Every business person who has snubbed online marketing should read the book “Online Reputation Management for Dummies”, written by Lori Randall Stradtman.
Social Media Marketing, Blogging, and online advertising boils down to one thing which is branding your business and getting up close and personal with your target market. Many businesses look at online marketing as tweeting and posting, but that is just the tip of a very deep iceberg.
My business, Trina Stewart Consulting, specializes in providing advice and services to small and medium-sized businesses interested in expanding their brand awareness online. This book has been an invaluable resource where even I learned a thing or two.
I am a “Dummies” fan. From learning Microsoft Access to staying abreast of all online venues, the Dummies books are my bible. They are easy to read and easier to reference. Online Reputation Management for Dummies is no different.
Online Reputation Management covers everything from developing your online team, monitoring what consumers are saying about your business, crisis management, creating great messages, finding and working with your advocates. This is a book that every business decision maker should read before venturing into the online world of social media.
Check out the Online Reputation Management for Dummies Cheat Sheet to receive a few major pointers to get you started.
Online Reputation Management for Dummies Summary
- Develop an effective online reputation management system
- Research everyday and crisis keywords
- Create a reputation through media: messages, images, and videos
- Equip your brand to handle any online reputation crisis.
This book couldn’t have come out at a better time as many businesses are still threatened to venture into the online world in fear of getting up close and personal with their nemesis. Over the past year we’ve seen some pretty disastrous corporate social media mishaps, so I really can’t blame these companies for being reluctant. The truth of the matter is that they simply aren’t armed with the knowledge they require to forge ahead.
I will be hosting a blogging for business course at the Conestoga College this February and I will be introducing Online Reputation Management for Dummies as recommended reading. Being online is scary to many businesses, but how to deal with situations and forging ahead with a plan is key to social media success.