Well I recently had a reason to be checking the news online extensively to monitor reports related to a recent local incident. Of course, I had bought the book mentioned in my earlier post “What are they saying about YOU!” written by Andy Beal and Judy Strauss called “Radically Transparent- Monitoring and Managing Reputations Online”, but had not yet read it. So I dusted it off, scanned the contents and went straight to Part III- Monitoring, Repairing and Planning your Online Reputation.
Funnily I had set up Google alerts for my name many months ago – I just like to read about myself online! But decided to use the guidance in the book to check on a particular local company. I used Google alerts, technorati, blogpulse, some forums, social bookmarking sites and reputation engines to set up a sentiment analysis. The sentiment analysis process really helped to pull together what could be very overwhelming into a systematic analysis of how you are viewed online and how it changes over time. It also provides a method to track your progress once you start to implement some of the strategies suggested to improve online reputation. (Question though, some of the same sites and blog posts come up through different channels i.e. Technorati and Google Alerts and also on subsequent days- should these be counted separately as part of the chatter or disregarded as duplicate?)
So while tracking, I read the rest of the book- well, actually couldn’t put it down. Well researched with many real life examples, this is a book that provides you with the tools, and specific guidance on how to use these tools. Every professional and business should have knowledge of these tools, although I still believe many may not recognise the importance or impact the new world of Web 2.0 may be having on their business. Which is leading me along the path to do some research related to the hospitality industry.. I am currently checking on what academic research has been done in this area… there is a dissertation to be written there!
I was also quite enthused that even before reading the book, I had done a number of things for my personal reputation suggested… yes, I am blogging (and already have seen great results in terms of a few good connections); I have a LinkedIn profile; I have a Facebook profile; I have a website (not yet very social media friendly). There are many things I can do to increase my online profile.. i.e. get more involved in forums and review sites (first thing will be to write a review of this book on Amazon!), respond to Yahoo Answers queries, write a few wikis and obtain myname domain. This book provides a rational reason to get more involved whereas before I wasn’t quite sure of the value of the time spent in these “social” networking areas. Still can’t quite get my head around Second Life but shall keep an open mind and have a proper look.
I will have to give this book a read at least a few more times, although, it is written in such a way that you can easily skip to specific areas of interest. There is a lot in it but you can pick off one strategy at a time, explore it, implement it and of course, monitor it.
I just read about a further iteration of online reputation management, that there are also services out there where anybody can check your online profile and reputation by just tracking your email address (e.g. Rapleaf) and they can also give feedback on you and your reputation. So it seems you cannot hide at all in this “Radically Transparent” World. The key is to know what you are doing, know why you are doing and know what the implications and consequences may be.
Next stop, Amazon.
