Article Contributed by Valerie J. Wilson
Remember your reputation in Junior High School? Yes, it seemed to matter then, right?
You’re in the big leagues now: More than ever, your company’s reputation is readily available for all to see, all in the matter of a couple of clicks. Think about it: Is your brand being taken seriously? You want to know this. You need to know this. And the results matter.
When business is going well, everyone is relaxed and happy, right? But let’s talk the talk: You CAN be proactive, and you CAN see when a tidal wave is building – if you choose to.
Truly – it is a choice. Online reputation management companies are popping up by the dozens, and there is a very strong reason why: Companies need them.
What are the top five reasons to keep an eye on your online rep? Read on:
People Search Your Company – A Lot.
Every single solitary day. People search for the product or service you are selling. And where do they turn? News alert: They do not head to the Yellow Pages anymore. (Are those poor people still employed?)
As it turns out, a lot of people care about your reputation, so it makes sense that you should, too. The bottom line can and will be effected by how others rate your business’s performance, how your customer service runs, the return policy (if applicable), your ethics, and your ability to “make it right” if something goes wrong.
Stay Off This List:
If you’re still under the impression that online reputation protection doesn’t matter, consider the following:
ü Exxon Mobil
ü BP
ü Delta Airlines
ü Comcast
What do they all have in common? They want to get off the list of Top Companies with the Worst Reputations. What a PR nightmare!
But here’s the thing: you can be absolutely guaranteed that there are people getting paid a lot of money to work around the clock to manage the damage control, to attain stronger online reputation protection, and to lower the blood pressure of the CEOs and shareholders of those companies.
3. Strive to Get on This List:
You know the ones:
“Companies with the Best Reputations”
Over and over, you’ll see the same names:
ü Google
ü Apple
ü Coca-Cola
ü Whole Foods
ü Tide
ü Sony
You want to get some of that same vibe, energy, and results.
Striving to be known for the goodness that your company brings to life is the goal. By monitoring your online searches, commentary, reactions, reviews, and results, you will much more empowered to see what’s working – and what’s not.
4. You Want to Attract the Best Talent:
The best of the best want to work for — the best. Your future employees will be researching your business very thoroughly. If you want to draw from the strongest pool of talent, you’re going to want to keep a clean character, as well. What’s worse than a disgruntled employee posting a negative tweet or responding to a rating of your company with less-than-glowing commentary about the workplace vibe? Until recently, there really wasn’t an efficient and easy way to manage that kind of negativity. And now there is.
Consider the many online reputation management organization that are offering their services to guide your customers in the most positive way possible. As you watch your bottom line soar, you’ll be glad that you did!
About the Author
Valerie J. Wilson is a freelance writer who enjoys investigating issues connected to business, marketing, and education.
