My recent post was about the use of nautical terms (describing the economy) and health terms (describing reputation recovery) to describe events. In many Google alerts, I receive and articles I read, I have noticed that when it comes to online reputation management (ORM), there has been a rise in harsh and sometimes fear-provoking language to describe the field of reputation defense on the Internet. I am trying to make sense of this language choice. Perhaps there is nothing to worry about but I find it interesting that there are no online reputation guardian angels, online reputation supporters and digital good Samaritans. Here are a few examples that have hit my radar screen recently.
- Reputation assassins
- Reputation bandits
- Cybermobs
- Cyber KKK
- Cyber thuggery
- Masked digital thiefs
I think that the personal and business environment surrounding online reputation management recognizes the perilous threats of rumor, gossip and anonymous posters to individual’s and company’s reputations. And the damage done can be long-term and easily accomplished in the shadows. Mostly, it is hard to control and identify who the hit men are which is why it is so troublesome.
You’re right, it’s easier to get the message across about the importance of ORM, when you talk about the reputation detractors.
I try to remind myself to tell clients about the benefits of finding reputation “evangelists” and “advocates” too.