Take Your Online Reputation from Ripped to “Repped”


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repped2If you can build six-pack abs in 30 days, then why not build a great online reputation in 30 days?

That is the basic premise behind Andy Beal’s (@AndyBeal) new book Repped: 30 Days to a Better Online Reputation. I wasn’t quite sure what to think. Are reputation management and six-pack abs even on the same level as subjects?  Can reputation management ever come close to the sex appeal of six-pack abs?

I suppose that depends on where you are on the reputation management spectrum of shame.  If you still haven’t embraced social media and don’t have a lot of brand presence, this book will definitely put you on the right track to getting your online brand set up right.

And if you’ve experienced anything like a bad online review or even embarrassed yourself online, you’ll learn how to fix all of those little snafu’s day-by-day . . .  in thirty days.

Andy Beal is Your Guide Through the Reputation Management Jungle

Andy Beal is known as the “Indiana Jones of Reputation Management.”  I’ve been following Andy since the early days of Twitter and blogging, and when he was recently a guest on a Google Hangout about reputation management, I begged for a review copy of his new book.  I wanted to see if it was good as I’d hoped, and then share my results with you.

Repped is actually Andy’s second book.  His first book was called Radically Transparent: Monitoring and Managing Reputations Online,  it was written back in 2008 and quickly became a reference guide for anyone who was interested in reputation management.

A lot has changed since 2008, and Andy had vowed not to write another book.  It looks like God or the universe had other plans.  In the introduction of the book, Andy recalls the moment that the whole book came to him.  He called it divine inspiration.  For you and your online reputation, it might be more like divine intervention.

Yes. You Really Can Build or Fix a Reputation in 30 Days

One of the things I really like about this book is the simple exercise-a-day structure.  There are 30 meaty chapters.  Each with a simple theme, explanation and finally an exercise for you to do that will take you closer to reputation “ripped-ness.”  The basic idea is that you can commit to anything for thirty days and in this book, Andy makes it easy.

Repped Answers Your Online Quandaries

Inside Repped you’ll find all kinds of cool little goodies like simple answers and explanations to seemingly insignificant questions – that few people have recommendations for.  Let me give you an example:

  • What kind of names should you get for your Twitter Account?   If only I had a penny for every person that asked me that!  If you have that same question – Repped has the answer.
  • Should I have my blog on it’s own URL or should I make it a sub-domain (blog.yourcompany.com)  or sub-folder (yourcompany.com/blog)?  If you’ve had this question, then you’ll find the perfect answer for your business inside this book.
  • Where and how should I spend my time online?  Beal offers a super easy and effective way to parcel out your time online so that none of it is wasted and all of it contributes to your online reputation.
  • What’s the best way to be helpful to your customers?
  • What’s the best way to empower your employees around your brand?  Beal offers helpful strategies that will not only engage your employees, but not make them feel like a slave to your brand.

Reputation Management is for Everyone

One thing that may have changed since the early days of reputation management is the idea that it’s for EVERYONE – and not just big companies, celebrities and brands.

In fact, one of the early chapters and exercises that Beal has you go through is to manage all of your personal profiles and posts.  These days, no one is exempt from having an online reputation.

So if you’re a twenty-something who is starting to look for a job or wants to clean up and online mess, a small business that wants to take your customer engagement and customer service level up a notch, or a big brand with a tarnished company image — you will all find solace and strategy inside the pages of Repped.

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13 Comments ▼

Ivana Taylor Ivana Taylor is the Book Editor for Small Business Trends. She is responsible for directing the site’s book review program and manages the team of professional book reviewers. She also spearheads the annual Small Business Book Awards. Ivana publishes DIYMarketers, where she shares daily do-it-yourself marketing tips, and is co-author of "Excel for Marketing Managers."

13 Reactions
  1. Thank you Ivana for your kind words. I don’t recall ever reading such a wonderfully thought-out review of one of my books.

    • Hi Andy — the pleasure was all mine. This is a terrific book; short, easy to read and absolutely DIY friendly. Of course I have to admit that these kinds of books are a favorite of mine. Small business owners are so overwhelmed these days, that books like these provide a low-cost, high-quality education in less time. I’m all about that.

      • That’s exactly what I was trying to achieve. Something that is easy to read, immediately beneficial, and affordable enough for anyone. 🙂

        Thanks again!

  2. Hello Ivana!

    After reading this article of yours, I am now very interested to have this book and check the simple exercises written there.

  3. The information abundance of the Internet can be a double-edged sword, I’ve dealt with clients that delivered great service, but had that one loony customer who made a point to trash the business wherever they could. Without advance planning and thinking through how to protect yourself you could end up with a damaged reputation that’s hard to restore.

  4. Reputation management is one of the things I take for granted. Usually, small business owners get lost in marketing and branding that they forget to manage their reputation. I guess all small business owners need this book. I’ll see how it can help my business.

    • You are right, Aira. Small businesses absolutely need to take care with their online reputation. I wrote Repped with lots of great ideas for any size business. I hope you enjoy it!