You google yourself. You find something you don't like. It will be a scary feeling, especially if you're a REALTOR who values your reputation (most do).
There's no easy solution to that feeling, and it will only become more difficult to manage your online reputation in a social media world.
Top agents around the country are starting to engage in an important process called "Online Reputation Management."
ORM is the process of following online references to your personal and business brand, while having a plan in place to deal with any negative feedback.
You can think of it as a three-step process, although they may not always occur in this order:
- Monitor – Maintain an ongoing system for researching and keeping track of public perception.
- Evaluate – Consider individual feedback, as well as the source, outlet, reach and timing, to come to a decision about the risk/benefit of that feedback.
- Act – Comment, rebut, draft a formal response or simply ignore what has been said, based on your evaluation.
Many agents have experienced some form of criticism online. I wonder if you have noticed a past client or competitor trying to attack you or a fellow agent?
If you do not implement a form of online reputation management, you put a lot of time, money, and integrity at risk in an internet world where filters are set to "low".
What are you doing to manage your online reputation?
In a follow-up series of posts, we'll reveal some ways REALTORS can implement an effective ORM system right away!
Dedicated to your success,
Jarred Alexandrov
REIC Social Media Director
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