What is ORM? It is the act of monitoring, addressing or mitigating search engine result pages or mentions in online media and Web sphere content. It primarily involves tracking what is written about a client on the Internet, then utilizing sophisticated online and offline techniques in promoting positive and neutral content, while at the same time pushing down those links the sponsor (in most cases business or individuals) may not want to show when their name is searched.
The purpose of Online Reputation Management (ORM) is not to find and call up a disappointed consumer and give him a piece of your mind. Nor is it a way to “stalk” your consumers or exploit their needs.
Online reputation management is used to make your life (and that of your consumers) easier. In with the positive and out with the negative, almost like a detox.
Why you should practice Online Reputation management?
Your company’s reputation is its most valuable asset. You can’t bury your head in the sand and hope negative online mentions about your business will just disappear. The internet is a soap box – people love their drama. And if your company made a blunder, people are going to talk about it. Even people who have never made use of your products/services! It is unfair, but unfortunately it is reality.
The worst thing you can do, is not practice Online Reputation Management (ORM). You might think your company is too small or that a little negative mention here and there won’t hurt. Wrong. It can take only one tweet (140 characters) and your reputation is shattered.
Unfortunately, a lot of companies leave online reputation management until it is too late. Don’t wait for something bad to happen, be proactive and keep your sticky fingers on the keyboard. People might forget, but the internet doesn’t. Even years after a blunder, the info will still be readily available for anyone searches for it.
If something huge did happen, it is not (entirely) the end of the world. There are clever strategies to defuse negativity about your brand online, but it will take a lot of time and resources. Rather get the vaccine of Online Reputation Management (ORM) than the costly cure for an infected brand.
