Online reputation, concerns everyone. Conventional wisdom would have us believe that only businesses are affected by this issue. However, this is not the case, as individuals must also monitor what is said about them online.
The image you project on the Internet can be decisive, especially when looking for a job. Indeed, it is now common, even almost systematic, to type the name of a person you have just met on Google. Recruiters often use this technique to glean some information about their candidates. This trend has even got a name: googling.
Moreover, it is important to know that building a solid e-reputation takes time, but in the digital age, five minutes is enough to destroy it. One negative comment can have a big impact. Therefore, it is important to take the time to master your e-reputation. To do this, you need to adopt the right reflexes.
Type your name into Google
Google is the most used search engine in France (93.5%). Before you start to manage your e-reputation, it is advisable to enter your name on this search engine and see what comes up. Be aware of all the information that Google and social networks have accumulated about you. It is necessary to check all the elements that mention your name, such as photos and videos. Then you can remove anything that could damage your e-reputation.
Use the right tools
Once you have cleaned up your name, you can start to look at how you come across on the net. It is necessary that the first results are positive and relevant to the image you want to convey. This is called personal branding or personal marketing. This practice consists of managing your skills, your values and your added value for your entourage, your professional audience, your positioning and your image. So the most important question to ask yourself is: how do you promote yourself?
The answer depends on your purpose. If you are looking for a job, it is worth creating an account on the professional social network LinkedIn. However, you must complete it and keep it active so that it appears in the first results. For example, a self-employed person would be better off managing a Google My Business account. It is necessary to do everything to avoid a superficial presence. To do this, nothing could be simpler: focus your time and energy on a maximum of two social networks.
Monitor your online reputation
A recent Ifop survey shows that 96% of Internet users are influenced by the e-reputation of a brand. Individuals are in the same boat. You should therefore not neglect comments and opinions about you on the net. It is therefore advisable to set up a Google alert on your name which will bring up all articles and web pages that mention your name. This technique can allow you to react in time and directly counteract the negative things that may appear. If you are a self-employed person, it is possible to counteract negative reviews.
The first thing to do is to always respond to such comments in a polite and professional manner. This way, other users who come across these reviews will see that you take the problem to heart and are doing everything you can to solve it. In addition, it is also possible to encourage satisfied customers to post positive comments about their feedback. It is important to note that on the Internet, the most dissatisfied people are the most likely to post reviews, whereas satisfied people are less likely to do so.
Managing your online reputation
For your online reputation to be successful, you will need to become a community manager to build a small community. Although this is a job in itself, you can apply the basics. One of the easiest and most popular ways is through storytelling. The method consists of creating a story around your name or service in order to create a strong emotional connection. This technique makes it easier to place your person on Google.
Activate private mode
A final tip for anyone who wants to maintain a modicum of digital privacy: consider enabling private mode on social networks. For example, Facebook has an option to derefer your account to search engines. This way, you can enjoy social networks without impacting your privacy.
Online reputation concerns everyone, be it individuals or companies. Therefore, it is important to take an interest in it. As an individual, you can start by typing your name into search engines and see what comes up about you. This is what a recruiter will do if you are looking for a job. It is therefore necessary to make sure that nothing incriminating filters through the Internet.
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