Reputation Management, sometimes referred to as social media reputation management, is the process of influencing the public’s perception about an individual or organisation’s identity. It is a term originally used by PR companies, but with the emergence of social media, shaping a brand’s or person’s image online has become an integral part of one’s success.
Having a good reputation offers many advantages including more sales, attracting new clients, expanding your network, increasing your reach and many more.
However, in today’s digital world, maintaining a good online profile is becoming more and more challenging. If you have an online profile, it is important to remain credible not only on review sites, but anywhere on the web.
A single negative search result can easily alter public perception of you and your brand. More often than not, a 1-star review can drive people away and cause them to not see you as someone worthy of their time. These things are inevitable, and sadly, some of these reviews may be intentionally given by your competitors. This is crucial because these reviews can make or break your credibility.
The good news is, there are things you can do to manage your online reputation:
- Flag and report negative reviews. This is a bit limiting because you can only do so much on your end. But if you think your negative reviews aren’t justifiable, you can always flag them and let Google or Facebook decide whether or not the reviews need to be taken down.
- Focus on your engagement. Engage with your followers and listen to what they say. Listening always helps build better communication, trust, and loyalty. Remember, these people are your target audience, so always consider their suggestions, especially if you think it’s going to work to your advantage.
- Interact with your followers. In relation to number two, again it is important to engage with the people within your online circle. Take time to respond if they have queries, offer solutions to their problems, and engage in a witty conversation in the comment section. Doing this will give your audience the impression that you are dependable and relatable.
- Don’t fake it. While it’s true that putting yourself out here requires a little flair and creativity, faking it won’t get you anywhere. Online users are smarter than you think, and they will know if you’re faking it. Just stay true to your brand and everything will fall into place.
- Encourage more reviews. Your reputation depends on what people have to say, so encourage them to give their feedback about your products and services. The more reviews you have (positive ones, hopefully), the better.