Online reviews help you attract new clients and team members, but not if the fear of a negative review stops you from asking.

We believe all advice and planning firms should collect reviews on both Google and VouchedFor. If recruitment is important to you, add Glassdoor to the mix as well.

Your reviews will impress potential clients and team members on their digital journey to your door. It’s why Marcus Sheridan believes that 70% of a consumer’s buying decision is made before someone meets you. And there’s plenty of research to show the value of online reviews.

However, something is holding many advisers and planners back.

Fear.

Specifically, the fear of getting a negative review.

Some worry because they’ve never asked for reviews before, others dislike the lack of control over what their clients will say, while I’m convinced some always think the worst will happen.

Fortunately, the reality is very different.

Negative reviews are always unsolicited

In the eight years since we started Yardstick, I have never seen a client leave a negative review after the adviser or planner has made the first move and asked. The worst that happens is that the request is ignored.

That doesn’t mean clients, prospects, and employees don’t leave negative reviews.

They do, but they are always unsolicited. In other words, they’ve become so dissatisfied that they’ve taken the initiative and gone online to express their feelings.

Still not convinced? Let’s look at it another way.

If you have a Google Business Profile, and most firms do, prospects and clients can leave you a negative review anytime. Has it happened yet? Almost certainly not.

And you don’t even need a Trustpilot or Glassdoor review for dissatisfied clients and employees to leave a review there. Again, you probably haven’t had any.

So, if you were going to get a negative review, it almost certainly would have happened already, and proactively asking won’t suddenly motivate people to start ranting about you online.

However, it will result in plenty of positive reviews, which you can use to boost your marketing.

So if you’re worried about asking for online reviews, please stop.

Only good things will happen when you do.

We promise!

Here to help

If you want more online reviews, we’re here to help.

We’ll recommend the right platforms, run a “booster” project that always leads to a large influx of reviews, and tell you how to keep them topped up.

To learn more, email hi@theyardstickagency.co.uk or call 01156 8965 300.