You have most likely heard the saying, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” What does this mean to you? Do you believe this involves your reputation? What do people think of when they are considering your business? Do you believe your reputation precedes you?  Today, with so many businesses in the marketplace and the onslaught of technology and social media your reputation is definitely a part of this equation.

So here are 3 ways to earn a great reputation:

1. Do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it! I know that is definitely a mouthful, but very important. Your customers are trusting you to meet the deliverables that you have promised them. Remember, it’s all about providing great customer service which means going the extra mile. Customer service is all about what you do and how you do it. You want to be known as the person that can get the job done and done well.

2. Be authentic! Today, with the avalanche of messages that customers are bombarded with; it can be hard to decipher between those that are authentic versus not authentic. Therefore, it is important for you to keep your authentic voice by being a business that customers enjoy, continue to support, and will gladly give referrals.

3. Be accessible! One of the most disappointing things that can happen when you are considering a potential business is the lack of urgency or responsiveness. One could think does this person want my business because they have not responded? It can be very frustrating when your inquiry or message goes into the abyss. It is important to be responsive, if you receive an inquiry about your product or service, you should respond timely. If you are having problems keeping up with your customers (consider a Virtual Assistant, okay shameless plug) then you should adopt methods and strategies to stay in touch in a timely and consistent manner.

A great reputation is important because you want people to value your product or service and what you bring to the marketplace.  Remember, word of mouth is one of the biggest promotions that you can receive from your customers. You want that reputation to be one that speaks to the quality of the service, product, and experience.  Reputation isn’t a one-time thing but requires a consistent effort in continuing to build. So be sure to protect it, nurture it, and grow it!