5 ways to ruin your online reputation

One can survive everything, nowadays, except death, and live down everything except a good reputation. ~Oscar Wilde

It's funny how people are so careful to preserve their reputation in real life, and then go and act like buffoons online. Your reputation is your reputation, it doesn't matter if your in person, online or on the phone.  The way you behave should be the same across any medium.  That goes for people and businesses.

how to ruin your online reputation

Building a reputation takes time, but it's relatively easy to do if you know how.  I think the people who do it best are the one's who go out of there way to be helpful, to spotlight others, and to just be an all around good guy or gal.

When you're first starting out interacting on online and in Social Media, it's easy to get carried away.  You don't have those blank stares or sideways glances coming back at you when you say something stupid.  It's easy to forget that their are actual human beings on the receiving end of your messages.

My rule of thumb is that if you wouldn't do it in person, you shouldn't do it online.  Below are 5 things that could damage your online reputation.  If you're doing any of these, please stop.

The only thing you do is promote yourself

But enough about me, let's talk about you,……..what do You think about me?” ~Bette Midler, Beaches

Yes, social media is a self aggrandizing platform.  But the people that excel at it are the ones who know the time and place to promote themselves. Actually, the ones who really do it right don't have to promote themselves, others will gladly do it for them.  90-95% of your time should be spent helping and promoting others before you think about promoting yourself.

I only join the conversation when people are talking about me

Don't show up to the conversation only when you hear your name mentioned.  Getting involved means more than waiting for a Twitter notification that someone mentioned you online before you see what's happening.  See what others are saying and join in on their party, even if you're not the center of it.  *Disclaimer, I have, and sometimes still do this.  I'm trying to get better at it.

I leave meaningless commentary to get my name out there

As a blogger, it pains me when I spend hours writing an article, and the only response I get is “Nice post” from someone who just stopped by to drop their link on my blog.  I guess the it's a step up from comments that start with “Buy Viagra 90% off!”, but at least I can get a chuckle from these spam comments.  If you're going to stop by a blog or join an active discussion online, don't do it with the intention of getting a low value link, or to throw your name in front of people, read what's happening and offer a thoughtful commentary.  That's an easy way to get yourself noticed and start some genuine online engagement.

I love my auto replies

One of the things that I find personally annoying is when I follow someone i'm interested in on Twitter and receive an immediate auto reply that says something like “Thanks for the follow, come join me on Facebook!”  I find it's like asking for the second date before you've even gone on the first one. Slow down sailor!  If I like what I see on Twitter, i'll go find you on Facebook.  Even better, why show me some value, and then mention you're on Facebook.  Remember that you're dealing with real life people, it's easy to forget that when you're trying to build “Followers” en masse.

Not thanking people online

If someone did something nice for you, you'd probably thank them.  Why not do the same online?  If someone re-tweets your post, links back to your blog or introduces you to someone, give them a virtual “High Five” and thank them for their efforts.  They'll be much more likely to do it again if you give them some acknowledgement.  I know some of us have large networks and it can be hard to interact with everyone, but it's nice to carve out some time once in awhile to thank people for allowing you into their network.

 

Ask for a little and give alot

Giving ten times more than you take is a sure fire way to building a great reputation online.  If you spread the social media love around to others in your network, you'll find that they will do most of your promoting for you.  Is there anything I missed that people do that bug you online?  I'd love to hear them in the comments!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gary

CEO at 3Bug Media
Gary Shouldis is the founder of 3Bug Media, a web marketing company that helps businesses create 360 Marketing Strategies to dominate their market. His blog is read by over 20 thousand small business owners a month and has been featured in the N.Y. Times Small Business, Business Insider and Yahoo Small Business.
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