Every week, I will meet, speak with or e-mail a prospective client. While I will send them my own crafted biography, links to my website and blog, and additional information–what they will often be more interested in is what they find when doing a search for my name. With a somewhat unique first and last name, what they see will almost always be me. This is not the case with many that have more mainstream names to search for.
While some individuals and firms are forced to use reputation management companies to “fix” a page of results, most of us simply live with what we see. But the thought that you have no control over what appears is not accurate. Taking advantage of profile pages on powerful sites should help control that first page of results. Few will venture on to page two. Almost nobody will get to page three. And only stalkers are likely going beyond.
On this given day, I went and did what I try and do every few weeks–search for myself and see what pops. A Google search for Micah Buchdahl landed nearly 4,000 results–but only nine are on the all-important page one. Chances are pretty good that on the day you take a look, your results will vary. But here are today’s top nine…
1. The bio page on my website at www.HTMLawyers.com.
2. My LinkedIn profile.
3. My bibliography of articles on Web Marketing Today.
4. My Twitter feed 5. My Facebook page 6. This blog (https://www.marketingattorney.com)
7. One of my many articles on Law Practice Today, where I serve as Editor in Chief.
8. My bio on the ABA Law Practice Division site.
9. A recent podcast on the Legal Talk Network.
Page two included Justia, Avvo, Google+ and others that often will show up on a first page. The bottom line is that while I don’t “control” the page, the website, articles, speaking, blogging and social media profiles populate a page with positive results that enhance my portfolio. And when I ask you what your online portfolio might look like, make sure you know the answer. It could be the difference between being retained and getting passed over.