| There are any number of reasons why someone may | | | | Unless you have the time and skill set to do all of the |
| want to search for your name on Google, including; | | | | following yourself, it's best to use an agency to monitor |
| - Potential clients looking for more information | | | | and manage your online profile; |
| - Potential employers trying to find out about you | | | | * Write interesting, relevant and optimised press |
| - Recruitment agencies making checks | | | | releases |
| - Media outlets searching for background information | | | | * Create and update social media profiles on sites |
| on you | | | | such as Twitter |
| With such vast volumes of information available on the | | | | * Establish business profiles on a range of key |
| internet, it's little wonder that it's the first port of call for | | | | websites |
| the majority of people when they want to find out | | | | * Write optimised blog entries |
| more about an individual. | | | | * Designing a personal website to help develop your |
| While your organisation as a whole may monitor its | | | | own 'brand' |
| online reputation, many companies neglect the | | | | If you're not writing about yourself and keeping your |
| reputations of their most senior and well known staff | | | | online reputation intact, then the chances are someone |
| when it comes to search engine results. | | | | else will be writing about you and it may not always be |
| Managing your online reputation is just as important if | | | | positive. |
| you are self-employed as potential clients and suppliers | | | | By releasing optimised news stories, blog entries and |
| may Google your name after meeting you at a | | | | press releases you will ensure that people find what |
| networking event or receiving an email or letter from | | | | you want them to find when they search for your |
| you. | | | | name online, rather than something that potentially |
| It may only take one negative entry in Google's search | | | | damages your reputation. |
| engine results to damage your reputation as an | | | | Research by various bodies has shown that typically |
| individual and have a negative impact on your business. | | | | over 75% of people will use Google at some stage to |
| How to take control of your reputation | | | | research an individual in a business context, so |
| The best way to stay in control of what people are | | | | effective online reputation management is critical to |
| finding out about you online is to be proactive. | | | | you and your company. |