You
can’t completely control what information is out there online. And once that information is out
there, in some cases, it is there for good. However, there are some steps you can take to make sure that information
online is supporting your professional reputation and personal brand.
- Google yourself and see what you find. Be aware of
what a prospective employer or client will find if they do an Internet search.
- Remove any unflattering online photos or information you
may have posted in a personal profile, personal blog or social networking site
such as MySpace, Friendster and Facebook.
- Ask friends and family to be aware of how their
comments or photos of you on their blog or website (as well as other sites they
may post on) could be seen by a prospective employer or client. If they have
posted an undesirable comment or a photo about you on their personal blog or site, they
might be willing to remove it.
- Monitor comments made by others on your personal blog
and remove any that portray you in a negative light.
- Block the option to allow for comments on your
personal blog if comments become a problem.
- Pay attention to the posts you make on blogs or other sites. Once this information is
posted, most of the time it cannot be taken back.
- Regularly monitor your online presence by Googling yourself to see what you find.
- If you discover that incorrect information has been posted about you online, contact the source to remedy
the situation.
But
what about the information that is already out there?
If the source or site owner is unwilling to remove
undesirable information, there are four
things you can do to make it more difficult for your digital dirt to be
found.
- Get out there and post information! Update online profiles. Post on blogs aligned with your professional interests and personal brand. Search engines pick up the most recent information posted online first, so the more new and positive information is out there the less likely the negative will be found.
- Generate new online profiles at professional networking sites like LinkedIn.
- Start
a blog. Having a blog is a great way to get lots of good
information about you and your unique promise of value on the Internet – and quickly!
More in future posts on using blogs to promote your personal brand and generate
new career and business possibilities.
- If you have a blog, link to other blogs or websites that are aligned with your professional identity or personal brand. Search engines pick up on sites with more links, so the more links, the better.
Managing your digital dirt can be an investment in time and energy, but one that can make a significant difference to your professional success.
Great read! Must create an online identity; eliminate whatever blurs the view of your brand.
Posted by: twitter.com/KarenCAN | September 2009 at 20:33