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Changes Come to Yelp

Posted by cgseo under Social Media

Changes Come to Yelp This content from: Duct Tape Marketing Marketing podcast with Luther Lowe (Click to play or right click and “Save As” to download – Subscribe now via iTunes The online review site Yelp has come under fire of late for practices that have been described by some small business owners as heavy handed in an effort to use the ratings and reviews process as a tool to sell advertising. Yelp responded recently by formalizing a host of changes aimed at clarifying practices that are much more business friendly. I spoke with Luther Lowe , Business Outreach Manager at Yelp, for this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing podcast and he explains the roots of reviews, and just how hard Yelp is working to make the site valuable to both businesses and consumers. I think it’s worth noting that Yelp does not aggregate its reviews to Google as sites such as CitySearch does. Yelp has carved out an important and independent voice and, despite recent legal woes, is a tool that small business marketers need to embrace. At the center of Yelp’s controversy is something called filtered reviews. Yelp uses an algorithm to help fight review spam. The goal is that all reviews be true reviews from true customers. They’ve developed some ways to spot phony and stimulated reviews and they’ve always filtered these out. As with any automated process, some real reviews certainly get removed. Businesses that saw their positive reviews removed while negative ones remained cried foul. One of the biggest changes Yelp made to address this issue was adding the ability to see reviews filtered by the review filter . The second change made at Yelp was intended to address the notion that businesses that advertised on Yelp were somehow treated better in the review process and the flip side, those that did not advertise were punished. At the center of this was something called the Favorite review. Advertisers on Yelp were offered the ability to pick an existing review of their business and move it to the top as a favorite. This practice fueled the perception that advertisers could manipulate the review process. Yelp has discontinued the Favorite Review feature as part of their advertising package. In the words of Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman – “Lifting the veil on our review filter and doing away with “Favorite Review” will make it even clearer that displayed reviews on Yelp are completely independent of advertising — or any sort of manipulation.” Full post here Yelp has also initiated an series of educational workshops aimed at teaching small business owners how to get more out of Yelp. The Yelp Business Owners Guide is another great place to find more info as well. Additionally, in an effort to more formally integrate feedback from the business community, Yelp created a Small Business Advisory Council whose members will provide Yelp management with guidance and perspective regarding the concerns of small business owners. Some of the changes at Yelp may have come as reaction to the recent allegations by small business owners, but I’ve followed this company for some time now and truly believe they are committed to creating a service that is fair and valuable to both business owner and consumer alike. Related Posts: Local Review Success Hits Speed Bump Yelp! Changing the Local Game Some More Your Pizza Sucks And . . . 5 Ways to Rock Customer Review Sites Social Search Gaining Steam Powered by Contextual Related Posts Like this post? Share it with others

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Changes Come to Yelp

Follow-up Is the Momentum Building Power Tool

Posted by cgseo under Social Media

Share Follow-up Is the Momentum Building Power Tool This content from: Duct Tape Marketing Woody Allen was attributed with the quote – “eighty percent of success is showing up” but I would add that in marketing it’s all about following up. Most marketers get that at the most basic level – you send out a mailing, someone asks for more information, and you jump on the phone and try to sell them something. That’s not really what I’m talking about when it comes to follow-up. Follow-up is a mindset that must pervade every process and touch every constituent group in your business. Consistent communication by virtue of relevant follow-up is more of a way of life than a tactic. Below are some ways that you can take you follow-up to the next level. With Prospects Use autoresponders to send a series of emails or snail mails to prospects over time. This is fine way to stay top of mind and continue to build trust. Several email services such as SwiftPage and Infusionsoft can change the path of emails based on the recipient’s action so you can deliver the right information. Connect your prospects into your CRM software and add their social media activity. Few things allow you to start connecting faster than follow-up that’s informed. Don’t forget to connect with these same prospects in networks such as Facebook and LinkedIn With Customers Create an autoresonder email series that provides additional training for products and services purchased. Follow up with additional company information in the form of an orientation package Create a follow-up process that allows you to assess with your customer the results you were able to bring Bring small groups of customers together to allow them to network and discuss business challenges Send handwritten notes of thanks to every customer With Referrals A referred lead is a special lead. Design a follow-up process specifically for referred leads. Let them know they are special, make them a special deal or referral gift. They will remember this process when they become a referral source too. With Referral Sources Follow-up to show your appreciation to anyone that sends a referral your way. You can even created tiered responses – movie tickets for a referred lead, giant bouquet for a lead that becomes a client Use the moment that a client tells you about a referral as way to follow-up and ask for a testimonial Follow up with your referral sources by communicating how a referred lead turned out, if it was the right kind of referral, the results they helped their friend get because they referred them. This is what keeps the referral tap flowing and underscores your emphasis on results. With Suppliers Create a communication vehicle to keep your suppliers and vendors in the loop about what’s going on at your business. I’m amazed at how often this can turn up opportunities and referrals. With Staff Add a process that forces you to conduct all hands follow-up (training) that keeps your staff involved in the marketing strategy, tactics, message and results. This once a month or once a quarter event can be the best team building follow-up process you could ever create. Set-up training auto responders that supplement your standard training routines. So, what kinds of follow-up could you add? Image credit: quinn.anya Related Posts: Now That’s a Lead of a Different Color Design and Operate a Referral System The Ultimate Referral System in 7 Steps Design and Operate a Referral System – part 2 The Highly Engaged Referral Powered by Contextual Related Posts Like this post? Share it with others

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Follow-up Is the Momentum Building Power Tool

The age of social networking – Leadership Magazine

Posted by cgseo under Social Media

Walyou (blog) The age of social networking Leadership Magazine The massive adoption of social media such as Facebook and Twitter has impacted the way we live and work – even when we are not online. … TGC '10: Why Twitter and Facebook Are Key for Games Marketing Escapist Magazine New Reports Underscore Benefits of Social Marketing ClickZ News Tech Beat: Use a Web site to engage your visitors Times-Standard Black Web 2.0

TGC ’10: Why Twitter and Facebook Are Key for Games Marketing – Escapist Magazine

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Nanaimo Daily News TGC '10: Why Twitter and Facebook Are Key for Games Marketing Escapist Magazine Though Ms. Beasley said that the goal of social media marketing and PR was the same as traditional methods – to get your product out in front of as many … New Reports Underscore Benefits of Social Marketing ClickZ News Social Media Overload in Marketing Your Business or Project Black Web 2.0 Social Media: An Inside Look at the People Who Use It Retail Customer Experience mediabistro.com (blog)

Trade Show Events Social Media Marketing Customer Interaction – Appolicious

Posted by cgseo under Social Media

Trade Show Events Social Media Marketing Customer Interaction Appolicious You already have a corporate Twitter account, and perhaps a FaceBook page, blog, YouTube account, etc. Just set up a fresh iPhone or Droid as your … and more