Communication with businesses
Communicating with businesses has change over the years. There are more options available now with social media. For example, if you start a business today, it is easy to reach hundreds or thousands of people in a short period of time. Social media helps to get noticed immediately by simply uploading a video of your business, like the grand opening or a new service offered. Instagram/Facebook/TikTok have an algorithm that, within hours it can show you to a large group of people that might be interested in your business or product/service. I called it the easiest way to get in front of many people and communicate, because you can get questions and responses within minutes.
Communication with businesses in the past definitely differed; there were fewer or no details regarding the type of business to be opened. To see anything regarding the business/ product or service, you had to physically visit the location, or get a business card with some information ,and call the business for any questions, such as opening hours. Newspaper and television were also a source, but there was a limited time or area used for the communication of the business.
The type of communication I see is a mix of positive and negative comments. For example, when a business introduces a new service, I often see positive comments such as people asking about the opening hours, congratulating the business owner, or promising to visit soon to offer support. On the other hand, under pictures posted by influencers, I notice negative comments, such as people criticizing the choice of clothing or the amount of photo editing. Sometimes, I also see people arguing with each other in the comment section, telling others why their opinion is wrong.
One review I read was supportive and made me feel happy for the business. For example, someone wrote that they appreciated the friendly staff and quick service. However, I have also seen reviews that criticize things outside the business’s control, such as limited parking or delays caused by the weather. This mix of comments shows that we can choose what feedback to focus on. If we read reviews with intention, we can understand what information is useful and what is less relevant.
I rarely leave reviews, I think I did once, and I can admit it's hard when we are angry to write a review with the purpose of explaining the situation or suggesting changes. I do comment on posts on Instagram/TikTok, positive comments, because I understand how a single positive word can make a change in a person's life. I did a review for an agent on Google, and it has had many likes and views, which I'm hoping helped his service. As I'm learning now, negative reviews can hurt business, so we must post reviews with responsibility. I will now try to post reviews to help small businesses when I really like their product or service, to help them, and I would rather not comment if it's a negative thought.
If it were my business on social media, the positive comments would be easier to respond to by appreciating their comment, saying something nice back, or if another business just return the positive comment. For the negative comments, I would ask people how I can make it better. I will try to make them understand I get their point and to give us another chance to make it right, or simply ignore if it is not an actual review. Ultimately, clear and responsible communication,especially online, can help businesses grow stronger relationships with customers, gain valuable feedback, and create a positive reputation.
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