If you don't like the story, change the story.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago in my blog, User Generated content has changed how we evaluate information on the Internet.  This was the basis for my lecture to a room full of cosmetic surgeons in Tulsa, OK a few weeks ago.  And, the response was extreme.  Everyone immediately understood the impact of reviews and comments by...

As I mentioned a few weeks ago in my blog, User Generated content has changed how we evaluate information on the Internet.  This was the basis for my lecture to a room full of cosmetic surgeons in Tulsa, OK a few weeks ago.  And, the response was extreme.  Everyone immediately understood the impact of reviews and comments by patients these days

To review, User Generated content is opinion commentary written by Internet users.  We see it in Facebook posts, Tweets, other social comments and in places like review web sites.   The biggest negative comment I hear about User Generated Content is that it is not accurate.  In the case of a negative patient review of a doctor, many doctors do not think the reviews are accurate, fair or informed.  They are often one-sided (as opinions are) and sometimes border on being defamatory.

In the case of negative reviews, people ask the same questions.  Can we have them removed?  How can we minimize them?  Should we respond?  First off, on most review sites, only the person leaving the review can remove the review.  Second, I don’t recommend responding.  Why draw attention to it? And would you engage in an argument in public?  Of course not.

So, what is one to do?  The answer is basic public relations.  If you don’t like the story... change the story.  If the story online is negative (fair, unfair or otherwise), tell a positive story.  And, if you are going to do that, tell many positive stories, do it more frequently and do it more widely.  This is the basis of our Online Review Manager program.  It fights fire with fire.  In the case of negative reviews, our program helps you change the story with many authentic positive reviews.   Our clients receive the benefits of dozens of positive reviews posted around the web in strategically chosen places.    It’s a great way to maintain positive word of mouth and to manage the potential exposure you have due of User Generated content posts you cannot control.

If you are interested in trying our Online Review Manager Program, please contact me today at donald@dogstarmedia.com.   We will be happy to help you.