Thinking about writing a fake review about your own company? Think again!

"Nineteen companies caught writing fake reviews on websites such as Yelp, Google Local and CitySearch have been snared in a year-long sting operation by the New York Attorney General, and will pay $350,000 in penalties."

Although the article also mentioned that much of that was directed at the companies and individuals getting paid to write fake reviews, it also mentioned this:

"It also found that some New York City businesses, such as a spa and a nightclub, solicited people to write fake reviews through classified advertising websites such as Craigslist.com, Freelancer.com and oDesk.com."

In our Reputation Management survey ( download here ) earlier this year, we asked whether people had written fake reviews. 17% admitted writing fake reviews on their own property, and 1% admitted writing fake reviews on competitor properties.

Here is the full article: www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/23/us-fa...0YU20130923?irpc=932

I would not write a fake review. Anytime I am moved to review something, 90% of the time it's not gonna be good. Most posters I've seen posting apartment reviews seem to be toward the negatory.

It's much easier, if you're a property manager, to go to some of the residents who like you and say, "Hey, we're getting some rough reviews on ApartmentRatings.com (or Yelp.com) or whatever and could really use your help. Could you write a review on there to help balance it out." Or, if applicable, you could say, "We're really in a lease-up mode now and could use your help. Would you mind reviewing us on this-or-that website?"

It's likely they will write a favorable review if they like you personally. And you didn't ask them to lie. It's not a "fake" review. I've done that and it worked wonderfully.

If you give credence in these "reviews" and want to stock the pond, good for you.

I think the "review" sites are just a place for tenants to spew. And no matter how good you do your hob, they will spew.

I don't think you can ignore bad reviews. Bad publicity on social media is like a fungus. It just keeps growing if you ignore it.

It's true that most people who post reviews do so with a complaint, but it's an opportunity for companies to address their faults. Prospects who see hateful reviews can usually tell that it's just the anger talking.

I ask residents at lease renewal and again at move out, to post a review for us. I hand out cards to remind them of the website. I don't ask for fake reviews, just honest ones.

I always read the review sites on everything, especially the apartment industry. Sometimes, the people who complain the loudest are either the people who are being evicted or non-renewed (come on, we know this is true) or they have a connection with the team and tell it like it is. I am surprised by the number of residents who actually like where they live but won't make a comment. Whenever I take on a new property, I go to the review sites and try to answer some of the last reviews because so often part of the problem was a lack of acknowledgement from the previous staff to their residents. Residents like to feel like their problems are at least acknowledged.

Mindy Sharp wrote: I always read the review sites on everything, especially the apartment industry. Sometimes, the people who complain the loudest are either the people who are being evicted or non-renewed (come on, we know this is true) or they have a connection with the team and tell it like it is. I am surprised by the number of residents who actually like where they live but won't make a comment. Whenever I take on a new property, I go to the review sites and try to answer some of the last reviews because so often part of the problem was a lack of acknowledgement from the previous staff to their residents. Residents like to feel like their problems are at least acknowledged.

I agree.

" Sometimes, the people who complain the loudest are either the people who are being evicted or non-renewed (come on, we know this is true) "

Yes, they do have an axe to grind

Rose M wrote: I ask residents at lease renewal and again at move out, to post a review for us. I hand out cards to remind them of the website. I don't ask for fake reviews, just honest ones.

I agree with Rose, that asking for an honest review at renewal or when the resident moves out is a good way to get reviews.

It's up to them whether they want to write a good review or feel that the review is their time to air all the problems whether true or not that they had. It just something we need to be prepared for.

I totally agree that we shouldn't do fake reviews. There are a few key times to ask:

• When someone has just moved in and are in the honeymoon stage
• When someone has just had a maintenance request fixed & they're happy
• When a satisfied resident moves
I

f you're getting bad reviews, you can tell if it's a legitimate gripe, a difference of opinion or just someone with an axe to grind.