Tips for making the most of client reviews

Your clients have always had an opinion about you and a voice to share that opinion. Today, with online tools from blogs to customer review sites like this one, those clients can share their opinions with millions of people.

What-Customers-Say.com helps you manage those opinions and better manage your professional reputation - in an online environment.

Here, find useful tips for getting more client reviews... and managing less flattering reviews.

Get great reviews from current clients

You're doing a lot of work for people right now - so get that work to start working for you pronto. Once you've got a few great reviews, tell your clients about What-Customers-Say.com and direct them to your profile page (so they can see what other clients have loved about you). Seeing what others think of you may help them form stronger, more positive feelings about you.

Then, follow the other tips on this page to get those clients to leave you a review immediately after you've done all your work for them. The fresher their memories are of your experience, the more likely they'll leave accurate, flattering reviews for you.

Get great reviews (and more of them) from former clients

Lots of good reviews will help you get ranked higher in search results for people who are searching for their next realtor. It is definitely in your best interest to get your happiest former clients to leave reviews soon.

Start by sending an email inviting those clients you know were very happy with you to come to What-Customers-Say.com to review you. (Here's the email template to save you time.) In the email, remind clients of your best assets (e.g., you spend an average of $2500 marketing every home you list). Be sure to add a personal touch, such as asking how they're enjoying their new condo, vacation property... whatever.

After you've got about 8-10 great reviews, send invitations to the rest of your client base. Those who visit the site may read through your current reviews - and the great tone of your reviews will help set the tone for the review each consequent client leaves. Finish by sending a thank-you email to everyone who left a review. (Here's a template for that email.)

Manage negative reviews

Negative reviews happen - and that's not all bad. A balanced view of a realtor in customer reviews looks more credible to people because it provides a sense of transparency ("this realtor isn't hiding anything") and fits in with a common belief: nobody's perfect. In the world of online customer reviews, you don't have to be perfect. You just have to be honest.

So, here's tip #1: Don't sweat negative reviews.

Tip #2: If you have more negative reviews than positive reviews, it's time to get some good ones in there. Start by asking former clients (including family & friends) to leave you a review. Then, for each new client you get, finish your time with them by reminding them of what you did to help them buy/sell a home and inviting them to leave a review for you here. Be totally clear about the work you've done as, sometimes, the work realtors do is so 'soft' that people don't even understand what you're doing to earn your commission. Tell them the hours you spent marketing their home & showing it - and don't forget to quantify exactly how much cash you put into marketing or searching for their property.