Creating and Maintaining a
Strong Online Presence
Presentation by:
Sarah Tharp
Director of Online Marketing, Brain Host
@stharp14
• SEO
• Personal Online Reputation
• WordPress Tutorial
• Reputation Management for Clients
• Case Study
• Advice
Ove
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• Graduated from Ohio University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism
• Started at Brain Host 2 weeks after graduation as a Social Media Manager
• Currently the Director of Online Marketing for Brain Host
• Web hosting company based in Akron, OH
• Young, tech startup company
• 75+ employees
• Hosts over 180,000 websites
Bra
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ost
What is Web Hosting? B
rain
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SE
O
• Stands for Search Engine optimization
• Process of getting traffic from the “organic” listings on search engines
• Web pages and other content such as videos or local listings are shown and ranked based on what the search engine considers most relevant to users
• Importance of keywords
SE
O
Have You Ever Googled
Yourself?
SE
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• 59% of hiring managers are influenced by
your online reputation (The Green Internet
Group)
• 70% percent of company recruiters said
they'd rejected applicants based on
information they found online (Microsoft
Study 2010)
• Almost 9 /10 hiring professionals said a
positive online reputation could boost an
applicant's chances (Microsoft Study 2010)
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If I Have Social Media Profiles,
Should I Still Consider a
Website?
• Definitely.
• With our information so widely spread
across the internet, having a central hub
where recruiters, hiring managers, business
contacts, family, and friends can go to learn
about and contact you is vital.
• Websites are the new “first impression.”
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Perks of a Personal Website
• Best chance of ranking first for your name
– 10 Most Expensive Domain Names
• Broaden your skill set
• Resume, writing samples and personal
information all in one place
• Say goodbye to generic email addresses
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Examples
• http://davelee.me/
• http://www.rachelyouens.com/
• http://www.pohsiteng.com/
• http://www.alexandermunk.com/
• http://dotmick.com/
• http://joannalord.com/
• http://www.professorcraigdavis.com/#!
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Other Sites to Claim
• http://flavors.me/
• https://brandyourself.com/
• http://about.me
• http://www.quora.com/ *Google loves
• http://cuttings.me/
• http://pressfolios.com/
• LinkedIn with vanity URL
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• WordPress.com vs. WordPress.org
• Started as just a blogging system
• Has evolved to be used as full content
management system
• Thousands of plugins, widgets and themes
Wo
rdP
ress
http://www.professorcraigdavis.com/#!
Runs on WordPress W
ord
Pre
ss
WordPress Tutorial
http://sarahtdomain.com/wp-admin/
Wo
rdP
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“Customers complain;
Competitors lie;
Haters hate.”
–Arienne Holland
SE
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Reputa
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Knowledge of SEO is Imperative
for Every PR
Professional to Have.
• Reputation Management
• Brand Awareness
• Event Planning
• Fundraising
SE
O &
Reputa
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anagem
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American Apparel C
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Stu
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• SEO has an important role in reputation
management, as it can push down negative
results.
Ca
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How Scripps Prepared Me for
Life in the “Real World”
• Writing skills
• Relevant projects
• Internships
• Bobcat “safety net”
• Work Ethic
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• Be proactive while still in school.
• Never think that you know less or under qualified.
• Work on your personal presentation – online and offline.
• You can’t get fired from college. Test everything here.
• Go to career fairs, networking events, parties. Be as social as possible. You never know who you are going to meet or when you’ll see them down the road.
• Many companies hire for personality. Don’t be afraid to show yours.
• Eagerness to learn trumps experience for entry level positions.
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• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @stharp14
• Website: www.sarahtharp.com
• www.sarahtharp.com/bobcat
– 50% off hosting with coupon code BOBCAT
– Presentation, coupon information and extra resources
Co
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Image Credit
• http://www.createafreewebsite.net/
• http://mashable.com/
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