If your competitors begin making negative attacks against your small business, do you have the resources necessary to stop the damage? Sometimes, as small business owners, we hate to admit it but it happens.

Competitors conduct smear campaigns and they can have damaging effects on your reputation, your credibility and most of all - your business.

Jay Bean, CEO of OrangeSoda, joins host Steve Rucinski to offer advice for business owners on how to successfully deal with negative competitor campaigns intended to discredit your business.

Below are the questions we asked Jay in this episode:

• (1:20) First Jay, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background?

• (2:11) How would you define an attack by a competitor?

• (3:27) Do have any examples of attacks you’ve faced in your own businesses?

• (5:01) Why do you think someone would put so much effort into it?

• (5:51) Do you feel there is ever any justifiable reason to attack your competition or put a competitor in a bad light?

• (6:37) It seems that there are more outlets now, more than ever actually, to conduct an attack, true or false?

• (8:35) Is there anything can you do to safeguard your business against a competitive attack before it happens?

• (10:21) Can you give us a little bit of information about OrangeSoda?

• (13:39) Your company specializes in SEO for small businesses; can you explain how an effective SEO campaign can help prevent competitive attacks?

• (16:16) Should you address the attack head on and discuss it on your site pages?

• (18:09) If it’s a blatant attack that could be damaging to your business, what are some things you would recommend a small business do to stop the attack in its tracks and limit the damage?

• (20:47) Do you ever recommend reach out to the competitor directly?

• (21:52) Can SEO help clean up the aftermath of an attack?

• (24:57) What are the 3 key tips to manage an attach that you would give to a small business?

• (26:23) What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned that you could share with others?

• (28:23) Jay, where can people find out more on the web?

Listen to Jay’s full interview now by clicking the red and yellow player below.

Brought to you by our sponsor:

Infusionsoft.com