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how to find an online reputation management firm

How to Find an Online Reputation Business You Can Trust

Blog, Online Reputation Management / Steven W. Giovinco

12 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Reputable Online Reputation Management Firm Summary Having a positive online reputation is invaluable for individuals and businesses, right?. Yet, sifting through the myriad of online reputation management (ORM) firms to find one that\’s both trustworthy and effective can seem like a minefield. With some ORM firms leaning into dubious tactics, your selection process becomes even more vital. This guide offers 12 pivotal questions to help your evaluation, touching on aspects from website quality to pricing strategies and the very techniques these firms champion. Free Evaluation Key References Leaked files reveal reputation-management firm’s deceptive tactics Black-Hat (computer security) The Definitive Guide To Reputable And Disreputable Online Reputation Management Pricing Understanding the Online Reputation Landscape How can you find the right firm to help repair or build your online reputation? More importantly, who is trustworthy and can deliver a legitimate solution at a fair price? The choice and selection can be daunting. Unfortunately, unscrupulous online reputation management firms seem to proliferate. Finding the right one is paramount – getting this right can mean the difference between success and failure. Some companies buy reviews, purchase low-quality links from India, overcharge, engage in hacking, or follow “black hat” techniques. Ironically, the industry could use a reputation management overhaul itself. Working with the wrong firm can actually lead to additional reputation damage. Key Questions for Evaluating ORM Firms Here are some key questions to ask when seeking a reputable online reputation management firm. 1. What is the Website Like? Review the website. Is it helpful? Does it answer your questions in a clear and concise manner? Have they published recent blog posts? Can you spot typos or AI-written language? Is it filled with popups, phone numbers, and a push to sign up? Carefully evaluate their site to glean insights into the firm’s process – after all, if it appears careless or sloppy, you might expect the same poor work on your project. 2. What Is the First Contact Like? What is the first contact like with the reputation firm? If via email, does it seem formulaic or a hard sell with an urgent time to respond? If on the phone, do they seem distracted, disinterested, or unable to answer technical or procedural questions? Get a sense of the reputation management firm through your introductory contact. A competent web reputation analyst should listen intently to your specific issue, offer a detailed solution, and be well-versed in web reputation and repair issues. Since some large firms use quota or commission-based salespeople, try talking with someone who will actually be doing the work. 3. Is the Pricing Realistic or Does It Change Quickly? Do they offer a set price and then drastically reduce it? Some reputation firms quote an initial fee but quickly lower it. Beware: this could indicate that the firm is overcharging, is providing substandard work, or is basing their fee on what they think you can afford. Also, is the proposed amount realistic? Some companies might offer a woefully inadequate fee that should be ten times larger to be successful. A price quote should be based on how many hours it takes to solve the issue and the complexity of the task. 4. Quick Solution Within Weeks? Are they promising a fast solution in weeks? Although total removal or suppression in less than a month might be possible depending on the severity, an average online reputation repair case takes six months or more. People who promise nearly immediate results are over-promising or are purposely deceptive. It\’s wise to move on. 5. Are They Using Bad or Blackhat Techniques? Does the reputation firm use shady or “black-hat” techniques? Disreputable firms engage in bad practices ranging from buying followers, falsifying reviews, and even hacking. Most egregiously, I’ve heard of reputation businesses purposely damaging a random person and then contacting them to offer a solution! Also, be aware of the term “proprietary solutions”. This often refers to things such as “link-farms” or a series of low-quality websites made that link back to each other to artificially boost their client’s web presence. Options such as these have no or minimal reputation value, and can actually incur further reputation damage. Reputable firms focus on analysis, research, excellent content creation, and consistent monitoring. 6. Do They Guarantee Removal? Do they guarantee outright removal? While images or videos which violate copyright rules are possible to delete, most articles are not, especially if they are journalistic or media-related. If a firm says they can remove any type of content, they are probably engaging lawyers who submit dubious take-down requests, which is often not effective with Google search results. In reality, suppression is often the only option. Transparency in their approach is key. Ready to Regain Control of Your Online Reputation? Get in touch with us today for a free consultation. Let\’s work together to restore your online reputation and get your life back on track. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *Phone Number *Email *MessageEmail Submit 7. Do They Have Relevant–and Real–Case Studies? Do they have real case studies? If the company has no or minimal examples of their solutions, move on to someone else. Also, since testimonials or case studies could be fabricated, review them carefully for veracity. Look for detailed case studies that outline the problem, solution, and results. Also, if you are in the financial sector but they handle auto dealership or restaurant reviews, it’s not a good match. 8. Do They Have a Real Location? Where is the business located – and are they really there? Believe it or not, this is an issue. I’ve seen companies claiming to be in the US but are actually in Russia, India, or China. Since nearly all reputable firms post their location, phone number, email, and other pertinent information, not having a street address could mean the company is not legitimate or is located overseas. (However, some sole proprietorships prefer to use P.O. box offices.). A simple way to

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Ethics of Online Reputation Management

Blog, Online Brand Building Services, Online Reputation Management, Online Reputation Management Tips, Recover Reputation / Steven W. Giovinco

What Are the Ethics of Reputation Management? Be transparent and honest when crafting an online reputation. Appearing at the top of Google searches can make or break a business, making a stellar web presence paramount. Yet some cut corners on reputation management practices–or worse, engage in unethical methods. I firmly believe moral integrity is crucial to reputation building. If a firm knowingly repeats problems or is systematically harmful, then they rightly deserve their negative notoriety. When this appears prominently in Google searches, the activities become highly visible for all to see. However, what if a wrong business decision deserves a second chance? I sometimes suggest owners or professionals apologize for the poor business practice and move on by correcting the problem. In these cases, adequately implemented online reputation management is the best way to salvage a career or wrong decision. Also, reputation management should never be used to hurt another business. I’ve seen disgruntled ex-partners, revenge porn, angry clients, or competitors purposely create an online smear campaign to inflict online damage. Never do this. Not only is it wrong when discovered, but your reputation will also be ruined as well. In desperation, some will do almost anything to fix problems in Google search results. Since a lousy reputation means lost business, firms might be tempted to buy reviews, use “Black Hat” tactics, or hack sites. But, of course, itis is all illegal and never should be attempted. Finally, an online reputation firm must do honest work. They need to follow proper guidelines, be scrupulously fair, and not cut corners–whether asked by clients or their own. Also, it is wrong for a firm to charge $3,000 for a solution and not deliver it or know that it really will take $20,000. Knowingly overpromising and under-delivering is unethical too. Second Chances An online repair can mend damaged search results. Everyone makes mistakes in life and business, and a web presence can be rebuilt through excellent content and dedicated hard work. In these cases, especially when there is contrition, reputation reconstruction is the best option. For example, I had a case where a business executive misbehaved at a holiday party nineteen years ago. When a competitor leaked this to the New York Times, he could not get a new job years later, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost wages. However, since he was apologetic, I felt comfortable given his career a second chance. Eventually, six months later, he got a new high-paying position. Honestly Address Issues Use online reputation management only when necessary. It is not a method to cover systemic business problems or to hide poor customer complaints. While neither are pleasant, real issues need to be thoroughly resolved, and savvy business owners use these problems as an opportunity to improve. Bad People To be honest, not everyone deserves a second chance. There are instances in which reputation management cannot and should not be used. This may sound harsh, but some issues do not warrant repair. In my opinion, some include clear proof of sexual harassment and related conviction, swindling seniors, discovering purposeful online smear campaigns, and other ways that exact online revenge. Fake Reviews Do not write false or fake reviews. It may seem tempting to write your own for Yelp, Google My Business, TripAdvisor, Avvo, and others, but it’s unethical and most likely illegal. IP addresses can be traced, and when the natural source is uncovered–you or someone you hired–it results in extreme reputation devastation. Contrived comments on blog posts are not a good idea too. Blackhat Never use “Blackhat” techniques or things that do not follow platforms’ rules and policies. This includes using link farms, software bots that artificially click on good articles, impersonation of others, plagiarism, article spinning, spam, and the like. Hacking In no circumstances engage in hacking. Surprisingly, at least to me, I’ve gotten requests to hack a site or platform to remove harmful content, stop a problematic link or delete a review. Never try this, and run immediately if someone offers hacking as a service. Ethical Reputation Firms Work with ethical online reputation management firms. Since your reputation is an extension of theirs, pick one that is honest and transparent. Unfortunately, I’ve known companies that buy reviews, make fake accounts, steal online identities, create false problems to generate business, assign tasks to low-cost and unskilled overseas workers, and worse (I feel online reputation management needs their reputation management overhaul). When the scam is discovered, your reputation will be ruined as collateral damage. Also, shoddy quality work reflects poorly on your reputation. Undercharge Be aware of reputation pricing. Fees can be woefully low or outrageously high. Reprepital pricing is based on careful custom analysis–not on what someone thinks a client can pay. For example, let’s say two negative links towards the top of the first page in Google search results. A company quotes an initial price of $3,000, which might seem like a bargain. But in almost all cases, the actual cost to repair this issue might cost about ten times more. Some also claim to do work but never complete it.

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11 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Reputable Online Reputation Management Firm

Blog, Online Reputation Repair and Management, Recover Reputation, Steven W. Giovinco / Steven W. Giovinco

How to Find a Reputation Business You Can Trust How can you find the right firm to help repair or build your online reputation? More importantly, who is trustworthy and can deliver a legitimate solution at a realistic price? The choice and selection can be daunting. Unfortunately, unscrupulous online reputation management firms have proliferated, so finding the right firm is paramount and can mean the difference between success or failure. Some unethical companies buy reviews, overcharge, engage in hacking or follow “black hat” techniques. It seems the industry could use a reputation management overhaul itself. Working with the wrong firm can actually lead to additional reputation damage. Here are some key questions to ask when searching for a reputable online reputation management firm. 1. What Is the First Contact Like? What is the first contact like with the reputation firm? If via email, does it seem formulaic or a hard sell with an urgent time to respond? If on the phone, do they seem distracted, disinterested or unable to answer technical or procedural questions? Get a sense of the reputation management firm through your introductory contact. A good web reputation analyst should listen intently to your specific issue, offer a detailed solution, and be well versed in web reputation and repair issues. Since some large firms use quota or commission-based salespeople, try talking with someone who will actually be doing the work. 2. Is the Pricing Realistic or Change Quickly? Do they offer a set price and then drastically reduce it? Some reputation firms quote an initial fee but quickly lower it. Beware: this could indicate that the firm is overcharging, is providing substandard work or is basing their fee on what they think you can afford. Also, is the proposed amount realistic? Some companies might offer a woefully inadequate fee that should be ten times larger to be successful. A price quote should be based on how many hours it takes to solve the issue. 3. Quick Solution Within Weeks? Are they promising a fast solution in weeks? Although total removal or suppression in less than a month might be possible depending on the severity, an average online reputation repair case takes six months or more. People that promise a nearly immediate result are over-promising or are purposely deceptive. 4. Are They Using Bad or Blackhat Techniques? Does the reputation firm use shady or “black-hat” techniques? Disreputable firms engage in bad practices ranging from buying followers, falsifying reviews, and even hacking. Most egregiously, I’ve heard of reputation businesses purposely damaging a random person and then contacting them to offer a solution! Also, be aware of the term “proprietary solutions”. This often refers to things such as “link-farms” or a series of fake websites made which that link back to each other. Options such as these have no or minimal reputation value, and can actually incur additional reputation damage. Reputable firms focus on analysis, research, excellent content creation and constant reviews. 5. Do they Guarantee Removal? Do they guarantee outright removal? While images or videos which violate copyright rules are possible to delete, most items are not. If a firm says they can remove any type of content, they are probably engaging lawyers who submit dubious take-down requests, which is often not effective with Google search results. In reality, suppression is often the only option. (Recover Reputation never takes on a case unless I think it can be solved). 6. Do They Have Relevant–and Real–Case Studies? Do they have real case studies? If the company has no or minimal examples of their solutions, move on to someone else. Also, since testimonials or case studies could be fabricated, review them carefully for veracity. 7. Do They Have a Real Location? Where is the business located—and are they really there? Believe it or not, this is an issue. I’ve seen companies claiming to be in the US but are actually in Russia. Since nearly all reputable firms post their location, phone number, email and other pertinent information, not having a street address could mean the company is not legitimate or is located overseas. (Some sole proprietorships prefer to use P.O. box offices.) A simple way to check the validity of an address is to search using Google Maps. Results that show a mail drop-off center, a house (when it should be an office building), vacant land, a shed, factory or run-down building indicate a false place of business and should be avoided. 8. Is Their Proposal Simplistic? What do their proposals look like? Poorly worded, simplistic, and unprofessional assessments of your issue are problematic. So too are ones that are filled with too many deliverables. For example, offering one-hundred blog posts may sound impressive, but if they are badly crafted or on the wrong topic, they will have little impact. A customized hands-on approach is most effective, and the proposal should reflect this. 9. Do They Have a Poor Online Reputation? What does their own reputation look like? Search for negative reviews, bad comments, poorly made content, sloppy work, typos, etc., across various platforms and websites. If you see any red flags, immediately move on and work with someone else. A good firm should provide excellent information that is easily accessible through a simple online search. 10. Are They a Large Corporation? How large and accessible is the organization? Giant firms can not only feel impersonal but often follow a set of route solutions that can be quickly outdated and ineffective. A good reputation firm should be nimble, and be able to quickly adjust to Google’s constantly shifting algorithm updates. 11. Can You Trust Your Gut Instinct? How does it feel? After reviewing all these criteria, check your gut instinct. Does it seem like a good fit, or is there something opaque about their process? Can they understand your issues or does it feel like a sales pitch? Always, call around and compare online reputation solutions. Bottom Line Picking the right online reputation firm can be complex and is full of

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online reputation management trends for 2022: zoom, good content, nfts and metaverse @recovreputation interior

Online Reputation Management Trends for 2022: Zoom, Good Content, NFTs and Metaverse @RecovReputation [Update: Covid]

Blog, How to Repair Your Reputation, Online Reputation Management, Online Reputation Management Tips, Recover Reputation / Steven W. Giovinco

Online reputation management trends for 2022 represent a partial rehash of last years’ as well as a pivot to new and uncharted directions, in my view. On the one hand, Zoom calls and unthoughtful posts will continue to wreak havoc to online reputations resulting in poor web presence. On the other hand, fresh mediums on the rise such as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and the metaverse could bring unexpected challenges. The antidote for poor reputation management, however, remains the same. Focus on excellent content, be personal, connect in meaningful ways, and always keep in mind what is of paramount interest for your readers or clients. Here are four or so predictions for 2022. 1. Online Employees Meetings Can Cause Problems It feels like we’ve been living on Zoom and other related platforms for a year and a half, and this trend looks like it will continue unabated into 2022–and maybe even forever. Given this ongoing development, it opens up many online reputation management challenges (which you might have experienced yourself). Things ranging from embarrassing moments to trade secrets can inadvertently–or purposely–be shared via screenshots, audio/video capture, or just through regular written posts, all of which damage a business\’s brand and reputation. Also, executives are not immune from these problems: remember Better.com’s CEO who fired 900 people via teleconference? Wherever possible, lockdown sharing credentials and have a reputation management policy in place that stresses positive but well-crafted postings made at all levels in a company, from interns to upper management and all in-between. 2. Honesty and Authenticity Continue to Be Paramount Both honest and authentic interactions will continue to be the main drivers of positive online reputation building for the foreseeable future. Attempts to “game” the system with poorly written content or posts made on unrelated platforms still don’t/won’t work, and Google’s unrelenting algorithm tweaks continue to try to deliver the best search results for readers. What this means is to be your true self and have your brand connect with clients in meaningful ways. Be personal, helpful, engaging and thoughtfully give away information. This should be part of an ongoing and sustained reputation strategy. Examples are to write a targeted white paper aimed at solving clients’ problems; make meaningful comments on key industry influencers\’ Tweets; post presentations; get constantly active on local or industry-specific sites; share videos, or add anything else that provides real-world solutions. 3. NFTs and Crypto Currencies Non-fungible Tokens or NFTs along with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum could lead to reputation damage. As they start to enter the mainstream business world, more people will jump in, and as a result, lead to reputation issues. Damage could be due to buying/selling a controversial NFT, not understanding the market, or having your work posted without your knowledge. Negative issues, if they occur, don’t just stay solely on NFT platforms. Rather, they can appear quickly in Google searches as clients look for you or your business. As always, behave as you would in real life: connect with people in an earnest way and share good information, but always be especially cautious when developing a presence using new technology. 4. Metaverse This might be a stretch for 2022, but my hunch is that the metaverse, or virtual worlds, could start to impact online reputations in unexpected ways. If you’re not familiar with the metaverse, it’s an online platform where people can buy or otherwise interact in a 3-D environment. As with any “gold-rush” opportunity, problems invariably occur, which could quickly flood traditional online platforms leading to negative articles, comments or posts. Note, by the way, that even if you have no interest in the metaverse (and don/t want to know more), your online reputation can still be damaged. Someone could impersonate you, use your name/identify, make false claims about your business, etc. Also, if you choose to jump in and make a presence there, you might misunderstand the new needs of the metaverse client, which–just like in the “brick-and-mortar” world–could result in dissatisfaction and complaints. Bottom Line What will really happen in 2022? Who knows. But there will always be new ways an online reputation can be ruined. A good idea is to always keep the focus on creating and sharing excellent work on the right platforms. This is an online reputation management strategy that never goes out of style. Update: Covid Covid, and its variants, continue into 2022. Besides the obvious health issues (be safe!), there are some related online reputation management issues as well. These could be from people being infected at your location; the discovery of false vaccine cards linked to your company; covid-related social media posts by employees or clients that mention your business; covid comments that are political; and the distraction and drain on resources all of this may cause. Remember too that because of less in-person meetings or ‘brick-and-mortar’ buying, a positive web presence is ever more important as clients turn more and more to Google searches. During covid, take time to continually build, boost and monitor your online reputation.

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$i ask a lot of questions when repairing a damaged online reputation. here\'s why @recovreputation$

I Ask A lot of Questions When Repairing a Damaged Online Reputation. Here\’s Why

Blog, How to Repair Your Reputation, Online Reputation Management, Recover Reputation, Uncategorized / STEVENGIOVINCO

7 Key Topics to Know the Answer to for Online Reputation Management I ask a lot of questions when starting a new online reputation management repair project. Beyond \”What happened?” and “How can I help\”, I pose probing questions for a business or individual client, such as: It might seem somewhat odd and perhaps too personal to delve into someone’s background, future aspirations, and current personal interests–after all, this is about suppressing damaging content from appearing prominently in Google search results. But knowing as much as possible about a reputation client’s business and personal background is crucial to success. The goal is not to ‘game the system’ by stuffing the web with fluff or false achievements but to have a thorough and true understanding in order to build an authentic online reputation that real people find appealing. After an initial deep web search where all positive and negative links are carefully identified, I then follow up with in-depth discussions focused around several central categories such as where they worked, lived, went to school, etc. Here are key categories below to understand. 1. Business and Personal Goals Do they want to expand their business, sell it, retire, move to Australia? Knowing answers to these questions drives the whole reputation strategy since it informs nearly everything, including the bio statement, key search terms, blog topics, influencers to follow, platforms to be active on, site development, etc. 2. Previous Positions Knowing all previous jobs (through a CV/resume and follow-up discussion) importantly gives a detailed career summary. This becomes invaluable when crafting a biographical statement for websites or platform profiles. It also fills in gaps in their LinkedIn profile (remember: a complete account with a headshot photo ranks extremely highly by Google, as does being active there) and further fleshes out key search terms. 3. University, College, High School Education Identifying an online reputation client’s education, college major, interests, years attended, clubs, curriculum–even teachers or famous fellow classmates–is useful for developing a presence on high-ranking alumni sites. 4. Volunteering, Charity If they are active in a charity, be sure to know the details to be able to share about it. Being on a non-profit board, volunteering, or being active in helping others leads to positive links and is usually easy to promote. It can also result in inclusion in Wikipedia articles, another powerful tool. 5. Hobbies Seemingly innocuous or unimportant, I always ask what a client likes to do in their spare time. Besides showing they are a genuine, real person which helps foster trust, it can lead to a series of articles, reviews or personal engagement with other like-minded people. 6. Location Where they live and work engages with other locals in their town or neighborhood and can generate topics for content creation. Reviewing a favorite lunch spot or posting images about a new development in the area helps build a positive online reputation. Reddit, Yelp, Patch and other similar sites are good to be active on. 7. Sensitive Topics to Avoid Just as important is to know what shouldn’t be highlighted. I always ask many questions to thoroughly understand any sensitive information, bad business relationships, or other issues that can inflame reputation damage and make things worse. Having a list of “no-go” topics, people, positions, careers or old links is extremely important to identify. Answers Lead to Reputation Strategy After asking many questions, I carefully compile the resulting information into a spreadsheet for quick access. I then digest this material to develop a customized reputation repair strategy. Acting as the project’s blueprint, this drives actions for the next six to ten months. Missing key information, not realizing that a previous firm or person should NOT be mentioned, or presenting the wrong tone on social media posts could lead to failure. Example: Lawyer to Contemporary Art in Five Months For one client, I quickly discovered through initial discussions that they actually had no interest in their legal career and instead wanted to shift towards working with contemporary art. As a result, she gained a new web reputation, suppressed the negative link posted by an ex-partner and found a new position she was passionate about within five months. Example: Annuities Expert Gains Web Presence and Clients Or during a conversation with a financial advisor, I learned that he traveled hundreds of miles daily to personally meet with clients, where he would then spend hours learning their needs and discussing his specialty, annuities. This became a central tenet of his online reputation presence driving content and social media sharing. Not only was his reputation repaired, but he also gained new business clients. So, asking questions is key to developing a successful online reputation solution. I tend to ask a lot–nothing personal, it’s just good business.

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$i ask a lot of questions when repairing a damaged online reputation. here\'s why @recovreputation$

I Ask A lot of Questions When Repairing a Damaged Online Reputation. Here\’s Why

Blog, How to Repair Your Reputation, Online Reputation Management, Recover Reputation, Uncategorized / Steven W. Giovinco

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online reputation management master class, by steven w. giovinco of recover reputation

Free Online Reputation Management Master Class

Blog, Online Reputation Management Talks/Presentations / Steven W. Giovinco

Online Reputation Management Tips and Solutions Register in advance for this meeting. This free one-hour webinar shows how to attract new business through an authentic web presence naturally. We’ll discuss: Since the first thing people do is “Google” you, having a positive online presence is vital, we’ll detail how to: No shortcuts or fake reviews–just targeted solutions based on real-world experiences. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

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How to Use Online Reputation Management to Gain and Retain Clients

Blog, How to Repair Your Reputation, Improve My Online Reputation, Online Brand Building Services, Online Reputation Management, Recover Reputation, Reputation Management, Reputation Management Firm, Steven W. Giovinco / Steven W. Giovinco

Gathering new customers is one of the hardest parts of running a business (especially when starting out), but one way to gain clients is by having a strong online presence built on trust–not fake reviews or inflated followers. Appearing authoritative in Google search results attracts prospective buyers who see positive links and articles as a sign of credibility, making reputation management a priority. At its essence is trust. Personal Referrals and Reputation Management Initial business referrals could come from a variety of sources: a hearty personal endorsement from a friend or family member; through a strong business recommendation; via a convincing ad, email introduction, cold call, or networking event–or yes, even through a Google search. Often, the next step for prospective clients is verifying your talents through an online review of your reputation where they assess and confirm your talents through Google searches. Trust and Authenticity Prospects seek authenticity, trust, and believability, and if this is not found online, the best recommendation from a close friend could be negligible. Substantially worse, however, is if nothing appears or if there is a negative link, which turns the potential client swiftly to move on to someone else. Before hiring you, prospective clients usually ask a bunch of questions–either out loud or to themselves before hiring or engaging a new business partnership: Your web presence should focus on answering these questions. What Is Online Reputation Management Online reputation management is built around the premise that information found in searches is sometimes a primary- or certainly a secondary-consideration in deciding to hire someone. It is a place to confirm that you are the right person to work with, showing that you are professional, friendly, experienced, and truly helpful. Compelling online content is a central component to substantiate this. Articles, blogs, videos, presentations, social media platforms and your website need to drive this point home. The work here should always be focused on what the potential client wants, showing you as the definitive and dependable source that solves their problems. When clients see your positive web presence, they feel more comfortable in choosing you to work with over a competitor. Don’t be afraid to give away information; in fact, I strongly encourage it, because this signals to clients that you are helpful, and thus, the right person to work with. Poor or Negative Online Reputation On the other hand, if there is no online appearance or a minimal one in Google search results, potential customers ask themselves, “Are they still in business?”, “Are they unprofessional?”, “Do they even care?” or, “Is this the kind of firm I want to work with?” A poorly defined online reputation is seen as untrustworthy, so clients just move on. The most damaging case is if something negative appears in the few pages of Google searches. Competitors, “trolls”, ex-partners, disgruntled employees, and of course, unhappy buyers, can write negative posts, and even if it’s not truly condemning, new and existing clients will quickly move on to someone else without even investigating the problem. So, to gain new clients, establish an accomplished online reputation. Reputation Building Strategy Develop a carefully considered reputation strategy. Before building a reputation, draft an initial strategy built around knowing who do you want to work with, where will you reach them, and how will you connect. It’s usually a work in progress requiring continual tweaking, but always create original content, share meaningful information and be helpful. To formulate this, start by asking some basic but crucial questions: Who are you trying to connect with? How will you build trust? What kind of content will you create? How and when will you share it? Each reputation strategy needs to be customized for the customer’s industry, their geographic location, company size, challenges and specific goals. As a result, no two solutions are probably alike. The key is creativity, excellent content, constant updates and ceaseless adjustments. For example, building a reputation for a financial advisor differs substantially from that of a grad student; an entrepreneur who received initial funding investment needs a different service than an established CEO professional working at a large firm; a biomass firm in Brazil is different still from an international divorce lawyer in Paris. Not getting this right could mean failure. Define Clear Goals Now that there is a basic framework, lay out specifically what you want. Clearly define outcomes and milestones before building your reputation; by the way, the same goes for working with someone new or connecting with a prospect too. Although it might seem obvious, it is important to get very specific with your online goals, such as: Each intention has a slightly different approach. Once you have a straightforward vision mapped out, define exactly how you will achieve each step with measurable, time-bound and specific tasks. Why does this matter to your reputation? Identifying key objectives keeps the process on track, and, importantly, prevents disappointed clients, which avoids potential tarnishing your own online reputation later. Set Your Online Persona Set your voice and online persona. Do you want to appear to be neutral but very informed, sound like an academic, casually breezy, or snarky/sarcastic? Since your online reputation reflects your identity, the easiest approach is to just be who you are in real life. This too is an on-going process that should be reviewed and revised frequently. Part of the strategy includes systematically generating content on appropriate platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, etc.These sites are also a place to post informative articles, videos and links made by other experts. Being active and engaging builds your web profile. This in turn, draws in prospective clients who see you as the trusted professional that solves their problem. Understand Your Client’s Business Process Understand where your prospective clients are in their buying stage. Are they just starting out, still getting research? Are they comparison shopping to get more information after already receiving a proposal from a competitor? Or are they ready to sign-up now? Each phase has its own reputation process,

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Is Online Reputation Management the Next GameStop

Blog, Online Reputation Management, Online Reputation Management Talks/Presentations, Uncategorized / Steven W. Giovinco

Could online reputation management be next? Is there a connection between GameStop and online reputation management? I’m not sure, but there could be. First, let’s briefly review GameStop. Much has been made of the meteoric rise of its stock. This was led by individuals who collectively jumped on social media platforms such as Reddit and recommended buying at one time. This made a big difference, and the stock exploded. Some see this as a pure “dumb money” move that hurts everyone; others see it as a “stick it to the Man” comeuppance whose goal is to point out inequality. I’m not here to offer an opinion, except to say it could be the start of a different kind of populist movement if it continues. Beyond GameStock, other examples include AMC, BlackBerry–in other words, firms that are on a downward slide if left to the marketplace. But to come back to online reputation management. Could there be a similar online gathering to push–or destroy–the reputation of a person, business or institution en masse? A group could band together to write online reviews, post false articles or Tweet damaging comments. Unlike a stock which can reverse itself quickly, an online reputation might not ever recover. It seems to me that we’re not quite at that point, but if there is a pent up anger directed towards platforms deemed as unfair gatekeepers, online reputations could be an upcoming target.

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How to Calculate Severity of an Online Reputation Issue: Do Negative Links Fluctuate?

Blog, Free Resources, How to Repair Your Reputation, Improve My Online Reputation, Online Reputation Management, Uncategorized / Steven W. Giovinco

Negative Links Appear Prominently in Google Searches A potential online reputation management client reached out to me asking for help. They are an art dealer (although I’ve seen the same exact issue crop up for CEOs, high-level executives, law firms, mid-size businesses, financial advisors, doctors, etc.) who have several negative links appearing prominently on the first page of Google searches due to damaging posts created by a disgruntled previous work associate. Sadly, this is all too common. Issue Evaluation During the initial consultation, we evaluate the online reputation issue together. I do this right at the start before going any further because there are times when I have to turn down cases due to the scope, lying outside my expertise, or is just a bad match. If I don’t think I can solve their reputation management issue, I honestly say so. If it is something I can help with, I estimate what it takes to solve. For example, would it be a relatively quick case, lasting a month, or does it require a year of sustained work? And related, how much does it cost–a $1,000 flat fee to remove a false review or $5,000 per month? How to Calculate Severity of Reputation Issue There are several factors that go into calculating the severity of a reputation problem. These include: Each of these items have their own significance, but I want to focus on the last one–”movement”. Are Links Moving Over Time? Do the links gravitate upwards over a period of time or tend to shift down? Detecting trends is an important way to assess the reputation damage and the effort required to fix it. So with that in mind, let’s go back to a real-world example–my potential client. Their issue is four negative links written by a disgruntled ex-employee, which were stable. However, not moving at all might not be a good thing (but it could have been worse). During the last three months, I’m told the damaging posts did not shift at all in any direction; rather, they still showed up on the first, third, fourth and fifth positions in searches. My sense is that the reputation case would be a bit more complex and difficult. Links Tend to Rise–Not Fall In most cases, links tend to rise over time and unless online reputation repair tactics are applied, they rarely fall. The main reason is because as people see damaging links, they tend to click out of curiosity. This in turn makes them ever more prominent, causing a vicious cycle: the more they are clicked on, the more they move up. It also means that the link(s) stay where they are for a long period of time and rarely move down on their own. So, if you have reputation problems developing but are still buried on the third, fourth or more pages of Google searches, monitor the situation because they are probably on the rise. If you see any movement, be preemptive and start building a positive online reputation. This in itself is a long-term process, often taking six months or more for most cases, but it’s much easier to stop bad content from moving up rather than trying to push it down.

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