The sad truth about running a successful business is how you will get some competitors that turn into green-eyed monsters and will resort to schoolyard tactics to belittle your brand. One of the most common examples for that to happen is by badmouthing the business.

For instance, you may come across a competitor that publicly badmouths your brand by saying you’re too expensive or that your customer service sucks.

The thing is, how should you respond to such defamation of your brand and its reputation? Should you even respond at all? The following tips and tricks will help you navigate your brand around such issues and allow it to rise above all the negativity:

React to the Problem Quickly

An issue with leaving any badmouthing and then deciding to do something about it later is that your competitor’s negative statements will stick in the minds of your customers. That’s why it’s crucial you do something about the problem sooner rather than later.

Responding to such negative statements from your competitor in a positive way is undoubtedly an excellent way to prove that your brand won’t lower itself to your competitor’s levels.

Note that there are some comments or criticisms, of course, that you may not want to respond to.

Consider Online Reputation Management

If your competitor waged a campaign against your brand, there are some steps you must take to reverse the damage caused to it. One way to do something about the problem positively is by using an online reputation management agency.

They can determine the extent of the damage caused to your brand’s good name and develop actionable steps to reverse or deflect that damage. It might surprise you to learn the methods and concepts you can consider to put your brand in a more positive light.

Look at Taking Legal Action

Did you know that, in some extreme cases, your business or organization can take legal action against the competitor who waged the smear campaign against your brand? Keep in mind there are some situations where legal action can be overkill.

However, if your competitor has broadcast downright lies about your brand, and you can prove they are talking trash, your lawyers can do the talking with them. The threat of legal action alone is enough to have competitors stop and even publicly apologize for their words.

Some competitors may even face going out of business when the truth comes out. After all: who will trust a company that feels it needs to lie to grow its brand!

Make Sure Your Business Is Above Board

Last but not least, don’t give any of your competitors ammunition to use against you. In other words, ensure that your brand is above board and isn’t doing anything unfairly, illegally, or with questionable morals or ethics.

If there’s no reason why a customer wouldn’t reasonably use your products and services, you will have nothing to worry about and can easily protect yourself against any false claims made by your competitors.