Creating An Online Reputation For You & Your Brand

We live in a time where we have unlimited, instant access to information about anything and everything. If we want to find something out, we can literally find an answer in 8 seconds by going on google or searching on Facebook (yes, I just timed myself LOL). It's kind of scary, but it's the reality we live in. We live in a mobile-dominated world.

One thing I've learned and observed over the past few years is that with instant information comes instant responsibility. Responsibility with: how we act, what we say, what we view, and more. Not only on a personal level, but on a business and professional level also. Many people don't take this seriously, but everyday, hundreds (if not thousands) of individuals are eyeing your content. They see what you share, what you like, what you post, and more. Oh, you don't think they can see all the little stuff you do? Well, they can and they do!

The way you act on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or whatever platform it is, will show your friends, your followers, and even people on the outside what values and standards you hold you and your business to. It shows your character and who you are. That's the downside to social media - complete transparency. Wait... or is complete transparency a bad thing?

On the outside, complete transparency is scary and seems like a major disadvantage for the online user, but if you run a business or brand, complete transparency can actually be a major advantage to win people on your side!

Sometimes, we try to be people we're actually not on social media and it's SOOO easy to do. We want to post the pictures of our "good side" or post all the major achievements we've received, but no one wants to be transparent and share their ENTIRE journey. Wins and losses. We use social media platforms solely as pedestals when we should be using them as journals.

Recently, I reached out to Kyle and Kim Terry (CEO & CBO of Terry Enterprise Media) and they had some MAJOR insights on how being transparent on social media and building a great reputation can benefit you so much personally and as a business. This is what they had to say:

The key to building your brand and creating your reputation is to stay true to yourself. There’s going to be outside voices and situations that will try to sway you in other directions. It’s important not to PR your life and try to be who other people want you to be. You can’t be everything for everyone, and what makes your brand special is that it’s you. When you’re putting out content, document what you have going on in your business and your life. This ensures that what you’re doing is something that you’re going to be proud of today and in the future.

Kyle & Kim Terry (CEO & CBO of Terry Enterprise Media)

The key is building your online reputation and brand is simply being intentional about documenting. Showing your customers and audience who you are and why. Share with them your passion, your struggles, and everything in between.

Can this be a hard task? Oh, yeah! But, it's rewarding. Your following will be able to tell you're being transparent and being true to who you are as a person and a business. They'll fall in love with who you are instead of just falling in love with your instagram.

Strive to live a life full of complete transparency and complete integrity. If you really want to have a thriving reputation in person and online, it's going to take you stepping up and being the person you need to be.

Oh, wait! I forgot to mention something. THERE WILL BE HATERS, CRITICIZERS, AND MOCKERS! People will pick at your story. They will try to attack what you are doing and documenting, but WHO CARES! More than likely they are just jealous of you anyway. Do you and do it great!