Tips For A Proactive Online Reputation Management

By Author: Wildnet Technologies
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Information travels fast on the Internet. And the speed just seems to accelerate from a viewpoint of a company that has become a target of a vitriolic attack. A proactive online reputation management approach will help contain and even turn the criticism around to your advantage. Even when you think you are already doing everything right, you are not insulated from negative feedback, which could come from a disgruntled employee or customer, a prankster and the competitor which has unleashed a smear campaign against you.

Keeping an eye for feedback

It’s amazing how companies are quick to latch on to a positive testimonial and even reserving a prime spot on their websites for the quotation telling everybody how great the product or service is. But they don’t know how to deal with a negative rumor or feedback, or worse, they refuse to do so. This is possibly the worst thing you could do. Search Engine Reputation Management tools allow you comb through blogs, news search, social media sites and forums for any information about your ...
... company. Google Alerts, Yahoo Alerts and RSS feed subscriptions are effective tools for this purpose.

Damage control

Keep your emotions in check. It’s understandable that you will lash out immediately because your company is under threat. In the same vein that charity begins at home, Online Reputation Management should start internally. Did somebody from your personnel wittingly or unwittingly spread the rumor? Then address the criticism clinically. Never resort to name calling. The Internet is not the venue to clean your dirty laundry, however. Instead, call the affected customer/s and offer to remedy their concerns offline and if afterwards, offer a gift certificate or incentive for all their troubles. This will speak about your sincerity and professionalism. That person will become your most loyal customer and would be the first to defend you in case of future criticisms.

Be honest about your shortcomings

If in the course of your investigation, you find that there’s a problem with your product and service, be honest enough to admit it to your customers and assure them you are rectifying the problem. Never create bogus accounts or names and flood the Internet of positive testimonies about how your company is great. If you will be caught red-handed, and chances are you will, the situation will be very hard to turn around. Before the situation spiral out of control, hire the services of an online reputation management company which can help nip the damage in the bud.

Visit Us: http://www.wildnettechnologies.co.uk/online-reputation-management/