Online reputation management is an important consideration for virtually any business. It's even more vital for professionals who make their money by providing expertise to their clients. In real estate, your reputation is essential fuel for growth. Our ability to help team members improve their reputation is one reason why Homesale Realty is the best place to build a practice.

Reputation management is essential because most of your future clients will find you online first. Before they know you well, they'll compare your reviews and testimonials to others in your area.

Since the vast majority of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, it's worthwhile to make online reputation management a cornerstone of your marketing efforts. Done right, it can give prospective customers the extra incentive to contact you before competitors. That, in turn, makes agents of any experience level less reliant on word-of-mouth business. Here's how to do it right:

1. Set Up Accounts on Online Review Platforms
   Most of today's online review platforms will automatically create an account for each business in a town or city. However, to respond to reviews or update your listing, you'll need to claim your account. To start with, focus on getting set up with Google My Business and Yelp. Reviews on these platforms are the most visible to people making immediate buying decisions.
   
   
2. Ask for Positive Reviews from Happy Clients
   Sadly, people are much more likely to share a negative experience than a positive one when they go online. Clients who have a bone to pick will often act on their own, but those who are thrilled need some encouragement. Within two weeks after closing, contact your happy clients and request a review. Earlier, and they'll be busy moving. Later, and they may have moved on.
   
   
3. Respond to Negative Reviews Professionally
   Even for the best real estate pros, negative reviews happen. That's especially true when there are transaction delays outside your control. Remember, when you respond to a negative review, you're also talking to everyone who checks your reviews in the future. Be calm, be courteous, and address the issue – but don't share personal details. Take the full resolution to private messages.
   
   
4. Share Great Recent Reviews on Social Media
   People love social proof – the kind of marketing that gives them concrete evidence that others "just like them" have succeeded with your service. You should already be attracting a social following, so be sure to share your raving reviews. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are all perfect places. Almost anywhere you post about listings, you can also share reviews!
   
   
5. Set Up Search Engine Alerts for Your Brand
   Reputation monitoring software can cost thousands of dollars, but free services will do much of the same work for you. One of the most powerful of these is Google Alerts, which will sweep the Web on a regular basis for any new mentions of your name or brand. It can send new mentions to you in a periodic email digest so you can respond to them directly.
   
   
6. Associate Your Name With Positive Things
   For many real estate agents, your name is your brand. Since you can't separate personal and professional completely, be mindful of what you post online. Publishing helpful content about your local real estate market will help ensure that's what people see when they search for you. Also be conscious of how online comments can reflect on you, especially on hot-button topics.

Personalized advice from expert mentors can get you off on the right foot with reputation management. Contact BHHS Homesale Realty today to find out more or get connected.