5 Easy Steps to maximize Your reputation online!
Step 1: Be a Big Fish in a small pond: Maximize FREE Google Local/Google Maps:
Much of your reputation now is “online”, rather than friend to friend word of mouth. Actually, that is good news if you know how to manage that information. Just as you keep careful tabs on what is said or written about your Shop….you also need to be in control of what content Google is publishing about your business. You may discover that Google has errors or blank spots in their data about you. The way for you to correct this is to let Google know you own the business, so that you can officially edit the content of your business listing. Claiming your listing gives you improved control over how you are being represented by Google. Best of all, it’s FREE. In a matter of minutes, you can be FOUND by your local residents. Over 30% of all searches are local, so claim your space!
To Get Started getting YOUR Contracting Business on Google Local:
1) Simply create a FREE account. CLICK HERE 2) Click ” Add New Business” to claim your Listing. 3) Then verify your information. If you want to add extras like photos, descriptions. coupons, etc. you can add them now or later. Make the most of Your Business. Reach new customers free on Google. Better Marketing, for free.
2) YELP! Effectively Manage Your Referrals for Free:
Contractors and it’s next business builder is on the new phenom: Yelp! Get help from Yelp….and drive more Business for Free. Over 62 million people visited Yelp in October 2011 to make spending decisions. To help your shop get the most out of their online presence, Yelp 
Business Accounts offer a suite of FREE tools for businesses. Communicate with your customers– privately and publicly. Track how many people view your business page. Add photos, a detailed business description, up-to-date information, history, and specialties. •Communicate with your customers– privately and publicly •Track how many people view your business page •Add photos, a detailed business description, up-to-date information, history, and specialties Create your FREE Yelp Account: Click Here.
Control and Enhance your reputation on Yelp or your competitors will decide what’s said there!
It’s important to know Yelp! will be a force in the future, but this is not something you buy or own. As a result, angry customers or compeitors can harm you, so it’s best to be aware and in control of it. We can email you instructions on the Webinar or Call or email Paul Smet at 888-409-4029 or pauls@comegys.com or contractors@comegys.com .
3) Facebook – Yes it actually CAN add value : A little Free attention goes a long way.
Think about what you want out of your Facebook presence. Is it more foot traffic? More sales? Or is it just more contact info to populate your newsletter mailing list? Figuring out your goals is the first step in initiating and directing your Facebook presence.
Large Chains struggle using a fast action tool like Facebook. . Not only are there reports and meetings, there’s planning and marketing. Action takes a while. As a result, big business community managers have little flexibility, so Facebook winners are the Contractors ready to
make changes on a dime. .
Want to get a bunch of people to your business this week? Let your customers and fans know via wall post that everyone who comes in and mentions the post gets a discount or free tire rotation , etc.
It’s an invaluable Marketing tool with a small investment of time that can pay rewards as it also helps your business rank higher with Google. Also , you can post specials to increase sales pinpointed to the type of Customer you want.
4) Protect your reputation by only dealing with Contractor Experts.
Now we have to admit, this is somewhat self-serving….but it’s still true! If your cousin is a great guy and does some accounting, but he doesn’t know the Garage Industry….take him fishing instead of turning over your finances there. Our eye is on the list of coverages we customize & put together for your business and the other one is making sure the ourProgram provides you the opportunity to pay the lowest price possible for the right coverage. That’s why we are so passionate about YOUR Industry. Comegys Insurance designed our Program exactly for that reason. We work with all the Best Carriers, have custom designed Programs, and make it Easy and right. With 70 years in business, and one of the top 100 Agencies in the US (Insurance Journal Magazine ranking, 6 years in a row), we at Comegys understand You! You deserve an Agent that is in YOUR business….not just in it for an insurance commission!
5) Get listed in the many quality (often free) Directories on the internet.
If you have a website, go to local.yahoo.com, as well as google, bing, yp.com, citysearch, and dozens more. Often potential customers are looking for businesses in your area and the Directories are often the most reliable source. If you’d like a list of these directories, please contact us.
6) Google Alerts.
It seems like Google is coming up with cool things almost everyday. With Google Alerts you can tell it to search the internet daily, weekly or however frequently you would like for anything you wish. This is where the protection of your new on-line identity comes in. While you can’t actually keep people from saying bad things about you, true or not, you can have your very own “Bat Signal” go up whenever there is mention of your name on the internet so you can rush into action and duke it out with Dasterdly Danny or thank Peachy Patrick depending on the situation. Setting these alerts up is just as easy as searching something on the internet, the only difference is that they do the search everyday or week for you and you just check back in on all of your alerts in one spot.
7) Have a good time with it
Who doesn’t like to watch a funny video or two on the internet. Take a minute to check out xtranormal.com or youtube.com, both will let you create your own “Channel” to share your creations. Xtranormal lets you create cartoons that you can use to promote your business with or just amuse yourself and friends by making the little guy on the video repeat endless profanities. We won’t judge, you should see the ones we made! Maybe you feel like being a movie star, grab a camera and record your own video blog or advertisement and upload it on your channel at youtube.com.
Well that is our 5 Easy Steps to Enhance and Protect Your Business’ On-line Presence! Hopefully you are encouraged to get out there and show the world what your business have to offer. If you have any questions about business insurance or want a fresh look at your current program please feel free to give us a call at (888) 409-4029 or contact us through our website at www.fciz.com .
