| When you discover your internet reputation has been | | | | yourself and see. Online reputation management also |
| attacked, either maliciously or passively, use these tips | | | | includes updating positive links that include your name, |
| to guide you: | | | | not just reacting against the negatives. One key to |
| Online Reputation Tip #1: Research the Attack | | | | helping a positive search result rise, if you have the |
| Online reputation management starts with ascertaining | | | | ability to edit the positive content such as a Facebook, |
| who is doing the attacking. Is it a competitor, a jilted | | | | MySpace, or page, include the problem search term in |
| lover, a crazy person, or all three at once (did | | | | the body of the content a number of times. A good |
| someone boil your pet rabbit)? Often times you'll find | | | | rule of thumb is ten times (but not always). |
| that the offending online posting is that of a journalist | | | | You can create new content as well. From speaking |
| writing without full knowledge of the facts. But no | | | | at Rotary Clubs and getting the talk mentioned in the |
| matter from where the online reputation management | | | | local online newspaper, to building Facebook and other |
| issue sprung it's almost always a hassle to reduce, and | | | | social networking pages, there are myriad ways of |
| once posted the negative publicity is difficult to remove. | | | | introducing new, positive content and thereby helping to |
| Online reputation attacks can be broken into two | | | | manage your online reputation. Positive press releases |
| broad categories, one-time postings, and malicious | | | | are very helpful as well and can be distributed via PR |
| postings. The latter are often the most difficult to deal | | | | Newswire and other sources for a relatively small fee. |
| with because the offender may have a 'beef' against | | | | Online Reputation Tip #4: Monitor Your Reputation |
| you or your company which results in multiple attacks. | | | | Monitoring your online reputation is an ongoing task, but |
| In the latter case, the first step is to get the offender | | | | there are tools that can help automate it. For example, |
| to stop. This may be accomplished with the help of Tip | | | | Google offers a free service called Google Alerts (just |
| 2 below. If it's a passive attack, for example your | | | | google it). Google alerts can assist you in your internet |
| name was included in an online news article in a less | | | | reputation management endeavors by alerting you via |
| than positive light, or blogged about once or twice, an | | | | email when their 'robots' find your name or company |
| online reputation management firm may be the | | | | name mentioned somewhere on the internet. The best |
| answer. | | | | way to take immediate action is to know as soon as |
| Online Reputation Tip #2: Attorney or No Attorney? | | | | possible when your internet reputation has been |
| Let's face it - lawyers are expensive. But your | | | | compromised and take action. Why? Because |
| problem may benefit from the use of an attorney | | | | oftentimes a search engine considers older web |
| nonetheless. While we are not dispensing legal advice | | | | pages to be more relevant; and more relevant web |
| here, it has often been found that if the perpetrator is | | | | pages float to the top of search results. |
| defaming your reputation, and you can prove it, you | | | | Online reputation management can seem like a difficult |
| may have a case against them. The benefits and cost | | | | task, and lets be frank - it often is. The average online |
| must be weighed and often online reputation | | | | reputation project takes months to get results. Serious |
| management is the most cost-effective option | | | | attacks need professional assistance from firms like |
| available. If you feel you have a case, speak with an | | | | Eraseo, or KentCampbell can help. Even when you're |
| attorney that specializes in defamation cases. If not, | | | | careful and keep track of your reputation, attacks - |
| call an online reputation management firm. | | | | whether active or passive still happen. But if you catch |
| Online Reputation Tip #3: Generate Positive Attention | | | | it quickly enough, and follow the steps above, you may |
| Are there positive things already associated with your, | | | | be able to lessen the effect it has on your online |
| or your companies name on the internet? Google | | | | reputation. |