Managing your online reputation is a full-time job. It takes patience, dedication, commitment, and a forward-looking perspective on how you would like to be presented in the particular profession and community you are in. Online reputation has been a focus of conversation among business, marketing, and public relations professionals – both in research and in practice. These same discussions are also happening in the classroom as a reminder to future PR students on how to present themselves professionally in their first internship or position.
However, are you aware of what is being said about you online, and if so – what are the sources you use yourself in managing your reputation? These are just some of the questions you should ask yourself, because employers are using not only these sites, but other professional services as well. For example, Social Intelligence is a service in which employers can search for information on a particular candidate for the last seven years. So, this includes all forum posts, discussion updates and comments, videos and pictures, and any commentary available online through social media. So, in other words, the background checks are evolving into more like forensic social media background checks. Here is an interesting segment that appeared on Fox News in which discusses the role of privacy through the Internet and social media with the heads of Reputation.com and Social Intelligence:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7zLMg4ADAs[/youtube]
So, how can you proactively manage your reputation with your various social media profiles and handles? Here are a few ideas and strategies you might want to consider:
- Be consistent across platforms: Be aware that while you may have different audiences on these platforms, your reputation and how you present yourself should stay the same. Be engaging, enthusiastic, and aware that what you post online stays online – and will be viewed and shared with others.
- Think before you post: Take a moment and think about how this update, post, commentary, or response may be viewed by others, and determine if this would be something that would hinder or damage your reputation. A reputation takes years to establish, but only one mistake to ruin it.
- Set metrics for measurement: Like companies and brands engaged in reputation management, you are your own personal brand, so the same principles and metrics apply to you as well. It is key to be aware of what others are saying about you based on mentions, impressions, sentiment analysis, and overall presentation on where this information is being presented.
- Take ownership of your domain name, blog name, and social media profiles: While it may be at times hard to manage all of these profiles, it is key to make sure that you take ownership of these names – or else someone else will. As soon as a new social media platform comes along – make sure you get on board with this.
- Have one set of manners, one reputation: The thing about reputation management is if you have one set of manners and you are consistent with positive behavior and actions – you will be fine. It is when you have two separate lives or reputations that this can raise some issues and challenges.
- Lead by example when it comes to online reputation management: If you want your co-workers, friends, colleagues, or others around you to be proactive in managing their online reputation – you can take the lead and set an example. Sharing your experiences and insights with what you have done with others not only helps you establish yourself as a good resource on the topic, but you are able to build relationships as well. It is one thing to read about online reputation management, but it is another to see one person show how to do it as a real-life example.
Overall, reputation management across various digital platforms is going to be the way of life. We have to be aware of what is being said about us in various communities and sites online – and recognize both the opportunities and challenges this raises for young and established professionals in public relations.
Hope you all are having a wonderful day!
Best Wishes,
Karen
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