The Public Relations Blog

Companies aren’t immune to negative web content published about them. Common places you may see negative posts about an organization are sites like RipOffReport and GlassDoor, but companies should also know those aren’t the only places that can host unflattering content. 

While awareness of negative posts is important, your company should also recognize the need to stop giving online traffic to this content. In fact, monitoring your company’s online reputation should be something your company invests in and utilizes. 

Find out why your business needs a strong social media presence for corporate communications and reputation management.

The digital age has led to social media becoming an integral part of corporate communications and reputation management. We’re now living in an era where Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even TikTok are revolutionizing how businesses interact with customers, employees, investors, and the general public. 

Social media often gets referred to as “shared media,” and for good reason. It’s easy to share everything from images and opinions to reviews and recommendations in just a few seconds. Social media also has extensive reach with millions of people around the world logging in to different platforms every day. This shareability makes it an ideal tool for businesses to potentially share content with mass audiences in real-time.

Optimize your business listing on Yahoo Local reviews

Businesses aiming to increase their web presence through local search engine optimization can use Yahoo Local. It has partnered with Yext to help you control your web listings. The tool works like other business-listing directories, such as Google, despite its declining market globally over the past years.

With Yahoo Local, you can add basic company information – like name, website, contact number, address, and other details – to guide consumers looking for places and items online for your business. It is a great supplement to increase your brand awareness and optimize its visibility online.

Handling that first negative online article 

As much as you believe your company won’t be affected by negative articles and reviews ranking in an online search, at some point, it will happen – and it can have a serious impact on your company. 

There are many places where consumers can leave negative reviews that can rank on page one when a prospective consumer uses Google to search for your company. That first negative review or even a new negative review can leave you and your company reeling and unsure of your next steps. It is important to understand how your company’s online reputation can change with a negative review. 

You can manage inaccuracies about your brand

Whether or not we notice, people observe how we deal with complaints about us. Our response speaks volumes. And this is the case not just in regular life but in companies as well, whether the complaints are made in person or online.

When responding to complaints, you must be careful not to go with guns blazing; you don’t have to keep mum either. This is because you could seem desperate to hide something, and thus, misinformation about your brand would be seen as true.

Reputation management relies on strong inclusion efforts.

An organization’s reputation doesn’t just depend on provided services, customer relations, and public communications. Diversity and inclusion, both within the organization’s workforce and in the work it does, is an integral part of a company’s image. 

Keep your company from making reputation-ruining mistakes.

Social media is the most accessible tool customers have to learn about your company and become familiar with your brand. It’s also incredibly impactful in helping – or hurting – your company’s reputation.

As a public relations firm dedicated to helping companies manage crisis communications, improve their reputations, and manage online reviews, it often surprises us how many of our prospective clients don’t understand the differences between these things. We think it’s important to educate companies about these critical areas of PR. If you don’t know the difference between crisis communications, reputation management, and review management, you’re in luck, as we outline the three below.

Bring more customers to your company with a better reputation

Warren Buffett said it best:

A company’s reputation is one of its most important tools online – every website has ratings and feedback sections. Obviously, too many “1-star” reviews on a giant online retailer like Amazon can doom a product. It’s important to remember that while there are many indicators of online reputation, one of the most important consumer indicators may be the Better Business Bureau (BBB). 

Use these PR tactics to gain recognition and visibility for your company with the right industry awards

At this time of year, awards shows dominate the entertainment industry. Everyone is talking about the Oscars, the Grammys and other glamorous ceremonies. There are, undoubtedly, awards in your industry as well. Is your company in the running? If not, you are missing out on key opportunities to build your brand and separate yourself from your competition.