Tips for Managing Your On-Line Identity

June 16, 2010 - 3 minutes read

Why Manage On-Line Identity?

“Create a great online impression; dress to impress! ” says Andy Beal, co-author of Radically Transparent: Monitoring and Managing Reputations Online.

He goes on to say, “You already know that a great suit can help you impress a VC or win that new client account, but what about the way you dress-up your web site? I see so many companies suffer from a poor reputation, only to discover they’re abusing their biggest reputation asset–their own web site content.”

“Online reviews are second only to personal advice from a friend as the driver of purchase decisions; user reviews are more influential than third-party reviews. (“Web users and web community,” Rubicon Consulting, Inc. October 2008)

So how do you manage your online reputation? What ingredients should be managed? Within seconds a first impression of your online identity is made whether good or bad. Manage how you and your company are perceived by thoughtfully managing your online presence including text, storyline, graphics and photography.

Immediate Steps in Managing Your Online Identity

• Google yourself and your company – right now. List the good and the bad.
• Submit your current site for crowd rating and get immediate honest feedback, http://www.startups.co.uk/6678842908956514753/rate-my-website.html
• Get professional portraits made to use as an avatar, on cards, on web sites, etc. and use it consistently. Everyone in the company should have a similar photo and they should be less than 2 years old.
• Buy your personal domain name, e.g. www.BrettGilmour.com and www.BrettGilmour.ca. If your are using your ISP’s email address, something like you@shaw.ca or business@telus.net, you are promoting their company instead of your own.

Next Steps in Managing Your Online Identity

• determine the audience you want to reach
• decide what message you want to convey to your audience
• develop a strategy to communicate with your audience – consult Ernest Barbaric or Ulistic.
  
• think about how your photography & graphics can best communicate what you want to say
• consistency is the key that creates the personality and identity, be consistent from page to page
• “Google is now a utility for every life transaction,” says Michael Fertik, founder of the online reputation management service, ReputationDefender.com
• “You have to keep yourself fresh.”

Are you interested in getting a better grip on how to leverage photography in your marketing programs? Join the conversation as we discuss new ideas to help you create a visual language that will add greater impact to your advertising campaigns.

Tags: advertising, how to, marketing