Question from a subscriber: “Should I spend some time asking my clients for Google Reviews? There is one ‘advisor’ I know who has 30 FINRA disclosures and yet a 4.9 Google rating.”

Google reviews offer two marketing super wows:

• Social credibility
• Improvement of your Google rank

And…facts…

There are crooks out there getting attention online just because they are willing to put effort into this.

(sigh)

Take these actions TODAY:

• There are very specific rules about how to actively solicit a Google review, from a compliance perspective. Ask your compliance officer or lawyer.
• The Google review is just one part of what you need to do to rank. Can you please read this blogso I can teach you about the other things you should be doing?
• While you can hope that they’ll all be Peter Cetera 80s love ballads, the reality is that if you are going to get reviews, be ready to deal with bad ones. See what your lawyer suggests, but usually it is best to apologize but not to get into a beef on the specifics then and there.
• If there is a review posted that goes against Google’s policies, (if they said a cuss word or something), you can try to get it removed. But it’s just a plain old bad review, you’ll have to close your eyes and lend them your hand because that burning may be an eternal flame.

Sara’s upshot

Reviews are a form of social credibility but it’s part of a total online package.

Here are some blogs that can help you be the Beyonce of financial advisor internet marketing, lol:

• Google tips for financial advisors
• Financial advisor Google website tips
• Sample advisor website template

Yeah?

Yaaaaah.

And by the way, remember to consult with your compliance officer or lawyer before taking any actions regarding Google reviews. What I’ve said here can’t be interpreted as compliance advice specific to any one particular individual.

BOOM – there you go, today’s marketing tip for ya!

-Sara G

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Or if you want more…

• I am an outsourced CMO for companies who need regular, full service marketing – blogging, social media posts, newsletters, etc.
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• People hire me as a ghostwriter to write content for a project fee
• I have a social media training program
• I have a book about what to say on LinkedIn messenger

Thanks for reading. See you in the next one!

-Sara G

Grillo Investment Management, LLC will strive to maintain current information however it may become out of date. Grillo Investment Management, LLC is under no obligation to advise users of subsequent changes to statements or information contained herein. This information is general in nature; for specific advice applicable to your current situation please contact a consultant or advisor. Nothing on this website shall be construed as compliance or legal advice of any sort; for such advice, consult with your compliance officer or attorney.

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