business Name]! We hope you had a
great experience. We would appreciate it if you could take a
moment to leave us a review on [Google/Linkedin/Facebook].
[Insert Link to Review Pages]
Your feedback helps us improve our services and provides
valuable insights for other customers.
Thank you for your time and support!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Business Name]

3. Monitor Review Sites Manually:
o Regularly check review sites like Google My Business, Linkedin, and
Facebook for new reviews. Set a reminder to do this daily or weekly.

4. Promote Positive Reviews:
o Feature positive reviews on your website, social media, and marketing
materials. Share customer testimonials and success stories to build credibility.


By following these manual steps, you can effectively manage your business’s reputation through getting and repurposing testimonials. Effective reputation management is essential for building and maintaining a positive brand
image. By proactively soliciting and leveraging reviews, your business can attract new clients, enhance customer trust, and drive growth. Implementing the strategies outlined in this blog will help you manage your reputation effectively and use customer feedback to your advantage. Remember to keep your users’ needs at the forefront and continuously optimize based on feedback and performance data. Looking to boost your social media strategy but need expert guidance? Contact us Chantal for personalized marketing consultancy to take your brand to the next level.

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