5 Tips for Maintaining a Positive Online Reputation

Reputation management is essential in the digital world because the internet remembers what you do and say. Whether you’re starting a new business, applying for a job, or just want better control over how you look online, aim for a positive reputation. Then, learn to manage and maintain that good reputation using a few simple tips.

1. Understand What the Internet Knows About You

Before doing anything else, get a handle on your current reputation. You need to know where you stand and how the internet portrays you. This means finding as much information as possible. Start with Google and search your name to see what pops up.

Social media is also essential. Go through all of your accounts and make sure your posts, as well as other people’s posts about you, portray you in a good light. If you do find some things you don’t like, there’s no need to panic. An embarrassing picture from five years ago isn’t a big deal. Just keep tabs on those things and know where they are.

2. Automate the Process

Keeping tabs on your online reputation requires vigilance. Your reputation evolves, which means you need to check up on it regularly. However, this can be a lengthy process. Instead of searching manually for mentions of your name, automate it.

Once you’ve done an initial exhaustive search of yourself online, set up an automated alert. For example, create a Google alert to get notifications when your name, or anything else you choose, shows up as new search results. It’s easy to do, and it’s free.

3. Dictate How the Web Sees You

First impressions matter, even online. A potential new customer may see something they don’t like and never return to your business again as a result. How the web sees you is how others see you, so take charge of it.

By adding content or interacting in specific ways, you curate your online reputation. Take control of how people see you online in several ways:

• Create a site that highlights your portfolio of work or accomplishments.
• Join networking sites and add content and interact with other professionals in positive ways.
• Use your social media sites to promote your business or to show off your work.
• Avoid getting involved in social media or networking content that doesn’t align with the reputation you want.
• Change account names to reflect professionalism.
• Deactivate accounts that don’t mesh with your goals.

4. Not Everyone is Your Friend

Identity theft can quickly ruin your reputation. One mistake, and someone has your personal information. They can post as you, share information you don’t want available to others, or even extort or blackmail you.

Internet crime is real and happens all the time. To protect yourself and your reputation, be cautious. A few simple precautions can keep you safe. First, be skeptical of anyone reaching out to you. If you don’t know them, be very careful.

Avoid opening email attachments from anyone you don’t know. Also, stay up to date on current scams, so you know what to look for. Always create strong passwords and change them regularly.

5. Call in the Experts if You Need Help

Managing your reputation online can get complicated. The more accounts you have and the more information available about you online, the harder it is to keep up with it all. If you find unflattering or damaging search results for your name, dealing with it can be a long, complicated process.

Suppose your situation is complicated, especially if you find something you want to remove. In that case, it’s best to work with a reputation management professional. These companies are experts in building positive online reputations, turning around bad reputations, and maintaining a good reputation. Whether you feel like it’s too much to manage or don’t have the time to deal with it yourself, work with professionals to get your reputation under control.

Maintaining is Always Better Than Fixing

It’s easy to make mistakes online that harm your reputation. However, it’s also easier to maintain a good reputation than to fix a bad one. Establish a positive reputation online, so you don’t have to deal with bad press and cover up mistakes. Then, if you need to make some fixes, professionals can handle it for you and re-establish your good name