Over the past few months, you may have heard the term, “Cancel Culture”. Gaining traction with the Coronavirus, the Black Lives Matter movement, and a slew of other political happenings rocking the nation, cancel culture has overtaken our collective perception of public figures and businesses whether we asked for it or not. This public shaming and “canceling” has undoubtedly demoralized our hard-won freedom of speech we all understand as the very framework of our unique American democracy.
“Cancel culture refers to the popular practice of withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. [It’s] generally discussed as being performed on social media in the form of group shaming.” Described by Katie Camero, Miami Herald.
So how do these personal attacks and the widespread quieting of people, corporations, and businesses affect our collective experience as Americans? Many see this censorship and sensitivity for personal opinion or unadulterated thought as creating a culture in which nothing is safe from public scrutiny, a world in which anything you say on a public platform is sure to trigger someone somewhere. This public cancelation of celebrities, political leaders, tv shows, novels, authors, and businesses has stripped people’s right to be an individual and share honest thoughts. In addition to public figures, thousands of businesses over the last year have gone from thriving to barely surviving simply due to a comment or a picture that was posted, a small, out of context snippet of opinion that was exploited and shared across every major platform.
Coronavirus, cancel culture, and racial protests have undoubtedly had an impact on businesses, predominantly small businesses that rely on localism and regular customers to sustain them. Because mega corporations and franchises have dominated the market share over the past six months during the global pandemic, boutique businesses have already taken a big hit. Smaller companies and startups have struggled to stay afloat for many reasons since the beginning of the new year. Whether they were “canceled”, had difficulty transitioning to a new online way of business, or simply couldn’t deliver in this changed world, these businesses are in dire need of some serious reputation management.
What feeds into Reputation?
- Quality of product/service
- Online presence
- Company values/mission statement
- Consistent marketing both digital and physical
- Ability to deliver product/service on time
- Return/refund policy and customer relationships
- Brand ambassadors/influencers
- Collective opinion
As the owner of a company or small business, it is crucial to have a good grip on reputation management. By working with an accomplished PPC management company Culver City, or a PPC management company Beverly Hills, you can rebuild your brand, free from negative reviews and bad collective perception. A great reputation does wonders for business with word of mouth marketing and online referrals (through Instagram, Pinterest, etc) being the most effective. When you have a damaged reputation, your chances of securing new followers, leads, and sales are lost. Additionally, you end up losing current customers, and you struggle to repair the defacement to your business. To fix these issues, consider hiring an SEO company in Santa Monica. A great Social media marketing company in Santa Monica can get you back to ranking high, inspiring followers, and driving sales.
Due to these initial hurdles, many small shops, restaurants, and businesses have had real difficulties with their brand reputation management. Not simply because they were just starting out on eCommerce platforms, but also because a lot of silly mistakes, product delays, and controversial statements caused unnecessary stress for the consumer. These stresses led to negative reviews, bad collective perception through word of mouth, and ultimately, a damaged brand identity. Unfortunately, many issues arose during the first few weeks and months of the crisis that ended up badly damaging the reputation of these smaller businesses, which heavily rely on community support and reviews to build a good reputation. As a business owner dealing with a damaged reputation, it’s time to start repairing some of the damage and get back on your feet. Luckily, you can work with a well-versed Online Reputation Management Service Los Angeles to get help with this integral facet of your business. A great SEO agency will work with you and your damaged reviews, your online marketing strategy, and rescale your business for success. Visit I Think An Idea to check out one of Los Angeles’s premier digital marketing agencies. As a boutique SEO agency, we tailor our services to each and every client, understanding that digital marketing is not a one size fits all service. Book a free consultation and ignite your brand potential today!
Call Now