When it comes to doing business, there is no doubt that online reputation is a decisive factor. You might have searched for information on the internet about the company from which you will buy products or contract services.
Well, your clients also look for information about you. Therefore, you should always work on your online reputation, whether good or bad, to improve it. Read on and learn how to do online reputation management by yourself!
Who are you?
Imagine you’re interested in buying a luxury sports car and you can afford it now, but you realize that beyond general knowledge, you know nothing about them. You decide to search for more information online, ask questions about luxury sports cars on online forums and social media, and you come across two names:
1. Fernando Facade
Fernando says on his website that his concessionaire is the best in the world, and he has a website that basically consists of telling you to buy a car or go somewhere else. Fernando is always selling and doesn’t want to offer free value. On his website, there are no interesting articles, no tips, no videos… or maybe there is, but you have to pay first!
Besides, when you Google him, the only thing that appears is his blog, which had last been updated in 2007 with the title: “Buy my car, now!”, and also recent information on a demand.
2. Ana Nice
Ana doesn’t need to say how fantastic she is. Others do it for her. Interesting information about sports cars can be found on her website and she offers purchase tips that don’t necessarily involve a sale because the customer is first.
On the internet, you see that she has been interviewed in several places because she is a reference in the automotive industry. Returning to her website, you discover that all content is free, including videos of luxury sports cars and articles about how to customize yours.
In social media, you see that she intends to help, share content and she also answers to all those who mention her or her cars. If you ask others, they tell you she’s a professional they recommend working with.
Who would you rather do business with?
Of course, you’d prefer to work with Ana. There’s good news and bad news. The bad news is, if you’re Fernando Facade and you don’t want to change, there’s nowhere you can hide and social media can end up being a nightmare.
The good news is that you have the power to control your reputation through action. So the question is obvious: How can you become Ana Nice? How can you manage your reputation in this transparent world? Here are 4 tips to manage your online reputation.
You might also like: How to protect your online reputation?
Tips to manage your online reputation management
1. Create relevant and valuable content
Do it everywhere: on your website, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn. Every piece of content including photos (and now videos) is tracked by search engines. When you create educational and inspiring content (and mention the name of your company somewhere), you’re basically controlling your own destiny when people are looking for you.
This is the secret: content should NOT talk about YOU. On the other hand, educational, relevant and valuable content is the winner. If you analyze the customer’s vision, it’s the opposite of yours.
2. Set up an alerts and then join the conversation
Go to Google Alerts and activate alerts about your name and, if you have time and desire, your competitors’ and some keywords of your sector. Setting up an alert is only the first step, ANSWER is the key. If you see something, whether good or bad, enter and leave a comment at the origin of the alert. Join in the conversation.
Answering good comments is not difficult. Sometimes a simple «Thank you!» is more than enough. On the other hand, negative comments can sometimes affect emotionally but don’t run away from them; participate and address concerns: DO NOT ignore them.
Every comment you leave can help you improve your branding. Or maybe this is a chance for you to fool around and hurt your reputation.
3. Be nice
Negative people are as overwhelming on the internet as they are in the physical world. And most negative people can be classified into the following two categories:
- People with different legitimate concerns/opinions (we can all respect them, right?).
- Negabots. We all know people who are always negative, like a bot (computer program performing repetitive tasks over the internet).
Kill with kindness. Confrontation and super sensitivity are two qualities that will make you lose. Be nice with others, for you will be treated equally.
4. Build relationships with the Anas of the world
Ask yourself if there are more companies in your sector that:
- have influential blogs that allow guests to write on them.
- do vlogs or interviews online that you can participate in.
Participating with Anas will bring you a lot of benefits, including:
- It will bring traffic to your website. Even if they are few people, it is a success.
- More generated content than search engines can index with your name.
- An online partnership with other influential companies.
- A great promotional and marketing opportunity to share this content through your channels.
Now you know 4 techniques to manage your online reputation by yourself. At the end of the day, managing your online reputation is simply being yourself at your best. We hope this information has been useful to you!
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