Reputation…What’s Yours?
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 pm by Livvie
With all the news of unethical corporations and businesses in today’s troubled economy, is it any wonder the public is asking who’s trustworthy in these seemingly untrustworthy times and are skeptical about who to trust for doing any type of business?
With the financial and economic crisis dominating the news, there’s no doubt about it…we are in an economic storm. Unemployment is up, consumer spending is down, cutting back is in, and over spending is definitely out!
Whether you are a new or an established business, these are changing and often scary times and changing times require changing courses…literally.
But not all is doom and gloom. At this time it’s critical you review your current marketing materials and develop new marketing messages that address your clients concerns, their changing values, and their priorities for helping them and their clients survive in these economic down times.
Time is of the essence, and if you don’t feel comfortable in revising/creating your new materials or are pressed for time, contact a reliable freelance copywriter.
Reputation…a good, solid one, is critical in surviving this economic down time. Here are a few tips for you and to pass on to your clients:
Build Positive Relationships (a good reputation)…
You must build relationships with your clients and fellow netpreneurs by building a good, solid reputation, one client interaction at a time.
A good reputation (being honest, reliable, and trustworthy) is not just something you can say you have…not unless it’s backed up by satisfied customers and documented feedback.
It use to be that “word of mouth” was the best advertising (if it was good) and to some extent it still is. But with the Internet your business reputation is just a Google, Yahoo, and MSN search away.
This can be local, national, even global information on you, your business practices, and it’s reputation…good AND bad. Clients are not going to waste their time let alone their money on a business they can’t trust. If your business reputation is not one of credibility and trust, you won’t survive…it’s that simple!
Even with the overwhelming size of the Internet and the online businesses, business still boils down to people…people make decisions based on relationships, and relationships are made…one-on-one.
Lay A Solid Foundation…
Start building a good reputation by presenting yourself as reliable, honest and trustworthy; a person who knows what you’re doing; be a person of your word; and foremost…always, let me repeat…always…put your client first.
If you say you are going to do something…do it. If you have given a specific time line…be on time. If there is a problem…fix it. If you’ve received an e-mail…answer it. Address each client as if they are the most important client you have…because they are!
Be confident and competent in your business. Enthusiasm is exciting and contagious! Your client will get caught up in your enthusiasm.
Make your web site, newsletter (e-zine), products, and marketing materials “user friendlyâ€? by asking for your client’s participation and their opinions, and then maximize their input.
Let them get to know you and your business. On the Internet, you can build both personal and business relationships without actually “meeting� the person.
In my 11+ years online, I have “met� some of the nicest, most helpful and friendliest people online since building my first web site, bizybodies.com through my current web site www.WriteBusiness.net. (A word of caution: Do be careful online!)
E-Mail – A Top Priority…
E-mail is to the online line client what the telephone is to the storefront business…It is the lifeline!
Answer all your e-mail inquiries as soon a possible. Try to make it a priority to respond within 24 hours. This demonstrates a great deal about you and your business practices and it also reflects your character. Make sure all your e-mails contain your e-mail signature (sig). Your e-mail signature is a great way to advertise your business.
Be as helpful and as personable as possible. Most of the time these people will become clients.
As we “hunker down”, we’ll learn two things:
1) As with all storms…even an economic storm can be weathered
2) We can be known as trustworthy in seemingly untrustworthy times
Establish yourself as being reliable, honest, and trustworthy, three of the main ingredients in building a good, solid reputation. Then your clients can answer…Reputation…What’s yours?
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Livvie Matthews, Social Media Enthusiast, Blogger, and Author has been helping businesses build relationships and provide customer solutions with their online and printed marketing content since the late ‘90’s. Follow on Twitter @Livvie_Matthews e-mail Livvie@writebusiness.net Visit http://www.WriteBusiness.net/blog or http://www.WriteBusiness.net
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