Think of online reputation management as being at a cocktail party.

Chatting is par for the course

Let’s say you head to a party.

You meet someone for the first time, but they only talk about themselves; or, you start chatting with someone but try to sell you something; or then there is The Dumper–they complain about everything.

Pretty annoying, right? It’s precisely the same in the online world. Your online reputation on online social media–Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, blogs, etc.–is just like chatting at a cocktail party (so behave).

Selfishly focusing on yourself, listing your complete resume and job history, or starting a rant on what is wrong with the world does not garner friends.

Instead, treat the online world as you would the offline one. That means being polite, interested in others, and helpful. In other words, be normal.

Here are some basic guidelines that help.

Avoid Controversy

What is that adage–don’t talk politics, religion, or sex at the Thanksgiving dinner table?

The same holds on social media. Steer clear of these topics, generally, unless you want to alienate nearly everyone.

Don’t Sell–Engage

Let’s face it: giving a sales pitch right off the bat is a turn-off and is disrespectful. Instead, listen online, offer helpful comments, and engage with your followers.

Organize Your Thoughts

Be brief, concise, and clear. Have a point or direction, and don’t wander too far from it.

Don’t Be A Jerk

Being rude online is no way to help your reputation; be polite, pleasant, and honest.

Think Before You Speak Or Write

Words matter, so be mindful of them. Remember, opinions or articles posted online last a long time, so make sure you don’t write anything embarrassing.

Be Yourself

It’s important to be yourself while at a cocktail party or online.

This doesn’t mean sharing about how you hate your boss or your problems. People respond to people being human, so just be yourself, and imagine you are just chatting with someone at a party.