Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

Most of you have heard the saying "old habits die hard." Once you are stuck in your routine and have been doing it the same way for many years, it is very hard to try and change. But what happens when society forces you to change? We are in the middle of a revolution where technology has risen to the top of the communication platform, and now almost all daily transactions are done using it.

Being stuck in your ways is nothing to be ashamed of; we all have our own ways of doing certain things. If someone were to introduce a newer way of doing something, we would probably freak out. You can refer to it as your comfort zone, a place where you feel at home and have no restrictions on how you work or do your work. Still, life hands us changes and when you are in business, changes come so rapidly that you never get the chance to adjust to it.

One thing you must be prepared for as a business owner is change, and it can occur at any moment. When change does come, you must have a plan or a strategy to deal with the changes and make sure your company is able to take on whatever on is being thrown at you. Businesses that have been operating since the 1970s and 1980s are perfect examples of adapting to change, whether they wanted to or not. It is amazing that they have continued to make profit while undergoing massive changes to how they have done business.

Teaching an established company new things and new methods can feel as if you are pulling teeth. They have been successfully doing business a certain way for such a long time, the need to try to change or upgrade is an idea they won't buy into. As much as I agree with companies standing their ground, I will say there is too much at stake for them to be stubborn. The fact is you are going to have to learn how to integrate technology into your business operations.

Changes like this can benefit you in ways you didn't think were possible. Imagine how many more audiences you can reach with social media accounts and blogging. The advantages are limitless. If you feel you need help, you have plenty of reputable firms out there willing to help you and make sure it is getting done the right way.

Being open to change when it comes to business can be the difference between success for the future or stagnation, until you eventually close up shop.

What is Online Reputation Management Really About?

Online reputation management can be perceived in many different ways. You may think it is about eliminating all the negative content that is being said about you online, or how you could use social media accounts to help build your online reputation. But when it comes down to it, it's about erasing all the negative things people have said about you. It's about replacing content that you do not want others to see with content that you want people to notice.

The internet is always going to keep record of what you what you, it doesn't matter if it's good or bad. Think of it as the internet having a memory, be careful of what you post because it may come back to haunt you. The bottom line is that you want to do something to help protect your brand name, even before you start noticing negative content.

Hiring an online management group such as Centel Media™ will prove to be great help. Many businesses and private professional individuals are starting to notice that it is best to let professionals deal with building and maintaining their online reputation. Centel Media™ will help you by having their experts dedicate their time and effort in giving you the type of online reputation that is necessary to succeed in the business world. Without a positive online reputation, you are not going to make the right type of impact that is necessary to attract new customers; as a result, you will receive a bad reputation.

The context is key in regards to your online reputation. You want to make sure that you include information that is relevant and valuable to your customers. Use the right type of language when communicating, as well as the right tone. Remember it is all about presentation. You want to make sure that you are presenting yourself in a professional manner; this will leave a good mark with your customers.

Continue talking to your customers, offline or online. Respond to their inquiries or comments, whether they are good or bad. This is the best way to have an understanding on where you're at as a business. You want to make sure that you are giving the best customer service experience to your customers.

Showing Up Positively

When your business is being considered for a project by a potential client, the first place they are going to look is online. When being searched online it is your responsibility to make sure you look good. There must not be any negative comments about you that show up that can potentially deter this client from doing business with you.

First impressions last a lifetime, so if your company, brand or business is being looked up by any first time customers, make sure that you have left a strongly positive first impression. The goal is to have these customers choose your business over any competitors. Customers are most likely to believe the first thing they see until they do some deeper research. For your sake, if you can get in the front door initially, there is a 50/50 chance that you have attracted a new customer,

Aside from showing up well on Google, Yahoo and Bing, you want your website to be pleasing to the eye. It is a known fact that any website that looks thrown together or poorly managed won't get a second look from the customer. When they look at the page the first time, they will determine from there if you are a serious business by the effort you put into your website.

Now that we have covered two important topics on how to look good to the customer, what is your next move? It can be confusing if you don't know where to start, or if you try and do it yourself but have no clue as to what you are doing. Well, let me be the first to tell you there are of plenty of options that you can use. I personally recommend a company like Centel Media™. Centel Media™ can help you repair your online reputation by making sure only positive results are being shown in the first few pages when you are searched. When it comes to website design, they can help you with making sure your webpage is easy to use and is pleasing to the eye.

Another area that Centel Media™ can assist you in is social media. Often times, customers might get word of you via Facebook or Twitter and if your reputation is not good on those sites, it can get ugly quick. Centel Media™ helps give you a positive presence on socialmedia, so when you are a trending topic or a hashtag, people are saying good things about you.

"Showing up positively" requires some work, but it can result in great things for your business, including growth, expansion internationally and a large influx of customers.

The Cost of Fame

Fame has just as many perks as it does pitfalls. In fact, some may argue that the pitfalls are double the size of the perks. They definitely have a greater impact, not only on your career, but your life as well. You can't act, play ball or sing forever, so you want to make sure when you begin, your reputation is outstanding in terms of whatever you choose to do next.

As a person with "celebrity" status, the most important thing to you is your reputation. Your reputation is the deciding factor on a lot of things that determine your wellbeing. For example, if you're being considered for a part in a big budget film, making an appearance on a show or being the face of a clothing line or fragrance could influence the directors. With a poor reputation, you can forget about being afforded the opportunity to engage in one of those job opportunities.

You will not be able to support yourself as an unemployed entertainer. In other words, you will be able to find work, but not in the field you have chosen. That alone should be an indication that the reputation you have now can and will follow you throughout your whole career. While your skills may be sharp, and you might have the look, you would be hard pressed to find a willing director to cast you in one of his or her movies.

We see it today. Every time we turn on the news, we hear about a former child star or actor getting into more trouble and further damaging their reputation. It's a shame, because they still believe that they will be working or getting major parts. In reality, they might get a small appearance here and there or be cast in a very low budget movie that will get no publicity at all.

There is hope for you though, as quick as the public is to prosecute you, with time, they can forgive you and support you in whatever you choose to do next. To get to this level, however, won't be easy. It requires a lot of hard work, and nothing will be handed to you. If you are given the opportunity to rebuild your reputation with commercials and independent films, take it. You have nothing to lose and it can only help repair your reputation.

I also suggest you hire an onlinereputation management firm to help you restore your reputation on the internet. This is a must for you if you want to work again. Whatever rumor you think is being said about you in the papers, it is even worse online. Therefore, nothing should a shock if you did a search on your name and some negativity came up. The only thing to do is to get help to show that you are doing something good. Hopefully, then, people will give you another chance.

Rebuilding your reputation when fame is involved is never easy. But, you do have multiple options available to you that should help the process be a little less painful.

LinkedIn; a Great Tool to Boost Online Reputation

Social media plays a big part in helping to build your onlinereputation. Your social media accounts can hold content and other important information that will help attract and maintain customers. Keep in mind that different social media accounts have different purposes. For example, Facebook is mostly used to communicate with friends and family, and not really meant for professional networking. LinkedIn's main purpose however, is to build a professional network.

If you are looking to network and include your qualifications, LinkedIn is the best social network out there. It is also the best way to promote your name because of all the negative content that exists. Most of us know negative content will harm your brand name and cause you to lose your positive reputation. Set up your LinkedIn the proper way and you will see the benefits of having this account.

When you first start setting up your LinkedIn account, the most important part is setting up your summary. Instead of focusing on your past qualifications, focus on explaining your experiences and your core skills. Use strong keywords describing your profession so that it will be easier for recruiters to find you. Including a URL is very important as well when it comes to your account because it makes it easier find you in search engines and direct friends to your profile.

Getting recommendations through LinkedIn is also very important when it comes to building your online reputation. Have people that thoroughly know your work skill write recommendations because you want an in depth analysis. The last thing you want is someone describing your work ethic in a very vague type manner; this will get you nowhere. Your reputation is on the line, so get the best possible recommendations.

Setting up your LinkedIn account is the easy part. You have to remember to be proactive. Make connections and connect with others that are in your field. This is the best way to build your online reputation. This just one tool you can use to help build your online reputation--keep in mind that there are many other things that you will have to do in order to maintain a positive one. Social media accounts can be beneficial if they are used in the correct manner.

Quieting Your Critics

As a business owner, you will most certainly have your fair share of critics and naysayers that will try to slander and devalue the company you have worked hard to build. It is your job to quiet them, but not by responding back verbally or through social media. You respond back by making sure the product you have is the best on the market. You respond by ensuring your customers feel comfortable shopping with you, either in store or online.

We all know business is very competitive. People will do almost anything to see their business rise and stay at the top. Each customer gained is a profit added and each customer lost is a profit gone, so the tension is beyond thick when it comes to business. While it may seem like shark infested waters, the business with the best strategy for growth and sustainability is usually the one that last the longest and endure the most.

What you are going to face as a business owner won't just consist of regulations by the government or any other governing body. It will involve ridicule and mudslinging from your rivals. It's an understatement to say you need to have thick skin if you get into business. If you don't have it or don't develop it quickly, you will not last long in this industry.

When your critics call you out, it is only natural to want to respond back. In some instances, this might be warranted, but it is not usually the best route to go. Responses usually lead to back and forth, which takes the focus of your business operations and can allow for some other person to swoop in and claim your territory. But you can't just ignore them right? That means they will only get louder and assume they have backed you into a corner into defeat.

Your best move to silence your critics is to continue with business operations as usual. It makes you look like the bigger person because you are ignoring what can simply be considered a troll, but in the form of a rival business. Another excellent move to make is hiring an online reputation management firm. By doing so, you are protecting your blind spots which are the internet and social media. You will be alerted against any attack that has been brought to you. You can rest assure that it will be dealt with, so you can continue to focus on your business.

Taking the action of hiring a reputable firm such as Centel Media™ not only makes sure you are protected, but it gives you a voice among the masses. The masses belong to the social media world. News travels faster than the speed of light, so it is imperative that you are represented and can interact with your fans and customers. By doing that, you are showing them they are number one and you are much too valuable of a company to get involved in simple feuds with rivals.

Silence is often the best weapon of choice when it comes to business. This, along with a strong counter punch in the form of a reputable online reputation management firm, makes for a lethal combination. 

Negative Domains Damage Your Reputation

Negative comments are never going to be eliminated entirely. Someone is always going to say something negative about your business and it is up to you on how you will deal with this type of issue. The main goal is to have negative comments pushed towards the back of search pages, so only positive remarks are seen. Hiring a professional to deal with negative content is much advised because they have the knowledge and skills to manage your online reputation.

Centel Media™, for example, is great option if you are considering hiring professionals.  They have individuals that specialize in building and maintaining the type of online reputation you need in order to stay relevant as a business. Remember that a negative online reputation can be detrimental in expanding your business, and in profiting. You want your customers to have trust in your business, because without it you won't have many customers coming back.

Dealing with negative comments is not the only thing you should worry about. You also have to think about negative domains. Keep an eye out for these, because someone else can own these domains and continue to damage your online reputation. Let’s say the name of your business is Mark's Pool Supplies. You do not want someone owning a domain that is called markspoolsuppliessuck.com .Your goal should be to snatch these types of domain names so that no harm can be done to your brand name.

The content above explains how important it is to deal with negative content in the appropriate way. If you do not have time or the knowledge, do not take these tasks on yourself. Investing money on maintaining your online reputation should not be a burden--you will become aware of its benefits as time goes on.

The last thing you want to experience is a bad name in regards to your business. This will cause you to lose customers. Pay attention to the negative content that pertains to your name and deal with it in the most effective manner. When it comes down to it, online reputation is just as important as your credit score. Everything revolves around the internet, so do not cut yourself short by not taking the right precautions.