The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is joining with Yelp to offer a free, two-part online reputation management training webinar program to help small business owners learn how to better manage their online reputation and how to manage online reviews. The first webinar is scheduled to take place on Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. EST. The second webinar is scheduled for Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. EST.
According to a 2013 BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey (see chart above), 85% of consumers say that they read online reviews for local businesses (up from 76% in 2012). The SBA and Yelp webinars are intended to provide reputation management training for small business owners adjust to the challenges of online reviews and take advantage of new opportunities to engage with customers online.
The hour-long webinars will cover:
- How to get started with online review sites
- How a small business can join the conversations that are happening about their businesses online
- How to handle negative feedback and respond to reviews
- How to generate more buzz by creating exciting promotions and monitoring customer leads
Click on this link to register for the Feb. 11 webinar: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/668501351. This webinar will feature a home service industry business that is building a strong online reputation.
Click on this link to register for the Feb. 25 webinar: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/917749319. This webinar will feature a food-based business that is building a strong online reputation.
I know these webinars are over a year old, but did they ever make a digital course available to anyone, anytime?