We are indeed living in a reputation economy where decisions, impressions, and perceptions are decided in a matter of moments. In some cases, they are based on what people see of what you are doing online on various social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms. The growing issue of privacy and protection of information online came into the spotlight a while ago when it was reported on various blogs and the news that employers were asking candidates for their Facebook passwords. Several individuals and entities got involved in the discussion, including Facebook.
How do you protect your online reputation? The infographic presented in the Mashable post discusses some good points on what to focus on and what to be proactive about. What we have to get over is the fact that we can hide our reputation – that is pre social media we are talking about there. In reality, we are facing a digital environment where there is no where to hide our reputation with the rising of new emerging communication technologies. Weber Shandwick just released their recent study looking at the growing changes related to corporate reputation.
However, if we as individuals take into consideration some of these principles into our own individual brand, we too can be successful in this changing social media situation with managing reputations online effectively.Professionals, students, and others can make sure they are proactive by having a information social hub for themselves (ex. website or blog), search for themselves across multiple search engines (social and traditional), think before posting across platforms, and actively monitor what others are posting and updating related to you. We have to be our own PR person – our reputation is our most priceless possession. Building your online reputation takes time and resources – and only one moment or action to damage it.
Is this a trend that will go away from professionals in 2012 and beyond? Not likely – in fact, it will be even a bigger issue and focus for professionals to be aware of. The key thing to note is that if you have one set of manners and persona across your social media platforms as well as in real life – you do not have anything to worry about. Some of the issues that are coming up regarding this particular situation is the fact that people are different on these social media sites as they are in person, or have different “faces” to various groups.
Hope you all are having a great day!
Best Wishes,
Karen
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