Article is courtesy of Cara Harbor, CEO and Founder of AMP Marketing and Public Relations.
Like it or not, your reputation lives online—and it’s searchable.
Before you walk into a pitch meeting, hop on a Zoom call, or even send an email, someone’s already Googled you. That first page of results? It’s your digital résumé, your personal brand, and your character reference, all rolled into one. The question is: does it represent you well?
Online reputation isn’t about vanity—it’s about trust. And in a hyper-connected world, trust is currency.
Perception = Reality (Online)
According to recent studies, 42% of people say they’ve changed their mind about someone after searching them online. One search. One scroll. One click. That’s all it takes to lose—or win—opportunity.
And it’s not just people checking up on people. 98% of consumers read online reviews before making a purchase, and 85% trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation. That same mindset carries into business. If your name or brand is connected to bad press, a low-rated review, or worse—silence—it can cost you clients, customers, or credibility.
If You’re Not Shaping the Narrative, Someone Else Is
The truth is, your online reputation is being formed whether you’re part of the process or not. So it makes a lot more sense to take the wheel.
Here’s what that looks like:
- Audit Your Digital Footprint: See what others see when they search you. What’s positive? What’s problematic? What’s missing?
- Own Your Presence: Build and polish your profiles. Use the right images. Share what you want to be known for.
- Push the Right Content: If you’re not publishing content, someone else is. Write. Post. Speak. Be quoted.
- Get Strategic with Media: Appear in outlets that matter. A mention in a respected publication does more for trust than any pitch.
- Invest in Long-Term Thought Leadership: Reputations aren’t built in a tweet. They’re built over time. Consistency is power.
Final Thought: Control the Click
Your name is a brand. Your Google results are your billboard. Whether you’re a founder, exec, consultant, or creator—your online presence will speak for you before you do. Better make sure it’s saying the right things.
Cara Milan (Harbor) is the CEO and Founder of AMP Marketing and Public Relations, bringing over 25 years of experience helping executives, thought leaders, and high-profile professionals elevate their personal brands and online presence. She has advised leaders at some of the world’s most innovative companies—including Adobe, Cisco, ROBLOX, MuleSoft, HP, and Pantone—guiding them in building influence, credibility, and visibility in competitive markets.
