Marketing Pixie - Miss Gemma Hentrich - Internet Marketing & Social Media Consultant

Why Does Yelp Keep Filtering Out My Good Reviews?

So many business owners are asking this question.  Here is my response:

The goal of Yelp is to create an environment where you can come and find ratings of businesses that are the most reliable on the web. Think about it like a free version of Angie’s List. One thing we know for certain about the Yelp filter is that to ensure that only the most reliable ratings are given they will filter reviews from users that do not have filled out profiles or have only left a few reviews. They want “Yelpers” not random people (generally referred to as “customers” by the rest of the known world) affecting ratings.

This is what happens with the typical scenario where a good review got filtered out.  It was a first time Yelp user with no info, no photo and no other reviews, so it gets filtered out of sight. If that person were to fill out their profile and continue using Yelp, perhaps that review would come back.

Now, we do notice an exception to this: negative reviews. To be fair, we DO actually see negative reviews filtered as well at times when the person is clearly irrational, but the reason they would be more likely to stay over a positive review is that a negative review is not one affected by a business aka, the business isn’t asking for them, a practice Yelp despises. This goes back to the whole “utopic” reviews environment; they want ZERO business involvement and all the reviews to be totally reviewer motivated.

It’s a nice thought and you can’t really hate on the core idea, but the rest of us live in the real world where you usually have to ask politely to get someone to take time out of their lives to leave nice comments for an experience they expect because they’re paying you money. It would be like you writing personal “way to go!” letters to your employees each time they did their job correctly. There are, of course, the exceptional experiences that deserve commendation, but with how competitive it is out there now we need a lot of “Way to go!” comments to wow prospective customers and get them in the door over the guy down the street.

But Yelp does not exist to help businesses with their reputation, they exist to help consumers make better buying decisions. Now of course they have been accused fairly often of employing a “scratch our back we’ll scratch yours” policy but of course I have not seen it with my own eyes, just in the news and in the papers and well, you already know.

This is why I encourage businesses to focus on GooglePlaces. Not only are they less archaic about filtering reviews (though they do crack down on suspicious behavior) those ratings are the FIRST thing you see in a search. I call it the first impression people get of your business because it’s tied directly to your website and always at the top of the page. Also, far more people have Google profiles already since they are using gmail.

So again, do not focus on Yelp and their tactics but rather focus on Google Places since it is one with growing visibility and much easier to trust.

If you need help with your online reputation, call Gemma Hentrich the Marketing Pixie for your free online marketing consultation today at 619-573-6400.

Facebook Marketing For Auto Dealers. Fake Facebook Likes Are Trash.

Let's face it, people are addicted to Facebook.  Lately a strong topic has come up in discussions with my auto dealers.  It seems that many auto dealers have been approached by “black hat” type social media companies promising thousands of “likes” on Facebook.  Some auto dealers are actually more concerned about getting “likes” on their Facebook Page than engaging with their existing fans.  

It’s important to grow your fan base but only if those fans are potential buyers in your local market.  Buying “likes” or running iPad contests to get “likes” will not increase your sales.  I have yet to meet an auto dealer that is not focused on increasing sales.

Facebook marketing is not about getting thousands of strangers from all over the world to “like” your page.  Facebook marketing is about building an online community and brand.  Your objective is to get your fans to engage with your page and talk about your dealership.  You want your message to reach the fans who already like you, engage with you, and can’t wait to share how much they appreciated doing business with you.

Hopefully you have already done your duty to get more Facebook Fans by asking your customers to “like” you on Facebook. 

1.    Put a note in each employees paycheck asking them to “like” your page and ask them to share with their friends too.  Maybe even offer a prize.

2.    Send an email/newsletter announcing your page and special offers to become a fan. 

3.    Hang a sign in your showroom and waiting areas asking people to “check in” and perhaps even offer a free auto guide or cup of coffee. 

4.    Add your Facebook url to all advertising.  Tell people what they benefit from if they “like” your page.

5.    Create an email signature with icons that link to your Facebook Page and be sure all your employees use it.

So before you ask, “How can we get more likes on Facebook?” consider the strategy of successful Facebook marketing. 

It doesn’t matter if you have 11 fans or 11,000 fans, your message will never reach your fans’ newsfeeds if they are not engaging with you.  Yes, it’s true!  Another algorithm to worry about.

It should never be about the number of Facebook fans that you have.  It’s about the actions your fans take.  Facebook is a marketing platform and it takes a clear, defined marketing strategy to be successful.  It’s actually much like any other medium (TV, radio, print).  Imagine if you paid to have your ad in the newspaper only to find out that the delivery guy dumped 100,000 copies into the trash.  Same effect.  Trash.

Facebook Marketing is an action-based medium.  You have to listen, talk and engage to get noticed.  A successful Facebook Page takes time and patience.  If you sign up with a company that promises thousands of fans, don’t expect to close sales or get engagement since it is likely they will be fake profiles and/or profiles from people who would never consider buying a car from you.

Focus your efforts on cultivating those repeat buyers, the people who already know, like you and trust you.  Social Media helps you cultivate long-term sales relationships. Every auto dealer wants repeat buyers.  Facebook is a referral-based platform and your existing fans are your best salespeople.

If you want an expert with over 7 years of experience working with digital media and auto dealers, call Gemma Hentrich, Marketing Pixie at 619-573-6400 for a free online marketing consultation.

For Facebook Branding tips, read this article: http://w

ww.internetmarketingpixie.com/440014/2012/05/08/facebook-branding-tips.html

Is Social Media Necessary For Your San Diego Business?

We all hear the buzz about social media, but how much does it really matter? If you had any doubt before, take a look at the incredible statistics below and you’ll realize that it matters quite a bit.

• 1 in 7 minutes online is spent on Facebook
  Facebook dominates how internet users interact with friends, brands, images, videos, searches and more. Do you have a Facebook page set up for your business?
• Twitter has over 100 million active users
  People use Twitter to share and read news. You can use it for both: tweet race updates and see what people are saying in the endurance sports world.
• There are more than 135 million professionals on LinkedIn
  LinkedIn is the most powerful business networking engine in the world. Set up a profile or group for your race and connect with other event organizers to share tips, best practices and ideas.
• 48 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube every minute
  With a little math, that translates to nearly 8 years of content uploaded every day. YouTube is a go-to site for people to learn and find information about things they are interested in–make sure your event has a presence there.

Social media is becoming an integral part of everyday social and business life for internet users, allowing your business to stay in touch with your consumers better than ever before. Social media is necessary and is a great way to drive repeat business, and to attract new customers. 

Call now to schedule your free online marketing consultation with Gemma Hentrich, Marketing Pixie at 619-573-6400 today.

Facebook Branding Tips

Setting up a Facebook Page is easy but maximizing its potential for brand visibility requires constant updating and testing. You would be surprised how sometimes a slight change in page layout, or posting habits, could make a huge difference!

Take a look at this Infographic on why it is important for us to pay close attention to Facebook Branding, especially now that the Timeline is active:

Top 5 Facebook Branding Tips:

1.       Create a Vanity URL for Your Facebook Page.

2.       Enhance Custom Tabs for Brand Visibility and Engagement.

3.       Optimize Your ‘About’ Section for Timeline Enhancements.

4.       Create a Cover Photo that Reflects Your Brand’s Personality.

5.       Integrate Your External Social Pages.

For help with your social media or Facebook branding, call Gemma Hentrich at 619-573-6400 for a free online marketing consultation.  Ask about our free month of social media management offer.

Google Penguin Update Alert! SEO Changes Again.

Did you hear about the new Google algorithm change on April 24, 2012?  Google says they are targeting to remove many spammy websites that are being "over-optimized".

Well, although it has a cute and fuzzy little name of Google Penguin Update, it may leave you in the cold, waddling around hopelessly wondering where your website traffic went.

To determine if you were frozen by the penquin simply check your analytics.  If no drop in traffic then you are safe.  Maybe the penguin brought you some luck and new traffic from your spammy competitor.  Lucky you!

If you were wounded by the pesky penguin, here is how you can recover:

Quality guidelines - specific guidelines from Google

 

• Avoid hidden text or hidden links.


• Don't use cloaking or sneaky redirects.


• Don't send automated queries to Google.


• Don't load pages with irrelevant keywords.


• Don't create multiple pages, subdomains, or domains with substantially duplicate content.


• Don't create pages with malicious behavior, such as phishing or installing viruses, trojans, or other badware.


• Avoid "doorway" pages created just for search engines, or other "cookie cutter" approaches such as affiliate programs with little or no original content.


• If your site participates in an affiliate program, make sure that your site adds value. Provide unique and relevant content that gives users a reason to visit your site first.

If you determine that your site doesn't meet these guidelines, you can modify your site so that it does and then submit your site for reconsideration.

For help getting new traffic to your website consider working with a local internet marketing consultant.  Call Gemma Hentrich, Marketing Pixie, today 619-573-6400.