The relationship your business has with the general public is arguably the most important relationship it has. If the public form negative opinions on your business, then it will be hard for you to make any money. Nobody wants to buy from a business with a bad public image. Even if you’re a B2B business, other companies won’t want to use you as a supplier because of the bad public opinion surrounding it.
Thankfully, it’s easy to sway public opinion. People are easily influenced by subtle things here and there. Bearing that in mind, here are some ideas and tips to change your public image and reap the subsequent rewards:
Upgrade your workplace
Changing your physical image is a great way to alter the public perception of your organization. This can be done by looking at your workplace. Upgrade your office and make it look more professional and amazing. Seek out a natural stone supplier to create a cool piece of signage outside your building that turns heads and screams authenticity and professionalism. Big businesses do this all the time to make people think wow, that looks like a pretty serious and top-tier business. The way the interior is designed can speak volumes too. If your office looks modern and unique, then it improves the way people look at you.
Start a charity or commit to an existing one
Charitable actions are a fantastic way to influence public opinion. If your business starts it’s own charity/foundation, then it shows you’re keen to give back to people or causes that need help. It shows that you use some of your profits for a higher purpose, and people respect that. It makes you seem less like some corporate machine and more like a company full of human beings that care about those less fortunate. The same goes for businesses that commit to existing charities and donate regularly. You’re still doing good work! Either option works well, it’s just that some businesses create foundations because they want to give to a very specific cause that perhaps lacks the support others have.
Run groundbreaking campaigns
A very popular move for modern businesses is to create different campaigns that provoke conversation and debate amongst the public. Effectively, you almost want to make a study that looks at a particular topic or idea. One that springs to mind is the idea of body positivity in the beauty industry. You see companies like Dove run campaigns that promote different body shapes and types. It improves public opinion because you’re raising issues that often go unnoticed. By shining a light on issues within your business industry or society, then you start looking like a progressive and forward-thinking company. The public loves this, and you’ll see dramatic shifts in how they look at you.
All of this advice is perfect for small businesses that are just starting up, alongside more established businesses that have a bit of an image crisis. You can heal a damaged image, and you can build on your existing one. If you feel like your business wants to reach the next level in 2020, then focus on public opinion.
