Based on studies, it only takes a couple of seconds before someone can create that first impression. While this may be true when meeting people in person, it could become irrelevant in the online world. Today, people will look for your name online before deciding to hire you or do business with you. They will create a reputation audit before forming any online impression about you.
How to Make that Great First Online Impression
Here at Reputation Treatment, we understand how important it is to cultivate a positive online image. We believe that it can promote or destroy your company depending on how people perceive you. Your online presence should be considered as a part of your branding. You need to make sure that you remain in control of what the people will see rather than leaving it to chance. We’ve listed some steps you can take to improve your online influence through online impression management.
Professional Images
A more significant part of your online impression would be related to the look and feel. With Google Image search, your photo will appear on the internet every time someone search for your name. Therefore. You have to make sure that your professional headshot will appear on top of the search result. You want a set of images that will ideally represent your brand. Most of today’s phones can take a picture with higher resolution. Nonetheless, it is still better to hire a professional photographer who will take your picture. You want to ensure that it will be on your best angle and that the lighting will be excellent.
Be sure that your branding on the image will remain consistent in the various platforms. It would be better if you could use similar images or preferably a picture taken on the same photoshoot. On the cover photos, look for a graphic designer who will design a header representing you or your brand. Pay attention to the text styles and colors that will match your personality.
Optimize Your Social Media Profile
Having a personal social media account would be optional; there are no rules that you need to create a social media. However, if you are trying to market your brand, an optimized social media page is a must. At a minimum, you should have an active Facebook account. With this, you will be in control of your professional online impression. It helps you build your network and keep in touch with people aware of you. Billions of people are actively using Facebook, and based on the recent statistics; it is not going anywhere. Therefore, it should be a part of your reputation building.
Start by checking your sharing and privacy setting. You should also pay attention to the posts you are sharing on your page or account. Make sure that it aligns with the online impression you are trying to project. It is more than just having a professional display photo. For those in an industry that is visual-based such as food, fashion, travel, beauty, health, and lifestyle, Instagram or Pinterest would be a better option for you.
Creating a Professional Account
If you want to maintain a positive online impression, LinkedIn would be an excellent platform. In the past two years. LinkedIn has grown from a place where people post their resumes to one of the biggest social media platforms today. It is now a channel where you can create content, share information, and market yourself. Perhaps the biggest error you can commit in using this platform would be getting the content here out of date. Not many people will visit LinkedIn unless they are hunting for jobs or they want to reach out to a particular brand. For different people, the information on their LinkedIn page can be outdated. When using LinkedIn, make sure that you give an impression that you are active. Share, comment, and like, whenever you’ve got the chance.
Uploading Video Content
YouTube videos are appearing more prominently in the Google search result. Therefore, you will need to be aware if there is a YouTube video that concerns you. Moreover, you should be mindful of your YouTube history. The videos that you liked and your comment can also affect your first online impression. Be sure that all your online activities will appear respectable. We understand that not all can be videographers, but developing a video could be perfect for developing your branding. Find some time to create a video blog. For instance, a video wherein you are delivering your speech will help you showcase your communication skills. It can help people be familiar with you and develop trust before even meeting you.
Manage Online Comments and Reviews
Thanks to different databases and online listing sites, the online world (especially eCommerce sites) are slowly shifting to customer reviews. Various sites like Facebook, Google My Business, and Yelp are just some platforms that allow anyone to leave customer testimonials. Although you are not marketing a brand, it is still best to know what people are trying to say about you online. Ignoring the reviews will lead to a wrong online impression and make you appear insensitive. Be sure to respond to each comment professionally and gracefully. Acknowledge people every time they will interact with you.
Publishing Content
Another way to make a positive online impression is to show the credibility of your brand. You can showcase your authority by publishing how-to articles, tips, and other content relevant to your niche. You can also develop tutorial videos on your social media platform and website. Add a blog section to your website where you can share engaging and informative articles. Be sure that it will help your audience and solve their problem. It is an excellent way to expose your brand’s name to your target audience.
You may not be a published author, but different authority sites will help you showcase your content. LinkedIn and Medium would be the perfect platform to share your content. Be sure to share only the content within your area of expertise or interest. A good thing about syndicating content on these platforms is that it is indexable by Google and other search engine sites. You might need to do it consistently. You can do this once a week or once a month.
How to Use Your Website as Part of Your Online Impression Management
Based on the data gathered by Hinge Research Institute, around 80% of the buyers will check the company’s website to see if they are offering legitimate business. Therefore, your website must be a part of your online impression management. Here are some ways how you can efficiently use this online asset.
Proper Usage of Colors
When choosing colors, don’t choose all the colors that will pop out; it will make your page appear overwhelming. The result will be contrary to what you expect, your website will not stand out, and it will seem chaotic. Start by picking your primary color and add another three complementing colors. Be sure that you will use this in all your marketing tools and campaigns to appear consistent in your branding.
Animations for Online Impression
You should not include anything unnecessary regarding media, gadgets, or animation in your site. Using flash animations just because they appear cool will negatively impact your online impression management. Most marketers and SEO experts will discourage you from introducing these elements to your website since they will only make your site load slower. Understand that the loading speed of your page is one of the metrics used by Google in ranking sites.
Your audience should not find it difficult to navigate around your site. If your page is cluttered and disorganized, they will immediately think you are not serious about offering your service. Don’t be afraid to create white spaces in your web design. Also, make sure that your site’s typography is clear and easy to read. Do not use any fancy font style. It will be easier for the audience to scan your site when you use the standard format.
What is the Best Online Impression Strategy?
When creating an online impression, experts will tell you that you won’t get a second chance. Nowadays, most buyers will head online first before choosing a product. Your online image represents who you are and what you can offer. Here are some things that you need to keep in mind when launching your online strategy.
- Understand the Basics- Do not force the netizens to guess the information related to you. It should be readily available. Be present in the platform where your audiences are found. Remain formal when making conversation, but keep things light.
- Be Clear- If you want people to think of you as a trustworthy brand partner, there are various ways to achieve this. You can create case studies, blog articles, testimonials, posts, etc., that will help people separate you from others. If you are a company, this will make you stand out from other businesses that are just wanting to make quick cash.
- Educate- Your audience will be looking for answers to their most common problems; therefore, your platform should be focused on providing solutions while keeping things engaging. We understand how this is easier said than done. Look for evergreen articles, how-tos tips, webinars, podcasts, research studies, and white papers. If the articles are too long and boring, convert them into an infographic with a visually engaging template.
- Go Mobile- As we mentioned above, there’s a high chance that your audience will be searching for your name using their gadgets. If your platform is not optimized for mobile devices, they will not be encouraged to look around your website. Be sure to check if your website or other medium is responsive.
Your online impression management protects your reputation. Nowadays, online reputation has become so valuable that Google uses it to rank websites. If people have a positive impression of you, they will likely choose you as their trustworthy partner. If you are looking for ways to develop your personal and professional reach, remember the tips we mentioned here.