Keeping Up Your Professionalism

| Friday, August 19, 2011
By Tyler Q. Smith


Can you recall when you could control the flow of information about yourself? Once upon a time, the amount of information about you and how it could be found was completely within your control. Alas, this isn't true any longer. Nowadays, people have all sorts of ways to find out whatever they would like to find out about you. This is tricky on a normal scale for people who have traditional jobs. It's far harder for people who work online. Now, an errant blog post could mean the difference between getting the sale and not getting the sale.

So, what should you do? What is the plan? The key to keeping your reputation unblemished is to be as professional as possible both online and offline. Below are several suggestions to help you with that.

1. It's crucial that every single piece of writing you craft is spelled and punctuated properly. It doesn't matter if you're simply composing a quick instant message to someone or crafting your sales page. Proper spelling and grammar are crucial. The last thing you want is for a prospective client to find something you've written and find out that it is full of errors. It demonstrates that you have no idea about what is what.

2. It is important to answer every last online message and phone call. When you respond, see to it that you are amicable and positive and courteous. Try not to let an e-mail sit in your box for more than a day without answering it. Try not to allow phone messages to stagnate unreturned. Answer all call by the third ring. These are the types of things that will tell individuals all they need to know about your commitment to your project.

3. Accept critiques graciously and nicely. There are invariably going to be people who would like you to feel awful about yourself. At the same time, there are people who are going to have legitimate complaints about what you are offering or how you are offering it. It is vital to earnestly consider every last critique and to look into whether or not it's possible to make the changes the person wishes from you without it being damaging to your business. Afterwards, let the person know if you will be heeding his critique or not and explain, politely, why you decided to go with that specific course of action. This will demonstrate that you take each person seriously, not merely people who give you compliments.

4. Check your social media! It's not difficult, while in the throes of social media, to forget that you're not simply a random individualonline user, you're representing a business. The individuals you are talking to might be fine with a very informal tweet or Facebook message. They might also be misconstrued by someone who stumbles on to them as proof that you're not serious about your reputation or business.

5. Allow your own personality to shine. No one says you need to hide everything that makes you you. In reality, perhaps the most effective way to set yourself apart from the competition is to let your personality shine through. Nonetheless, at the same time, bear in mind that you're representing your business, so keep your best face forward.




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