Positive reviews are incredibly fun to receive. Who doesn’t like being told they are doing a fantastic job? But that’s not the reason they’re the brightest side of social media. Positive reviews are great because they are extremely powerful marketing tools.
While it might seem irrational that consumers are influenced by online reviews from people they have never met, it actually makes sense when you consider the alternative. If you don’t personally know someone who has experience with a business, the next best alternative is someone you don’t know. It’s certainly better than no info at all.
When customers write great things about your business, they typically do so on one site. It is rare that a customer will take the time to go to several site to write a review. It is your job to spread the word.
While it is impossible to go a review site and post instead of the customer, there are places where you can use the content. On the section of your profile that you control, you can add a heading called testimonials and insert customer comments there. On your website homepage you should have customer testimonials displayed prominently. 
One great way to showcase customer testimonials on social media is to create graphic quote card with your logo and colors, and quote the customer comment in it. Graphics get higher engagement on social media and use them on most platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest). You can also get creative with quote cards; If the customer mentions an employee, take a photo of that employee and put the quote on it. Similarly with a product.
The issue of who owns content posted on your social media wall is a murky one, but the legalities are not the main issues. Best practice is that before you reuse content posted by a customer, make sure to reach out and get their permission. It is the polite and safe thing to do. A customer might react poorly to their comment being used for marketing and you definitely don’t want to alienate a customer who gave you good marks. Clearly explain where and how you plan to use the content, politely ask whether the customer agrees and if they’d like their name, partial name and location used. Offer to keep it anonymous if that makes them more comfortable. In fact, OwnerListens has a feature built into our dashboard that allows businesses to quickly and easy ask for publication permissions even when the customer is completely anonymous to them. Check it out: http://ownerlistens.com/products/shine/
Time commitment:
15-20 minutes per review
This is a great idea! Thanks! I wonder what percent of customer agree to this?
This is a note I received today that I am poitnsg for Bill: Dear Jim, This letter is way over due but here you go anyway. I purchased my from you several months ago hoping that I would find a system that truely could deliver great water consistantly with very little maintenence and infrequent filter changing. After several months of maintenance free water from your machine and the many other machines I tried previous to purchasing your system I am extremely satisfied that I spent my money very wisely on the purchase of your system. It is by far the best water system on the market and being that it is a whole house water purification system it has eliminated extra costs on additional systems for showers, laundry and other needs for pure water throughout my home. I drink approx 1 gallon of water from your water filtration system with the daily and it is by far the best tasting water that I have found. I recently took a 5 day trip to South New Jersey to visit my parents and took along a portable water filter system and my portable Grander energizer board for my water. Unfortunately in transport the filter cartridge broke and I was not able to filter my water. (I know it wasn’t water from your system but it has been the best alternative to your system for traveling. I searched the health food stores in South Jersey to try to duplicate the quality of water that I get from your system and was not able to come close. I had a feeling of bloating and I could tell that I was not hydrating my cells like I do with your water especially after I have energized it with my Grander board.The first thing I did when I got home was to drink some water that had been filtered through your system. I can’t say enough about the quality and pureness of the water from your six stage custom reverse osmosis system and would rate it 5 Stars for excellance and ease of maintenance. I was even able to install this system myself which saved me a installation fee from a plumber. My health and what I put into my body to sustain my life and to nourish me is of utmost importance to me since I totally changed my eating habits and became a lover of raw and live foods. Since the only beverage I drink is water and herb teas made with your water the quality of my water is paramount. I now sleep without any joint pain, I can run with my Grand Kids for hours on end I have consistanly maitained my 110 lb weight loss (for 4 years now) and I have never ending energy and a great positive attitude. I thank you with my whole heart for providing me with a that delivers the quality of water unsurpassed by any other system that I have ever purchased or have ever drunk water from. Thank you so very much Jim and I would recommend your whole house and kitchen system to all that would ask my opinion. I wish you continued success in your business.Respectfully, Bill McLeish Quantum Health Solutions Atlanta, GA