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4 Ways To Optimize Your Online Reputation

Posted: 24 Feb 2019 10:00 AM PST

Nearly everything we do today revolves around something digitally based, regardless of the industry you work in or where you're located. In this digital age, it's more crucial than ever before to ensure that your business's digital presence and online reputation are being effectively managed on a daily basis.

With the rise of online reviews, we've seen a notable shift in where consumers are getting their information on products and brands. From claiming your business on various platforms to monitoring reviews about your business, it can be hard to fully grasp what it entails to effectively manage your online reputation, especially if you're stuck playing catch-up. 

Today's best practices call for full attention and awareness of where your brand stands in the eyes of consumers. Here are four sure-fire ways to ensure you're effectively managing your business's online reputation. 

Editor's note: Looking for the right online reputation management service for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.

 

1. Ask For Reviews

Online reviews are not only good for your business's reputation, they're also bountifully helpful to potential customers. If you're not spending the time and energy asking for valuable feedback, your customers likely won't take the time out of their hectic schedules to do so, either. In today's world, online reviews have replaced word-of-mouth in terms of reliability and value in the eyes of consumers worldwide, with roughly 88 percent of people taking reviews into consideration prior to moving forward with any purchases. 

2. Monitor Your Social Footprint 

Social media is the segway into your business's day-to-day and allows you to be found by consumers and potential customers with ease. If you're not mining your social channels and maintaining them, you could be losing out on customers and minimizing your reach in any and all search results, which in turn hurts your SEO ranking. By updating all of your social channels on a regular basis and engaging in conversations with thought leaders and consumers within and outside of your field, you're capitalizing on the free platform these social channels give you access to, likely leading to higher conversion rates.

3. Practice Transparency

By being transparent with the public eye, you're creating a space for trust within the minds of consumers. One may think that going into 2019, this would be commonly practiced. Though the act of being transparent is seemingly up-and-coming, do your business and/or brand a favor and start implementing this practice sooner rather than later. Staying ahead of the curve in 2019 will mean unapologetic transparency for the greater good of consumers – something that will put you on the map to begin with (and who doesn't want that?). 

4. Make All of Your Content Easily Accessible

Having content means nothing if current and potential customers can't easily find it. If you have a blog, success stories and white papers all regarding the vertical your business falls within, it's best for all of those resources to live in one central location, such as your business' website, or even a Tumblr page. Doing this allows consumers to have easy access to your various resources that gives them insight into just what your company does, and how it could benefit their lives. In addition, you're not sending them on a wild goose chase around the web, therefore allowing them to leave your website and forget they ever clicked on it. We want to drive conversion rates, and by having easy access to a wide variety of content in one central location, the odds are stacked with you.

Regardless of the size of your business, it's dire to follow these four steps to ensure you stay in the good graces of consumers far and wide. The once simple brand it and forget it tactic is no longer viable in the digital age. Here, adaptability reigns supreme. Are you on board?

How to Ace Your Seasonal Hiring

Posted: 24 Feb 2019 08:00 AM PST

If your company or project calendar kicks into gear during specific times of the year, you're likely looking to add a roster of seasonal hires.

When the job lasts just a few months, it may feel like the hiring process would be shorter to match. But here's the thing: Seasonal industries have a short time period to perform their best. A weak hire or team can have an outsized effect on business for the year, and the impression left on customers will last until the next season. Make this year surpass expectations with a stellar line-up of seasonal workers.

Attracting the best candidates with your brand

Find your most promising applicants by meeting them where they already are: social media. The average internet user has eight social media accounts, and it's a safe bet that they don't spend all their time on LinkedIn.

Take advantage of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, too: The latest research shows that people are just as likely to use social media to get their news as they are to connect with friends. One report showed that 75 percent of potential hires fall under the label of "passive candidates," meaning your social media recruiting strategy will likely catch the eye of someone you wouldn't have otherwise targeted for a new job. You're simply posting content where your future employees are already seeking it. That's why nearly 15 percent of respondents in a recent survey reported getting jobs through social media.

So, what to post? You may have heard the concept of "building your employer brand." That means showing some personality! Social media helps nurture relationships, so instead of limiting social posts to job listings, be sure to include some daily life and just-for-fun content. Remember last year's new hire orientation and end-of-season celebration? Share a photo with a caption about getting ready for this year, using relevant hashtags like #SummerJobs or #tbt (for Throwback Thursday).

Including this range of content in your feed will show all sides of you as an employer, which attracts the candidates that will be happiest on your team.

Avoiding bad hires

While it may seem obvious, the goal of finding great hires is as important as the goal of avoiding less-than-stellar ones. Supervisors report spending nearly one-fifth of their time managing underperforming employees — that's one full day of an otherwise productive week! 

Start by encouraging employee referrals, so you'll have trusted candidates rise to the top of your recruiting funnel. Take a look at your interview process: Are you asking enough questions? Are they the right ones? Just because a seasonal employee will work for a short time doesn't mean their vetting process should be short, too. There are plenty of valid reasons for people to seek seasonal employment, but you should keep an eye out for potential red flags like a choppy resume full of short stints with no explanation.

Another powerful tool in successful seasonal hiring? Fast, affordable, online background checks you can trust. Screening is a critical step to ensure you're making solid hiring decisions with good information—and not putting your business or customers at risk.

Not all background checks for employment are the same. Regulations vary by region, so make sure that your background check is designed to be compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and that the provider is accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners.

Next, look for a thorough screen that boasts its own tools beyond a basic national database search. Ask about a social security number trace, access to primary sources for criminal records, a Department of Justice Sex Offender Search, and a rigorous QA process for validation. Lastly, look for customization options for job-specific needs, like DMV state driving records or education verification. [Check out Business.com's recommendations for the best employee background check services.]

Bringing your best people back next year

Just because a position is seasonal doesn't mean you can't have consistency year after year. In businesses like tax preparation and summer school, you're likely to be able to bring your strongest employees back every year if you provide a positive experience. (A loyalty bonus can't hurt, either.)

Some companies will benefit from using an applicant tracking system. This growing industry is transforming the way that recruiters and small businesses manage their applicants. Easily and automatically keep track of candidates, resumes, and every completed step of the hiring process. When it's time to hire next year, you can revisit your top candidates without duplicating efforts.

Of course, it's easiest to simply keep in touch with your crew throughout the year. If you're connected on social media, try posting throwback photos during the off-season, or reach out with a quick survey about how to improve. If you know what your team members do when they're not working for your business, tie that in. Last summer's camp counselors may be studying for finals right now, and are sure to appreciate some summer memories.

With the right staff, this season could be your best one yet. Give your business the solid foundation it needs to grow — and a top-notch team to make it happen.

Want to Build a Social Media Following? Try These 11 Content Strategies

Posted: 24 Feb 2019 05:00 AM PST

Getting traffic to your site, spreading the word about your business' services and sharing reviews of your products are all great reasons to be active on social media as a business.

Building a strong social media following can be tricky, however. For many people, following is a commitment of sorts, as clicking means they're going to see more content from your business in the future. So, what specific types of content work effectively for convincing a viewer that they want to engage with what you have to say?

To find out, we asked entrepreneurs from YEC to weigh in on their most effective social media strategies when aiming to gain more followers. Here's what they suggest you focus on.

Editor's note: Need help with social media management for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you with free information.

 

1. Contests

Posting content that can be turned into a contest is a great way to gain new followers. For instance, you could post a photo, ask people to caption it and the winner gets a small prize — but to be eligible you have to follow, like and share. Contests like this expose you to a ton of new users. - John Turner, SeedProd LLC

2. Content Dedicated to Special Days

Holidays, both well-known and "weird," hold universal appeal on the internet and have great potential to attract followers. I have found that posting and celebrating even little holidays, such as "Squirrel Appreciation Day" or "National Cheese Lover Day" delights all audiences. It also shows what causes are important to your brand. I also try to link them to one of my products or blogs. - Shu Saito, Godai Soaps

3. Behind the Scenes

As the owner of an apparel brand I have found several things key in gaining a social following but one that has been quite crucial has been showing behind the scenes. I think the beauty of social media is being able to really connect with customers and followers, and one of the most effective ways to do that is to make them a part of the process, sharing the stories behind the curtain. - Dalia MacPhee, DALIA MACPHEE

4. Funny Videos

Video is hugely popular on social media, so if you want more followers you need to be creating and sharing more video content. Remember though, your videos have to be short and they've got to grab the viewer right away since many users admit to only watching the first 30 seconds of a video or so. Plus, if your video is funny, users will be more likely to share it and tag their friends. - Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights

5. Live Video

Live video is an awesome and easy way to get more followers on social media. Live video on Facebook or Instagram is way more interactive: Viewers can watch you in real-time and talk to you in the live comment section. It's great for forming a more personal connection with your audience and increasing your organic reach. You can introduce your team, take viewers on a tour and so much more. - Blair Williams, MemberPress

6. How-to Videos

I find that providing your followers' value can lead to a greater conversation around you and your brand. How-to videos are the best examples of this, or at the very least, a high-level discussion of the best practices in your industry. Really any piece of educational content that you can make engaging and simplify for your audience will lead others to you as a thought leader in your industry. - Kristopher Brian Jones, LSEO.com

7. List Articles

Also known as "listicles," these articles containing lists are great for sharing on social because they are very quick to digest, and are often informative and interesting. It's a good way to get engagement and people will follow you if they like your content! - Baruch Labunski, Rank Secure

8. Content That Shows Vulnerability

Whether as brands or individuals, there's obvious value in creating content that shares expertise and thought leadership; but I'm always surprised by how much more people respond to questions or stories that show genuine vulnerability (e.g., the struggle that led to X versus just X by itself). - Sam Saxton, Paragon Stairs

9. Content That Solves Problems

My goal is to solve one person's problem a day, this helps me win trust and rapport for my brand. This also gets them to recommend me and help build my community when I have started from scratch and at the same time, I am doing what I have always intended to do which is deliver value. When you deliver value you will win a new audience every time. Solve a problem a day. - Sweta Patel, Startup Growth Mode

10. Links to Case Studies

I find that case studies are especially good for attracting highly targeted followers. These may be people who are already customers or who are likely to sign up for our services. Case studies, either showcasing our products or something relevant to our industry, provide decision-makers with tangible proof that something works. - Kalin Kassabov, ProTexting

11. Humor

In our niche, our highest performing articles are how-to guides and funnily enough, collections of memes. Sometimes giving your consumer an opportunity to take a mental break instead of trying to cram "useful" content down their throat will build positive brand associations and they'll be more likely to follow you. These days, everyone is trying to solve your problems to get you to notice them. - Brandon Stapper, Nonstop Signs
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