Whether we like it or not, we are defined by what appears on the internet. Whether the negative listings are from a competitor, a news site, or a message board, the impact can be financially challenging at best and devastating at worst. The good news is that it is possible not only to repair, but to maintain a positive online reputation.
DEFEND YOUR ONLINE REPUTATION
1 – Remove or untag negative images from the net (a professional will be able to get it cleared from Google’s cache to get it off the net for good.)
2 – If you can’t delete, compete. "Cover up" embarassing content (not just photos, any info online about you) by posting positive information about yourself on a regular basis. This will push negative material farther down the google search — in effect, hiding it.
3 – Set up a proper profile online that lists all of your achievements, affiliations and notable contacts.
4 – Increase credibility by blogging. Choose high traffic sites and make sure your name is cited as the author so it’s related to the search being conducted.
5 – Become an expert by submitting articles (they can be short, but should provide a unique perspective) to a bunch of different websites. Do this at least once a month – it’s okay if the same article is being published on various sites.
6 – Monitor you Reputation with a FREE Google Alert.
Make sure to set up several using variations of your name – if you have a middle name, nicknames or different last names. You can do this for your company name as well.
For a list of top online networking sites, click here.
You can also hire a professional to take care of your online reputation:
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