Speaker 1: 0:19

Welcome back to the Rainmaker's Edge Perspective. You know we're always talking about staying ahead of the curve, here and today. Well, today we're diving deep into a topic that's probably on the minds of a lot of you listening Online reviews, oh yeah, those online reviews, Everyone loves them right. Right, but it's not just about getting those five stars anymore. It's about understanding how consumer behavior towards those reviews has shifted, how it's evolved, especially as we all look ahead to growing our businesses even more in 2025.

Speaker 2: 0:52

For sure, and I think this deep dive is going to be particularly insightful for those of you out there who are thinking about maybe even testing YouTube as an advertising channel.

Speaker 1: 1:00

Absolutely. So, to get us started, we've been pouring over some really interesting, some really insightful research from Bright Local.

Speaker 2: 1:06

Bright Local. Yeah, they're kind of a big deal in the world of local search.

Speaker 1: 1:09

They are, and they've done something really impressive here. They've analyzed 15 years worth of data, 15 years on, how consumers actually use online reviews.

Speaker 2: 1:19

That's a huge data set and it gives us a really clear picture of the long-term trends. Brett Local's been tracking this stuff for so long that they can actually pinpoint these subtle shifts in consumer behavior. It's almost like watching a movie in slow motion you really see how things are developing and helps us to really understand where everything's headed.

Speaker 1: 1:39

Exactly. It's like having a crystal ball, almost. But you know, one of the things that jumped out at me right away was something I wasn't really expecting. I just assumed you know researching local businesses online. That would just keep going up and up and up.

Speaker 2: 1:53

Right Like more and more people going online.

Speaker 1: 1:55

Exactly, but it turns out after hitting its peak back in 2020, you remember during the pandemic. Well, since then, it's actually declined. Researching local businesses online, it's gone down.

Speaker 2: 2:09

Yeah, it seems counterintuitive at first, right, but when you think about it it actually makes a lot of sense. Because the pandemic, well, it really changed how we all shop, and those changes they're sticking around. Well, think about QR codes. Remember how those exploded in popularity? They became, I mean, the primary way for people to get information.

Speaker 1: 2:27

Oh yeah, you see them everywhere now Restaurants, stores, even like museums.

Speaker 2: 2:32

Exactly, and remember during those lockdowns a lot of the online searches that people were doing. They were very specific Is this business even open? Do they offer curbside pickup, things like that? So it was less about discovering new places and more about just figuring out how to get what you needed when you needed it, like basic survival stuff, almost.

Speaker 1: 2:50

Yeah, and it was a really tough time for businesses. I mean just to put it in perspective, Yelp reported that 60 percent, 60 percent of the businesses in their index closed permanently during the pandemic Just gone.

Speaker 2: 3:02

Wow.

Speaker 1: 3:03

It really makes you think about how drastically things shifted.

Speaker 2: 3:06

Yeah, for sure. I mean that level of disruption had to have an impact, had to have a ripple effect on how people interact with businesses online, how they search for them, how they review them, everything.

Speaker 1: 3:17

So, okay, here's where things start to get really interesting the Bright Local study. Here's where things start to get really interesting. The Bright Local study it found that consumers are now putting less emphasis on those perfect five-star ratings and they're also not as focused on how recent the reviews are. You know, at first glance you might think oh, that's bad news for businesses.

Speaker 2: 3:39

Yeah, you'd think so, wouldn't you Like, you want those perfect scores.

Speaker 1: 3:42

Exactly. But here's the thing it might actually be good news.

Speaker 2: 3:47

Good news how so?

Speaker 1: 3:49

Well, the study suggests that consumers are actually becoming more discerning. They're getting smarter about reviews. They understand now that even the best businesses they're going to have an off day every now and then.

Speaker 2: 4:00

Makes sense.

Speaker 1: 4:01

And let's face it, some reviewers they can be pretty harsh. Maybe they had a bad day, Maybe they're just, you know, one of those people who loves to complain. Whatever the reason, consumers are starting to see through that a bit more.

Speaker 2: 4:11

I've heard that. I've heard people say that sometimes a 4.9 star rating it actually feels more trustworthy than a perfect five. Yeah, Like it feels more authentic, more real, Like it actually reflects a range of experiences you know.

Speaker 1: 4:24

That's so interesting. It's like they're looking for a more balanced picture. They don't just want the highlight reel, they want to see the behind the scenes stuff too.

Speaker 2: 4:30

Right, it's like they're reading between the lines a little bit more. Trying to get a sense of what the business is really like, not just what it wants to project.

Speaker 1: 4:38

And here's something else that really caught my eye Cons caught my eye.

Speaker 2: 4:44

Consumers are actually more willing to write reviews now, even if they haven't written one in the past year. Really, that's great news. It means people are more engaged, more eager to share their experiences, good or bad.

Speaker 1: 4:52

And that's huge for local businesses.

Speaker 2: 4:54

Absolutely, and it means you've got to capitalize on that and encourage it. Make it easy for them to leave those reviews, remind them, ask them, especially those happy customers. Mark MIRCHANDANI.

Speaker 1: 5:03

And where should those reviews be going?

Speaker 2: 5:05

MELANIE WARRICK. Well, google Business Profile, that's still the king those reviews. They directly impact your visibility in local search results, so make sure you're actively soliciting reviews there. Don't be shy about it.

Speaker 1: 5:18

OK, so Google is still top dog, but what about all those other platforms? Is it still just a Google world out there? Because I've heard things are changing.

Speaker 2: 5:29

You're right, Things are changing. While Google is still at the top, we are seeing a decline in Facebook's influence when it comes to reviews. Yelp is still around stable, but their engagement levels aren't what they used to be.

Speaker 1: 5:43

Interesting. So if it's not just about Google anymore, where are these reviews going? Where are people looking?

Speaker 2: 5:48

Well, what's really interesting is the rise of these alternative review platforms. I mean YouTube, local news outlets, even social media. They're all becoming players in the review game.

Speaker 1: 5:59

Yeah, that makes sense. It feels like the lines are starting to blur, you know, between those traditional review sites and these other platforms, like it's all just becoming part of this big conversation online.

Speaker 2: 6:08

Yeah, and the source we looked at. They even asked what does a consumer care about the definition of a review platform? Really? I mean, a testimonial is a testimonial, right. It doesn't really matter where it shows up online, does it?

Speaker 1: 6:20

I guess not as long as people are seeing it right.

Speaker 2: 6:22

That's a good point, but I do think there's something to be said for those dedicated review sites. You know they often have much stronger systems in place to make sure the reviews are actually real and that they're not being manipulated, something that you might not find on other platforms.

Speaker 1: 6:36

Yeah, you're right, and we've all seen examples of those platforms not catching fake reviews right Like just a few weeks ago. There was that whole issue with Google reviews, where legitimate reviews were disappearing.

Speaker 2: 6:49

Oh yeah.

Speaker 1: 6:51

And business scores were being affected, and then those reviews suddenly reappeared. It was chaos.

Speaker 2: 6:57

It shows you that even those big platforms, those trusted platforms, they're not perfect.

Speaker 1: 7:01

Right, they're not foolproof, and it makes you think well, how much can we really rely on them?

Speaker 2: 7:05

good question.

Speaker 1: 7:06

So, okay, we've talked about google, we've talked about these alternative platforms, but there's one platform in particular that I'm really excited about, and it's one that might surprise you, because the study revealed that youtube is actually emerging as the second most popular alternative review source. Youtube Wow, I know right, video testimonials. They're becoming incredibly influential. People want to see and hear those real experiences.

Speaker 2: 7:31

Absolutely Video. It's just such a powerful medium. It lets you connect with people on a much deeper level. It feels more personal, more authentic, and those are the kinds of connections that build trust. And ultimately, that's what it's all about, right Building trust with potential customers.

Speaker 1: 7:46

Exactly, and that's where I want to connect this directly back to you, our listeners, especially those of you who are intrigued by YouTube as an advertising channel. If you're getting those enthusiastic five-star reviews, don't hesitate to ask those happy customers.

Speaker 2: 8:00

Hey, would you be willing to share your experience in a short video testimonial.

Speaker 1: 8:04

It's a really easy thing to ask too, but I think it can make a big difference Because those video testimonials they add something that you just can't really get from a text review A level of authenticity, like you're seeing the real person, hearing their voice. It just makes it more real. Yeah, for sure it's more believable and it kind of taps into how people are consuming content these days. You know, everything's so visual now and, honestly, who has time to read through tons of reviews?

Speaker 2: 8:32

Exactly, and video is just. It's more engaging, it's easier to connect with and, from a practical standpoint, you're not just getting a review, you're getting content that you can use on your social media, on your website.

Speaker 1: 8:48

So review you're getting content that you can use on your social media, on your website, so it's a win-win really. So we've talked about how online reviews are changing and how video testimonials are becoming more and more important, but what does all this mean for local businesses Like? What's the big takeaway here?

Speaker 2: 8:53

Well, I think the biggest takeaway from this Bright Local study is that you've got to have a multi-platform approach. It's not enough to just focus on Google or Yelp or whatever your favorite review site is. You need to be visible and engaged across all those platforms Traditional review sites, social media, video platforms like YouTube. You got to be everywhere.

Speaker 1: 9:12

And that's where a tool like Rainmaker Reputation AI CRM can really be a game changer right. Because managing your reputation online across all those platforms, that's a lot.

Speaker 2: 9:23

It can feel overwhelming, for sure, and that's why that's why we're so excited about Reputation Genius AI. It's our, it's our intelligent tool that's designed specifically to help local businesses businesses just like yours take control of their online presence, really make it work for them.

Speaker 1: 9:38

Now, for those of you who might not be familiar with Reputation Genius AI, can you give us a quick rundown of what makes it so special, what makes it so powerful?

Speaker 2: 9:45

Sure, I think one of the best things about Reputation Genius AI is that it helps you collect more reviews, which is, I mean, it's essential in today's competitive landscape More reviews, more visibility. But it goes way beyond that. It doesn't just collect the reviews, it helps you actually use those reviews to boost your visibility and to build trust with potential customers.

Speaker 1: 10:05

So how does it do that? Can you give us a concrete example?

Speaker 2: 10:08

Absolutely so. Let's say, you get a glowing five-star review on Google right Reputation. Genius AI, it can take that review automatically and repost it to Facebook, instagram, twitter, even and it adds these eye-catching graphics to make it stand out really grab people's attention.

Speaker 1: 10:25

Oh, that's cool. So it's like it's doing the work for you. You don't have to go and manually share those reviews across all those different platforms.

Speaker 2: 10:32

Exactly. It saves you a ton of time and it makes sure that those positive reviews, those amazing reviews that you're getting, they're reaching as many people as possible. And it doesn't stop there it can also automatically respond to reviews in a way that's optimized for search engines. So it not only saves you time, but it makes sure that you're presenting your business in the best possible light.

Speaker 1: 10:53

I think that's something a lot of business owners struggle with, right Like finding the time to respond to every single review. It can be tough, especially if you're already busy running your business. So that automatic response feature, I bet that's a lifesaver.

Speaker 2: 11:06

Oh, it is. And there's one more feature that I think is really really cool Reputation Genius AI. It actually gives you NFC cards.

Speaker 1: 11:14

NFC cards.

Speaker 2: 11:15

Yeah, and these cards make it super easy for your customers to leave reviews like right then and there. So all they have to do is tap their phone on the card and it takes them right to your Google Business Business profile and they can leave a review just like that.

Speaker 1: 11:28

I love that. It just takes all the friction out of the process because, let's face it, even if you have really satisfied customers, they might forget to leave a review, or maybe they just don't want to go through the hassle of finding your page or figure out how to leave a review. These NSC cards, they make it so simple, so easy.

Speaker 2: 11:45

Exactly and it works. We've seen businesses just by using Reputation Genius AI. They've seen a huge increase, a really significant increase, in the number of reviews that they're collecting. It's all about like making it as easy as possible for those customers to share their positive experiences.

Speaker 1: 12:02

It sounds like Reputation Genius. Ai is like this all-in-one tool that really tackles a lot of those challenges, those pain points that local businesses have when it comes to managing their online reputation, especially now that video is becoming such a big deal.

Speaker 2: 12:16

It really is and, the best part, it's always evolving. We're always looking for new ways to use technology to help businesses succeed, to help them stand out, especially as the digital landscape you know it's always changing, it's always evolving.

Speaker 1: 12:30

So, for our listeners out there who are intrigued by this, what's the best way to learn more about Reputation? Genius AI.

Speaker 2: 12:37

Well, the best way is to head over to our website. You can find all the details about Reputation Genius AI there. See how it works. You can even schedule a demo get a firsthand look at what it can do.

Speaker 1: 12:48

Sounds good and I know a lot of our listeners. You know they're really interested in how to use those video testimonials, especially with YouTube becoming such a popular place for local reviews.

Speaker 2: 12:59

Oh yeah, that's smart and Reputation Genius AI. It can definitely help you take advantage of that. We're always looking for ways to add new features, you know, features that keep up with all the latest trends, and video Video's at the top of that list.

Speaker 1: 13:10

It's really cool to see how technology can help local businesses you know connect with their customers in new ways.

Speaker 2: 13:16

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 13:16

In ways that are actually engaging, that actually work. So, as we wrap up our deep dive here into the world of online reviews, I want to leave you with one final thought, something to think about, of online reviews. I want to leave you with one final thought, something to think about. How could you use video testimonials to really elevate your business, to take it to the next level as we move into 2025?

Speaker 2: 13:36

and beyond. That's a really good question. Think about the impact that a well-made video testimonial could have. It could be the thing that convinces someone to choose your business, you know, to finally say, okay, this is the one.

Speaker 1: 13:48

Because it's all about making that connection Right, that human connection, and building trust. And video video is really powerful for that.

Speaker 2: 13:55

For sure. So, as you go about your day, I really encourage you to think about some creative ways to use video testimonials in your marketing. You know how can you make them work for you.

Speaker 1: 14:04

And remember the team here at Rainmaker Reputation AICRM. We're here to help every step of the way. We're passionate about helping local businesses like yours thrive in this crazy digital world.

Speaker 2: 14:16

Thanks for joining us on the Rainmaker's Edge Perspective. We'll see you next time.