Steering the Future of Online Reputation Management — An Exclusive with Chris Hinman
Chris Hinman, a native of Williamsburg, Virginia, did not simply follow the established path in the field of online reputation management (ORM). Instead, he blazed his own trail, turned convention on its head, and built a unique reputation business, TheBestReputation, that’s redefining the landscape of his industry.
A Journey from Digital Novice to Industry Innovator
Hinman, the dynamic CEO of TheBestReputation, began his journey in the world of digital marketing and ORM while working for a family-owned company. It was there that he honed his skills in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Social Media Marketing.
His formal education at Strayer University, where he received a degree in Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in 2010, served as an important stepping stone to his burgeoning career. The subsequent pursuit of an MBA at William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business further sharpened his intellect and expertise in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, which formed the bedrock of his career.
His academic exploits were not limited to merely acquiring degrees; Hinman also served as the first-year representative of the Entrepreneurship and Innovations Club while at William & Mary. It was during these years that he understood the crucial importance of innovation in ORM and began to carve a unique niche.
The Man behind Exponential Growth and Innovation
Hinman’s career provides tangible evidence of the role innovation plays in ORM. His foresight and handling of ever-evolving ORM ecosystems were instrumental in driving exponential yearly revenue growth for various prestigious agencies. Notable among his skills is his capability to adapt marketing techniques round the challenges of ORM effectively.
In 2017, Hinman established Digital Unlimited LLC, a digital marketing agency. His engagement in extensive marketing projects across multiple companies displayed his proficiency in multiple facets of digital marketing, including SEO, Social Media Marketing, PPC campaigns, Google Adwords, Adsense, and email campaigns.
Just a year later, Hinman launched TheBestReputation, a unique reputation management firm with a concentrated focus on taking ORM to the next level.
TheBestReputation: A New Era of ORM
TheBestReputation is the brainchild of Hinman, a boutique ORM company that extends a big leap from conventional ORM practices. The company offers comprehensive handling of clients’ online image, which includes managing search results, handling press and media coverage, overcoming negative press, and administering reviews and more.
What makes TheBestReputation a standout in the industry is its distinctive white-glove approach. “The difference between us and any other major reputation management company is our hands-on approach with our clients. We don’t have cookie-cutter-like campaigns or packages like our competition,” explains Hinman.
Struggle and Triumph
Like any new initiative, TheBestReputation faced its fair share of challenges. Unlike established reputation management companies backed by investors, Hinman’s company achieved success through organic growth driven by satisfied client referrals and word of mouth. Initial scaling was challenging; however, as the company’s reputation grew, so did its clientele.
“To overcome challenges, we always focused on results-driven strategy, being better than the competition, and ensuring client satisfaction, which allowed the business to grow at an exponential rate,” Hinman tells us as he reminisces about the company’s beginning years.
Evolving Challenges in ORM
The ORM industry faces an ongoing challenge with the introduction and use of AI tools like ChatGPT for content creation. Hinman shares his concerns: “While these tools can provide a shortcut to content creation, Google will certainly penalize this type of content in the long run, hurting the clients and in turn, giving the industry a bad name.”
To counter this, TheBestReputation only employs professional writers for content creation, an investment that Hinman regards as key to their continued success. This not only ensures quality but also respects Google’s long-term algorithms, ensuring that client reputations are protected in the future as well.
Forge Ahead, Don’t Shortchange
Chris Hinman’s message for anyone looking to start their businesses, especially in ORM, is a straightforward one — “Don’t take shortcuts! Yes, it is hard, but by standing out from the competition through quality and attention to detail, you’ve got more than a fighting chance. Our top-level services are what differentiate us.”
The Vision: Be The Best
Hinman envisions that TheBestReputation will continue its trajectory of doubling growth every year for the upcoming years. “Our aim is clear — we want to be the leading ORM company within the next three years,” Hinman confidently asserts.
As for the angle he’d like to bring in these articles? He wants to showcase his expertise while also providing valuable insights to those seeking ORM services, further explaining why TheBestReputation is the choice for discerning clients.
Follow Chris Hinman’s journey of changing the landscape of the ORM industry on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
