Social media management is an important tool for any business. After all, a lot of potential clients can be found online. However, if you don’t have the right online reputation, you can lose potential clients quickly.
What are some important dos and don’ts in online reputation management?
If you want to build your brand online, you need to make sure your online reputation is good. Here are some tips to help you improve your appearance online.
Do: Develop a Reputation Management Strategy
Before you begin taking steps to manage your online reputation, you need to develop an online reputation management strategy. This will give you the tools and goals required to improve your online presence. Starting with a social media strategy can help.
To improve your reputation, you need to know what people are already saying about you. Do some research on your own company. Search your company name, your website, and the niche that you are in; this will show you what people currently think of you and your business.
Once you know how viewers see your business, you can start thinking of ways to improve. Take any comments into account when making your reputation management strategy!
Do: Monitor Your Online Business Profiles Regularly
If you want your online reputation to hold up, you need to make sure that your online profiles are up to date and accurate. You should make sure you are regularly updating all of your business profiles, especially if the company experiences major changes. Don’t forget about any of your social media platforms!
You should also pay attention to any new comments and reviews you receive online. You’ll want to respond to them whenever possible; you should also consider continuing to build your brand up based on the reviews you get. There is always room for improvement!
Do: Be Professional
It’s easy to slip into an unprofessional attitude online. After all, everything feels anonymous, so what’s the harm in dropping your professional attitude just a bit?
While you may be tempted to act more casually online, you should keep yourself as professional as possible. Potential clients want to see that you are responsible and professional both online and offline. This is especially important as you comment on reviews and comments left by your viewers.
Do: Be Honest and Open
Honesty and transparency are important, even online. Whenever you are planning on posting something online, be it a public post or a comment, you should make sure that it accurately reflects the view of you and your company. This will help you build trust in your brand.
Make sure that you are consistent with the message that you send. Constantly changing what your company stands for can confuse your clients and leave them wondering what the truth is; figure out what message works best for you and your company and stick to it.
Do: Ask for Professional Feedback
You should never be afraid to openly ask your customers for reviews. Reach out to your previous clients and have them give their honest opinions on your company and products. This will encourage other customers to do the same, building your brand in the eyes of new potential clients.
Adding a small gift can help incentivise these reviews. Offering gift cards and other similar rewards may encourage your customers to give feedback on your company.
Don't: Retaliate Against Hate Comments
You are bound to get your fair share of hate mail online. No matter what your industry is, someone is going to have negative opinions about it. This is not something you should take lightly; how you respond to hate comments will show a lot about your business.
Throwing hate right back at hate comments can put a damper on your online reputation. You should never retaliate against rude messages; instead, remain professional as you respond, addressing the concerns of the commenter as well as you can. If the comment is especially rude or hateful, don’t be afraid to delete it or block the commenter.
Don't: Take a Passive Approach
Outright ignoring hate messages can be just as bad for your image as retaliation. After all, it shows that you simply don’t care about the negative feedback you are getting. Pay attention to anyone mentioning your brand online and add your own professional take on the matter.
Don't: Sell Yourself Too Hard
No one wants to go online and feel like they’re being forced into a sale. While your business profiles are designed to encourage people to purchase your products and services, they should never feel pressured into a sale. Interacting with your customers without pushing a sales agenda on them can help you feel more like a person and less like a company!
Don't: Get Too Personal Online
The last thing you should do is bring your personal life into your business profile. While you do want to avoid having a website based solely on sales, that doesn’t mean you should treat it as a personal account. This is especially true if you are in upper management or have an important role in the company.
Online Reputation Management Made Easy
With these simple do’s and don’t’s to online reputation management, you can start building your company’s brand on your favourite social media platforms. Remember, if you’re ever in doubt, see what others in your industry are doing to improve their own online presence!
Are you looking for a great company that can help build your brand online?
We’re here to help. Contact us with any questions or concerns you have about our social media management services and continue reading our blog for more information today!
