Thursday, March 22, 2012

Online Reputation Management - It Pays to Keep a Good Reputation

Online reputation management begins with solid proactive crisis management and reverse SEO strategies.  A recent LinkedIn online survey about Online PR by Rostin Ventures brought a number of solid, insightful responses from respected professionals in our industry. The question: How important is SEO to Online Reputation and Brand Management for a company's Public Relations?

The survey responses were best expressed by Sarah Skerik, Vice President of Social Media at PR Newswire: "The role [search engines] play in influencing opinion is undeniable. [They] are the starting point for most Internet users, and surveys tell us that most journalists start story research with search. The results at the top of the search results page play a powerful role in shaping behavior and surfacing commentary from the social layer."

Author Victoria Ipri added: "The real breaking news is what people are talking about right now, today. This is the same information you’ll find at the top of today’s search engine rankings. And this is precisely where SEO, combined with online reputation management, plays a vital role."

Actions speak louder than words. When faced with a negative article or comment on the web, the best approach is an objective, tactful response to the situation. Remember, Internet content possesses longevity, and your company's positive and ongoing engagement in the worldwide community is a surefire safety net should any negative publicity knock on your door.



The strongest strategy behind online reputation management begins with proactive public relations before a negative event occurs.  How is your company proactively managing its public relations and brand strategy within search engine results pages? That's where Rostin Ventures comes in, providing professional, well-written, insightful content for Online PR, Reputation Management and Crisis Management strategies.