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Podcast #1: The Dark Side of Online Reputation Management

posted on 2/23/09 by Nancy Lyons and Meghan Wilker

In our first podcast (running time: 14 minutes and 44 seconds), we explore the dark side of online reputation management. Or, what to do when someone is posting mean things about you online. Think that kind of stuff only happens in high school? Think again.

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Overview & Links

No time to listen? Seriously? It's less than 15 minutes! But, fine. Here are the highlights:

1. Google yourself. Make sure you know what comes up when people look you up.

2. If the results aren't what you like, get involved in the conversation about the brand called you. Start actively posting content to drown out what you don't like.

3. Contact the sites that contain the slanderous material to see if it can be removed. Sites are maintained by people, after all. Try getting in touch with some of them.

4. If all else fails, do your legal homework. Check out the following links about the online defamation act:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2040829_learn-online-defamation-act.html
http://www.internetlibrary.com/topics/online_defamation.cfm
http://reputationprofessor.com/2008/09/07/online-internet-defamation-and-slander/

This podcast was recorded in Nancy's kitchen using the Snowflake microphone that Meghan's husband bought as a come-on-girls-start-recording-a-podcast-already gift. Theme music provided by our friend and colleague, the talented Michael Koppelman. Yay for the Geek Girls Men's Auxiliary!

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Comments:
(1) On February 24, 2009, Author Editor Toni Rae Brotons says:
Great first podcast, Geek Girls! As someone who's assisting in the development of my association's online community, I thought it was very informative. We're in the "convince the powers that be" stage, and it's good to know that there's great legal information out there to ease some initial concerns.
(2) On February 24, 2009, Author Editor Joshua says:
Very good points. I do think it is so important to Google yourself and your company and listen to what is being said so you can address these things before they get out of control and you can't stop it. Great podcast ladies, thanks so much, you now have a new fan!

-Joshua
(3) On February 24, 2009, Author Editor Julia Schrenkler says:
Thanks for pointing to this podcast post on Twitter.

There's that one advice point: Also, have a thick skin. One can challenge what people say, but ultimately one may not be able to change what others think. I've seen so many people hurl themselves at the Internet trying to turn a troll into a cheerleader.

Looking forward to more audio - are you listing your cast on iTunes?
(4) On February 24, 2009, Author Editor Meghan Wilker says:
@Joshua - thanks! And welcome to the Geek Girls Men's Auxiliary.

@Julia Schrenkler - we will be listing it on iTunes, yes. I'm working on an iTunes-specific podcast feed this week.

Glad you guys like it, thanks for the feedback on our first foray into podcasting...
(5) On February 24, 2009, Author Editor Erik Evans says:
That was a great podcast, Meghan. One thing I didn't hear, though, was about googling maiden names. It may seem obvious to some, but I'm guessing after a while, some folks forget to even look in that direction.
(6) On February 24, 2009, Author Editor Meghan Wilker says:
Great point, Erik! You'd think a person with a maiden name would have thought of that. Excellent thought, I'll append something to this post.
(7) On February 24, 2009, Author Editor Erin Rauk says:
Very nice job, Geek Girls!! The podcast encourages, and fits in well with, my multi-tasking nature. I look forward to the next one!
(8) On February 24, 2009, Author Editor Meghan Wilker says:
I've gotten some off-blog feedback that our intro music is too long; I'll shorten that up in future episodes (sorry, Mike).
(9) On February 25, 2009, Author Editor Dan Knutson says:
Great podcast, GGs! My personal online reputation management goal is to surpass the NASCAR driver who bears the same name as myself in the google results.
(10) On February 25, 2009, Author Editor Rett says:
After listening to this podcast I googled myself (as I shamefully do every month or so) and realized that it was about time I looked into where google was getting this really outdated description for my site:

"Minnesota-based artist and student shows drawings and computer designs."

That text never appeared any where on my site, I haven't been a student for over 5 years and I just can't stand the term "computer designs."

Anyway, turned out it's from the Open Directory Project: http://search.dmoz.org/cgi-bin/search?search=rett+martin

So yesterday I added this meta tag to my site to tell google to ignore it:
<meta name="robots" content="noodp">

And today, poof, it's gone! Hooray!