What do you do if your online reputation is damaging your personal brand?

If your online reputation is tarnishing your personal brand, take proactive steps to manage it. Start by auditing your online presence, addressing any negative content, and showcasing your strengths. Engage with your audience authentically, highlight your expertise, and consistently produce valuable content. Building a positive online reputation takes time and effort, but it's essential for protecting and enhancing your personal brand.

If your online reputation impacts your personal brand negatively, immediately audit your online presence and address any harmful content. Counter negative information with positive, authentic content showcasing your strengths. Update social profiles and websites to reflect your professional image accurately. Respond constructively to negative feedback when appropriate. For severe issues, consider professional reputation management assistance. Regularly contribute valuable content and positive interactions to rebuild trust in your personal brand.

Begin by meticulously examining your online footprint. Conduct comprehensive searches across search engines and social media platforms to unearth any detrimental content associated with your name. Take note of negative reviews, unflattering news articles, or problematic social media posts. Prioritize items based on their visibility in search results. This comprehensive assessment lays the foundation for targeted reputation management strategies, ensuring the preservation of your digital image.

Upon identifying negative content, devise a strategic response plan tailored to the nature of the issue. For erroneous or defamatory material, initiate contact with website administrators or authors, requesting removal if feasible. In instances of past missteps, contemplate drafting a genuine public apology, aligning it closely with your personal brand ethos to underscore accountability. It's crucial to perceive criticism or controversy as an opportunity for reputation enhancement, provided responses are executed thoughtfully and authentically.

Number one: call a professional. There are very few people I would recommend to do what is crisis management and reputation management on their own. Every situation is different but we live in a viral world where something small can become some big in seconds. Call a pro.

89% of people never go beyond page 1 in a Google search, so it is important to get any negative or damaging content (I call it digital dirt) removed. 1. If you can remove it yourself, do so. 2. Ask to get negative or content that confuses your brand removed - sometimes sites will take it down. 3. Create compelling content with good SEO to push the digital dirt down in results. 4. Use video. Thanks to blended search and the power of video, video content often shows up higher in results than the same content in text form (make sure to publish to YouTube). 5. If the content remains on page 1, do what you can to "share your side of the story."

Harness the potential of your social media presence and personal website to curate a favorable personal brand image. Regularly review and update these platforms to ensure professionalism and alignment with your desired image. Publish engaging and relevant content that highlights your expertise, accomplishments, and authentic personality. By consistently sharing positive content, you can gradually mitigate the impact of negative search results, as search algorithms prioritize recent and pertinent content.

Leverage your professional network to counteract the repercussions of a tarnished online reputation. Request endorsements and recommendations from peers and clients to bolster your credibility. Actively participate in online conversations, contribute insights to relevant forums, and share valuable content within your industry. By maintaining an active and positive presence, you can gradually reshape the narrative surrounding your personal brand, enhancing its perception over time.

Establishing a robust online reputation is an ongoing endeavor, requiring continuous monitoring and management. Implement tools like Google Alerts to stay informed about any new mentions of your name across the web. Consistently review search engine results and monitor your social media profiles to promptly address any emerging negative content. By remaining vigilant, you can effectively manage your online presence and perpetuate a positive reputation that bolsters your personal brand.

A few years ago, one of my clients found a misleading blog post about her after I advised her to Google herself. At first, she was distraught, but then she reached out to the blog author, and it turned out, they didn't mind taking down the post, and they did. LESSON: If you see something online about yourself that you don't like, don't give up. Try to remove it, respond to it, or reduce its importance by creating more valuable and current content.