BlogmyQuery – BMQ

If you’ve looked for any business or service online, chances are you’ve noticed the stars (or lack thereof) next to their name. Whether posted on Yelp, uploaded as a quick live video on Instagram, or etched on the eternal stone wall of a company’s Facebook page, reviews are proof that people are excited about your service or product and want to spread the news. But they don’t pop up all by themselves — you’ll need a strategy to generate and respond to them. Here are 14 effective ways to do just that.

1. It all starts with service

People who have a negative experience are more likely to leave a review than those who are satisfied. And that matters because 86% of people read online reviews (and need to see ten positive reviews) before they trust a local business. 

So before you do anything, make sure even your home-based business delivers impeccable service. You might be setting your own hours and calling the shots, but providing exceptional service and products is still critical.

2. Don’t be shy

Many people don’t review a business simply because they were not asked. Ask customers directly if they could take a minute to leave a review. Most people understand that they can influence a business’s success (or failure). They won’t be annoyed by your request.

3. Make it easy 

If you ask for a review and a customer enthusiastically agrees, make it easy on them. Set up profiles on multiple general review sites (i.e., Google, Yelp, and Facebook), and be sure to create a separate profile if your industry has a specialized review platform. Provide direct links to the page, with clear instructions on how to leave a review.

4. Follow up

Sometimes, customers want to leave a review but continue with their day and forget about it. Following up on a lead is key. Wait a few days, then email a reminder and all the links.

5. Automate the ask

Better yet, automate the entire process of asking for reviews. Utilize review generation sites or apps to send a series of emails, starting with one thanking the customer for their business and another a few days later, asking for a review. This removes an administrative task that you might forget to follow up on otherwise.

6. Get your timing right

The best time to ask for a review is when customer satisfaction is at its highest. This might be when the deal closes or when you solve a previously unsolvable problem.

And the worst time? After conflict or when something happens that a customer or client wasn’t expecting. If you can’t solve the issue, it’s best not to ask for a review until you can.

7. Post across social media platforms

The majority of people are on social media, and the biggest swath of potential customers these days — millennials and boomers — turn to a variety of platforms to get reviews and recommendations from friends and their “For You” pages. 

When you’re clear on your customer base, you can tailor posts encouraging them to leave reviews on the social media they use most often. If you don’t serve just one demographic, share these posts widely for more traction and exposure.

8. Incentivize ethically

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stated explicitly that buying reviews violates consumer protection policies, but that doesn’t stop some unscrupulous folks from doing it anyway. Don’t be that person. Buying reviews can be punishable by fines or removal from the platform on which the fake reviews are posted. 

But that doesn’t mean you cannot incentivize people to leave a review. You might offer a discount on future services or hold a drawing for a prize. This encourages participation, is open about the incentive, and doesn’t specifically reward a good review. It’s an ethical move that can help build up goodwill.

9. Accentuate the positive

Just because you can’t pay for positive reviews doesn’t mean you shouldn’t celebrate them when they come in — show off the most glowing praise on your website or social media. 

And don’t just post the written words. Consider reading the review on a video to attract more attention (and garner more reviews).

10. Don’t ignore the negative

It happens. Everyone has an off day or comes across a client who isn’t happy with the service or product. So, what do you do when a negative review comes in?

First, what not to do: Don’t ignore it. Nearly 90% of people read how a company responds to negative reviews and makes decisions about how (or if) a company addresses any issues. Take the time to respond, but don’t argue. Offer your regret about their experience, and provide contact information to discuss the issue offline. The unhappy customer may not respond, but others can see that you reached out.

11. Make sure everyone is on board

When stress levels rise, staff may forget to ask for reviews. Train all staff to ask for reviews during their regular customer interaction. 

But it happens: people forget. If you’ve implemented automated review requests, you’re covered.  

12. Get involved

For new businesses, the main issue with reviews is that your community might not know about you yet. If your advertising budget is low (or non-existent), consider getting more involved in your local community by hosting events, sponsoring teams, and volunteering to set up a table at local fairs and events. This can spread the word about what you offer and get the ball rolling on reviews.

13. Take a survey

Another strategy for gathering reviews as a new business is designing a survey to deliver to current and potential customers. This could cover products or services you already offer, with space to include suggestions for more in the future. People appreciate the opportunity to be heard, but there’s another plus: You can use these surveys to ask for reviews from those who offer the most positive feedback. You could even ask the customer to use their survey comments on your website and social media. That is another way to build positive relationships and trust in your community.

14. Be diligent

Even if you have automated the review request process and are confident reviews are coming in, you must continue to monitor and analyze what people are saying. This feedback doesn’t just affect your bottom line — it can also be instructive about how you can better meet your community’s needs — now and into the future.

Featured Image by Afif Ramdhasuma on Unsplash

The post 14 Effective Ways to Generate Positive Online Reviews for Your Business appeared first on noupe.

First, the good news: If you are doing the work of generating blogs, articles, and newsletters to attract readers to your website, you’re already ahead of the game. Adding content to your website regularly and sending newsletters and marketing emails to subscribers is a great way to bring attention to your business.

But now it’s time to take the next step: converting those readers into customers. Here are 14 techniques to convert leads into customers.

1. Make sure your website is user-friendly

Don’t lose the race out of the starting gate. Your website does not have to be elaborate, but it should be easy to use, especially when it comes time to make a purchase. And because most people access internet content via their phones, optimize your content for mobile, too. 

2. Identify your audience

Consider this: When tasked with telling a scary story to a teenager, you wouldn’t tell the same story to a 5-year-old, would you? Not if you ever wanted that child to sleep through the night on their own. 

This is the challenge of audience, and it’s one of the first steps to converting readers to customers. Identify your target audience clearly so you know who you’re actually writing for.

3. Focus on quality content

It can be daunting to face down the wall of internet search results. Scaling it requires lots of content. But the quality of the content matters, too. Simply churning out words that are poorly written (or written by AI) isn’t the way to go.

Write well and post consistently. These two tactics alone will give you a leg up.

4. Don’t ignore SEO

Contrary to what some internet tricksters would have you believe, search engine optimization (SEO) is not dead. In fact, it’s still the way that Google bots know how important (and trusted) your site is. 

If you don’t know the basics of SEO, find someone who does. They can get you started and teach you to make the most of SEO moving forward.

5. Provide a solution to a problem

Your readers have problems, and the best way to engage them is by providing a solution (or many solutions) to them. Few things are more frustrating than visiting a website and not finding the answers you want. Relieve your readers’ stress by helping them solve the problem that brought them to you in the first place.

6. Give it away

You have found the solution, now give it away. Don’t give it all away, of course, but offer something your audience wants in exchange for an email address or other contact information. The most common giveaways online are free PDFs or e-books, but you can also offer discounts or trials of your services. Make sure it is something they actually want. 

7. Use what you’ve gained

As you begin to build an email list, focus on targeted email marketing. Many email services allow you to set up an automated series of emails (really the best use for AI here). Be careful not to get too spammy with your emails (either in content or frequency). Consider a series of emails, spaced five or six days apart, welcoming the reader and offering your expanded services to solve the problem you hinted at earlier.

Remember to abide by the rules for email marketing to build long-term relationships with customers, not alienate them.

8. Include a call to action (CTA) in all correspondence

What, exactly, do you want readers to do when they are on your site? You might be surprised to note that many websites, emails, and other marketing materials don’t include a simple call to action, directing readers on their next steps. This could be something as simple as a button that says “click here” or “buy now,” or it might be part of a story that leads them deeper into your website. 

Marketing pros know that the longer visitors stay on your site, the more relevant your material is and the more likely they are to make a purchase. 

9. Include testimonials

These days, consumers want proof and good reviews before they make a purchase or engage a service. As your business grows, ask for reviews of your goods or services, and post them to your website. You can also include them in email marketing materials and newsletters and on social media. 

Reviews from real people build your credibility and position you as a trustworthy leader in your industry. This type of social street cred is critical for millennial and Gen Z consumers, and it’s exactly what converts readers to customers.

10. Add links

It may seem strange, but adding links to your website content actually builds your authority. It tells readers that you have a deep understanding of the topic, so much so that you are familiar with other authorities on it. Plus, remember SEO? Google loves links to high-authority sites.

Google also loves backlinks, and as your authority grows, other sites will link to you. It’s a win-win.

11. Add a chatbot

Artificial intelligence is getting a lot of press these days, and one of its best uses remains adding a customer service chatbot to your website. This simple tool can be programmed with answers to frequently asked questions. Early adopters of this technology include loan companies with a variety of services — this simple tech allowed customers to get tailored information quickly (instead of wading through a complicated bank website).

12. Follow up with retargeting

If a website visitor adds items to a cart and then leaves without purchasing, having their email address makes it easy to remind them to check out. This simple retargeting process can result in increased conversions.

13. Guarantee your work

One of the best ways to convert readers into customers for your business? Guaranteeing your product or services. Offering a 100% satisfaction, money-back guarantee means that they can purchase without worry. This is especially important for people engaging a company for services when they are not in the same area (for example, if you’re hiring movers for a long-distance move who are not local).

14. Get personal

You want to build a customer base that lasts a long time, so start with relationships. In a global economy where everything behind the screen seems faceless and not attached to an actual person, personalized experiences are valuable and can go a long way.

Featured Image by Daniel Thomas on Unsplash

The post 14 Techniques to Convert Readers Into Customers appeared first on noupe.

The prospect of networking can be stressful, especially when you’re a new founder, and especially if you’re not a naturally extroverted person. But building up your professional network is one of the most effective ways to spread awareness of your brand, make vital connections, and get access to the resources, expertise, and leadership you need to take your venture to the next level.

In today’s economy, entrepreneurs need every edge they can get. So how do you forge those important, authentic connections? It’s probably not as difficult as you think. Let’s go over some basic, proven strategies to build your network.

Don’t be openly transactional

This tip might sound counterintuitive. After all, the whole point of networking is to advance your professional prospects by creating mutually beneficial relationships with people in your field. The phrase “mutually beneficial” itself implies an exchange (i.e., a transaction.)

But people tend to react negatively if you make the transactional aspect of networking too obvious. The contemporary model of networking stresses relationships and helping, and downplays horse trading and asking, “What have you done for me lately?” Keep things casual and personal when you’re networking, at least initially. Networking is like any other social interaction: Downplaying what you want isn’t deceptive, it’s simple courtesy.

Be efficient, not overextended

Networking can feel like a burden, especially to the modern entrepreneur clocking 16-hour days. But networking can have such a galvanizing effect on your career that smart founders consider literally moving across the country just to get access to more valuable professional networks.

Many experts suggest allocating a set amount of time per day or week to maintaining and developing your network — for example, one hour a day when you just touch base with high-value professional contacts.

This approach has two big benefits. One, you’ll be consistently cultivating your network, and having a predetermined amount of time to devote to networking protects you from the possibility that it’ll encroach on your time. Two, you’ll be forced to concentrate on your most promising relationships, while phasing out less useful ones.

Hone a high-value presentation

As we mentioned above, effective networking involves forging mutually beneficial relationships. In today’s turbulent job market, people are especially eager to network if you have something to offer them. Make your value clear by stating your current credentials and expertise on sites like LinkedIn, since that’s where most networking contacts will check you out. 

Don’t make things too dry, though. A little personality will go a long way when it comes to making a favorable and memorable impression.

Be active on social media

Many professional contacts will make a point of checking your social media accounts. Use these accounts to convey your professional and personal selves. Offer updates, insights, commentary, humor, and even innocuous content like photos of your pet or lunch. Remember, you’re not just trying to impress people — you’re also trying to endear yourself to them.

Another tip when it comes to your social media accounts: Try to stay active on your main platforms by posting at least once per week. You want to present yourself as engaged and active — not mysterious and absent.

But face-to-face is still the gold standard

As engaging as social media and Zoom meetings can be, face-to-face networking is still the best way to make connections. So much of human communication is non-verbal, and things like body language and eye contact are as important, if not more important, than the words coming out of your mouth. It’s tough, if not impossible, to forge an authentic connection without face-to-face contact.

Have a game plan

Before you start networking, think hard about what you want to get out of it. Do you want to find a mentor or a collaborator? Are you trying to raise awareness of a new venture, expand the voice of an existing one, or consolidate your influence? 

Once you understand your “mission,” you can think about who can help you achieve these goals, and what kind of skills and experience those people might have. At that point, it’s just a matter of forging the relationships.

Cultivate mentorships — from both sides

Don’t forget, there are three “directions” you can network in: upwards (people further along their career paths than you), laterally (your peers), and downwards (people not as far along in their career paths). You shouldn’t neglect any of these levels!

One of the most effective ways to leverage the diverse talents of these groups is through mentorships. Seeking out mentors can get you valuable access to institutional knowledge, leadership, and specialized experience, while taking on mentees can give you valuable perspective, and cultivate contacts in the next generation.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

One of the more confusing truths about networking is that people don’t like to be pestered or put upon, but they do, under the right circumstances, like to do things for people.

Why? There are a lot of reasons. Beyond the obvious benefit of reciprocity, doing a favor for someone also confers a feeling of virtuousness, and it provides an opportunity to demonstrate and exercise power. Asking someone to do something for you can actually be a great way to seal a new relationship. The trick, of course, is learning how to do it without imposing on them.

Don’t forget to follow up — and maintain

Once you’ve made some contacts, don’t neglect to follow up with them a few days later. Sending them a quick email or text, especially if it touches on something specific that you spoke about during your earlier interaction, is an incredibly effective way to cement your good impression. Social media is a great venue for this — a like or comment on one of their posts is an easy, low-maintenance way to create a moment of connection and awareness.

But don’t think that following up, or networking as a whole, is a “one-and-done” task. You should actively maintain and cultivate your network going forward. This means making regular contact, whether it’s a quick chat at a convention or industry meeting, or an email just to check in on how things are going. If you wait too long between contacts, those connections and relationships you worked so hard to forget will fade away, and you’ll be back at square one.

Featured Photo by Product School on Unsplash

The post Networking for the Modern Entrepreneur: Strategies for Building Your Professional Network appeared first on noupe.

Corporate America has no shortage of cliche buzzwords and phrases. 

“Can we chat about this offline?”

“We need to build consensus and not work in silos.”

“Let’s get boots on the ground! We have to go after the low-hanging fruit.”

Most corporate jargon will make you roll your eyes or smash your keyboard. But in recent years, one of the most “buzzy” phrases in the business world has actually been a huge boon to the culture and the bottom line of companies that have embraced it. 

That’s right, we’re talking about diversity in the workplace. More and more corporations are hiring employees with diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. In fact, according to LinkedIn, “Diversity and Inclusion Manager” was the second fastest-growing job title of 2022. 

Why are executives all-in when it comes to the pursuit of corporate diversity? Because it’s shown that by establishing a diverse workforce, companies not only improve their bottom line but position themselves to positively impact their employees, customers, and society as a whole. 

That competitive edge is as valuable as ever in 2023 as businesses battle persistent inflation, high interest rates, and worries over a wavering economy. Let’s examine five ways company diversity can impact organizational productivity.

Enhanced Creativity

If you put a bunch of like-minded people in a room, more often than not, they’re going to generate many of the same ideas. This is because how they look at and experience the world is very much alike. 

Diversifying the workplace brings unique perspectives and experiences to the table. A diverse workforce challenges traditional ways of thinking and encourages individuals to be open-minded, leading to new and innovative ideas that otherwise might not have come to light.

This notion of enhanced creativity through diversity isn’t just some corporate gobbledygook either. The American Psychological Association released a study titled “Multicultural Experience Enhances Creativity: The When and How.” In it, researchers found that the “extensiveness of multicultural experiences was positively related to both creative performance (insight learning, remote association, and idea generation) and creativity-supporting cognitive processes.” 

In simpler terms, diversity means more creative and insightful thinking. 

More Profitability

Of course, we all know that nothing Corporate America does is out of the goodness of its heart. There has to be a financial benefit too. And there is! 

A Boston Consulting Group study revealed that companies with more diverse management teams have 19% higher innovation revenue than their non-diverse counterparts. This is a game-changer for start-ups and tech companies, where innovation is critical to their success. 

Ultimately, companies want to connect with their consumers, and being more broadly representative allows more potential purchasers to identify with a brand. A diverse workforce can figuratively and literally lend an internal voice to underserved customer segments. This can lead to better products and services and more effective marketing and communication strategies. 

Other research has found that companies with greater diversity are 70% more likely to capture new markets. With more market share, goods and services are introduced to a larger audience, which in turn means increased profit. Additionally, a diverse workforce can help organizations avoid cultural missteps and better navigate the nuances of doing business in today’s global economy. 

Improved Problem-Solving Skills

Varied backgrounds and experiences can bring new insights and perspectives to a problem, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the issue. A diverse team can collaborate to develop solutions considering a wide range of viewpoints, leading to more effective problem-solving. 

When a team is made up of like-minded individuals with similar backgrounds and experiences, decision-making can become stagnant. In contrast, a diverse team can challenge each other’s assumptions and perspectives, leading to more informed and effective decision-making. 

Furthermore, when employees feel their unique perspectives are valued, they are more likely to participate actively in discussions and offer solutions. A study conducted by McKinsey & Company found that companies with a diverse workforce outperformed their competitors by 35% in terms of above-average profitability.

Increased Employee Engagement 

Remember “The Great Resignation” during the COVID pandemic? Workers all over the country realized they really didn’t like their jobs and decided to quit. Because of the shift to remote work, this was a lot easier to do because people could suddenly apply for new jobs at companies that better suited them, no matter where they were located geographically. 

Although the trend of mass resignations has slowed over the past year, the themes perpetuating it have not. Simply put, people want to love what they do and want to be actively engaged in their work. 

Diversity in the workplace can significantly impact employee engagement and retention. When employees feel valued and included in the organization, they are more likely to be happier and more motivated in their work. A study conducted by Gallup demonstrates that highly engaged workplaces saw an 81% difference in absenteeism.

Moreover, a diverse workforce can lead to a positive work culture where employees feel respected and appreciated. This can lead to lower turnover rates, reducing the cost and time associated with onboarding new talent. Consider that, on average, it costs businesses $4,683 to hire new talent and around $1,207 to onboard a new hire. That means organizations lose nearly $6,000 each time an employee leaves their job.

When an organization supports its workforce, it fosters a sense of belonging and inclusivity, leading to better overall performance. Engaged employees are more motivated by the organization’s success, leading to increased productivity and overall success.

Improved Reputation and Brand Image

Customers and shareholders are increasingly interested in supporting companies that value diversity and inclusion. By creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, companies can establish their commitment to these values and differentiate themselves from competitors. Additionally, a diverse workforce can help companies better connect with various communities and build stronger relationships with segments of the population they may otherwise not have engaged with. 

Research shows that 52% of all adult online consumers consider a company’s values when making a purchase. The rate is even higher among millennial and Gen Z consumers, who are increasingly more socially conscious in their purchasing habits. Companies must be inclusive in all aspects of their business to maximize sales, build stronger customer relationships, widen the customer base, and ultimately enhance profit margins. 

Reaping Rewards From Diversity

Companies that tap into the varied backgrounds of their employees will see that they put forth an array of perspectives that will benefit the business both internally and externally. Plus, as even more companies rely on remote workers, there is a borderless talent pool to choose from, as potential employees are no longer required to relocate for a job.

Featured Image by fauxels

The post 5 Reasons Why a Diverse Workforce is Good for Business appeared first on noupe.

Most people know that being an online business owner can be lucrative, but few actually grasp just how much money is being made out there in the e-commerce world. According to a top investment firm, e-commerce in 2022 is worth a staggering $3.3 trillion worldwide, and is projected to rise to $5.4 trillion over the next four years. While that’s a stunning growth rate, what’s more amazing is how easy it is to get into the game. 

In some cases, you can launch an online business in a single day using only your laptop. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’re destined to start the next Amazon. It’s extremely competitive out there, and if your business fails, it can take the rest of your financial security down with it, especially if you rack up a lot of debt.

The bottom line is that there are pros and cons to being an online business owner, and whether it’s the career path for you is going to depend on your goals, your talents, and, let’s face it, a lot of luck. Let’s look at some of the positive and negative aspects of being an online business owner!

Pros

Mobility

One of the most extraordinary quality-of-life benefits of being an online business owner is that you aren’t chained to a desk in an office — you can work from anywhere in the world. And with amazing countries such as Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Croatia, and many others offering “digital nomad” visas to international remote workers, you can easily run your dream business from a dream location. 

Low startup costs

Before the internet, starting a business meant leasing a storefront and commercial space, outfitting the space, hiring employees, and a lot of other expensive “behind the scenes” work. Today, starting an online business can be done for as little as registering a website and paying a freelancer to whip up some copy. Using Shopify to manage your online storefront is affordable, and if you use dropshipping or a fulfillment service, you won’t need to lease expensive warehouse space to store your inventory. 

The fact that you don’t have to lay out a lot of cash on a physical space can have a multiplying effect on your prospects for success. After all, brick-and-mortar businesses have to factor all those overhead costs into their prices. Since you don’t have the same expenses, you can beat them on price!

Global reach

When you have a brick-and-mortar business, the conventional wisdom is that you’ll pull in customers from within a 25-mile radius. In some businesses, or in super dense areas, you may pull customers from an even smaller area.

With an online business, you can potentially win any customer who sees your ads or marketing — which, in the social media era, means you can pull in business from nearly anywhere in the world.

Optimization through tech

In the pre-internet days, it was tough to find out what customers wanted. You either had to convene a focus group or physically survey customers. Both methods were expensive, time-consuming, and unreliable since there’s a disconnect between what people will tell you they want and what they actually want.

Today, it’s much easier to learn about customer behavior. Data collection and analytics can reveal actual customer preferences and map out their behavior in real-time, while new online management tools can help you mobilize efficiently. This is all incredibly useful when it comes to helping you optimize the customer experience, and customize your ads and marketing material.

Cons

A slow launch

Opening a brick-and-mortar store can be slow in the beginning, but most businesses can still get business just from foot traffic. In the beginning of your online business venture — before your website is fully indexed and ranked by Google — it’s going to be very difficult for you to drum up any business. Typically, Google takes 6 to 12 months to index a new website, so you should plan on the first year being pretty slow — and make plans to earn money on the side.

Extremely competitive

We just touched on how easy it is to start an online business. Well, the downside of that accessibility is that a lot of other people have started online businesses — and you’re competing with all of them. There are so many other online businesses right now that your chief concern shouldn’t be competing with them on quality — but just figuring out how to stand out from the huge crowd. That’s why many experts suggest building your business up a little before you take the plunge and abandon your day job.

You need some tech skills

If you open a brick-and-mortar business, you’ll have to either build the space out yourself or pay someone else to do it. The same applies to an online business. 

You’ll need to build an attractive, functional website where your customers can see your product and communicate with you. This website is likely going to be how you make your initial impression on customers, so it has to look legitimate, and convey your values and aesthetic. 

You need to be nimble and responsive

If you’re active on social media, you probably know that everything moves faster in the internet age. Trends that used to last years may only last for a single season now, and customer behavior can change, en masse, in the blink of an eye. For example, if a real estate startup begins offering home buyer rebates, all of its competitors have to adapt, or they’ll rapidly start losing business.

You’ll have the data to track these shifts, but you’ll also need the confidence and decisiveness to change course when you think you see the winds shifting. Hesitate, and you could lose your entire market to your competitors.

Customers appreciate solidity

It’s not that online businesses lack credibility — it’s more like brick-and-mortar businesses benefit from having a tangible, physical presence. The fact that a customer of a brick-and-mortar establishment can go to the store, browse and handle the merchandise, and talk to an employee (or a manager) can give them a peace of mind that might be lacking when they deal with an online-only business. 

There’s also the credibility issue. A physical business represents a history and a real investment, while an online business, especially if it’s new (and most are), could just be a slick website with nothing behind it. This is why online reviews are so important — they’re the closest thing an online business can get to proof of legitimacy.

The post 9 pros and cons of being an online business owner appeared first on noupe.