From Vancouver in Canada to Venice in Florida and from Prince Edward Island to Catalina Island, there are dinosaurs. Not the type in Jurassic Park, but the type of businesses that erroneously hold to the fallacy that social media is something best relegated to kids.
According to the Pew Research Center “Today around seven-in-ten Americans use social media to connect with one another, engage with news content, share information and entertain themselves.” They are also writing and reading items on review sites.
So, what is holding you back from joining the 21st century?
Fear that customers and non-customers would say disgusting, even untrue things about you or your business.
Frankly, if there is something to discuss about you, trust us at Buzz Bear Media, it is already out there. Think of yourself as the monkey espousing “see no evil” with a blindfold. Just because you don’t see customer reviews and comments, does not preclude or even exclude their existence. In fact, steady yourself. There are at least 20 review sites, not just the Google and Yelp ones you have heard of.
For example, are you aware that there is an option on YOUR Facebook business page where satisfied customers can deposit ratings and reviews of your business? Have you taken advantage of that to promote your high-end products or services? {you do have a “business” page on Facebook, correct? If not, stop reading and call us right away!}
Or, do you understand that external customers are not the only ones who can comment? Internal customers— current or former employees— may share what it is like to work at your company.
Lindsay Kolowich, writing in a recent HubSpot blog compiled this rather impressive list of descriptions for review sites that cater to consumers of either B2B, B2C or both!
- Amazon Customer Reviews
- Angie’s List
- Choice
- Trustpilot
- TestFreaks
- Which?
- ConsumerReports
- TripAdvisor
- Yelp
- Google My Business
- Yahoo! Local Listings
- FinancesOnline
- G2 Crowd
- TrustRadius
- Salesforce AppExchange
- Better Business Bureau
- Glassdoor
- Facebook Ratings and Reviews
- Your Own Website
While Angie’s List is geared toward U.S.-based service businesses, Choice is a member-funded review website based in Australia, and Trustpilot is a fast-growing, community-driven consumer review platform based in Denmark, (although Kolowich reports that they’ve expanded out of Europe into 65 countries, including the U.S)
Most importantly, pay close attention to #20. Your own website. Control the message. Highlight the positive. Respond and rectify complaints. Prove that each customer matters to you.
Emerging technologies have made the one-way marketing message passé.
Buzz Bear Media has a proven track record of engaging in “the conversation” with customers of our premium business accounts in Canada, the United States and around the world. Review our website to see what we can do for your high-end business.