• Conference on Wine and its advertising (El Vino y su Publicidad de la Economía a la Lingüistica, University of Valladolid) – October 15, 2009

Last week, while I was in London, someone asked a frequently posed question during my talk that has yet to be discussed:

“My shop has a bad rating that is showing up in the top ten results in Google, is there anything I can do to get it removed?”

The answer is yes and no, although there is a solution. The first step is to investigate if you can leave a response. If it’s a blog, you can leave a comment, and possibly remedy the issue right away. Remember that more often than not, the review is not meant to be malicious, but rather someone trying to communicate a real problem that needs fixing in your business or brand building. The best solution is to turn this bad experience into a good one. (photo by Anne Helmond)

Then again, this is not always an option. So if it is libelous, which is something that can be very tricky to tell (consult a lawyer), you do have the option to report it to Google. However, be very careful, as the issue is not always clear cut and you don’t want get into unnecessary hot water. There are times it’s better to just leave the issue along, and move on to your next option.

Want it to go away? Produce content! Simple I know, but it works. If you’re not online, actively contributing to the conversation about your name, brand, or identity, you’re allowing the online community to single-handedly mold your image online. You have no reason to complain if you don’t bother taking ownership of who you are. When you begin to produce content, that content if it’s relevant to your brand or name, will rise up and push the other stuff out of the picture.

You can own your name, or let someone else, the choice is yours (and I do mean choice).

Here are a few quick places to make sure you have a strong profile:

• facebook
• twitter
• linkedin
• flickr
• youtube
• google profiles
• your domain – www.Yourbrand.com – and make sure your meta data is solid

Join these with your name/brand and you will see your online image begin to change..that is, if your not really “evil” !

Cheers,

Ryan Opaz

Ryan currently lectures on how the wine world can better leverage the online world. He also consults with anyone who wants to better educate themselves about social media. For a free 15 minute consultation email him at ryan@catavino.net

• Google Wave: There Will Be Backlash – September 30, 2009
• In the aftermath of the Live Harvest here are my thoughts – September 25, 2009
• Champagne bubbles, take two: on the BBC news – September 29, 2009
• Spot the wine blog – September 25, 2009

Today I recieved another press release from another winery telling me about their tourism initiative. What tastings they offer and how beautiful their winery is. Nothing else.

Today’s free piece of advice is: Please do not send me these, since I can’t hit the delete button on my email quick enough…that is unless:

• You include something in them about the area around your winery
• You tell me about other wineries I can visit if I take the time to drive to your region
• You give me information to contact that local tourist board, hotel group, or list some restaurants

People who talk about themselves all the time annoying. So are businesses.

Till soon,

Ryan Opaz