Mercer Island
Chamber of Commerce

A good review is a sales team member you didn’t have to train, pay, or gently remind to update the CRM. It’s also the most brilliant marketer you have. Hopefully you’re already collecting positive reviews. But it’s likely you read them, feel good for 12 seconds, and then they sit quietly on Google, Facebook, Yelp, or LinkedIn, where they only do half the work they could be doing for you. That’s a missed opportunity. When someone says something specific and positive about your business, they’re giving you language you can use to build trust with future customers. And they’re saying it in a way that sounds more believable than anything you could write about yourself. This week, take 30 minutes to turn your best reviews into business-building tools. Start by Finding Three Strong Reviews You don’t need hundreds of reviews to do this. Start with three. Look for reviews that include details. “Great service” is nice, but “They helped us solve a scheduling issue in one afternoon” gives you something much stronger to work with. Specific reviews show what problem you solved, what the experience felt like, and why someone would choose you again. Pull reviews from places where customers already talk about your business, such as Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, industry directories, survey responses, thank-you emails, or testimonials sent directly to you. As you read, ask yourself: · What problem did this customer have? · What did we do well? · What words did they use to describe the experience? · Would this help a new customer feel more confident? Remember, the best review isn’t always the longest one. It’s the one that removes doubt and encourages others to give you a try. Turn One Review Into a Social Post Take one review and build a short post around it. You don’t have to overthink it. Start with a sentence that names the problem or outcome, share the review, and close with a simple reminder of who you help. For example: “One thing our customers appreciate most is knowing they can get a quick answer when they need urgently. We loved this recent feedback from a client: ‘They responded the same day, explained everything clearly, and helped us make the right decision without pressure.’ If responsiveness matters to you, that’s something we take seriously.” Trust is trust and adding the language around the review (instead of just dropping it in there) helps you frame it so that someone who has that problem or identifies with what you’re saying will perk up and listen. Add Review Language to Your Website Your website shouldn’t make people hunt for proof that you’re good at what you do. Add a short testimonial to your homepage, service page, booking page, or contact page. Place it near the action you want people to take. If you want them to request a quote, add the review near the quote form. If you want them to schedule a consultation, place it near the scheduling button. A strong testimonial at the right moment can quiet the little voice in your prospect’s head that says, “Will this be worth it?” or “Are these the right people?” or “What can I expect if I work with them?” Reviews help answer those questions. Use Reviews in Sales Conversations Reviews are useful beyond marketing. They can help with sales, too. If a prospect is concerned about response time, pricing, quality, communication, or results, share a review that speaks to that concern. You don’t have to sound scripted. You can simply say, “That’s a common question. One of our customers mentioned something similar in a recent review.” Then use the review as proof. This is especially helpful for businesses with longer sales cycles, higher-priced services, or trust-based work. People want to know that someone else has walked the path before them and didn’t regret it halfway through. Create a Small Review Library Once you’ve found a few good reviews, save them somewhere easy to access. A simple document or spreadsheet works perfectly. Label each review by the topic it supports, such as customer service, speed, quality, expertise, problem-solving, affordability, community involvement, or ease of working together (or ask AI to identify them for you). This makes your reviews easier to reuse when you’re writing social posts, emails, proposals, ads, event materials, or website copy. You’re building a library of proof, one customer comment at a time. Ask for One New Review This Week The easiest time to ask for a review is right after a good experience. Reach out to one happy customer this week and make it simple. Try this: “Thank you again for choosing us. If you were happy with your experience, would you be willing to leave a quick review? It helps other people feel more confident when they’re deciding who to work with.” Telling people why you want the review makes them more likely to write one. Other ideas include: · “We’re a small family business and each review matters to us.” · “We incentivize our employees for going above and beyond. If you have a favorite, tell us who they are and why they’re special.” Include the direct link to the review platform you prefer. Don’t make people search for it. They have lives, inboxes, and probably 47 tabs open already. If you have a business where people linger (like a restaurant, boutique, or hair salon), post something with a QR code requesting a review and linking them directly to the review spot. You can also create business cards with a QR code that your employees can give out to customers when they have a positive experience at your business. Create a contest around who gets the most favorable reviews and make it worth your employee’s while. Let the Chamber Help Extend Your Reach Your chamber probably offers marketing opportunities that can help you make more of your strongest customer stories. Look for options like member spotlights, newsletter features, directory upgrades, social media shares, sponsorship visibility, event introductions, or advertising packages. A great review becomes more powerful when more people see it. And don’t assume that just because everyone is on Google that they’ll see your reviews. Search is changing with the advancement of AI so use your reviews in your marketing and customer interactions so you’re sure people see them. Your chamber can help you put that proof in front of other business owners, residents, community partners, and potential customers who may not have discovered you yet. Before you spend more money trying to convince people you’re good at what you do, use the proof you already have. Your customers have handed you the words. This week, put them to work.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched the Patriot Pitch Competition, a national pitch contest designed to spotlight innovative small businesses across the country. The competition includes a $1 million cash prize pool funded by Clover Network, Inc., and eligible small businesses are encouraged to apply by June 10 at 11:59 p.m. ET. For small business owners who have used qualifying SBA capital products, this could be more than a chance at prize money. It’s also an opportunity to: · sharpen your business story · gain national visibility · connect with investors, industry leaders, policymakers, and potential partners Here’s what you need to know. What Is the Patriot Pitch Competition? The Patriot Pitch Competition is part of the SBA’s Freedom 250 initiative, which celebrates 250 years of American free enterprise, and the role small businesses have played in innovation, job creation, and economic growth. Selected businesses will move through four stages of judging. The competition will culminate in a live pitch event in Washington, D.C., in September, where five finalists will pitch before judges and a national audience for a share of the $1 million prize pool. According to the SBA, the final event will also feature prominent speakers from business, government, and industry, along with a supplier matchmaking expo connecting small businesses with larger companies and contracting opportunities. Even if you don’t walk away with the top prize, the process could put your business in front of people and opportunities that are difficult to reach on your average Tuesday. Who Is Eligible to Apply? Applicants must be U.S. citizens at least 18 years old, or teams of eligible individuals. Businesses must meet the SBA definition of a small business and be headquartered and operated in the United States or its territories. Your business must also: · Have been in operation for at least three years · Generate at least $100,000 in annual gross revenue · Be 100% owned by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents · Be current and in good standing on any federal obligations · Actively drive innovation in your sector through new technologies, strategies, operations, or competitive approaches · Have benefited from one or more qualifying SBA capital products Qualifying SBA capital products include 7(a) loans, including Paycheck Protection Program loans, 504 loans, Microloan Intermediary loans, SBIR/STTR funding, or SBIC financing. One important note: businesses that received COVID-19 EIDL loans or SBA Disaster loans are not eligible based on those loans alone. However, they may still be eligible if they received one of the qualifying capital products listed by the SBA. Finalists must also be available to travel at their own expense to Washington, D.C., for the national pitch competition, which will take place on a single day between September 8 and September 18. The exact date will be announced later. What Should You Include in Your Pitch? The SBA provides suggested topics and an example pitch , though applicants are not required to follow that exact format. Submissions must be uploaded as a PDF through the submission link for your local SBA District Office. A competitive pitch may include: · Your business name, address, website, and social media links · The owner’s name and contact information · Documentation showing when the business was established and that it’s in good standing · A description of your products or services · Your mission statement · A short pitch video, about 60 seconds, shared through a YouTube link · A brief history of your business · An explanation of how your business drives innovation in your sector · A business plan with a three-year revenue forecast · A list of SBA capital products your business has used · A description of how SBA capital helped your business grow · A clear explanation of how you would use the prize money The strongest applications will likely be solid business storytellers Instead of writing, “We’re innovative.” They’ll show it through specific examples. They’ll explain what problem the business solves, how they’ve grown, who benefits from the work, and why the company is ready for its next stage. How Will Entries Be Judged? The SBA says submissions will be evaluated through four stages of judging. Judges will look at how each business performs in several key areas, including strengthening American competitiveness, demonstrating outsized impact within an industry, creating economic opportunity and quality jobs, and showing strong fundamentals and execution readiness. The top 10 semifinalists will be announced the week of July 4, 2026, during the Great American State Fair. From there, five finalists will be invited to participate in the live pitch competition in Washington, D.C. Why This Matters to Your Businesses Pitch competitions can feel intimidating. But the process of applying can be valuable on its own. It forces you to tighten your story, review your numbers, think about your growth strategy, and explain your impact in plain language. That’s useful whether you win, seek financing, apply for a grant, meet with investors, or simply want a stronger way to talk about your business. Ready to Apply? Applications are due by June 10 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Visit the SBA’s Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition page to review the full eligibility requirements, terms and conditions, and submission links for your local SBA District Office. If you’re thinking about applying reach out to the chamber. We can connect you with local business resource partners, help you think through your pitch story, point you toward SBA or small business development resources, and celebrate your participation as part of the local business community. It’s time to polish that business story and go for the recognition you deserve.