My new business!

Firstly, apologies for the delay since my last post.
But I have been busy....
Having spent my entire working life admiring the work of entrepreneurs, I have taken the plunge and started up my own business. Windrush Communications is an online reputation management agency. We do everything from social media engagement, search engine optimisation and strategic online PR. The business has been up and running for about 2 months now and its looking good.
We have secured our first Malaysian client - as well as one in Singapore - and have high hopes of signing at least two UK-based clients within the next month or so.
Frankly, starting up a business is terrifying. There is no safety net. You have a bad week at work, but you still get paid by your employer. Have a bad week as a business owner and there is a danger you won't be able to pay yourself at all.
And there are always doubts: Will companies be interested in what I have to offer? Will this make any money? etc etc. And the logistical issues are a pain as well. Incorporating a new company, getting a website set up (ours cost a paltry $250 as we have no cash to spare!), business cards printed etc, all take valuable time that could be used pursuing new business.

I havent had a decent night sleep for weeks. I lie awake worrying. Of course I know how futile that it, but setting up a new business is like walking blindfolded through a mindfield. Thankfully I have some great friends who have provided me with invaluable advice and encouragement. Without their support, things would have been infinitely harder.

Anyway peeps, I will keep you updated on a more regular basis from now on.

Monitoring your reputation

What is the starting point in ensuring you have a good online reputation?
In my opinion it is the understanding that you don't control your reputation any longer. It is not about advertising, it is about what people say about you! And social media means that a bad word about your company or its services goes an awfully long way.
For a travel company it might be a bad review on TripAdvisor. For a bank it might be a bitchy post on a financial services website.
Once you appreciate that countless conversations about you and your company are taking place on online, then the first thing to do is to set up a system to keep track of what is being said and where. Only then can you start to engage in the dialogue. Once you know what is going on, then an action place can be started that will enable you to engage with your stakeholders online.
There are tools available that will assist you in tracking these conversations, but engagement takes real expertise and a real understanding of how to talk to stakeholders using social media.
In Malaysia, where I currently hang out, so few companies actually understand this.
A new company, which I won't name for now, is about to launch in KL that will provide bespoke consultancy to companies and individuals who want to use social media to enhance their brands and services.
More on this later...