A Virtual Handshake = Your Digital Reputation

Along with all of the things technology has brought to our lives, it has taken away one important aspect: privacy. With one quick click of the search button your employer, friends and family, favorite activities, dog’s name, past jobs, and photographs pop up on the screen. You could have a great online resume and CV but there is still reason to be concerned about this new transparency which the internet has brought upon us. Your reputation is no longer created through hand-shakes and networking. It is created through Google searches, Facebook, My Space, LinkedIn and can easily be explored by others who may have never met you. Bad news: you can’t do anything about the fact that people are looking online. Good news: you can control what they find.

Digital reputation management is a huge issue for individuals and associations alike. For individuals, your personal data can appear all over the web, either on purpose or accidentally. It is important to keep track of what you write and do on the internet because it can always be tracked and linked back to you. I always advise my family to “not put anything on the internet you wouldn’t want your grandma to see.” For all you know, she is probably on Facebook too! And this is even more important for those in or getting ready to enter the workforce. As an employer, one of the first things we do during the screening process is an online search.

As a volunteer leader or paid staff at a nonprofit organization, it is important to monitor your online actions for your own reputation’s sake but also for the sake of the organization you work or volunteer for. Your actions have an impact on the reputation of the nonprofit. Just as you wouldn’t use foul language at a board meeting or consume alcohol in excess at a conference, you don’t want to be doing these things online or in photographs found on the internet.

And yes, there could always be someone who is unhappy with you or your organization and writing about it loud and clear online. However by being proactive in making your online reputation positive, you can combat these negativities. For those running or leading nonprofits, I suggest you get testimonials of success from members or stakeholders and post them. Be transparent with records, minutes and association finances so people will trust you and the organization. The more open and honest you are, the more people feel like they know you and the less willing they are to listen to any negative points of view.

Creating a digital reputation can be a great way to reach out to potential or existing members, colleagues, and coworkers and welcome them into your life. By being honest and open on social networking sites or blogs you can allow people to “know” you through your online personality, allowing them to trust you and in turn, trust your organization. Be proactive and create your digital reputation before someone else creates it for you.