So you just started your spray tan business and you have everything together. You’ve gone through training, practiced, spray tanned your kids, husband and siblings so much that they won’t even talk to you anymore.
You’ve got all of your “ducks in a row” and now you are ready for those first paying customers! There is one problem – who are you? I mean, I know who you are and you know who you are. But who are you to these people that don’t know you?
One step to help legitimize your business
A few people may have heard about you starting your business through word of mouth marketing. They do some searching and can’t find much information about your business.
Why not? Simple. You didn’t list your business online in any free online directories (ie. Yelp, Google My Business, etc.). Moreover you have zero online review’s. People can’t figure out or decide whether or not they should trust you with their business.
Get reviews, LIKE NOW!
As far as I’m concerned, you should start getting reviews as soon as you start your business. Whether they are friends or family, you can still get honest feedback and reviews for your business. (I will do a separate post on free review platforms)
Some people might be against that and say that they are “fake” reviews. Look back at what I said though – get (solicit) honest reviews and feedback from your friends and family. You think your competition isn’t doing the same thing? Well guess what, if they aren’t, then they are missing the boat.
How important are these reviews..?
Consider this, 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as they trust a personal recommendation. Word of mouth marketing and referrals are, and always will be, the most powerful marketing tool available.
This day in age, a lot of people rely on search engines and apps to find local services, such as spray tanning. They will look for businesses, then search for reviews. This number was only 79% in 2013, meaning the power of online information and resources is even more powerful now.
I don’t know about you, but I look at reviews for anything I find online – local services, books, restaurants, you name it.
Ask people you know
We all know Yelp and Google never want you to “solicit” a review. You are suppose to provide such an amazing service and experience that people are inclined to leave the review on their own accord.
I am not saying that this is not true. What I am saying is that you can help hint to people to leave you a review. Only 28% of customers leave online reviews, while nearly 84% consume them.
Get Reviews!
I don’t think I will ever be able to stress the importance of reviews enough. Unless we have some unforeseen change in the way people interact and communicate (which won’t happen) then reviews and “word of mouth” marketing will always be essential.
What are you doing to get reviews for your business?
I will write specific posts on Yelp, Google My Business and how to “solicit” more reviews. (coming soon!)
Leave a Reply