corporate image branding, reputation management  Reputation management has always been at the forefront of business. In the decades before the digital revolution, corporate and small business reputations were based off word of mouth, the effectiveness of job completion, the affordability and the difference it was making on the surrounding areas. Now that we have the internet and just about everyone in the modern world has access to it, more information is being transmitted back and forth from worldwide sources. Every misdeed is exposed and solidified in the archives of the web. This makes reputation management, personal and corporate image branding even more important today.

Since so much business is found through digital means these days, many times people are not able to meet or see tangible products in front of them. Think about the small online retailer who sells computer hardware to locations throughout the world. Clients are not able to actually hold the products they are about to buy and must trust that what they have been told about them is truthful. One of the easiest ways to find out if a business is reliable is to do a Google search on the company, owner, company-specific customer complaints, previous lawsuits and company news.

Personal and corporate image branding done the right way will make your digital impression much more positive. Keeping your name and the name of your company in a good light is not something successful business people can avoid. I have come up with some tips to increase the likelihood of a good review from potential clients and those interested in you:
  • Register URLs with your name and the name of your company as the main focus. Create blog(s) with the same technique in mind. On a blog, add information about yourself and/or company updates. Blogs quickly rise to the top of searches if the right keywords are chosen.
  • Always remember that once a picture, post or video is put on the web it will always be somewhere (old cache lists) even after deleting it. Never compromise yourself by uploading scandalous pictures or videos. This is especially important for those looking for a job. More interviewers are searching social networks and search engines for employee dirt.
  • If you have an entry in Wikipedia make sure that others don’t misquote you or add false information.
  • Reputation management online is a daily job. Put aside 15 minutes per day to check up on websites and news regarding yourself and your business so that you can respond to negativity quickly.
  • When becoming part of a social networking site create your own category so that you stick out from the rest. Corporate image branding and personal branding is about being noticed on your terms.