Social networking and social marketing has become a very important aspect of not only peoples lives but day to day business interaction as well. Many experts say that this is only the beginning of social media marketing and I’m going to venture out and say they are probably correct. As the social media marketing industry only grows in power and strength it will be even more crucial for companies to be able to keep a close eye on what some of the various networks are saying about them, especially websites like Twitter where news can travel very quickly through the online community. Often times so fast the amount of time required to actually fix the problem can be overwhelming. StepRep offers a tool that allows you to not only monitor your online reputation but also act and make corrections right from your account.

StepRep allows you to use your Google log in information to access your account ensuring that all Google results are identified either positive or negative. In today’s world your online reputation is very important to the survival and growth of your business. As generations grow more and more of that voice will be spread through out the internet in many different areas. If you do not monitor that voice to ensure that no negative press has found its way online it could require a great deal of effort to clean up down the road if not taken care of right away. More and more potential clients and customers are doing their due dilligence online before they make any purchase decisions so it is important to have a squeaky clean reputation before you start loosing business for your negative online publicity.

For more information on how StepRep can help you monitor your online reputation come sign up and have StepRep monitor what people are saying about you or your business.

This issue actually goes far beyond simple reputation management. In fact it probably fits into the criminal landscape given the events. Many will have heard of the hoax(?) news story about Steve Jobs having a heart attack.

I wonder how many also know that in the first hours after the story ‘broke’, Apple shares took a heavy dip. It shows that Jobs is still considered one of Apples biggest allies and his loss could cripple the company – at least initially.

So what does this have to do with you? A lot since the same could happen to you. The end result would be the same if it is a publicly listed company, a sudden drop in share prices. For personal branding, the best way to handle things is be vigilant and to step in and stop the damage as soon as possible.

Reputation management is the key. There are many different programs that can help you manage your reputation. The damage done in this case was potentially huge. Millions of dollars wiped off the stock exchange. If the culprit can be found, he may face criminal charges for his actions.

The strange thing is, he could be quite innocent of any intent. He may have heard or seen something and jumped in before checking his facts.

Andy Beal may be onto a winner with his reputation management tool, Trackur. I think his sales pitch opening line really drives home the point:

“You’ve worked hard to build your online reputation; wouldn’t you like to know if a blogger is about to flush it down the toilet?”

I know I would. Considering you can get a free 14 day trial of his reputation management software, it seems to me to be waste if we don’t at least give it a try. To quote from the web site:

The truth is, the web has made it possible for individuals to freely share their thoughts about you–and without much accountability. You should be made aware the moment your reputation is being discussed. Sure, you need to know about the attacks by your detractors, but you should also know when you’re receiving praise too!

The last part of that statement can quite important for an internet marketer. If your name, brand or products are receiving praise then you need to be able capitalize on it – perhaps with an increase in marketing activities or by increasing your social activities. If you’re selling products, it can be a great time launch a sale – when it comes to reputation management – you need to strike while the iron is hot as they say.

Trackur looks, on first impressions, to be an ideal tool for reputation management.
It certainly goes well beyond Google Alerts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT Reputation Management Software Trackur

Reputation Management is one of those areas that every business owner is aware off, yet when it comes to the online world, they often don’t know where to start. A recent post on Small Business Labs highlights the need to work much smarter on your reputation management strategies.

The post highlighted some interesting statistics which include a report that 60% of those surveyed stated they would use social media to vent their feelings about a poor experience. This is where reputation management and reputation surveillance really need to be closely monitored.

Other statistics indicated that over 70% of respondents would use social media to undertake some form of research regarding reputation prior to purchasing and the recommendations of others could play an important role in their decision making. This reinforces the view that reputation management is not a task that is only undertaken after a storm.

Many novice social marketers have an approach where they expect results from their activities immediately. Possibly a sign of today’s impatient world. Social marketing, and with it your reputation management strategies, should be planned for the long term.

The most important aspect of social engagement is the development of your reputation over a period of time. Trust is a key point and by developing a trust within the community you are active in, whilst not totally insulating yourself from negative comments, you will find many defending you or your product or services. This is reputation management on auto pilot and its value cannot be counted in dollar terms.

To work smarter on your reputation management you need to gather around you, on any of the social sites, a group of individuals who have not only used your product or service, but are also happy to discuss their experiences when prompted. If you really want to protect your reputation and make your reputation management easier, you need to provide that positive experience in the first place.

Today’s article is actually inspired by an off line event that shows the unintended consequences of a single action and the effect it has had on reputation, social networking and marketing in general.

You may have heard the story on the news or in a newspaper reporting the New York landscape gardener who stumbled across a cool $140,000 in $20 notes. After giving the matter some thought, he decided to hand the money over to the police who eventually found the owner. The landscape gardener received a small reward for his efforts.

However, since handing the money over, the story together with his name and business has spread throughout New York and the rest of the US. Since then his phone has not stopped ringing. He will probably now have more work than he can cope with for many months.

What does this have to do with reputation management, social networking or social marketing? Think about it. Now that he has a reputation for being honest, if he is a halfway decent landscape gardener he could turn this into lucky strike into a viral marketing campaign that will last potentially for ever and take his business from a one man affair to a major contractor.

I am sure you can imagine this scenario. You drop around to my house and see the gardens looking magnificent. You ask me who did it and my response is, ‘that’s the guy that found all the money and handed it in – he is a good landscape gardener too – do you want his card’. Another ‘contact’ made. And so it goes and grows.

The online community is no different. If you can build a reputation for being honest, reliable and willing to help out when needed, you will find your reputation growing in a viral fashion – not rapidly, but growing. Again, I am sure you can see the scene, someone has a problem with their social marketing and the response is, “Nick is a social marketing expert, he is bound to have a solution’. Look at that, a referral and a link to boot.

Reputation management, social networking and social marketing are all closely linked. Getting a leak in one could cause a flood to spread out over the others. I wonder, can a landscape gardener deal with leaks as well.