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WebiMax Blog

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WebiMax Reviews How your Reputation Precedes You

WebiMax Contributor, March 19, 2010

WebiMax reviews the adage “Your reputation precedes you”. But, what exactly does it mean?

Well, to start let’s take a look at the word reputation. Wikipedia defines reputation as “the opinion of the group of entities toward a person, a group of people, or an organization on a certain criterion.” It is the result of what you do, what you say, and what other people say about you.

So, back to the original question, what does the phrase mean? The opinions that people have on you, your group, or your organization will make the first impression on them. They will most likely hear about your reputation, well before they even meet you or your organization.

The concept of having your reputation explain who you are and what you represent before you have the chance to show for yourself is exactly why it is important to have a good reputation. Other may make decisions on doing business with you, or relying on you for a certain task, or on even meeting you because of your reputation.

Businesses in particular have a need to ensure a good reputation for their brand. If it is known that their product does not work, if their services are too expensive, or if they have poor customer relations then others could decide against doing business with them.

Another method of online reputation is through blogs. Blogs are free game for reviews and opinions on just about anything. If someone likes your product they can help your reputation by posting their review on their blog. But, in comparison, they could post a bad review causing others to label your reputation in a negative way.

So, what can you do as a business to manage your reputation? Well, there are plenty of techniques out there. There are even Reputation Management Firms or SEO Consulting Companies to help manage your reputation for you. But, one of the most important steps to manage your reputation is being aware of what is said on the web. There is no way to manage your reputation without knowing who is saying what about your company.

To help manage the voice of the web, Google has designed an application that will email you alerts on whatever word, phrase, or topic you select. Setting up the Google alert system is completely free, and quite simple. Through the alert system you could monitor every time your company name, the name of any branded products, and even your own name show up on the web. The alert system lets you set the type of search, the frequency, and whether you would like to receive the notices to your Gmail account or an RSS feed.

Once you start receiving alerts, you can manage the responses to ensure a good reputation is built for your company. For instance, if you receive an alert for a negative comment, you could engage in a conversation with the poster to resolve the issue. If you receive a question regarding your product, answering it quickly will promote great customer service. Or, if you find a positive remark or review, you can thank the person for their great service.

Reputation identifies how others view you and your business. The importance of knowing and managing your reputation are vital to branding your company. Taking advantage of the free services out there will help make the reputation that precedes you a good one!

Need an Expert Contributor?

Ken Wisnefski is a seasoned web entrepreneur and a frequent contributor to news outlets and business publications. Ken’s vast knowledge of how to make online businesses succeed has made him a sought after consultant from businesses wishing to improve their online initiatives. Contact pr@webimax.com to collaborate!

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