What is Reputation Management For Individuals?
You have but one reputation that is entirely your own. If you’re a job seeker, business owner, or public figure, what people say and think about you online can impact your opportunities, relationships, and even your career.
Personal reputation management is the process by which you monitor, influence, and control how you’re perceived (online and off). That includes managing your presence on search engines, social media platforms, and other sites that may reference your name or work.
It’s not something that a good online reputation is accidentally built. It will just need active effort and continued focus. This article looks at why it’s important to manage personal reputation, tactics for enhancing your reputation, and tools for controlling your digital story.
The Importance Of Personal Reputation Management
First Impressions Are Digital Today
Almost everyone meets you for the first time on the internet. A recent survey found that 77% of employers search the web for information about potential employees before granting an interview. The same is true for clients and collaborators. Your terrible digital footprint can create missed opportunities.
The Role of Reputation in How You Work
For executives, or for anyone in a position of leadership or visibility, having a bad online reputation can serve as a black mark against you and your work, harming your chance of promotion, eroding trust, and casting a shadow upon your professional accomplishments. On the flip side, a strong personal brand can help you to differentiate in a crowded market.
It Is Easier to Prevent Damage Than to Repair It
Online reputation issues can manifest in a variety of ways, from bad reviews to misinformation about you being shared online. A post-crisis recovery of these problems can be lengthy and costly, so it is crucial to take a proactive approach to management.
How to Manage Your Reputation Like a Pro
Monitor Your Digital Presence
Step one in reputation management is knowing what’s out there. Regularly Google (and other search engines) your name, see what comes up. Make sure to also verify images and video results.
Create Google Alerts for your name and get real-time alerts of new content with mentions of you. With monitoring, you can identify potential problems early and resolve them promptly.
Manage Your Social Media Accounts
Social networking sites are usually the first port of call for people when they want to find out more about others. Here’s how to manage them:
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Adjust the Privacy Settings: In services like Facebook and Instagram, select what content can be seen by the general public.
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Protect your professional image: Make sure profiles like those on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram are reflective of what you’d want others to associate with your values or professionalism, Small said.
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Be Proactive Instead of Passive: Start meaningful conversations by sharing valuable articles, commenting with some thought, and sharing news that supports your influence.
Create a Personal Site or Portfolio
A personal site allows you to paint your own story and highlight your accomplishments. Utilize it to post your bio, links to articles you’ve written, showcase your skills, and provide contact information. A professional website also pushes other sources down in search results when people Google your name.
Engage Authentically Online
As you navigate the Internet, keep in mind your tone, speech, and actions. Remember to be civil in your discussions, comments, and posts. Disputes online or flame wars can damage your credibility.
Negative Content or Reviews Should Be Addressed
If an individual posts a negative review or comment about you on the internet, deal with it professionally. Apologize when needed and clarify any misinterpretations or misunderstandings in a cool and collected manner. Do not react defensively, it just makes the problem worse.
Online Reputation Monitoring Tools and Resources
Google Alerts
Google Alerts. This free tool from Google enables you to establish alerts on your name, your blog name, or any search or keyword you’d like to monitor. You will be notified whenever new content appears.
Brand Yourself
Brand Yourself is a reputation management platform that enables professionals to understand, clean up, and protect their online reputation.
Hootsuite and Buffer
Both services offer the ability to consolidate multiple social media profiles into a single place to streamline and manage them by posting content specific to your niche and then tracking responses.
SEMrush
SEMrush is a kickass tool that has search tracking features and can also track mentions and backlinks associated with your name/brand.
Firms that Specialize in Reputation Management
Those who need more advanced services should consider companies like Reputation Defender or Net Reputation, which offer internet image repair and management.
Examples of Effective Reputation Management
Elon Musk
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has perfected the art of mixing business with pleasure on Twitter. While at times controversial, Musk has constructed a reputation that corresponds to his grand aims, to broadcast his vision for the future of technology.
Alice Chen, Entrepreneur
Alice Chen, a startup founder, stepped up her public profile by writing guest articles for publications such as Forbes and doing webinars. Being a fixture on the good side of the internet exploded her business and personal brand in less than a year.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring Negative Feedback
Ignoring or dismissing bad feedback is one of the quickest ways to lose the public’s trust. Sure, be professional and be loyal, but address issues quickly to demonstrate accountability.
Overpoting on Social Media
Posting too frequently, and especially on a wide range of topics, could at best dilute your messaging. Concentrate on quality updates that fit your professional brand and reoccurrence.
Relying on Automation Alone
Just as with any automation, using tools to manage your reputation is a part of the equation, not the whole equation, and can blind you to an opportunity to engage with others in a meaningful way.
Not Fact-Checking Information
Errors in online posts or false claims in bios can quickly erode credibility. Verify everything before you publish.
CONTROLLING YOUR ONLINE STORY
Your reputation online is not like a farmer’s field: It won’t “take care of itself.” You can be proactive in framing the way you are seen by others by using these tactics. Begin by auditing your online presence, determining what you would like to be known for, and making the necessary adjustments that reflect your most positive attributes.
DO NOT Forget to Keep Reputation Management Ongoing
Personal reputation management doesn’t happen once and end, just like your business’s online presence is an ongoing effort. Remain aware at all times, be authentic, and use tools to prevent your online self from becoming something you’re not. Looking for professional help to safeguard and build your reputation? Begin by using the tools offered by resources like BrandYourself or the above professional services.
