Guest Blog Post By Charlene Burke, CEO, Search By Burke

Whether you are an online marketing executive or an entrepreneur, reputation management is critical to networking success. People in search of an online marketing specialist will research your virtual presence before they even pick up the phone.

Safeguarding your online reputation may seem like a daunting task, but we’ve compiled a few quick tips to help manage your online reputation for networking success.

Social media personal and business profiles should be kept separate

Seeing personal check-in posts or tweets from professional connections on a LinkedIn profile can indicate a less than savvy networker. People do not enjoy seeing personal status updates on social networks designed for professionals, no matter how much you think it “rounds you out” as a person. Practice good online reputation management skills by refraining from connecting your personal and business social media profiles.

How search results affect your professional image

Would it be helpful to know if someone who just so happens to share your name has been on the public police blotter? What if they work in a not so professional industry? Name and location matches happens more often than you think when “Googling” a professional colleague. Knowing what the search results are for your name helps guard your professional online reputation in case there is ever a question. As much as we hope this situation won’t happen to you, the online marketing wizard, it just might. It’s better to be proactive, than reactive when the prospect of closing a sale depends upon your response.

Use your LinkedIn professional networking profile as a reputation management tool

LinkedIn can be described as a 24/7 professional networking event, helping you to virtually connect with your ideal customer or client with the click of a mouse. LinkedIn also affords you the opportunity to manage your online reputation with thorough and complete profile information. Be a good steward of this online networking tool by completing your profile and using targeted keywords in your headline and summary. This will assist prospects when searching for the most up-to-date and relevant information about you, the online marketing professional. Hint: Including a recent professional photo in your profile helps potential clients recognize you when you meet them offline.

Your online reputation DOES affect how others view you as an online marketing professional. By putting a few of the above mentioned reputation management tips into action, you can avoid a reputation management crisis before it happens. You will be pleased with the virtual reflection on your company and yourself.