Whether you meet people through online social networking or in person networking events, your reputation is what makes or breaks you when it comes to business. You put yourself at risk for a negative reputation if you don’t take the steps to protect your reputation. Word of mouth spreads fast. It only takes one harsh word to a client or negative comment from a customer to put your business in jeopardy.
Even if staff members attend networking events on your behalf and talk negatively about your competition, it’s your company’s reputation at stake. As a business professional, you are a direct reflection of your company’s mission and code of ethics. That applies to both in person networking and online social networking.
Social networking makes it easy for customers/clients to post both positive and negative comments related to your business. However, before you can protect your reputation you need to first understand how reputation management works. Reputation management tracks one person’s actions against another person’s opinion about those particular actions. Tracking can be as simple as setting up Google e mail alerts, or as complex as using reputation management software.
How Can You Protect Your Business Reputation?
These are easy reputation management strategies that will ensure your business reputation remains intact:
•When setting up social networking profiles, always tie your business name and contact information into your profile. Add a personal picture or company logo this helps brand your company so people know you are the original “ABC Real Estate Company.” Set up business profiles in search engines such as Google and Yahoo. This further protects your identity (especially when potential or current customers or colleagues search for you online)
•Use online tracking tools such as Google alerts or simply search for your company name online. Take an active role in online forum communities and spread a positive message about your business.
Remember to always say it with a smile – whether you post tweets on Twitter or shake hands with the mayor. Put your best face forward, and remember you are the voice and face behind your company’s reputation (even if you aren’t the business owner). Join your local chamber of commerce or business networking groups. By interacting one on one with fellow entrepreneurs, you will quickly earn a positive reputation within your community.
Stop Rumors in Their Tracks
If you hear a rumor circulating about you, don’t get angry and fire back with negative comments. The best way to stop a nasty rumor is to confront the source directly. For example, if a local newspaper misquotes a fact about you or your business, follow up with an immediate phone call to the media. You want to stop that rumor in its tracks before it spreads.
People believe what they read and bad publicity is the fastest way to ruin your business reputation. It doesn’t matter if you are a small business or a large corporation, don’t fall into the trap and think that “all publicity is good publicity.” Bad publicity can ruin your business reputation in mere seconds.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).
Author Resource:
Jonathan Boyd has written countless articles for Meeting Wave, a free website to meet people offline, for social or business networking. Check out the MW blog at http://www.meetingwave.com/blog
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