When you think about growing your residential painting company, there’s one thing that comes to mind above all else; jobs. New jobs are your lifeblood, and finding ways to acquire them is the top reason contractors turn to the internet for marketing and advertising. But with so many tools and options available, how do you know where to focus your efforts? The solution may surprise you.
Word of Mouth, on Steroids
Recommendations from real people carry a lot of credibility. And recently, as marketing and advertising budgets have grown, more and more people are turning to online reviews and discussion forums to help them make informed decisions. According to a a 2014 study by BrightLocal, up to 88% of people read customer reviews when researching a company or service. These numbers vary a bit by industry, but are increasing fast across all sectors.People Trust People
The amount of confidence people have in online comments and forums is growing every year. For a typical consumer today, a batch of good online reviews carries the same weight as a recommendation from an acquaintance. Compare this to people’s opinions on paid marketing or advertising, and you’ll see the real value of user reviews. BazaarVoice recently put out a great infographic showing that visitor reviews are 12x more trusted than advertisements or marketing info.Make Reviews Part of the Plan
Good reviews are important. But a steady stream of new reviews is even more so. Your competitors haven’t stopped collecting reviews, and neither should you. Think about how you can make it clear for clients to review your residential painting company without it being an inconvenience. Include links for home owners to review their experience in your email communications. Get in touch with customers a week or two after the fact and ask them about their experience. Then see whether or not they would be interested in posting something online. You can even create a simple reviews section into your website using a free plugin like this. Reviews are a resource that compounds over time. Just like a savings account, make sure you’re adding to your body of reviews regularly and consistently.Reviews are For You, Too
Obviously, a solid body of customer reviews, and an easy way to generate new ones, is vital to growing your painting company. But the value of reviews doesn't end with building your professional image and brand. They're also great inspirational material. Reward and incentivize yourself and other employees who generate positive online feedback. Adorn your walls with highlights from real reviews. Reviews can help you see beyond the bubble, and understand more about what you need to do to succeed.The Good, The Bad, The Bizaare
You do your best for every single client you work with. But you can't make everyone happy all the time. What should you do when bad reviews pop-up on your social media, website, or Yelp page? Keep in mind, a sour taste is more memorable than a sweet one, and people are much more likely to post reviews about a bad experience than a good one. First off, don’t panic. A lot of the time, all it takes to make a person happy is a little attention and effort. Reach out, find out what the problem was, and then make a real and concerted effort to resolve it. Many people are willing to change not just their opinion, but also their public reviews, if you meet them halfway. Even when you get a tough cookie that won’t budge, don’t chalk it up as a lost cause. Respond to the review politely and with real compassion, in the same place where the review originally appeared. It's your chance to let future home owners see that you take their feedback seriously, and do everything you can to help. An unpleasant review is just another platform for you to highlight your business and brand.Getting Started with Reviews
If you’re looking to meet more home owners and boost your house painting business with home owner reviews, here are some quick steps to get you started. 1) Get on Yelp! Create a profile for you residential painting operation. And link to if from your website with some pretty social media icons. 2) Use a simple survey to collect feedback from home owners. 3) Include your best reviews publicly on your homepage as part of the first impression for new home owners. 4) Collect reviews right on your website with an straightforward review collection tool like this. 5) Get to know your clients during your normal interactions, then expand the relationship to social media. Once you have a good online rapport, ask if they'd be able to write a short review or recommendation.How have reviews and public comments impacted your business? We’d love to hear about it, in our own public comments section!