5 Ways to Protect Your Business Online

As we discussed in a previous blog, having a digital and social media presence is a great way to grow your business (see How to Increase Sales in a Digital World), but once your company is active online you need to keep an eye on your brand.

Everything that is put out in the digital world is viral and can be tracked, so it’s important to be aware that what you say about yourself and your competitors can either help or potentially hurt your company. One misstep and your company reputation could be on the line (all it takes is one click to share your misfortune to others). Also, you want to be aware of what others are saying about your business online. Here are some tips to make sure you put your best face forward to your customers and followers.

1. Have a plan. If you open a Facebook or Twitter account, you will need to determine your goals and how you will use social media to promote your business. Do you want to share information, talk with customers, and promote a product or service? Once you figure that out, stick to it and determine how often you want to communicate via social media (once a week, three times a week, every day?). Ideally, you will want to maintain a steady stream of communication to build your customer following and keep them retained and engaged in your company. Plus, it’s not all about promoting your service. Engage in social conversation and post information beyond work, so it’s less corporate sounding and more human. It is also not recommended to open up accounts online, post a couple times, and then abandon it.
2. Designate one person to interact. Too many people responding via social media can get confusing. Determine one person at your company who will monitor and respond to questions or engage in conversations. Make sure you use one unified voice that best represents your company.
3. Get a policy. Speak with your lawyer and create a social media policy that guides employee use of social media.
4. Don’t air dirty laundry. Don’t get into a social fight. If someone is complaining about your service, take it offline or respond appropriately by immediately offering to help in a non-threatening way.
5. Be responsive. The digital world is all about getting answers quickly, so it’s important to be timely with your responses. They will remember the customer experience and may even share it with their friends. You will want to make sure to set up social media notifications so even if you are out in the field, you will instantly know when a customer posted, messaged, commented, or liked you on social media.   You can also set up Google news alerts so you’ll know whenever your company is mentioned online.

By embracing the online and social landscape, you can help grow and promote your business and be readily available to respond to your customers.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com/blog/2015/06/03/5-ways-to-protect-your-business-online/

Ways to Increase Your Impact in the Community

As a contractor, you are a member of the community. You live and work in the area and have a unique opportunity to form relationships and make a difference in your neighborhood. Here are some ways to boost your visibility, position yourself as being socially responsible, and commit yourself to helping to build the local community.

• Partner with Habitat for Humanity to build and renovate affordable homes for families in need. Over 460 GAF Master Elite® and Certified™ Contractors have signed up for the partnership program to provide professional roof installation for Habitat for Humanity houses. Contractors who participate receive access to special logos for marketing their affiliation with the organization.
• Become a Certified Green Roofer™, a designation that recognizes environmental leaders. An affiliation of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), this program enhances your positioning as an environmentally responsible contractor. All you need to do is commit to recycling shingles and to the sustainability of your roofing business, join the local chapter of the USGBC and complete an education course as a member of USGBC. Learn more about the program and read our blog post about the benefits of shingle recycling.
• Participate in the national No Roof Left Behind program to bring local communities and contractors together to help families in need. Local citizens nominate a family in need to win a new roof. GAF donates the materials and the contractor supplies the labor. Only one contractor per county can participate in the program. View recent roofing installations by  GAF Master Elites, and certified professionals in a photo gallery; including a recent installation by Earl W. Johnston Roofing. Learn more atwww.noroofleftbehind.com.

All of these programs will not only help your business and increase your credibility in the community, but will make you feel good about stepping up and making a difference.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com/blog/2015/06/03/ways-to-increase-your-impact-in-the-community/