Social Web Strategies

On my last post, for the benefit of new subscribers, we made a step backward by reviewing web 2.0. On this issue, allow me to discuss  online reputation and responsible use of digital media.

In one fora, someone asked, “sir, what is an online reputation?”.  I  replied, “try typing your name in search engines [google, yahoo, bing] then analyze the results.

1. What is on the first page?
2. [assuming you own a blog or maintain different SNS accounts like Facebook & Twitter] Do you see your online accounts/profile?
3. Are others talking about you?
4. Can they find your career milestone?

You may repeat the exercise, this time do it inside a Social Networking Site where you maintain an account. i.e.,  Facebook, Multiply, Twitter, LinkedIn, Plurk.

We are in the age of digital media where distance and time  is no longer an issue when accessing information. When your potential client or employer, or even old classmates or friends, or long lost relative tried to locate you using web 2.0 applications, they will do what you just did and chances are, they may get similar results. Unless you don’t like what your current online reputation is [or lack of it] and would want to take action.

The actions you would take constitutes brand management, and we are lucky because we have in our arsenal various web 2.0 applications at our disposal to manage our online reputation.

First, you must ask yourself if you want to be found online. If no, then please ensure that your privacy settings in your different social networking sites are configured to the highest level. And if you are maintaining a blog, keep yourself anonymous.

However, if your answer is on the affirmative, then we’ll go to the second question, what do you want the world to see or know about you? With this, you’ll be conscious of the kind of info you’ll share publicly about yourself, your work and your personal life. Please note that there are those whose lives and families were almost destroyed for what they have shared online.

What information then should I open to the public?

1. About you: what you are busy about [work or business] I prefer not disclosing your employer, but if you are promoting your business you may do so.
2. Contact details: at the very least, you should leave a contact form if you are not comfortable giving an email address.
3. Picture: You may publish your picture but do not share pics of your spouse, kids & family publicly. Some believed though that sharing pics of family provide personal touch, yes I agree, but only to a selected group, not to the world.
4. Interests: if you are looking for similar minded people, yes you may do so
5. Accomplishments & Milestones: For purposes of future work opportunities, this is a must.

Security Settings:

1. On your social networking account, always check your privacy and security settings to determine who sees what (pictures, videos, files) in your account.
2. Before pressing the publish button, check again who will be notified and will have access of your post. If you’ll ask me, all my SNS settings is held to the highest or 2nd highest security/privacy settings.
3. Beware of third party applications [those that develop games and other fun stuffs] that supports a social networking site. A good example is Facebook. There are application that will encourage you to send cards or hit each other with pillows, etc. By using these 3rd party applications, you “maybe”  giving access to your personal info and that of your contacts. Sample screen shot from Facebook below:



4. On blogs, you may chose to password protect a post, or keep it private.

By keeping these on mind, you will be able to have fun without worries that unnecessary information is published, at the same time protect your brand, your online reputation.

photo courtesy of  http://www.barrywheeler.ca/2009/03/online-reputation-management-fact-or-fiction/