In a world of AI search, your reputation is more important than ever.
When people see your business name, what do they think? Building a strong brand and community presence ensures you’re remembered, no matter how customers find you.

Encourage and Manage Online Reviews
Positive reviews on Google, Virginia826.com, and other platforms can make or break a customer’s decision. Ask satisfied customers to share their experiences, and always respond to feedback—good or bad. This shows you care and builds trust.
Get Involved Locally
Sponsor a youth sports team, host a workshop, or participate in community events. When people see your business supporting the local community, they’re more likely to support you in return. For example, my daughter attends a local gymnastics program. Each gymnastic session is 60 minutes and meets weekly. There are banners on each major sponsor hanging on the walls. The local sponsors are getting massive exposure to the parents of the athletes, and they put sponsor logos (with links) on their website!
Partner with Influencers and Other Businesses
Team up with local influencers or complementary businesses for cross-promotions. For example, a bakery and a coffee shop could run a joint social media giveaway. This helps you reach new audiences who already trust your partners. If your location is a cluster of businesses, consider coordinating your marketing efforts with next-door firms to position this area to prospects.
In our next post, we’ll explore how to optimize your business for AI-powered and zero-click search, so you stay visible even as the digital landscape evolves.
This is part three of a five-part series.
Comments