Brand protection might not be a top priority, especially when compared to other goals such as higher revenue or beating out the competition, but it’s still important to have a plan in place. By ensuring that your team can quickly act against customer comments or even marketing messages from your competitors, you can maintain or even elevate brand reputation, and reputation management software can make this process easier and more effective.
Brand Protection Benefit #1: Meaningful Interactions with Customers
Acquiring and retaining customers also requires some form of brand reputation, especially when recent reviews might not put the company in a favorable light. The knee jerk reaction, especially if you don’t know how to respond to negative reviews, is to be on the defensive and dispute harsh feedback.
However, it’s best to take a step back and take a close look at the customer’s complaints. Then, in a professional manner that meets brand standards, respond to the feedback with an apology, an explanation (if needed), and an avenue to take the conversation offline. Employing some form of brand protection in the form of a review response strategy helps the company save face because of your professional response as well as shows other consumers that the brand is not afraid of negative feedback and is willing to engage with customers even after they make the purchase; a potential differentiator that can help rank the business above the competition.
Brand Protection Benefit #2: Outsmart the Competition
Speaking of competitors, it’s inevitable that they will create a campaign that directly targets your offerings or customers. Fortunately, you can soften the blow with some brand protection initiatives, specifically with ReviewTrackers’ competitor analysis data.
By keeping tabs on your rivals’ various reputation signals, such as current review sentiment and trending keywords, you can find insights that allow you to address their current campaigns or even create new messaging that highlights issues that consumers have with the competition and how you can provide a better service. The data gathered with the right competitor analysis software at your fingertips not only helps protect the brand; it can even put your marketing team on the offensive with powerful data that can better attract customers.
Brand Protection Benefit #3: Increased Local Awareness
The creation and execution of your brand protection strategy also has a beneficial side effect: increased awareness online. Because of your efforts to respond to feedback and messaging created as a response to those of the competition, people are noticing your brand online. With their eyes fixed on the business, it’s important to reduce friction and make it easy for them to convert to the products and services you provide.
To that end, consider employing ReviewTrackers’ local listing management tools, which ensures consistent, updated, and accurate information is displayed on all of your local listings. As you continue to optimize operations, you can even use the software to see how your ongoing SEO efforts are affecting your online position and visibility. This can add more value to your current brand protection plans and make adjustments that help keep a strong digital face for customers and competitors alike.
Conclusion
With the help of reputation management software, your brand protection strategy can get off the ground without a hitch. As you continue to garner customers and outrank the competition, it’s important to use the software to find new ways to exceed expectations and delight consumers in a way that makes them want to come back for more and tell others about their experiences.
