Angels Den Blog

At times we all have competitors try and discredit you or our business. In fact, I’m sure we can all come up with an personal experience in which we wish we responded differently. If you dare stick your head above the parapet of life some will try and take pot shots at you. If you can associate with this, then here are some tips to manage your reputation online:

1. Stay calm;
2. See the attempts for what they are and what they’re not:
   1. They’re not an altruistic attempt to improve the industry;
   2. Self-satisfying attempts to gain more business;
3. Establish what the messenger and the medium wish to gain from discrediting you;
   1. Sometimes the the messenger and the media are in cahoots so try and establish who’s the puppet and who’s the puppet master,
4. Gauge the active audience numbers, not just the “we’ve got x number of followers or visitors”
5. Understand that sometimes bad news is good news. Perceived negative exposure can actually have unexpected positive effects.
6. Understand that they see you as a threat. You’re obviously doing something right!
7. Decide if the discrediting actually warrants a response. Many are childish playground rants that don’t require your involvement.
8. If you do decide to respond, make it factual, concise, precise and don’t tarnish your brand by entering into a slanging match – that’s often what they want you to do – that and try and trip you up.
9. Ensure that you have testimonials and case studies to back up the worth of your offering.
10. Don’t loose focus on what you’re actually there to do – grow your business. Reputation management is important, but ensure you actually have a product or service that is worth talking positively about.
11. Enjoy it. Challenges like these are why many of us are in business.