Maintaining a positive brand reputation has never been more important. In today’s digital world, it’s increasingly becoming a more central part of effective marketing. In many ways, it can make or break a brand. There are two sides to this: being proactive in establishing a strong, positive image, and properly responding to negative situations that could tarnish your brand’s good name. At BrandMinded®, we specialize in reputation management services in Tampa to help brands grow strong.
Let’s talk about why it all matters — and, most importantly, how you can build a positive brand image in today’s digital landscape.
Reputation Management in the Digital World
Online reviews carry a lot of weight. A whopping 97% of consumers check product reviews before making a purchasing decision[MS1] , according to a 2021 PowerReviews survey.
If your brand has less-than-stellar reviews, that could impact your business’s bottom line.
With the rise of online reviews and social media commenting, consumers have more power than ever to shape a brand’s image. That’s why building positive brand awareness is so crucial.
How Brands Can Build and Maintain a Strong Reputation
Let’s dig into three simple ways brands can establish a strong reputation.
1. Encourage Customer Reviews
When you go to your Google Business Profile, having no reviews could deter potential customers. Building a strong bank of positive reviews helps establish you as a credible business. It also demonstrates that you’re a trustworthy brand. An added bonus is that online reviews can also improve your local search engine optimization (SEO) and website conversions to help attract a new audience.
Encouraging existing customers to leave reviews can go a long way. Email and text reminders are a go-to strategy to remind them to do so after using your services. Automating these reminders is the most efficient way to keep reviews rolling in.
2. Respond to Online Feedback
Think of online review management as a two-way street. Once your brand receives a new review — whether that’s on your website, Google Business Profile, or social media — be sure to respond thanking your customer or client for their feedback. This communicates that they have been heard and that you value their opinion. Do your best to put a personal touch on it. (A generic, “Thank you” can feel disingenuous.) Instead, mention what stood out to you about their review and be sure to thank them by name when possible.
Responding to reviews helps build credibility, improve customer trust, and enhance your overall online presence.
3. Don’t Ignore Negative Comments
It isn’t always possible to have 100% positive reviews. Even on your business’s best day, mistakes can happen. The most important thing is to respond swiftly to negative comments. Ignoring the reviewer could escalate the problem, especially if they start sharing and spreading their thoughts further on social media.
Damage control is all about hearing them out, validating their concerns, and doing your best to resolve the situation. Be sure to maintain a professional tone and avoid the urge to argue or “be right.” Instead, look for ways to solve the problem and end the interaction on good terms.
Online review management can often feel like a hefty task for time-strapped business owners. It requires constant vigilance and continually tracking user reviews and comments. That’s where we come in. LeadMinded is an all-in-one reputation management software that streamlines the process. It allows you to easily send review requests, monitor and respond to reviews in real time, and stream your most recent reviews right to your website.
When it comes to reputation management services in Tampa and beyond, the combination of our BrandMinded® team and the LeadMinded software is here to help brands gain new reviews and elevate their online presence. Get started with LeadMinded and other valuable services by connecting with the BrandMinded® team today!
