As you grow your online presence, it’s inevitable that along with all the clients, customers, followers, and fans who support your success and sing your praises from the rooftops… there are also a few people who, well, think you suck.
Or maybe not that bad, but they just want to complain about you. Or say something mean. Or be weird. And they will write about how they feel somewhere online.
For ladies like you and me, who grew up with “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”, it’s first of all shocking and saddening when you learn people do this in the first place.
But it can really hurt when you find out it’s about YOU.
Take if from me, from my nearly 10 years now of having an online presence. Nothing surprises me anymore. For every 100 people who are raving about my programs and what I stand for, there’s one idiot who is dissing me.
I know because:
1) My fans tell me everything. (And your best clients, customers, and friends will too.)
2) I take a few simple (yet critical) steps to be aware of what’s out there.
And nothing fazes me anymore. I have seen it all. And folks, these aren’t just critiques of my programs. I’m always open to improvement!
I’m talking about some crazy sh*t…
Like one passive-aggressive seminar attendee who—to my face—sweetly said she loved an event I hosted, and then wrote crap about it online.
But also weird creepy things, like one guy who made a sexual reference about me in his newsletter.
And—some of you may be able to relate to this—an ex-fiancé who posted a 3:00 a.m. tirade about me as a comment on my Forbes blog… and, just to make sure I knew who he was, used the handle, “Ex-beau-fiancé”. (Insert “koo-koo” sound here.)
The Internet has done something funny to people… Stuff they would never say to you in person, they somehow feel it’s okay to write online. Like it doesn’t count.
I just wanted you to know it happens to me too.
WHY they do this could be an entire article and include an interview with a psychologist. But that’s not what this article is about.
You just need to know this is going to happen, because here’s the deal:
Your being online means there are more people being aware of you and connected to you.
There is an undetermined yet undeniable percentage of the population who is crazy, mean, or crazy and mean.
So… your being online means there are more crazy, mean, or crazy and mean people being aware of you and connected to you.
And we can’t change that.
So let’s focus on what we CAN control, starting with our awareness. Though you can’t change the moronic behaviors that others choose to indulge in, you can take a few actions to make sure you are aware of your online reputation.
And, listen: The GOOD part is, this will also help you find the GOOD stuff! I’ve been brought to tears finding blog posts or videos where a woman is sharing how I’ve changed her life. And THAT reminds me, it’s all worth it. :)
So just be aware, and take it from there.
Here are a few steps to get you started…
1. Set Up Google Alerts
People use Google Alerts for many reasons: to keep up with a topic they’re interested in, follow a hot news story, monitor competitors, and… keep track of what’s being said about them online.
You can set up a FREE Google Alert in a matter of minutes, so that any time your name or your business’s name is mentioned anywhere on the Web, you will get an email alerting you. To set up a Google Alert, go to: www.Google.com/alerts
I suggest you get a daily alert on your name, your business name, and any of your popular programs, etc. (This is also a great way to see what your affiliates are doing … I’m doing this now with a major launch we’re about to do.) I prefer a daily digest of alerts instead of receiving them piecemeal.
2. Track Your Social Media Mentions
There are many online tools that allow you to keep track of how often you or your business is mentioned via social media. We’re talking about Tweets, Facebook shares, blog posts, comments on blog posts, and more.
Two free sites are www.SocialMention.com and www.SamePoint.com — these are search engines that let you scour a wide range of social media, like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook—even bookmarks, audios, and videos—to find out where and how you are mentioned. You can also do a filtered search for negative comments, which can be a little daunting, but is absolutely essential for doing damage control when necessary.
3. Go Google Yourself
Have you Googled yourself lately? I know you’re worried you may find stuff that, well, you may not want to. (Like that photo of you from that keg party in college? You hope that guy lost it a long time ago!)
I suggest you do this at least once a week. Search for your name, your company name, and your products and programs. See where your own sites are at, and see where you’re being mentioned elsewhere too.
Be sure to check all categories for your search: Web, news, images, videos, blogs, etc. (In Google, these are listed along the left side of the page after you enter your search.) You know where to go: www.google.com
If You’re Super Sensitive, Delegate This
Personally, I go through phases where my energy is more sensitive at some times than others. When I know I’m in that place, I make sure my team are the ones who do this for me. And if they find anything that requires legal action, or if it’s in our control to be deleted or taken down, they apprise me of the situation, and they handle it.
So that may be something you want to do for yourself. It’s all up to you. I know if I see half that stuff it will poison my day, and I don’t have the time or energy for it. I need to focus on being my best and helping the people who need me. That’s it.
What’s YOUR Experience? Other ideas? Please Share Below!
I think it’s time we start talking about this with each other. This article is just meant to be a start. Have you experienced this online in your business or personally? And if so, what have you done to be more aware? Or do you want to even be aware?
Let’s start a conversation here to help each other. Please comment below.
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© 2012 Ali International, LLC
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“Entrepreneur mentor Ali Brown teaches women around the world how to start and grow profitable businesses that make a positive impact. Get her FREE CD “Top 10 Secrets for Entrepreneurial Women” at www.AliBrown.com”
Peggy Nelson says:
August 30, 2012 at 10:10 pm
Thanks for the great and informative article Ali. I Google my business name periodically but using Google Alert sounds like a good option. Thanks for all your good work!
Michelle Lopez says:
August 30, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Yep Ali, there is a huge population of mean-spirited, nasty, crazy people out there whose main enjoyment in life seems to come only from sh*tting on anything positive (excuse my french!).
I’m actually experiencing this right now as I market my forthcoming book about my real life love story / crush that I developed on a professional MMA fighter. I’ve had tons of haters trying to turn my story – something pure and innocent – into something stalkerish and scary.
On the bright side, I’ve had tons of people tell me how fascinated they are with my story… so the trick, I think, is to keep listening to the ‘fascinated’ people who like my work, and to shut out the ranting, hating idiots who see only sickness in what I’m doing. :)
Matthew Loop says:
August 30, 2012 at 10:21 pm
Excellent advice, Ali. You could have the best business or product in the world, but you can be certain you’ll get a negative review / post sooner or later.
The key is knowing immediately when it happens and how to track like you’ve outlined.
Continued success!
Mary says:
August 30, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Great Article Thanks for highlighting it , it all boils down to personal responsibilty and for some people like the crazies you mention its easier to blame other for their lack of action. I think you are absolutely amazing and credit you as being the first woman that showed me what was possible, watching you grow and having taken your programs, Its all from the heart and you have done so much for so many woman, the full ripple effect just pours out with each life you touch . Bless you and Thank You Ali xx
Kim Miller says:
August 30, 2012 at 10:37 pm
The place where I’ve had the worst comments have been on YouTube. The downright disgusting things I quickly delete but there are some that I nicely follow up with and have even received apologies in return. It is true that your fans will tell you when someone is saying something bad behind your back too.
I’ve gotten better at not taking this personally and now get tickled that someone actually took the time to read what I posted and comment.
Mary Liu says:
August 30, 2012 at 10:39 pm
Ali …Thank you for the great post. Luckily, I’m not in a situation where I need this, but how would someone be able to delete it or take it down as you mentioned once it’s on the internet?
Ali Brown says:
August 30, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Hi Mary, well in many cases it’s free speech and you can’t do anything. But if it’s on a blog or site you control, you can delete it. Or in one case, someone took my video and copied it and edited it, so that was our intellectual property, so we had it taken down from YouTube. It’s a case by case basis. Hope that helps a bit!
Jean Norton says:
August 30, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Yes, I’ve been stalked. I used statcounter.com to identify the stalker IP addresses and an IP Blocker to redirect these guys to a fake blog. UGH! So time consuming.
Rachel Henke says:
August 30, 2012 at 11:00 pm
This is an important topic and it’s very brave of you to be so transparent. I’ve found a few things in the past and have asked people to remove them which they have.
Mostly where people stole my content or used it in inappropriate way.
You’re a beacon of light for so many Ali and I’m pleased you shared this.
Thanks
Ali Brown says:
September 1, 2012 at 2:08 am
Thank you so much Rachel :)
Margo DeGange, M. Ed. says:
August 30, 2012 at 11:15 pm
Hi Ali,
I am always surprised, yet somehow never shocked, at the ridiculous things people— supposed grownups—will do and say. It is a shame that peeps can so easily seek to hurt another person.
People who spread hate have a sad dis-ease, the disease of not believing they are enough. It really is sad for them.
Keep shining! Do all that you do from your good heart, and do it heartily toward God and others. Thank God your work makes a significant and positive impact in the lives of others.
You have a lot to be proud of!
Great post by the way!
Love and hugs,
Margo
Ali Brown says:
September 1, 2012 at 2:10 am
Thank you Margo :)
Monique Parker says:
August 30, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Hi Ali, great post and very timely.
Sadly… I see this sort of thing happening so often, with so many attacks targeting success women (often, by other women!)
In fact just yesterday, an Australian celebrity was hospitalized due to vicious troll attacks on twitter.
The anonymity of the internet has created the perfect forum for vicious trolling by the jealous, the cowardly, and the psychotic…
Take whatever steps you can to protect yourself, and if it happens always remember that it’s never about you ~ it’s always a reflection of them.
Ana says:
August 31, 2012 at 12:12 am
Hi Ali – THANK YOU so much for writing this. I had no idea there were relatively simple ways to track this, and it was indeed helpful to hear you talk about it happening to you too. I went to see the Dalai Lama talk once and people were out picketing him as the antichrist. I thought – for realz???? At that point I realized you definitely can’t help but avoid upsetting some people if you are out there in the world;) I am so glad I paused to read this today.
Trish says:
August 31, 2012 at 1:09 am
How timely your article is Ali. In Australia, a well known celebrity here was admitted to hospital yesterday after cyber-bullying. It’s gaining huge publicity & its not only what these bullies twittered her, it’s the horrible photos they sent her at 2am. Just horrible. 99.9% of people are good, kind and caring. Let’s remember and surround ourself by them.
HERE IS JUST ONE OF THE NEWS ARTICLES:
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/8524663/charlotte-dawson-taken-to-hospital
Maurice Bernier says:
August 31, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Ali, as a newcomer to your blog, I am finding your articles to be very informative and encouraging. Not only do I walk away feeling better after each read but, I also get great little tips as well.
I’ve often Google’d myself as you suggest and exactly for those same reasons but today, you’ve just given me a few more tracking sites that will be very useful.
What you share with all of us, will definitely give us extra tidbits that we can share with our clients as well.
That I am most grateful for!
Wishing you and all on this Blog the best of success!
PS:
If anyone is curious, see my featured blog article on Ali through my name above. Just want you to check it out and maybe get an example of what you can do to promote Ali!
Mary Romero says:
August 31, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Ohhh boy, Ali..do I hear you loud and clear on this one. I have been using the Google alerts since publishing my book. I had a family member get down right deceitful in attaining a copy of my book and then calling my Publisher to have it ‘taken off the shelves’. As I type, I am in the middle of doing control damage. Not that this individual has a leg to stand on but, I do not need my reputation or, that of my business, coming under scrutiny. There are definitely some people out there who are hell bent on sharing their bitterness with anyone within reach!
Lori Walker says:
September 1, 2012 at 9:14 pm
While I don’t have a business on line as of yet I am proud to be associated with Miss Ali Brown and think she will take me far into the further, I’m very excited to be a affiliate. As for what people say I stopped worrying about that years ago. You can’t please everyone no matter what you do or say. Have a great day everyone.
Florence Bernard says:
September 3, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Ali.
I am just getting started in my business and have yet to begin marketing. Your emails have really been an eye opener for me since I have not been very active on the internet. and Your suggestions and videosare very timely and are helping me formuate my system.
Thank you