Ready or Not, You Have an Online Reputation
You've spent a lifetime building your reputation, ensuring the things you say and do reflect the kind of person you are, and defending yourself against gossip and false impressions. But what about your online reputation? Do you know what information is available about you online? Are you taking steps to ensure the information posted about you online is enhancing your reputation?
With so many individuals, businesses and organizations around the world relying on the Internet for information, a positive online reputation is an asset while a negative online reputation is a liability. Frankly, your online reputation is too important to leave to chance.
How Do You Use the Internet?
Do you do your banking, bill paying and shopping online? Maybe you get your news from the Web, and visit chat rooms and other interactive spaces to talk to friends. Or perhaps you limit your online activity to e-mail and researching local restaurants.
Whether you are a power user or a casual Web surfer, there is a growing body of information about you online. Some of it is information you post or provide yourself. Some is posted by other people, with or without your knowledge. Together, it adds up to an online reputation you may not even realize you're creating.
How Blogging and Social Networking Affect Your Online Reputation
If you write a blog, participate in online dating, or have a profile on one of the social networking sites aimed at baby boomers and seniors, you're already building a strong online reputation. You add to your online reputation every time you post new content or whenever someone links to your page. Even if you aren't involved in blogging and social networking directly, your friends may be posting pictures from your last potluck or writing about what happened when you all went skiing together.
How Your Offline Life Can Add to Your Online Reputation
It's not just your Internet activity that ends up as online information. Information can show up in online records you never knew existed: your political and charitable donations; memberships in organizations; awards or fellowships you've earned; even your address, telephone number, and financial information. These details contribute to the cumulative information that forms your online reputation, and they also may increase your vulnerability to online fraud and identify theft.
How to Create and Maintain the Online Reputation You Want
A good reputation is invaluable and irreplaceable. In this interconnected world, employers can search for information about you online, and new acquaintances often search online to learn about each other. It is important to know what information is available about you online and to manage it well. The following tips can help you create and maintain the online reputation that you choose:
- Check your image. When you want to know how you look to others, you glance in the mirror. To find out how you look online, do a thorough search for information about yourself.
- Share if you dare. The Internet is not private, and neither is the information you contribute to it. If you don't want your family, friends, or boss see something, then don't share it online.
- Set the record straight. If you find something online about yourself that is incorrect, embarrassing, or potentially harmful (such as your Social Security number), contact the Web site owner or administrator and ask them to remove it. Most sites have policies to deal with such requests.
- Get professional help. If you need extra help to protect yourself or manage your online reputation, don't hesitate to contact the proper authorities-your bank, credit card company, telephone company, or law enforcement officials. In addition, you can hire commercial services such as ReputationDefender and Naymz to find online information about you and your family; negotiate the removal of unwanted information; and help you create a positive online reputation.
For more tips and information, see How to Protect Your Online Reputation.
