"Reputation and credibilty for your business" by J. Germain [2/2]

Reputation and credibilty for your business.

In the current climate reputaion is everything by Judith Germain / Developping Leadership

(Source: Start Your Business, December 2008) 

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Can social networking help you build reputation and credibility in your business?

It's important that businesses establish their networking/marketing strategy so that they can decide which social networking sites they should use or maintain a presence on.

Build your credibility by whatever means and keep open minded

Social networking sites like Ecademy can enable businesses to build reputation and credibility for their business quickly. This is particularly true of Ecademy's Life Membership Community, where building advocacy is made easier due to the nature of its composition. Ecademy encourages its members to network on and offline. Sites like Linkedln  can enable businesses to build visibility and connections quickly.

There are hundreds of sites to choose from, so finding a cost and time effective way to utilise them is imperative. Your networking strategy needs to be defined to ensure consistency of your message. The use of sites such as Ecademy can help businesses establish themselves as an expert in their area of expertise. To establish yourself (or your business) as an expert using social networking sites, you are required to be visible to their membership.

It is recommended that you blog and write articles frequently, in your area of expertise, (run and join clubs structured around your them and your personal interests (thus developing an individual reputation). How you communicate and articulate your thoughts on the public and private areas of the networking sites - will guide potential clients and advocates well. Inconsistencies or extreme views contrary to your 'public persona' will do you ill and could even prohibit your ability to gain business.

Freely providing advice to others without expectation of a return helps to build your reputation as an expert and provides an informative view on your character. (This is not the same as providing free consultancy!) Participating in one-to-ones to learn how you can help those in your network can be a positive enhancement to both your reputation and credibility. The return on this activity can be immense.

With the credit crunch still impacting most industries, you need to ensure that you focus your energies on delivering a consistent and compelling reason for clients to work with you; a well defined networking strategy will help you to achieve this for very little cash outlay.

It is a solid, credible reputation (not just increased visibility) that will carry you and your business out of the crunch and beyond. So, look at the way your brand is seen by others and ask yourself...based on the information available to me, would I hire me? If the answer is no, you still need to work at something. Judith Germain is managing director of Dynamic Transitions, a leadership company, which enables their clients to develop, nurture and maintain their reputation in their chosen niche.

Judith provides strategic mentoring for senior executives and business leaders, develops networking strategy and delivers innovative leadership programmes, leadership consultancy, training, coaching and mentoring to corporate clients.

To find out more information on how to bring your business forward in matters concerning HR, management or brand building.