9 Non- Customer Reviews that Can Help You Build Business

Many business owners ask customers for reviews on a regular basis; however, customer reviews can be just the tip of the word of mouth marketing iceberg. Here are nine other sources for business-building reviews that might not have occurred to you.

Customer reviews are great. Non-customer reviews are too.

Can online reviews and ratings really help build business? Key findings from last year’s BrightLocal’s Consumer Review Survey points to the growing influence that online reviews and ratings have, especially for independent local businesses. 80% of consumers say they trust online reviews just as much as they trust personal recommendations, and 85% specifically say they read local business reviews of local businesses before purchasing.

Most business owners claim that word of mouth is their “best marketing,” but few small business owners have a marketing plan with specific strategies meant to boost word of mouth referrals. For consumers, positive and negative customer reviews about a business now play nearly as large a role in their buying decisions as personal recommendations from their family and friends.

It’s not always easy or possible to get customers to leave online reviews and 5-star ratings for your business on social networks and review sites like Yelp and Citysearch. But customer reviews aren’t the only kind of reviews that work to persuade people who are on the fence. We came up with nine other people you can ask for positive reviews that can help you build business which you may not have thought of yet.

9 Non- Customer Reviews Can Fuel Word of Mouth Marketing

1. Distributor sales consultants or manufacturer’s reps

Sales consultants who work with you over a period of time may be able to help you pinpoint and take advantage of competitive points of difference where you outshine competitors. Ask them to share their insights on what sets your business apart on review sites or to provide you with testimonials for use on social networks and other marketing collateral.

2. Other businesses near yours

It’s likely that the owners or managers of businesses with which you share a roof or which are located near you have a feel for your organizational culture, employee atmosphere or customer service. Ask them for a shout out on social networks or a short write-up about their observations to use as a testimonial.

3. Fellow members of your Chamber of Commerce, Rotary or other civic group

Ask other members of your local Chamber of Commerce, Rotary or other civic groups in which you are a member to follow your social networks and weigh in with a rating or shout out on social media. Even better, work with your local Chamber to establish a more formal process for members to participate in cooperative social marketing for and with one another.

4. Mentors

Mentors have a way of not only bringing out the best in us, but seeing what the best in us is. Ask your mentors for testimonials or online reviews that point out why shoppers should choose to do business with you.

5. Vendors and suppliers

Are you (or is your business) a trustworthy customer to your vendors and suppliers? Ask vendors and suppliers to leave a review for your business or post a testimonial on your social networks or your website about the trustworthy way in which your business conducts itself.

6. Causes you support

Chances are your business donates time, money or other resources in support of community or charitable organizations. Ask representatives from the causes you support for a shout out on social networks or a short testimonial noting their appreciation for the type of business you operate, employees who participate, etc.

7. Trainers and educators

You may participate in training, seminars, workshops and other educational events within your organization (or its parent structure) or from outside trainers and consultants. Ask for a short testimonial about your organization or about the type of training you participate in that can be shared to let your customers and prospects know how you continually strive to improve your business.

8. Your landlord

Your landlord or landlord’s agent may be able to provide a testimonial not only pointing out that your business is trustworthy, but pointing out any improvements you have invested in on behalf of your customers or by weighing in with their observations about your employee culture or level of customer service.

9. Inspectors or compliance reviewers

Do you pass inspections, accreditation visits or industry compliance reviews with flying colors? Say so! Share these types of results with your customers on social networks, your website or even as an email newsletter feature to help build trust with customers and prospects and to send the message that you “sweat the small stuff” in order to make your business the best it can be.

Your customers aren’t the only ones that love your business. Choose from among these nine unlikely sources of reviews or identify your own key stakeholders and get more reviews to help build your business with word of mouth marketing.