Online communities are more valuable than ever for emerging and experienced entrepreneurs alike. Social media has given everyone a voice and the capability to be heard by millions of people at once. As online communities grow in size and importance, online reputation becomes increasingly valuable. It is an asset that you should consider protecting as it can make or break your career or business opportunities. Here are ways to improve your online reputation:
Consider creating a website for your personal brand
A website for your business serves as the home base for your online presence. And fortunately, it no longer costs thousands of dollars to build a website. Plenty of platforms provide templates that make website building easy for anyone, even if you don’t know anything about coding.
If you’re building your personal brand, your domain name should be your name. So, when people Google your name, they will be directed to your site. Having your own website allows you to take control of your narrative.
Get on social media
Create a profile across the top social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. For consistency, use the same profile photo across all your accounts. This helps build character for your brand.
Keep a log
Keep track of positive actions and decisions so you can refer and show others the good things you’ve done online! This will help your online reputation tremendously when people search for information about you on Google or other sites.
Participate in conversations
Don’t be afraid to get your online community involved in the conversation; they will love hearing from you. It would be best if you also weren’t afraid to comment on others’ posts, along with sharing their content. This makes you an active member of the community who shows support for your industry.
Network wisely
Use social media for networking opportunities, not insults or negativity. Keep the conversation positive online when possible. You don’t want to be known as the person who trolls others.
Embrace feedback
If someone has posted something online about you or your business negatively, don’t try to hide the post from people searching for information on Google. Address online negativity head-on. This shows people how well you handle criticism and the positive actions you will take to diffuse the problem.
Clean up your digital footprint
This is perhaps one of the most important things you can do to improve your online presence. Google yourself today and see what comes up. It may surprise you that posts from a decade ago are for public consumption, including photos or comments in old forums. Who you were a decade ago, or even a year ago, may not be who you are today and may no longer align with your values. Do your best to remove old posts that may be detrimental to your online reputation. The goal isn’t to have people perceive you as a saint but to put you in a more positive light. Audiences expect authenticity; however, sharing your past and personal photos and thoughts should be done cautiously. Find balance, and you can still achieve authenticity.
For more advice on improving your online reputation and business opportunities, contact me to learn more!
