The media endorses it – most people engage in it – companies advertise on it – what is it?  If you answered Social Media you are correct.

Social media is represented in various mediums – Facebook, LinkedIn, instant messaging, and texting – all forms of communication.  I’m using another form right now – blogging.

Blogs are a means to engage, inform and share.  The key to blogging is fresh content, especially if your blog is attached to your main website.  Some blogs are personal. They enable family and friends who are separated by distance to keep in touch.  Other blogs are business oriented. They include updates from the CEO’s desk, announcements about major company initiatives and new-products offerings.

My website provides tips on business blogging. It also notes some ways to engage, inform and share information with your target audience.  Sign up for my “Social Media Marketing” series @ http://www.SetUFreeVA.com to read more.

Reputation is determined by perception.  In today’s world of viral media – Facebook, MySpace and YouTube – comments, pictures and videos help to shape the concept of you and your business.  The cliché – good news travels fast but bad news travels faster – is evident daily in internet postings.

Safeguarding your reputation – personal and professional – requires vigilance and due diligence.  Two ways to monitor your online reputation are engaging a service provider and doing-it-yourself.  A powerful web-based tool that is used for monitoring is Google alerts.

This tool allows a user to set-up email notifications based on specific keywords and/or phrases. The notifications are delivered directly to your inbox. To learn of other techniques, sign up for my “Social Media Marketing” series @ http://www.SetUFreeVA.com.