The world of business is a tough one. Even if a company has reached a very successful position, it can suffer from bad publicity at any time.
Unfortunately, negative publicity can be caused due to circumstances beyond your control, such as someone spilling insider information or a false rumor going out of hand.
Statistics say businesses with only one negative article on the net can risk losing up to 22% of their customers, but there are always ways to fix your public image. Using a few creative tips and tricks, you can also turn your negative PR into a positive one!
1. Don’t be defensive
The biggest mistake most businesses make after receiving backlash is defending it. It’s human instinct to get defensive and even play offense when someone attacks you. But remember, your entire company is at stake, along with its employees and, most importantly, your hard work.
You should balance defense and offense instead of shooting back at the people who caused the uproar.
Understand the gravity of the situation, especially if the company is at fault. Issue a public apology and explain why your company took the steps it did. Then, explain the corrective measures that you’re planning to take.
2. Analyze the things being said
One other important tip to keep in mind is to analyze every bit of negative news being said or published about your company or its brands.
Yes, it’ll feel uncomfortable, but if you decide to shut your eyes and ears, things will get worse.
If you truly wish to turn things around and re-establish your company, you have first to understand why negative things are being said.
For example, if your audience keeps saying that the service time of your store isn’t good enough, work on improving it. Your customers aren’t just a source of revenue for you; they are your lifeline. So, listen to them carefully.
3. Provide the right answers
In many cases, negative publicity can be based on things your company hasn’t even done. In these situations, you have to highlight the integrity of your company and how inaccurate information can cause distrust and problems among customers.
For this, you need to be prepared with a well-thought-out speech, highlighting accurate information and numbers.
However, make sure that these clarifications don’t seem too defensive and are instead directed at solving the core problem. If you sound too aggressive, your stakeholders will likely not do business with you, even if what you said was right.
4. Prepare the team involved
If you want to put out the fire, you have to do it fast. And the best way to handle a situation like negative publicity is to have your entire team updated with every single detail of the problem.
When a major crisis occurs, the company CEO is generally appointed as the spokesperson. However, in case they aren’t available or might not be the right fit for a public declaration and apology, it’s always good to have backup plans.
Appoint someone who can handle the situation calmly and stay humble. Brief the crisis management team on what they have to do and how they should do it.
5. Talk to a PR agency
If the negative publicity just doesn’t seem to subside, it might be a good idea to hire a third-party agency to handle the matter. This way, you’ll not only be able to focus on the daily operations and sales of the company, but you’ll also give the matter over to experts.
Seek an experienced pr agency in dubai that has professional expertise in these matters and is connected with several media outlets. They’ll do a thorough background check of your company, as well as the problem at hand, and come up with various solutions that you can take into account.
6. Be honest and accountable
When you’re dealing with negative publicity, there’s nothing worse than lying about it. Being transparent has to be a company leader’s greatest strength, especially when it comes to handling sensitive situations.
If you issue a public apology but mess with the numbers and provide incorrect details, the media, and social activists will smell the lie from afar and put you in a worse position.
On the other hand, holding yourself accountable and being truthful can make the public sympathize with you and provide you with an opportunity to do better.
Conclusion
While these are some of the few important tips to keep in mind, you should also remember to act fast. Never delay the solution or pretend that it hasn’t happened. Your prompt actions can truly help the company turn over a new leaf and gain respect again.
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