It’s exciting when I come across posts like this which point out the need to take the strategy of simply putting up a lot of “good” content further to include making an effort to promote this content so it ranks high (subsequently pushing the “bad” stuff down) when someone searches for you by name. You could call this “personal SEO” and it is a much needed while much neglected ingredient in any reputation management strategy.

Again, thanks for this on target and enlightening post.

Theron McCollough
president, PeoplePond
http://peoplepond.com/theronmccollough

I just read this post and thought it was fantastic. I write a blog for the unemployed in Des Moines, IA and was wondering if I could repost this post on my blog. If that’s alright, please let me know by sending me your info/bio to use as an introduction and send it to suzanne_hull@hotmail.com

Thanks!

Suzanne

Us entrepreneurs can afford to be edgy and strong (one might even say it’s a solid marketing tactic), but most corporations don’t like it, and HR people for the most part are NOT fond of coloring outside the lines.

Be firm, be clear, but don’t do some of the edgy personality things that might get read by people who decide whether you’re “employable” or not.

S

I particularly enjoyed: “Another approach is to always use your full name whenever possible, maximizing your online presence… if you plan to use this method, you should have the ability to resist the occasional urge to participate in the juvenile flame wars.”

Very true. Unless, of course, you’re building your brand around being controversial, in-your-face and highly confrontational – which (when done right) can work for particular people. Think Perez Hilton, “Hollywood’s most hated website,” an insanely popular blog that bashes on other people (http://perezhilton.com).

Of course, Perez isn’t a job applicant, so building a brand around flame wars works for him.

I look forward to more of your posts!

- Pete