They say reputation is everything but what about in the digital age? Let’s face it, social media has changed the world. That’s true when it comes to business, and it’s true for in your personal life, as well. It is so much easier to express a viewpoint today than it was before the World Wide Web introduced us all to a different way of doing things.
Even the language is changing. Branding is no longer just about business. Personal brands are what get you noticed. Ninety percent of recruiters admit to conducting online research of potential job candidates as do 70 percent of employers.
Reputation is everything, and in today’s high tech age, it’s your online reputation that can either sink you or bubble you to the top of your field. How can you go about managing this critical aspect of your personal and professional life?
The goal of online reputation management is two-fold:
How you go about that is complex.
Google’s magic algorithm takes what it sees online and spits out a blueprint of your life using:
There is probably more, but no one really understands how Google works. It’s safe to say anything you add to the online has an impact. What shows up during that search is the sum of your online reputation.
Studies show that 91 percent of people trust what they see when Google works its magic, so what they see in an organic search defines you. It’s up to you to manage your online reputation to ensure the conclusions people draw about you work in your favor – that is the goal.
It starts with understanding how important it is and what influences it. Then you can do more than just manage it, you can shape it yourself.
Make your social media pages high profile, too. Join groups, create posts and post comments. Like pages that interest you and are related to your professional life, as well. The more you do, the better.
Always answer a comment with one of your own, so people know you are active but keep it positive. Online arguing, inappropriate comments or behavior, and temper tantrums work against you in a big way.
Make sure if people talk about you online that what they say is positive and accurate. There is no sure fire way to accomplish that but keeping it semi-professional is a place to start. Don’t:
This isn’t the water cooler, so keep your posts relevant and positive.
Quality content will overshadow anything terrible that you can’t erase, too. It may take a while, but you can repair a damaged reputation by keeping your social media persona upbeat and positive.
Write about anything that interests you. If you knit, then blog about knitting. If you love your elderly cat…talk about it. It’s not really about what you write, but just getting your name out there.
If you can develop a theme related to your personal goals, that is an added plus. If you hope to own a bakery one day, write about cooking, for example.
You can also blog about industry-related topics. A businesswoman working in finance might focus on budgeting or learning to manage money. Industry blogs get your noticed in your field. For tips on writing, read How to Write a Business Blog.
If you do keep a blog, post regularly. Otherwise, it won’t have much of an impact on your overall personal brand.
Search social media sites, too. It’s the best way to spot someone using your name and polluting your reputation.
If you want to be an industry influencer, the first five search results of your name should be about your business. For artists, the first five results should relate to art. If that is not happening, you need to create online assets that get you there. Here are some tips:
If you do have a poor online reputation, you might have to hire a management firm to refocus it. It should be a last resort, though, or for a special occasion like if you are considering changing jobs. A reputation management firm can ensure you have your best foot forward when potential employers search for you online.
Reputation is everything and, today, that means how people see you online. What do you see when you type in your name?