4 Tips to manage your online reputation

As a digital communicator I sometimes take it for granted that everyone understands the importance of online reputation.

When someone reaches out to me by e-mail for business reasons, the first thing I do before I answer them, is search for their name on Google. Knowing who they are, helps me in all sorts of ways.

If you haven´t Googled yourself in a while, you should! Here are 4 tips to manage your online reputation so you don’t get any surprises.
Image: Shutterstock

If we end up getting on the phone to chat, I have information about their professional background, I can even find out whether we have friends in common, and perhaps even other affinities.

Also, I always assume a potential client or editor who reaches out has already looked me up on the Internet.

If they haven´t, and if they want to find more about me, I can always say, “Google me!” with peace of mind.

The importance of online reputation

If you haven´t Googled yourself in a while, you should! Here are 4 tips to manage your online reputation so you don’t get any surprises.
Image: Shutterstock

The first thing they will find is my personal website, followed by my social media handles, entries on Wikipedia, and my author pages on all the outlets I write for on a regular basis.

They will also find my latest published book called REACH!, from single mom on foodstamps to digital entrepreneur that explains a part of my online journey and why I love social media and the digital world so much.

I also have Google alerts set up for my name so that as soon as something is published that has my name on it, I get an alert by e-mail with a link to the post.

But as it turns out, I was wrong in thinking that keeping tabs on one’s online reputation is the norm.

You should know what the Internet says about you

If you haven´t Googled yourself in a while, you should! Here are 4 tips to manage your online reputation so you don’t get any surprises.
Image: Shutterstock

A survey conducted by Domain.ME, says otherwise.

According to this survey, 60% of Americans have not bothered to search for their name on a search engine such as Google.

And … I´m not the only one who does a Google search on individuals who contact me for business. According to the same study,

  • 23% search for a name because a friend has mentioned them in conversation.
  • 16% search people to prepare for a business meeting or work-related event.
  • 14% go online to check out someone before a first date or social gathering.

This means that whether you want to find love, work, or new friends, you really should know what the Internet says about you.

I´ve had a personal website since, gasp, 1994, when most people I knew didn´t even have access to the Internet.

While this may be unusual for someone my age (I´m 58, soon 59), the younger generations are growing up with all kinds of access to the digital world.

In fact, they might be posting things now that they may not want out there when they are older.

Because as a digital entrepreneur, I understand this, I´ve told my kids since they were very young what they should never post online, anywhere, not even in a private message, if they don´t want their reputations ruined.

Now, what to do if you or your children want to build or rebuild a good online reputation?

4 tips to manage your online reputation

If you haven´t Googled yourself in a while, you should! Here are 4 tips to manage your online reputation so you don’t get any surprises.
Image: Shutterstock

1. Post mindfully.

Assume that anything and everything you post online can be seen and read by anyone.

Even if you have the highest security settings on your social media accounts, you just never know where or how your shares may end up. So always post mindfully.

No matter what your line of work is, your social media presence should paint a positive picture of you.

2. Search.

Google yourself regularly and see what comes up on the first and second page especially.

You can also set up Google alerts if you have an unusual name. If your name is more common, then add your hometown or another distinctive factor to the search.

If you haven´t Googled yourself in a while, you should! Here are 4 tips to manage your online reputation so you don’t get any surprises.
Image: Shutterstock

3. Fix it.

If you or your children have ever posted anything online that you now regret, take it down, delete it.

If you didn´t post it, ask the other party to take it down. Refrain from posting anything else that could potentially harm you down the road.

4. Take control.

Get yourself or your children a personal webpage or blog that will act as a business card.

A personally branded site with proper SEO (search engine optimization) will rank higher on search engines than other information about you, which will get pushed to the second page.

This is great because according to Search Engine Watch, only 4.8% of web traffic makes it to the second page of results.

If you haven´t Googled yourself in a while, you should! Here are 4 tips to manage your online reputation so you don’t get any surprises.

Lorraine C. Ladish

Bilingual and bicultural Spanish-American editor, writer, speaker, influencer, yoga teacher (RYT500) wife and mom. Founder of Viva Fifty! Published author of 18 books. Her most recent book Your Best Age was released by HarperCollins in September of 2017.

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