7 ways to protect your online image

You can’t control what people say about your company or brand, but you can minimize—or sometimes prevent—the negative impact

I recently shared a new survey on social networking etiquette. There are astounding numbers indicating that rude online behavior by companies sends prospects and customers heading for the hills. Come on, we can’t be too surprised. After all, who likes to be treated with disrespect and incivility?

Here are seven tips to help your business protect its online brand and reputation:

1. Educate your staff about basic rules and policy. Whoever has access to posting or updating your website or blog must be trustworthy, mature and have excellent communication skills. Much will depend on their judgment of situations that arise on the fly. Basic guidelines of what some people call common sense should be spelled out and dictated as policy. It can help prevent image disasters.