7 PR Tips For Digital Reputation Management

Controlling your brand’s reputation isn’t easy, given that you can’t control what people say. However, it is possible to manage your digital reputation to an extent, and this post is here to show you how!🤩

SET UP BRAND ALERTS

As BuzzSumo says, setting up brand alerts is a great way of keeping on top if your digital reputation. Brand alerts mean you will be notified whenever your company is mentioned online. This is a really good tool to have for your company, as it allows you to react immediately when your brand is mentioned, and to deal with the criticism or the compliments accordingly. You can also sort your brand alerts by engagement, which is important as the posts with the most engagement should be the first ones you give your attention to.

UNDERSTAND SEO BASICS

According to Crenshaw Communications, understanding the basic of Search Engine Optimisation is one of your most powerful tools for digital reputation management. Spending time on understanding SEO pays off, as sites with strong SEO are often considered to be more credible, therefore improving your brand’s digital reputation instantly. You don’t have to be an SEO expert, and you don’t have to hire an SEO firm to help you, but understanding the fundamental elements of SEO can be really beneficial for your brand.💻💻

MAKE THE MOST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media is increasingly important in brand reputation management, as PR Fire tells us. Around half of the world’s population now uses social media, so using it effectively is key to helping your brand succeed. The great thing about social media is that it allows us to engage with our customers on a more personal level, meaning they feel more valued as customers. Therefore, responding appropriately to customer feedback is essential, as it says a lot about how your brand operates.

Find out how to create a successful brand using social media here.

ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REVIEW YOUR BRAND

Sprout Social says that by encouraging more reviews of your brand, you have a greater chance of improving your brand’s reputation. Basically, the more reviews you have, the more feedback you have to work with, and, so long as the reviews are positive, the more credibility your brand gains. If the reviews aren’t positive, then you know what to do – get to work on improving your products and services in order to increase customer satisfaction. Listening to the customer is the best way to build trust.👂🏼👂🏼

DON’T RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO BAD PRESS

Responding to bad press as soon as you see it is a recipe for disaster, according to AllBusiness. It’s extremely important that you don’t react according to your gut reaction, as this can show unnecessary anger or upset to your audience. It’s also essential that you don’t attack the people who are giving you bad press, as this just gives them further cause to view you negatively. Take a minute to sit and consider why they have given you the bad press, and once you think you can respond appropriately, do so. You’ll be far more respected for it.

Read up on strengthening your small business’ brand identity here.

DON’T POST OR EMAIL ANYTHING YOU WOULDN’T WANT GOING PUBLIC

This one is so important. You have to remember that no form of digital communication is truly private, even the emails you send to your colleagues. If you’re sharing information, or an impulsive joke, online, think before you post it. Is this something you would want to be associated with your brand if it came into the public eye? If not, don’t post it. It really is as simple as that.🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

ADMIT YOUR MISTAKES AND DO YOUR BEST TO FIX THEM

Admitting our mistakes is a key part of growing our business. If we didn’t acknowledge our mistakes, we would never learn from them, and therefore we would never improve. In order to make your brand as successful as possible, be willing to admit your mistakes and try to fix them. People will respect you so much more for it.

Read our post on 7 PR tools for increasing your brand visibility here.

About the author

Lola is a copywriter and journalist trainee who has written on topics ranging from travel to marketing. She recently graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Hispanic Studies, and is going on to study a Masters in International Journalism. Lola speaks 4 languages and has lived in 4 countries. Her personal travel and lifestyle blog has over 6,000 all-time views.

Find Lola on LinkedIn here.