Take Charge of Your Online Reputation

5 Simple Ways to Help Manage Your Online Reputation

We live in a world where communication is near instant, word travels extremely fast, and if you’re not attentive your online reputation can be trashed in nanoseconds. Many aren’t aware of just how vital it is to safeguard your online reputation…

Cone Communications reports that some 89 percent of consumers regard online channels are trustworthy sources, and that another 80 percent have gone so far as to change their mind about a purchase after studying a negative comment or review. Further, your social media is where they’re talking about you. The Society for Communications Research reports that 72 percent said they research companies through social channels before making purchases, and that 59% use social sites to air their frustrations about your customer service.

5 Ways to help guard your online reputation

1. Check your online reputation regularly – Google yourself and your company name at the very least once per month. Create Google alerts to notify you when there are any mentions of your names or brand. Easy, free and necessary.
2. Claim online real estate – If you don’t own your company’s domain name, or your personal one, make it a point to get this done. A lot of damage can be carried out in your name if you don’t.
3. Be hands-on on your social sites – Like your domain name, claim any Facebook, Google or LinkedIn pages that bear your name. Not just that, make an effort to use them regularly.
4. Deal with any negative content quickly – Do your very best to address negative postings and complaints expeditiously. Try very hard to get in touch with the poster directly, offline if possible, and see if you’re able to handle their concerns. DON’T get in to a flaming match online. You’ll be the loser.
5. Be careful what you put online – Those lovely pictures of you and the staff partying hard are not exactly what you want to show up in a business context.

We’re all part of an instant information-driven world. Make sure you’re in position to use this to effectively manage your online reputation!