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Hug your Fishing Shop

Blog by: Matt Snider , CO 12/9/2020 (Return to blogs)
It's the time of year to take a step back and appreciate people, places, and things in your life.  Surely you do this all year long, but many people choose to make a conscious effort around now to reach out to old friends, donate a little dough to a cause, and offer gifts or services simply out of appreciation. 

I want to take this moment to draw focus to something that you can do right now after you're done reading this.  It won't cost a thing, it'll only take a few minutes, it doesn't make you feel awkward, and it'll make someone you care about VERY HAPPY!

One of the most important things nowadays to many brick-and-mortar businesses is, unfortunately, Google Reviews.  This system is what you find on Google Maps when you look up a tackle shop, it is that star-rating you see and the reviews that follow.  Like the system or not, it is here and it is big, and it matters A LOT to a business owner.

Unfortunately, most common folk don't ever think about posting a good review for a business. You walk in, get your stuff, share some laughs, and walk out happy as a clam.  On with life.  Most people do not think about posting a review until something goes wrong, which leads to a disproportionate amount of negative reviews.  This grates on business owners who work their hardest to provide good quality services. 

There's nothing like putting in a 12 hour day, get home exhausted, sit back with some pizza, and get a buzz on your phone notifying you of a 2-star review submitted by someone upset that you moved a chair in the shop, or a 1-star review from a disgruntled ex-employee (speaking for a friend).  The reviews are meant to be a reflection of the business as a whole, and most are not.

So I am asking you, if you want to do something REALLY NICE this holiday season, take a moment to think of 3 places you go to or use that you like a lot.  I am thinking of fishing-related businesses (tackle & fly shops, cabins/hotels, fishing guides, etc.).  

Perhaps you haven't thought of them in a while, or maybe you just drove home from there. Perhaps they're a long way from home but you go every time you travel.

Go find their listing on Google Maps.  Give them a 5-star rating and a nice succinct legitimate review.  

If you can't give them a 5-star rating,  wait until you think they deserve 5-stars to post your review. 1-4 ratings are just not needed, save those for other days and problems (after you've already talked with the business about those problems, at least give them that honor).  This initiative is not about posting negative reviews or bad businesses, this is about those good ones that we need to show a little appreciation for. 

I guarantee you this will bring a smile, maybe even a jump for joy, to every business that you take time to shower with a little love via a quick 5-star review.

I look forward to hearing good stuff from this, please make me proud.  Share with us some of the businesses you're hugging this season.
When on Google Maps, click this button that says "Write a review"
Blog content © Matt Snider
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Comments
Matt Snider (author, aka Matt)
12.09.20 4:09 PM
Just did three off the top of my head, St Pete's and Jax in FC, North Park Anglers in Walden.
Goosehunter82
12.09.20 6:48 PM
Great post matt. I am a big Google reviewer. I generally leave reviews on places that are exceptional or over-the-top that I really like for places that I go to than unfortunately I have very poor experiences at. I really enjoy doing reviews on different places when I'm on vacation out of state as well. I know some business owners that I've left her reviews on and they've contacted me and thanked me for those reviews so obviously it's important to them.
FishHuntNow
12.10.20 1:37 PM
I love Jax VERY much, they are my favorite but i think even smaller business need the love. Nice write up.

About the Author

Matt Snider

Matt Snider is a lifelong fly fisherman who has turned his attention to the "other species" of Colorado, namely any non-trout species. Having caught multiple warmwater species in Colorado on the fly in Colorado, Matt built FishExplorer as a means for anglers to maintain updated lake conditions, an element he finds critical in catching fish and enjoying our resources. An advocate of alternative fly fishing and fisheries preservation, Matt is an avid wiper and muskie fisherman traveling with boat in tow in pursuit of these hard-to-find fish. If a fish is willing to eat something, his bet is that it will eat a fly...

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