Word-of-mouth advertising.
It’s been around since the invention of words (and that’s, like, a REALLY long time).
Before the Internet, before the phone, before the printing press, people relied exclusively on referrals and recommendations to help them decide where to take their business. Technology has certainly changed through the centuries, but word-of-mouth is still one of the best ways to build your business – especially when it comes to attracting new customers.
So if you’ve done a really good job for a customer, leverage it!
Here’s how to turn your most recent project into your next project with a new client:
Ask.
Create a formal process for gathering feedback (including reviews and testimonials) from every customer, every time. In addition to gathering lots of great content to build your reputation, you’ll also learn about service shortfalls – so you can put your service recovery process into action.
If you get a raving testimonial, ask for permission to use it on your website or feature it on social media. If a client is extremely satisfied, ask if they’d be willing to write a review for you on Facebook, TripAdvisor, Yelp or another social review site.
Tout.
Feature testimonials prominently on your website and social platforms. Create inbound links to those pages to increase visibility. Add review badges to email signatures, your website and your company blog, to make it easy for readers to view verified endorsements.
Build.
Take great reviews and testimonials to the next level by developing them into mini case-studies. Always ask for permission, and interview customers to include their perspective. Take a “problem, solutions, measurable results” approach to provide solid evidence prospects need. And as with your testimonials, feature case studies on your company website and collateral.
Be consistent.
Building and maintaining a great business reputation requires diligence and sustained effort. BARQAR can help you maximize digital word-of-mouth and keep the good reviews coming.
Whether yours is a hospitality, staffing, retail, healthcare, financial services, home repair or other local business, we make it easy to continually garner fresh reviews. Control your brand image. And convert your current successes into future business.
Contact BARQAR today for a free demo of our online reputation management services.