Think about the last product or service you paid for and how you found the business you bought it from. Did you ask family, friends, or your social media followers for a recommendation?
Referrals are a powerful tool as they guide new, potential customers toward your business. But, they can also be a big barrier to entry for small businesses with no previous track record. Trying to figure out how to build a track record without an established reputation? Here are four ways to get started:
1. Manage and Leverage Your Digital Footprint
Maintaining your online reputation is a critical part of business. Online platforms are now the place most people look for and learn about new businesses.
It’s essential to optimize your LinkedIn profile and gain as many recommendations from old colleagues and previous clients as possible. It’s also important to clean up your other social media accounts. Decide what you want your brand voice to be and stick to it, keeping in mind who your audience is.
Sharing and posting interesting and relevant information relating to your industry can be a great way to connect with potential customers and peers, as long as you do so in the right places.
2. Be Part of the Conversation
Business is about defining your message before your competitors do it for you. Get involved with professional organizations, meet-ups, and online forums. Tell them exactly what you stand for and provide industry data to support your views.
Not only does this position you as a knowledgeable authority figure in your field, but it also allows you to connect with new people you could learn from.
3. Find Opportunities To Share Your Knowledge
Find opportunities to speak and demonstrate your knowledge. Whether you write a paper or in a respected journal, host a webinar, or run a seminar, find the channel with the right audience and go for it.
Remember, this isn’t a conduit to advertise your services. Give people the information they want and let them come to you for more in-depth conversations if they need it.
4. Improve Your Education
Education can be a great way to make new connections. Suzanne Siemens and Madeline Shaw of Vancouver-based brand, Aisle, met while attending a leadership course. Not only did they expand their education, but they also found an opportunity to work together and create a long-term business relationship.
Think about it as another opportunity to network with your potential customers or your next brand advocate. You’ll also benefit from your customers recognizing your dedication to excellence and continuous improvement.
Building Your Recommendations
Once you start to gain customers, ask for their feedback. Whether customers leave feedback on review sites or comment on your social media, ask if you could use their responses or publish them on their behalf.
Building your track record can be hard work, even if you have customers coming in the door. By using these four tricks, you’ll be on your way to creating a more credible reputation that will ultimately bring in more business.
Small Business BC is Here to Help
SBBC is a non-profit resource centre for BC-based small businesses. Whatever your idea of success is, we’re here to provide holistic support and resources at every step of the journey. Check out our range of business webinars, on-demand E-Learning Education, our Talk to an Expert Advisories, or browse our business articles.
