| Reputation management is not quite the same as | | | | statements to make you look bad. |
| branding your company name, although it does involve | | | | The fact is, the internet has made reputation |
| getting information about your company out to the | | | | management a huge deal. Just do a search for |
| public eye. It more specifically entails the tracking of | | | | reputation management and you'll come up with more |
| your company's activities and opinions from sources | | | | than 3 million results. The great news is that you don't |
| outside your business regarding your activities. The | | | | have to hire a reputation management firm to |
| internet is used as a means for expressing opinions | | | | counteract public opinion that's detrimental to your |
| and it can be an exceptionally valuable tool, but take | | | | business. You can handle this yourself by implementing |
| heed - it is a double-edged sword in the sense that | | | | a regular program of publishing your successes and |
| bad news about your business can spread around the | | | | achievements on the World Wide Web. |
| globe like weeds on fire before you even know it's | | | | It's not good manners to take issue with another's |
| happening. | | | | opinion and more often than not it simply adds fuel to |
| Share the Good News | | | | their fire. (Consult with your legal advisors if you believe |
| Emails, blogs, forums and social media venues such as | | | | you have observed statements about you that you |
| Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, to name a few give | | | | believe could be considered slanderous.) It is inevitable |
| people the opportunity to say what they think about | | | | that you won't be able to please everyone - 2-3% of |
| your business affairs without the option for you to | | | | the population is simply hostile and unwilling to change. |
| screen what's being said. The online Better Business | | | | Take charge of your reputation by sending out press |
| Bureau service provides instant access for other | | | | releases and posting on social media venues with all |
| business owners and potential customers to read | | | | the good news about your company. Get involved in |
| about you, whether it's good bad or ugly. Your | | | | community service activities and make generous |
| reputation is based on just about anything that is said | | | | donations to charities. Join your local Chamber of |
| about you, regardless if it's real or based on | | | | Commerce. Ask your associates and customers to |
| someone's misinformed perception. The worst news | | | | give you testimonials and publish these on your |
| of all is that there are actually organizations in | | | | website. Become the ultimate bearer of good news. |
| existence for the sole purpose of making public | | | | |