First, let it be said that we are in the business and thus our viewpoints may be slightly skewed. With that said we believe you will recognize that which is true for you and take what makes sense and add it to your collective wisdom.

Reputation Management is a good thing but Reputation Marketing is where the money is for any business looking for an R.O.I while maximizing their existing advertising, word-of-mouth and repeat customer retention. When looking at which direction to go in regarding the reputation game here are some key factors for consideration. Define your goals, choose wisely, assign your budget and watch your business grow faster than would otherwise be possible.

Reputation Management Hot Points

1. No one can push negative content down the search engine rankings. You can only push content out to the Internet. The quantity, quality, frequency, how well optimized and relevant it is determines what moves up the search engine rankings. Short cuts need not apply.

2. Third party review sites are great in small doses and in moderation. Remember that regardless of your reputation on these sites they will redirect over 40% of your visitors on average to competitor’s ad or listings. Finally never hire a company to post reviews on 3rd party review sites on behalf of you or your customers. This is becoming a highly illegal process any way you slice it up. The content must come from your customer.

3. The first three pages of Google will control 90% of your online reputation. Control your Google and you Control your income. How many positions within the first three pages of Google can the company control when someone searches for you, your reviews or your complaints?

4. Google the reputation of the reputation management companies i.e. reviews and complaints to see if there are any issues to be concerned about and to determine how well they use their own technology on their own brand.

5. Reputation management is not reputation monitoring. Reputation management or marketing is the process of insuring that what people see reflects the real you, while reputation monitoring consists of listening to the conversation about your company on the web. Does the company you’re considering include a solid monitoring program?

6. What about social media? The ultimate reputation marketing program would focus on getting satisfied customers to integrate with your Facebook, Twitter, blogs and any other social media outlets that you engage in. How do they stack up?

7. Make sure the company you hire can control the star ratings on your third party review listings without doing it for your customers and without you having to do the heavy lifting.

When it comes to all things Internet usually the best advice is to pick a rope and climb it, but when it comes to reputation management and marketing the rope you pick means winning or losing the game.

Jarrett Goldfedder asks what we perceived as  “Are we addicted to reviews?” http://bit.ly/kKZr7b

I think it comes down to people dealing with massive traffic flow everyday, everywhere with little escape. As a result they don’t have the time they would like to do their own homework (me included). It’s easier to pick the path of least review resistance than forge our own opinion. We simply do not have the time to wine and dine our desire to make decisions as a result of being the author of our own logic assimilated from our own data.

The challenge with taking the review road most traveled is the fact that 10 -20 times more dissatisfied customers write reviews that satisfied customers. So either way you chop it up there is most likely an off-axis balance to the reviews we are reviewing about a particular business and that goes double for the service industry. http://ReputationAccelerator.com

We’re excited to be a part of New Business Denver Magazine for April 2011.

What is increasingly interesting to watch is the level of online reputation that even start up businesses need pre-established even before they file for a business license.

To preview the article before it hits the stand link below.

Article Link:  Denver Business Magazine Article Online Reputation

Google’s Algorithm Change Scores One for the Good Guys!

February was a very controversial month in the online content world, due to the launch of Google Algorithm Changes 2011. In February, Google launched a ground breaking search algorithm change for its search engine. For web surfers, the change was welcomed with open arms and provided relief from the frustration of wading through search results which seemed to go nowhere. Instead of ranking results only on keywords, the new algorithm rewarded sites who focused on content, not just hot keywords. For the average person surfing the internet, this meant less garbage and more actual, original content at the top of the search page. For us at Reputation Accelerator, this has meant an immediate and overwhelming improvement in search rankings for our customers.

However, for the sites that specialized in ranking high in search results due to keyword misuse, this was a startling blow. Many of the sites that have complained and voiced outrage were sites that specialized in “content farms”. Basically, these sites hosted large amounts of throwaway articles containing very little valid content, but lots of popular keywords. The keywords would cause the throwaway web-pages and sites to raise in the search rankings and enable the site owners to collect massive profits due to ad revenue. As one can imagine, this sort of website was not very pleased with the changes. Many leading content farms have already felt the sting and, as a result, have laid off large portions of their “content writers”. CNN Money has also reported that over $1 billion dollars in ad revenue has already shifted away from these shady sites, towards more reputable venues.

At Reputation Accelerator, we were overjoyed with this change. Our goal is to connect the average web surfer with a valid web-page for a product, service or business that they are seeking. With more of the “meaningless junk” out of the way, we have already seen wonderful and inspiring results with our content’s search engine placement. It seems as though the era of the content farm filling the internet with low value spam may finally be at an end. Now, when a potential customer searches for one of our clients, they are connected to the client, not to an ad-laden, spam-filled page that exists only to drive up ad revenue for some third party. Instead of dealing with the frustration of wading through results that go nowhere and offer nothing of value to the customer, they get results that have meaning and value to the subject they are searching for. This change has shifted the tide of content farms bogging up the internet with useless articles just to make a quick buck, to articles that are relevant and full of value and quality being the clear winners.

Here at Reputation Accelerator, our customers submit real reviews and testimonials that they want their potential clients to be able to find on the internet. We pride ourselves on offering valuable information and resources to those potential clients. With these algorithm changes, the web surfer at the other end no longer gets page after page of gibberish- instead they get results that have content and quality in line with what we are proud to offer. Surfers are no longer discouraged by the top results being a page of spam; instead they are rewarded with finding real and relevant content for their search.

The real test of online reputation management is now ensuring that Google can decipher posted content as relevant and valid instead of dismissing it as garbage or gibberish. At Reputation Accelerator, we excel at providing content that Google consistently rates as the highest quality and value. We are home of the largest online distribution network in the world, and our content consistently appears as the top search results in Google searches. Although this change has hopefully dealt a deathblow to low quality content farms, the change has been an incredible boon for our business and what we do. Because we have always strived to provide high quality and relevant content for our customers, our efforts have now paid off in spades.

It is incredibly exciting and vindicating see the direct rewards of having high standards of quality and content. While other companies took the easy way out and merely went after profit, here at Reputation Accelerator, we always held ourselves to the highest standards and took care to ensure our customers get useful, valid content. It has been amazing and refreshing to see Google support our views on web content, and further our cause by making these widespread changes. Not only has this been exhilarating for our company, but it has provided our customers with even more long lasting value from their content.

It’s not often that the “Good Guys” win so clearly in a situation like this, and we are very proud and excited about the long term ramifications from this change. After all, we are all web surfers as well, and are very familiar with the frustration and lost time that the content farms were causing on a large scale. Thus, we see this as a completely win-win situation. As end users, we find the quality sites quicker, and as an online reputation management firm, we are delighted to see our customer’s relevant and important content get the rankings that they truly and rightfully deserve. For us, the Google algorithm changes 2011 were a huge step in the right direction on Google’s part!

Sources:

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/finding-more-high-quality-sites-in.html

http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/08/technology/google_algorithm_change/index.htm

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/01/28/google-changes-algorithm-to-reduce-spammy-sites/

Reputation Accelerator will quickly become your number one recruiting tool.  By making your happy customers visible on the web in a massive way your new recruits will see the opportunity that exists with your company far beyond the recruiting pitch.

Nearly 100% of your new employee prospects will check out your online reputation through the interviewing and hiring process.  Most people will take a good look at you online before even filling out an application. 

Even in a downward economy people have choices and you want to hire the best people you can for your investment.  Your online reputation is the #1 gateway towards profitable recruiting as your Google, Facebook, Yahoo and Bing trail equals what your company stands for.

New employees are trying to figure out how you’ll handle their relationship in a pinch.  The saying goes that “everyone is a great person at happy hour” but how does the relationship fair when adding stress.  This is where your Google truth can set you apart.  If your satisfied customers can be found online surrounding your business then clearly your staff is happy and motivated.

Your online reputation offers your new recruits a peek behind the curtain and rest assured that most of your new hires will be eager to claim a back stage pass to your online reputation.  You may be able to hire someone without a solid online reputation but their performance and motivation tone will be set in concrete from day one based on how you score.  Production is the basis for morale with most employees and as a team we all want to know that we’re producing the best products, services and owner experience that we can.

When it comes to recruiting new people, money typically is the worst motivator there is.  People are looking to join a team that inspires a sense of duty.  Money by contrast just makes us more of who we already are and when it comes to your recruiting efforts you need to find candidates that see your mission beyond the paycheck.  Dial in your online reputation and you will find a new recruiting profit center that will boost company morale and allow you to put together a team that otherwise would never be possible.

For more information visit http://ReputationAccelerator.com

The primary distinction (at least in my mind) when it comes to online reputation is business needs vs. the needs of the individual.  When it comes to reputation for an individual the subject of “privacy” comes completely intertwined with the subject.  An individual has rights to more perceived privacy than a company as an individual is not attempting to be a public figure (hypothetically) to the degree a business is. 

Even with Linked-In, Facebook, Twitter and of course millions of people with an opinion on thousands of subjects they would like to have a voice on, the fact of the matter is that the only real way to approach handling the online reputation of an individual is through both mild promotion and yet pulling back by invoking or at least attempting to leverage one’s right to privacy. 

This can of course be harmful for a business or one who depends on their name as the headline for their business ventures.  When it comes to a business the only real answer is to not feed the 3^rd party review sites while engaging in MASSIVE and I do mean MASSIVE online distribution in order to give your happy customers a real voice.  This is the only way to give Google enough information to chew on for you to be certain that the mix of happy vs. unhappy has an accurate balance on Google as it does in your real life. 

Typically for every slot in Google within the first three pages that you would like to own under a search for your business, you need about 1,000 pieces of relevant, unique content properly distributed on the web in the form of blogs, videos, PR notices, social bookmarks, high PR link backs, articles and directory listings. 

When it comes to your business you can’t very well swim in the pond of retraction using privacy as a shield so you have to know how to syndicate without duplication of content and when it comes to your private life you need to be cautious about over promotion.  In the real estate game for example key is to decide whether your name is more valuable under a privacy blanket or as a platform for your own success. 

First make this distinction then picking your line of attack becomes clear.  Feel free to look over our faq for more information at http://www.reputationaccelerator.com/faq.php

Happy Online Reputation

Source: http://searchengineland.com/my-business-got-a-bad-review-now-what-44094

Jun 14, 2010 at 11:17am ET by Tom Leung

What is reputation management really?   Reputation management is a term that is currently overused to describe a number of concepts.  There are many forms of online reputation management including personal, brand, corporate, executive and online business reputation management.  At Reputation Accelerator we have broken this subject down into the following categories in order to create specific focus points.

1.  Reputation Management:  This is something that “effects the past”.  Monitoring what people say about you on the internet and engaging with your customers or prospects to change their minds about any negative experiences is the primary focus of reputation management.  While ineffective with online reviews posted by ex-employees or competitors posing as customers on the internet, it’s should be a staple part of any business’s online strategy.

2.  Reputation Brand Building: The most popular form of online reputation brand building consists of creating community sites, blogs and forums.  Reputation brand building may include activities such as integrating with Social Media i.e. Facebook, Twitter and effects the future on a limited basis to the degree that our customers interact with our social media platforms prior to doing business with us.

3.  Reputation Acceleration: Reputation acceleration is about giving your business a voice through leveraging your satisfied customers in a positive way.  Considering the balance on the internet of satisfied and unsatisfied customers is highly inaccurate, acceleration gives your business a voice and a platform to stand on.  Acceleration is about distributing real and positive content on the web to a greater degree than would otherwise be possible.

Google is where the footprint of your online reputation begins!When considering what decision to make regarding your business’s online reputation remember that online review sites receive an estimated 90% of their traffic from Google and to a lesser degree other related search engines and directories.  In short most reviews start with the Google search.  Currently the average Google user scans the entirety of the first page before deciding on a link to click on.  When considering who to pay your money to for reputation management our advice is to is look at the Google search side of the equation the closest as it holds the most potential ROI for your reputation management investment.

What separates one reputation management company apart from the next?

When it comes to Google, he who distributes the highest volume of unique, relevant, quality content wins.  If anyone ever tells you that they distribute your positive content through the internet to combat negative reviews you may want to ask one simple question…  Prove it!!  We have researched every reputation management company we have come across on the web specializing in business and commercial customers and we have found one consistent theme across the board.  They simply do not distribute enough unique, relevant, quality content to create much of an impact on the Google landscape or at least not for very long.  This data is simple enough for anyone looking at a reputation management company to conduct on their own during the evaluation process.

How to make your final decision on a reputation management company!

A reputation management company can focus on social media, review sites management, search engine management or all of the above.  You will find that many of these functions you can do yourself with little or no budget with the exception of the online content distribution aspect side.  Content distribution is responsible for influencing a positive search engine ranking priority in your business’s favor over 3^rd part review sites.  When deciding where to invest you reputation management budget think “content distribution”! Remember that in order to dominate the first 30 results in Google you need to create an iceberg of content underneath the surface in order to push the tip of your content above the waterline and into the first page of Google on a unique, relevant and repetitive basis.

Make sure to ask the companies you consultant with to show you exactly how many indexed Google search results they are able to create when distributing your positive content in a unique and relevant manner across the web.  Divide that number by the cost of their service and you should be able to easily discover which reputation management company can effectively measure up to its claims over the long haul.

The Team @ Reputation Accelerator
http://ReputationAccelerator.com
1.877.773.3785

BP is paying to show up as the top sponsored ad when you type search queries such as “BP news,” “oil spill” and “oil spill claims.” The sponsored links take you to a special BP webpage brimming with images, news updates and videos of clean up efforts.

BP sponsored links take you to this webpage.

CAPTION

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The embattled oil company “could be spending a million dollars a month depending on how broadly they’ve defined the keywords they’re purchasing,” says Kevin Lee, CEO of search consultancy DidIt.com.

Matthew Whiteway, Director of Campaign Management at search marketing agency Greenlight, calls BP’s online reputation-management campaign “a PR masterstroke.”

Vanessa Fox, author Marketing in the Age of Google, notes that it has long been common practice in times of crisis for companies to use PR outreach. “More and more, consumers are turning directly to search engines to get information so paid search ads can be a much more direct way for companies to connect with the audience they are trying to get their message out to,” says Fox.

By Byron Acohido
Source: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2010/06/british-petroleum-buying-search-ads-to-improve-image/1