Online Reputation Management and social networking

It’s raining orkut, myspace, facebook, hi5,bigadda and countless amount of social networking websites-all meaning business and justifying the cliché, ‘be in touch.’ Social networking sites are the hot places where people chat, refer, tease, congratulate and play the blame game. It is also the best place to recommend something that is pleasant or to warn someone against something that is unpleasant.

There are occasions when a guy asks his online friend for a date and she agrees with a coffee joint that is known for its cool ambience and wonderful coffee. If that café happens to be yours, a positive remark like this can be quite encouraging. Being a member of a social networking site, I scraped my friend about meeting at an inn some miles away from my house. My friend replied enthusiastically that the inn has some fond memories because it was the place where he had taken his wife for their very first date.

Small things like these can not only nurture relationship but also act as a deserving pat on the back of establishments, businesses and corporations which started these endeavors. In fact some enthusiasts and fans who patronize certain hotels, movies, corporate houses even initiate online communities within these social networking sites. Like minded people become a part of these communities and add their views and opinions. For a company who wants to manage, improve or even enhance their online reputation, social networking sites are a good place to get scraping (not to be confused with scrappingJ).

You should visit these social networking websites; leave a link to your blog or website. It can work wonders for the online reputation management of your brand or product. You can scout some of the profiles that are relevant and find out how people talk about your business. If the response is not so flattering, you should start undoing things which are going wrong. You can start communities that talk good about your company. You can reply to some of the harsh comments or scrap your point of view and leave some proof that backs your statement. This can be in the form of a link that leads to your corporate blog or website or testimonies of people who have liked your product or service. Never be judgmental or defensive in your scraps or responses. Be honest and forthright. Apologize when wrong but highlight things which can be interesting and value-enhancing to the people concerned.

For people who like your brand or product, you can use their views as testimonials for your corporate blog to endorse your product after taking their permission. For people who like your product or service, thank them politely and let them know that you’d be keeping them updated for anything new that would be interesting for them.