Your business lives and dies by its reputation. A strong reputation equals repeat business and new customer. A poor reputation and…well, you can guess what the result is.
Fortunately, boosting your reputation isn’t so difficult. Quality services, attentive customer care, and a focus on overall satisfaction can all help you gain the boost you need.
In service industries, your local reputation is especially important. So if you’re in the facilities maintenance business or running a landscaping or painting company, for example, you need that glowing reputation in your local area.
Here are five ways to maximize your local reputation.
Encourage Online Reviews
Online reviews are critical for customers as they choose who to do business with. So how do you get more positive reviews? By reaching out.
Encourage your customers to leave reviews on Google or Yelp. Don’t put pressure on them to give you positive write-ups – this could backfire. Instead, just ask them to leave their honest feedback.
Engage with Your Local Community
This is a local reputation we’re talking about, so you need to connect with your local community. Getting involved in events, sponsoring activities, or hosting community initiatives can increase your business’s visibility in the area.
Think about hosting workshops, charity events, or supporting local causes that match your business values. Participating in local festivals or fairs or sponsoring a local sports team shows that you are an active, engaged part of the community.
Ask for Business Recommendations and Referrals
What do you find more trustworthy – a business that tells you how great they are, or a recommendation from a friend or family member? In almost every case, it’s going to be the latter. So focus on building that word-of-mouth buzz around your business.
Aske happy customers to share your services with their friends, family and colleagues. You can offer perks, like discounts or other small rewards for every new customer someone brings in.
You can also set up referral sharing deals with other businesses. A network of local businesses that support each other can help your reputation while also gaining you allies in the local business community.
Get Coverage in Local Media
Local media is your friend, as long as they’re saying the right things about your business. Find an angle about your company or your own story that would be interesting to bloggers, news sites, or journalists. Then reach out to newspapers, radio stations, and TV networks.
You can even pitch stories that showcase your expertise or unique services. Just make sure there’s a public interest aspect – something that’s going to get the story published.
Provide Excellent Customer Service
Interactions with customers are make-or-break here. Train your staff to be polite, professional, and attentive, even in hard situations.
Be sure to acknowledge repeat customers, too, following up after purchases, and offering tailored services when possible. These are the hallmarks of good customer care, which will help your reputation grow.
Start Taking Steps Today
Building and improving your local business reputation doesn’t happen overnight, but you can start quickly by asking for reviews and assessing your current customer service performance.
If you decide to capitalize on this added value by selling your business, contact The Batallan Group to learn about the process of selling your company.