| Online brand protection is simply the process of | | | | attacks, groundless pessimistic comments and |
| protecting the reputation of your company, yourself | | | | unfounded allegations. |
| and your associates from disrepute on the internet. | | | | The first step to protecting your brand online is to start |
| Things can happen that are out of your control; | | | | a public relations campaign. This brand building should |
| however, an effective, ongoing online reputation | | | | start from the moment that you open a business and it |
| management program can save your reputation which | | | | should be an ongoing priority. After all, your reputation is |
| is the lifeline of any business. | | | | totally dependent on public perception. If you have built |
| - Have you ever walked into your office to find that | | | | a rock-solid brand, the damage from negative |
| your name, your company name and the names of | | | | comments will be less severe. |
| your associates have suffered unjustified ill repute on | | | | Second, it is vital that you constantly monitor online |
| the internet? | | | | media about your company and the primary people of |
| - Did you think that your public image was good | | | | your organization. This will give you the opportunity to |
| enough that it would never happen to you? | | | | stop the defamer in their tracks before they get |
| That was my line of thinking before my company, my | | | | momentum started. |
| associates and I became the center of the alleged | | | | Third, your decision concerning addressing the matter |
| Think Alchemy Scam. I was appalled that someone | | | | will prevail in repairing your brand or further destroying |
| would use that dirty four letter word after the name of | | | | it. Do not react on emotion. Think through the possible |
| my company that I had invested my money, my time | | | | effects of ignoring it, addressing it directly personally or |
| and my sweat equity into for so many years. | | | | publicly, or seeking legal action. It is highly |
| Initially, I took it like a grain of salt, being blinded by the | | | | recommended that you consult with a public relations |
| thoughts that nobody would believe the statements | | | | expert prior to addressing the comments or choosing |
| once I found out that they came from a disgruntled ex | | | | to disregard them. |
| contractor with the ambition of competing against my | | | | Never underestimate the power of word posted on |
| company. I was right, he discredited himself; however, | | | | the internet. It can be more devastating with longer |
| those words are still on the internet for everyone to | | | | lasting effects than standard defamatory word of |
| see and it does have the potential of turning existing | | | | mouth. The internet is driven by keywords and as long |
| and new clients away. | | | | as your company name is used for internet searches, |
| Online brand protection cannot keep your name from | | | | there is potential that the negative gestures will haunt |
| being dragged through the mud; however, it can | | | | you for the rest of your existence if it is not properly |
| provide a positive image that is strong enough to | | | | and professionally addressed. |
| withstand the hardship that comes along with vicious | | | | |