A new report from Forbes confirms that Internet users are becoming increasingly aware of preserving their online reputation through Facebook and other social media -- but that doesn't eliminate the need for professional reputation management
NEW YORK, March 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whether an individual is seeking to gain employment or bring new clients to a business, online reputation can be everything. In our increasingly digitized world, face-to-face meetings and formal introductions are growing rarer all the time, meaning potential employers, clients, or business associates judge a person based on what an online search reveals. According to a new report from Forbes, people are becoming more aware of this. Actions taken to preserve an online reputation, such as pruning or "defriending" people on Facebook, are escalating in popularity. According to members of the online reputation management industry, however, these actions may not be enough.
The Forbes report states that the reality of how influential an undesirable Facebook photo or status update can be is something more and more Americans are aware of. The percentage of individuals (and especially women) heightening their privacy settings and untagging themselves from unflattering photos is on the rise. According to Justin Singletary, though, these "reputation management" actions may not be enough for everyone. Singletary, the Chief Executive Officer of Reputation Changer, says anyone with undesirable online listings is suffering from a negative online reputation, and only a professional reputation management agency can change that.
"Social networks can be very influential in shaping a person's online reputation, and they can also play a major role in repairing a damaged reputation," notes Singletary, confirming the Forbes report. "However, if a reputation has been significantly damaged by unwanted Google listings, that's when it's time for a serious reputation management campaign."
According to Singletary, embarrassing Facebook photos are not the only things that can damage a reputation. He points to negative newspaper articles, police reports, and even online complaints as potential sources of reputation damage. These negative listings, when they rank high on a Google search results page, could ultimately lead to fewer job offers, fewer clients, or general chagrin.
Online reputation management companies, such as ReputationChanger.com, seek to curb these negative effects. Singletary's company has worked on behalf of national political figures and Fortune 500 companies, but he says reputation management can also work on a much smaller scale, for anyone seeking to ensure they're putting the best foot forward in the online world.
In particular, Singletary points to professionals who work in the public eye, such as attorneys, doctors, and even fitness consultants. "A single negative review, perhaps from a disgruntled customer or even from a competitor, can sink an online reputation," he says. "Even if the content of the complaint is patently untrue, if it's ranking high atop a Google search results page, then it is essentially setting the tone of public perception, and likely leading to a significant loss in clients, patients, or customers."
Singletary says most consumers conduct online searches before spending money on a product or service, and notes that one bad review is all it takes for them to transfer their business to a competitor whose Google profile is clean.
Reputation management companies work to combat these negative public perceptions, though, and restore a client's credibility. The typical course of action is not to control these online complaints, but to suppress them, promoting positive content about the client and using SEO techniques to elevate that positive content to the first page of a Google or Bing search.
According to Singletary, the ultimate goal of these campaigns is to establish the client as a reputable, authoritative figure within their industry. "If potential customers search for you on Google and all they find are complaints or negative reviews, that does significant damage, and ultimately leads to fewer clients and decreased revenues," he observes. "Reputation management can ensure that these complaints, whether right or wrong, don't tell the full story or get the last word."
ABOUT:
Founded in 2009 by a team of online marketing and sales professionals, Reputation Changer is one of the premier providers of online reputation management. The company works 24/7 to provide comprehensive reputation management strategies to its clients, which have included politicians, public figures, Fortune 500 companies, and more. Reputation Changer owns several media outlets, and is known for its innovation in positive SEO techniques, social media implementation, and more.
For more information about Reputation Changer, its services and how it can assist in reputation management and promotional campaigns, visit www.ReputationChanger.com.