7 ORM Activities for Your Brand
In a world that is increasingly defined by the internet and validated by a web presence, Online Reputation Management (ORM) becomes very important. ORM is the management of all information available about your brand on the internet – be it on search engines, blogs, web pages or social networking sites.
It can be critical for your business to avoid online defamation or slandering, as well as unnecessary bad reviews. Sometimes, even just one or two bad reviews can bring your entire business down. If these have been concerns for you, or you just want to prevent such a situation, you need to find ways to manage your ORM.
Here is everything you need to know about managing your reputation online.
Be Mindful of Where Your Brand is Mentioned
This is the first step. You need to know what people are saying about you first, to be able to manage it. Google alerts and Yahoo alerts are one way. If you subscribe to them, you can track web searches, news, blogs and even video results related to your brand or business name. Search on Twitter and Instagram using hashtags and mentions to know what’s been talked about your brand.
Browse All Social Media Platforms, Not Just the Main Ones
Make accounts on LinkedIn, Google Plus, Quora and the like; don’t just stick to the popular ones. If you browse all or most social media platforms, we can guarantee that you will find at least 90% of your total brand mentions on the web.
Respond to All Feedback
Once you know what people are saying to you, respond to it, especially if it’s negative. Remember to be polite, take responsibility, and promise better services in the future. This helps build trust and authenticity with your audience.
Start a Blog
A blog is a personalized and direct way of connecting with your audience. It is also an indirect way of advertising or brand marketing, making it a win-win strategy.
Engage Identify Influencers
Social media influencers are people with a lot of clout on social media. They have a lot of followers, and can easily influence the decisions and brand-interests of their audience. Find the influencers in your domain of business and keep an eye on them.
Establish good connections with these positive influencers. You can do this by being active on their pages, writing guest posts, and getting them to recommend you.
Invest in an Agency
Don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it. Try the services of a professional ORM manager who can advise and guide you. Use their expertise for search engine optimization and brand building.
Respond to Illegitimate Attackers
If you are certain that what is being said about you is untrue, or if someone is spreading false knowledge, consider taking active steps. If what people are saying about you is against the law, contact the concerned government body and ask them to help you take down the offensive post. You can also contact the owner of the post directly, and request them to take it down.
It is only when you employ a combination of the steps mentioned above, that your brand reputation will be more in your control. Over and above safeguarding your image, it is always useful for a business to learn more about their customers and find out what think and share about them. Remember to take criticism seriously and don’t let it bring down your spirits. Instead, use it to improve your products and services and build your reputation as a trustworthy brand.
