Top 5 ORM Questions You Should Prepare Answering Before Meeting

More or less, most of you here in the offline marketing section have read 7878's lettermethod, reaching out to local businesses with a bunch of negative reviews. I too, took action and landed a few clients successfully. I must admit the first few call backs were a little challenging because I wasn't prepare what they were going to ask. But eventually, after answering the same questions over and over again, I got the hang of it, and was able to answer them naturally.


So after you mail out those letters, start preparing to answer the following questions:

How did you find them?
Most clients I received a call back from weren't too tech savvy. They were often confused what's going on, where I found them and if those reviews are legit. Then they would go thru the whole process explaining the situation to me and claiming that customers accused them. So it's your job to walk them through the process and explain why this happened, what are online reviews and why they were written.


What do you do for us?
Here is your chance to pitch in and let them know how great you are, and what you can do for them. Show them exactly why they are losing sales and will continue losing sales if this goes on. Show them exactly what and how their competitors are doing, and they arent.


How are you going to help remove my negative reviews?
Probably the #1 most asked question. I would say 99.9% of the time. No matter how desperate you are, do not guarantee any negative reviews removal. Kindly explain the concept of 'bumping them down' instead and make them understand.


How much do you charge?
This is often a tricky question. It really depends on a lot of factors such as location, industry, company size and how bad their reputation are. I would recommend tier pricing so it gives them options - just like what other users recommended on other threads.


How long will it take?
This is another tricky question. It really depends on how much traffic or customers their business gets per day. I try to set them on a 6-months contract and explain the benefits that even if their 'ratings' get bump back up before that, it's wise to be proactive and keep collecting as many reviews as you can. This will allow them to be ahead of competitions.


Hope it helps guys. Let me know if you have any questions.

You hit the nail on the head with the "how did you find us" - it always comes up. Or, "how do you know we have negative info" - some will try to test you and many are proud business owners that even that you send them the reviews they will still say "we don't have bad reviews"...

...so tell them to get in front of their computer...and walk them through it...when they are looking at a screen and seeing the review in person...and you repeat it word for word...it basically sells them on the spot. No business owner wants to see "this company sucks" or "I will never step foot in the sh#thole again!" while you recite it word for word.

Use their emotions as leverage.

Nice post OP.

Nice thread. Hey Netmoney why do you do a top five most asked questions and how to rebutt them for your 3k-6kp pm thread

Be prepared for these questions and many others.

Practice on businesses who are unlikely to be your clients 1st, till you feel comfortable
answering these questions.

1st question is always an easy answer,
I was looking for your service restaurant etc
and when I saw the reviews I obviously went elsehwere
But at the same time, I knew I could help you out as this looks like one of your competitors
may be behind this

^^Thats a good 'in'

This is awesome thanks! Will be trying this out shortly!

What do you mean by explaining the concept of "Bumping them down"?

wadamaa said:

What do you mean by explaining the concept of "Bumping them down"?

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By getting more positive reviews and hence, pushing down the negative ones.

All accurate questions! Also be prepared to answer the question "How will you do it?" after selling them on any type of service related to offline marketing. They will want to know your "secrets" and they will try to shop around or ask their "brother in law" who makes websites if he can do what you are promising. Ensure them that you are an expert and that nobody can replace the custom service you are providing.

MontieSkaggs said:

All accurate questions! Also be prepared to answer the question "How will you do it?" after selling them on any type of service related to offline marketing. They will want to know your "secrets" and they will try to shop around or ask their "brother in law" who makes websites if he can do what you are promising. Ensure them that you are an expert and that nobody can replace the custom service you are providing.

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Great point. I usually don't expose or talk much over the phone about my approach. I always encourage them to schedule a quick meeting with me. Its a lot easier to close in person.

originalposter said:

By getting more positive reviews and hence, pushing down the negative ones.

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And how do you have positive reviews from new customer if nothing has changed?
I've always missed something about 7878 method and i don't understand how it works.
Do you know where i can find a tutorial for a noob because even in the original thread, i don't understand the magic behind this.
Let's say my client is an hotel with 250 reviews on tripadvisor with a 2/5 rating. How to be sure that the new review will be good?

forethan said:

And how do you have positive reviews from new customer if nothing has changed?
I've always missed something about 7878 method and i don't understand how it works.
Do you know where i can find a tutorial for a noob because even in the original thread, i don't understand the magic behind this.
Let's say my client is an hotel with 250 reviews on tripadvisor with a 2/5 rating. How to be sure that the new review will be good?

Click to expand...

A few things:
1. If you have a reputation management software, you can filter out the negative reviews before they get published, nip the problem in the butt.
2. If they proactively court reviews, they're bound to get positive reviews, this will only add up over time as a cumulative effort.
3. Local citation sources and blog mentions/posts can drown out reviews and push them down depending on the strength of the site and age of both the complaints and the new sources/blog posts.