A business exists to create a customer. – Peter Drucker
Here is the audio version of this post. Thanks so much for listening. Enjoy.
So here I sit. In a new place, in a kinda new town, well, at least for LA it’s considered a new town. Even though I am 8 miles from where I lived for over 13 years and in the city I was born in and have lived most of my life, when you move in LA, particularly to DTLA, you might as well be in another state.
As I continue to settle in, only 4 big boxes left, I am reflecting on the process that got me here, and the process for how I am getting settled in my new space and “town”.
How did I get here? I used YELP, Zillow, Trulia, Craigslist and lots of Google searches. All digital platforms.
Yes, I know, some may tire of me writing about the power of engaging on social + digital platforms, but it’s not the platforms I am in love with, it’s the power of the platforms and how they empower people & businesses, if we choose to let them.
Food, Shelter, A Nail Salon And More…
I found my loft on Craigslist via Google search then hit YELP to see if I even wanted to make an appointment to view it. And before I found my space, I looked at about 10 other spaces on Craigslist and YELP. My loft had some really good and really bad reviews, yet I still moved in. Why? Just because a business has some bad reviews, does not always mean its a bad place. But it did allow me to ask all the right questions, and move forward with open eyes.
I found my new nail salon on YELP. It has mostly great reviews, a few mediocre ones, but it was very convenient. I can walk there. Did I love the experience? I’m not 100% sold, but may try it one more time.
I found the best sandwich shop, which just happens to be 2 doors down from me, on YELP. It has killer reviews, and they were right, it was the BEST! Marie’s on 7th. Give it a try when you are here.
I found my pizza place on YELP and via Eat24. Ugh, yes, 2 foods in a row, but you know, a girl has gotta eat. OMG, wish I never found this place. But if you love pizza, check out 9th Street Pizza in DTLA.
I found my Internet service via referral from the building and then YELPED it just to be sure. So far so good, since you are reading this blog, my Internet is working, and they are some of the nicest people for an Internet company. Bel Air Internet, a small but mighty company that seems to really care. So much more awesome than my experience with the BIG internet companies. Happiness.
I found a couch cleaner and an installation service to mount the TV on my wall, both on YELP.
When was the last time you moved? When was the last time you needed to find a new service? Whether you have or have not, people like me are moving, and searching, or wanting a new experience. Where are they going to find that service? More and more, they are hitting search engines, and yes, YELP. A good offline referral program coupled with awesome online reviews have the potential to really super charge your biz.
If you want YELP to work for you, you have to work it. What does that mean? Create systems and processes for gaining reviews. The more reviews you have, the more you will show up in search engines and in YELP searches. And Google search LOVES active YELP pages. Provide an exceptional experience offline. Always. And ask people to share their experience on YELP.
Worried about bad reviews? How do you handle them now, offline? It’s really no different. And trust me, if you have 10 great reviews and 1 shitty one, and you handle it well in your response, nine times out of ten, the prospective new clients will love you even more, knowing that experience matter to you, even if it’s some nut case just stirring up trouble.
Wouldn’t you rather know someone was disappointed with their experience than just telling a bunch of their friends and not allowing you the opportunity to make it better? I think we all know the honest answer to that.
If you are looking to create more awesome in your biz, it’s time to begin to better see through the clients eyes. Want new clients to find you? Engage. Show up, online and off. You never know, the next new kid in town could be your best new client.
(shared with LOVE from Nina)