| When Google first released Sidewiki I immediately got | | | | website for better or worse. Anyone who has |
| an email from a client asking me "What do you think of | | | | downloaded the Sidewiki tool bar can activate Sidewiki |
| Sidewiki?" I hadn't made up my mind at that moment, | | | | while browsing a website. A sidebar then appears |
| because on the one hand it does invite community | | | | next to the website the person is viewing. The sidebar |
| involvement. Anyone can post their thoughts, opinions, | | | | not only allows that person to see everything anyone |
| suggestions, in that way it's an open forum and that's | | | | else has written but also allows them to add their own |
| always a good thing for the free exchange of ideas. | | | | comments. |
| But from a business perspective it's scary to know | | | | Therein lies the problem, because anyone can say |
| anyone can "tag" your website. | | | | anything without regard to bias or truthfulness. |
| A few years ago I had a business with an office | | | | Someone can write comments about a bad |
| located on a prime location at the corner of one of the | | | | experience or even promote the competition! |
| major cross streets in town. Just outside was our sign | | | | But businesses can do something about it. The best |
| and below that was a large white space, which | | | | way to protect your reputation is to embrace Sidewiki |
| someone took upon themselves to graffiti one day. | | | | as part of your overall cyber public relations or social |
| Obviously the graffiti wasn't affiliated with our business, | | | | media plan. Start the comments going. Reply to others |
| but it kind of was. I mean it was right there, beneath | | | | who comment. Monitor it. In short, get involved. Create |
| our sign. It was linked to it. | | | | your presence on Sidewiki and be part of the |
| When Google Sidewiki was released a few weeks | | | | discussion. As they say, if you can't beat 'em join 'em. |
| ago it reminded me of that whole incident. It's kind of a | | | | You've got your rep to protect. |
| virtual wall of graffiti in my opinion that stays with your | | | | |