When was the last time you “Googled” your name?

Yes, “Google” became a verb a long time ago. It means typing your name in Google.com and clicking SEARCH to see what results are returned. My apologies, if you knew this already, but my experiences have taught me that so many people still do not.

If you have never Googled your name before, try it NOW. Do you like what you see in the results? I certainly hope so.

As a business owner, you are an extension of your company/brand. In today’s world, most people will readily settle for Google (to learn more), after meeting, hearing or reading about you for the first time. You need to make sure they see MORE of the kind of things that will present you the way you want.

One survey I read said over 80% of net users depend on Google.com to find information. The way I see it (based on the Pareto principle), if you get yourself presented right in Google, you’re likely to have little to worry about from all the other engines!

WHY YOU MAY WANT TO CONTROL WHAT GOOGLE SAYS ABOUT YOU: READ THIS STORY

Recently, I had some interaction with a gentleman who functions as a professional public speaker – and also coaches others to do the same, right here in Nigeria. In the course of studying a report he made available online, I was so impressed that I decided to “Google” his name and see what else there was to know about him Incidentally, I had no viable alternative to Google, since he only supplied a mobile phone number in the PDF report, for some strange reason!

Guess what happened?

The first results page Google pulled up, had over 5 different individuals bearing the same first name and surname as my MAN!

But what really made it bad – for him – was that one particular namesake, who featured more often in the results than others, came NO. 1 – It was a BBC website report that described him as having been “busted” for high profile fraud (the one we call 419) in a famous overseas city.

And that was what got me and this public speaker talking. He admitted to me that he had always known of his criminal “namesake”, but had felt that except he changed his name, there was more or less nothing he could do about it.

Then I told him a Hotel CEO was able to get rid of a greatly embarrassing web based result (a malicious article written about HIM, by someone using a phony name, and published on certain naughty blogs) that kept popping up in Google, whenever his name was used.

He asked how? I told him a Web Marketing System (WMS) was developed and implemented for him. It did (and does) NOT work overnight, but it gets the job done – making stuff you put out, and that others generate in syndicating or referring to your stuff, come up AHEAD of any others.

I also told him the story of another CEO (in medical practice) who was able to leverage a Web Marketing System to define and differentiate himself online from a (this time GOOD) namesake, who is a fairly well known preacher in Nigeria.

Initially, each time this CEO’s name was Googled (and he confirmed people often told him so), this other preacher person dominated the results. This created problems for prospective patients, for instance, who could not understand why he was depicted as a preacher, and there was no reference to his medical practice.

Following implementation of a web marketing system for his business, Googling his name NOW ensures he dominates the results that come up on the first page.

It goes without saying, of course, that things may not necessarily happen in such a straightforward manner for each person. What is certain, however, is that with diligent effort and competent know-how, the desired results can be achieved.

So, What Is A Web Marketing System(WMS) & How Can You Get Yours?

A Web Marketing System is a self-sustaining combination of web based marketing strategies and resources designed to complement your OFFLINE efforts, and make more of those who need your products/services come to you on their own – even if you do not know you and you did not place a paid advert.

A WMS will comprise at the very least, the following 3 basic components:

1. A Regularly Published Website Newsletter(s)

2. A Value Adding Articles Marketing Campaign

3. Diligent Social Media (especially Facebook) Marketing Online using material from 1 and 2.

You can develop and implement 1 to 3 by yourself.

Learn how by reading relevant self-help information which abounds online (including a number by this author).

Alternatively, if you lack the time, knowledge or training, you can hire someone to do it for you. What is crucial is that you take necessary steps to adopt a WMS that works for you.

Need help making it happen? Click here to send me a message.

PS: This article was first published online On August 07, 2011