Promote Your Reputation

October 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Why You Should Actively Promote

Your Reputation Online

 

Just a few years ago if you wanted to find out about the reputation of a business or its owner you would “ask a friend”

If you wanted to find out about a product or service you would  ”ask a friend”

Now with the internet being so readily accessible from desktop or laptop computers and also from iPads and mobile phones “ask a friend” is fading in use.

In its place is “ask Google

Now the internet is so vast and contains so much relevant information on such a diverse range of subjects “Googling” is an everyday occurrence for many people.

You will “Google” to find out reviews of movies and also where and at what time it s being screened. You might even give your own thoughts on the movie on Facebook or via a Tweet.

For businesses however the place most commonly used to express your opinion is Google +

Google is putting a lot of effort into getting this up and running effectively and they will reward those who follow the process they are setting up.

If you have been watching over the last two years Google has been changing the rules on Search Engine Optimisation and a lot of strategies that worked in the past are no longer effective. SEO strategists have been working overtime devising strategy after strategy only to find that Google devalues these strategies as well.

Now Google is showing us what we can do and will reward us for doing so.

Google wants us to use Google+Pages to market our business. They have allocated space on the first page for every search for certain designated categories.

The majority of businesses are ignoring this virtual “guaranteed listing” and instead are still trying to use strategies that are too competitive to get the desired result.

Most of the Google +Pages listings are simply listings where Google has found imformation about a business elsewhere on the net eg Yellow Pages and hac=ve used that information to create a business listing. Most have not been claimed by the owner of that business. Some of the information is wrong.

Be among the first in your industry to claim your listing and optimise it.

Yes that’s right Optimise It

Most of the listings are basic.  The more information you insert into this listing the better Google will reward you with higher listings. I have seen the results of various studies that show most of the clicks go to the first 3 places. The figures vary from 62% to as high as 78%.

It is not too difficult to do this because you are usually competing against business owners who are not even trying

To get started promoting your reputation online Call our Business Consultant NOW

Integrated Marketing Systems

8 Achievement Drive Ormeau 4208
Jeff   Phone:  (07) 5546 6899      Mob: 0419 418 951
Trish                                                   Mob: 0416 850 265

Filed Under: Reputation Marketing Tagged With: , , , ,

Goodwill..A Measure of Your Reputation

October 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

A Good Reputation Improves The Value of Your Business

Whenever a business is sold one of the main assets is the Goodwill of the business.

This figure can even be higher than the physical assets of the business.

Apple attributes 58% of its current market value to its solid reputation and many other fortune 500 companies feel the same

Goodwill is built up by providing excellent service and having a steadily increasing stream of customers or clients.

I have known entrepreneurs who have specialised in buying companies with poor reputation and hence very low goodwill and then turning them around by providing excellent service.

Increased Profits

Good Online Reputation increases SalesThis not only results in increased profits but also a massive increase in Goodwill as a capital gain.

One gentleman I know from years ago really made a killing in this way because in the past capital gains were tax free.

Many things have changed over the years and now it is becoming easier to generate Goodwill by using a strategy known as Reputation Marketing.

Before the internet people would ask a friend. This became Word of Mouth Marketing.

WOM marketing no longer works as well because consumers now ask Google. 

To have a good Online Reputation you must use Reputation Marketing to ensure you have 5 star reviews and testimonials for consumers to find

With the advances of the internet 72 % of potential new clients will search the internet  to discover what others are saying about the businesses they want to patronise.

Savvy owners are taking note of this and are actively promoting their reputation through the internet

Google have now made it a lot easier by providing  Google Plus pages.

This is really aimed at helping local business to improve their standing in the community.

Your local customers on the Gold Coast

The majority of customers will come from a 5-10 km radius of the location of the shop or office.

Customers will search for the keyword followed by a location. In our case either Gold Coast or one of the suburbs of the Gold Coast.

This narrows the search for the customer but also makes it easier for astute business people to market their reputation and service

Customer are not just buying a service……. they are looking for someone reliable to provide that service.

Have you done anything to convince them that’s you?

Google Plus Pages and other local directories are the best means of promoting your business in this way and if you adopt this strategy you are streets ahead of your competition. Less than 10% are even attempting to do so and less that 5% are doing it properly.

If you want to be in the elite group that are achieving great results contact our business consultant now

Integrated Marketing Systems

8 Achievement Drive Ormeau 4208
Jeff   Phone:  (07) 5546 6899      Mob: 0419 418 951
Trish                                                   Mob: 0416 850 265

Filed Under: Reputation Marketing Tagged With: , , , , ,

Your Online Reputation

October 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Market Your Online Reputation

 Your personal reputation as well as the reputation of your business is the most valuable asset you haveA good online reputation attracts new customers

In fact every business from Fortune 500 companies down to the individual tradesman or handyman depends on their reputation for their ongoing business profitability

Because of this you must endeavour to protect it as much as you can

  • Your good name has been built up slowly over the years and it can be taken away very quickly, even without justification
  • The openness of the internet makes it easy for anyone with a grudge against you to attempt to damage your good name and, to make it worse, it can be done anonymously
  • As you know any person dealing with the public must at some time come across customers or clients who in some way are dissatisfied with either you of a staff member.
  • There are online many sites where anyone can leave a”review” or a written opinion of what they are thinking or feeling
  • Once on the internet it is almost impossible to have it removed and if this is seen by your potential clients or customers,they may go elsewhere and not wish to do business with you.
  • Negative reviews can seriously damage your profits and income and issuing a personal rebuttal will not work as it will only invite others into the comments. What was once a small problem could suddenly escalate.

First impressions count and when consumers are looking for your company on the internet and find these negative reviews and comments  they may no longer wish to deal with you.To go by statistics 70% of people who look for a business online will assess the reviews and comments available before making a decision. This means it is imperative that there are positive comments all over the net

Reputation marketing will make certain that the first impression is a good one

Who could leave these comments?

  1. As mentioned above a dissatisfied client who was less than happy with the service supplied by either you or even an employee.
  2. A former employee who may have left your employ in less than happy circumstances
  3. An unethical competitor who is seeking to gain a business advantage over you.
  4. A neighbour or other acquaintance with whom you have had an altercation.

No matter how good or careful you are it is impossible to go through life and especially business life without disagreeing with someone

So what can be done ?

  • The first thing to remember is to be pro-active. Monitor wherever your name appears on the net so that you are aware if anything negative appears.The quicker you act on negative news the easier it is to minimise its affect.
  • As I have already indicated it is almost impossible to have the adverse comment removed so the only solution is to bury it  and make it invisible in a flood of positive comments.
  • If potential clients only see the positive comments your reputation is restored

Reputation Marketing Strategies built into Integrated Marketing Systems can also be great for someone just starting a business who has not yet had the opportunity to build a reputation either good or bad.

Be proactive and start to build your reputation from the beginning. Let people know in advance how good you are.

Get good reviews from the start.

Many existing businesses have never had a reputation building system in place because in the past they never existed. Business managers just gave good service and let their reputations build themselves.

Now Reputation Marketing Strategies can help you to grow your business faster by focusing on positive comments and reviews in as many places on the internet as possible

A Reputation Marketing Strategy is now built into Integrated Marketing Systems situated at Ormeau on the Gold Coast of Queensland but we can service clients from all over Australia.

If you wish to use this strategy to monitor, repair or build your personal or business reputation

Please contact our Marketing Consultant NOW

Integrated Marketing Systems

8 Achievement Drive Ormeau 4208
Jeff   Phone:  (07) 5546 6899      Mob: 0419 418 951
Trish                                                   Mob: 0416 850 265

Filed Under: Reputation Marketing Tagged With: , , , ,

Google Places Changes

June 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Changes To Google Places

Google Places

Google introduced their Google Places in September 2009.

It was free to all local businesses. All any local business had to do was claim the listing. To date many still have not done this.

When claimed almost everyone was guaranteed page 1 listing on Google search.

Google did extract information from other sources on the internet and made up a Google Places Page for many local businesses but when Google got information in this way it was sometimes wrong and it was up to each business to claim their listing and correct it.

Reviews

One of the features of Google Places was the facility for customers and clients to leave reviews of their experience in dealing with that business.

This generated an Online Reputation for that business which when positive would automatically attract new customers

Changes to Google Places that are now happening

Google Places have now merged with Google Plus  to form Google Plus Local Pages.

Google Places still seems to appear as normal but when you click on any listing you will find that it has been moved to Google Plus Local Pages.

The reviews that had appeared on the Google Places have been moved across to Google Plus Local Pages. The author of the review has been listed simply as Google User. It is now up to the person who left that review to claim it.

Google wants everyone to join Google Plus

Google is attempting to get every user of the internet to open a Google Plus account.

You must now have a Google Plus account before you are able to leave a review of claim one that has already been left.

Zagat

The previous rating score for reviews which was based on a star rating system has been replaced by Zagat rating system. This gives different scores for various areas of client experience and ends up giving a rating out of 30.

This is a system that has previously been extensively used in rating restaurants.

Google bought the company so that they could use the rating system.

Google Integration

So effectively Google has now integrated Google Places, Search,Maps and Mobile into Google Plus Local Pages.

This will cause a lot of confusion at first but in the long term it will be much better for both customers and business.

At least that is what Google is predicting.

If all this is confusing to you and you need help sorting out how to manage the changes for your business

Phone NOW for a Free Consultation from our Business Consultant

Integrated Marketing Systems

8 Achievement Drive Ormeau 4208
Jeff   Phone:  (07) 5546 6899      Mob: 0419 418 951

Trish                                                    Mob: 0416 850 265

Filed Under: Reputation Marketing Tagged With: , , , ,

How Your Clients Find You

May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Where Your Potential Customers/Clients Are Searching

The Internet

 

The Internet is always there. Just access it through your Personal Computer or Smart Phone
Now the majority of the population is connected to the internet for a variety of reasons.

The internet is not restricted to any age

  1.  school students often need the information it contains to complete assignments.
  2.  seniors are using the internet to communicate with family which today is often well scattered. Emails can be written, photographs exchanged
  3. business is engaging massively in online marketing

Broadband is getting faster and is also cheaper for higher downloads and has virtually replaced dial-up as the internet connection of choice. Actually my overall spend is still much the same but I do get heaps more downloads for the same price

Keyword search in online marketingFor this reason people of all ages are going online to:

  1. Research services and products.
  2. Research other peoples experiences when using those products and services
  3. Find suppliers close to home if possible
  4. Research the reviews and recommendations about these suppliers

In fact 35% of all searches on the internet are for local businesses, products and /or services.

They will search for “keyword for your business Gold Coast” or any other areas in which you wish to operate

Whether they will find your business is totally dependant on the keywords you have chosen that will be written into the articles on your website.

Your keyword research that you do prior to setting up your website is vital in making sure your marketing is successful.

Research on the quality of products and services is another aspect in the change in consumer behaviour. This is more easily done online and can rarely be done successfully in newspapers and magazines and never on Yellow pages

People who search for local business are more likely to buy than those who do general searches. What I mean by that is that they will use the search term they are looking for, followed by the town or suburb where they live. This means that they will get it faster from a Local Business.

If you do not appear on the internet you are at a distinct disadvantage

 

Consumer Behaviour—The Methods They Use To Search

 I have read numerous articles on the subject and checked with friends and acquaintances on how they find businesses that will satisfy their need

This is the results:

They search the internet using keywords or search terms that will satisfy their problem or need.  Eg. They need a painter, They will search for “Best painter in Surfers Paradise”.

There will be several entries on the first page. Very rarely will anyone look past the first page.

They will choose the entries one at a time and look at the webpages.

This will give them an idea of how each painter rates his own performance. This will be seen as biased if that is all they can find.

They will then look for reviews. Reviews are where previous clients have recorded their experience with that painter. The review may be good or bad. It may be a just or an unjust review.

But it will be recognised as the clients opinion and will usually be accepted.

 

One star or Five star.

  1. Which would you select?
  2. What happens if they find no reviews at all?
  3. They will probably search for a supplier in a nearby  suburb  with good reviews.
  4. To get more customers and keep them, you need to advertise where they are looking and build yourself an online reputation

Integrated Marketing Systems is situated at Ormeau on the Gold Coast of Queensland but can service clients from all over Australia
For FREE consultation to discover how  you can increase your customer numbers   Phone our Business Consultant NOW

Integrated Marketing Systems

8 Achievement Drive Ormeau 4208
Jeff   Phone:  (07) 5546 6899      Mob: 0419 418 951
Trish                                                    Mob: 0416 850 265


Filed Under: Reputation Marketing Tagged With: , , , , ,

Handling Clients Complaints

May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

How you handle complaints is an important issue for your business

 

No matter how efficiently you run your business there will forever be times when you cannot please everybody.

Some business owners adopt the attitude that if the consumer is dis-satisfied they can go elsewhere. And with that attitude they usually do.

Don’t forget that the consumer is expressing their opinion of the service they have received.

When consumers are not happy they have two options

  1. They will often simply not return and take their custom  elsewhere. This is commonly referred to as”talking with their feet”. If this occurs you have no opportunity to address the problem and remember that they will often inform others and maybe write about it on a review site where it will be seen by thousands.
  2. Hopefully they may return to you to have their problem attended to. This gives you a perfect opportunity to rectify their problem and you could end up with a very happy and loyal customer

How you manage the complaint will depend on the type of problem.

  • If the complaint centres around the attitude of you or your staff or the way you run your business then take it as an opportunity to streamline what you do.
  • To you it might appear as “much ado about nothing” but to the consumer it may be a big issue.
  • The complaint may involve a misunderstanding or something you habitually do that could be done better. In the first event you may solve everything by explaining and in the second event you may discover a way  to make the practice much more efficient.
  • At one time I had someone complain about something I had done. When I explained that my course of action was in her best interests and she was able to understand that my motivation was to help her,then she actually thanked me.
  • I did end up receiving Christmas cards from her for about three years
  • If the complaint is about a product you supplied, then maybe you can negotiate with the manufacturer on the clients behalf for repair or replacement.
  • Look on complaints as a means of building your Online Reputation as a person who cares because you address the issue quickly

In other words do whatever you can to address the problem immediately.

The main thing I have learned about complaints from all my years in retail is that the consumer is more concerned about how you are going to rectify the situation than about the complaint itself. At times I have handled the complaint so well that the customer has asked for me on subsequent visits.

Of course the best way is to endeavour to avoid all occasions when a complaint can be made. In other words give service beyond the norm

I once promised a delivery to one gentleman and the courier let me down and could not deliver till the next day. It was urgent so I delivered it (a two hour round trip). All because I had made a promise

So the bottom line is

  • Avoid as much as possible all occasions when someone could make a complaint
  • Take every complaint seriously and regard it as an opportunity to improve the way you organise your business
  • Listen to your customers. They will tell you the type of business they are happy to deal with

Integrated Marketing Systems is situated at Ormeau on the Gold Coast in Queensland but we can service clients all over Australia so….

To discuss ways you can improve your business and generate a dynamic online reputation.

Call our Business Consultant Now

Integrated Marketing Systems

8 Achievement Drive Ormeau 4208
Jeff Phone: (07) 5546 6899 Mob: 0419 418 951
Trish                                             Mob: 0416 850 265

 

Filed Under: Reputation Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , ,