By Manuel Zebeida
We have all become private investigators. As partners or potential customers, most of us search the web to prepare for our next meeting with a company or executive.
Given the ever growing number of sites, blogs and even print media, it is harder and harder for an executive to keep track of what is being said about a company, a colleague, or him or herself.
To help you get started, there are a few simple, free tools to help you stay current and on top of what is being said about you or about your company. You can schedule personal alerts to keep you constantly informed.
Google Alerts is the best known system. It is a great way to get a global view and covers the first 50 results on the search engine.
Twitter Search Engine provides what is being said on Twitter and TwitterBeep.com alerts you daily on your key search words.
Pickanews focuses on the European media online and offline (which is unique). Every morning, we’ll send you an alert with what is said in the print and online media. It’s great information to have at your fingertips before your first meeting of the day.
Search engines such as ZoomInfo or 123People track what is said about an executive on the web. They list their sources including the executive’s social networks such as Facebook or LinkedIn.
Finally, I suggest you conduct your own test. Take at least a few moments to schedule free daily alerts from different services with your company name and your name.
It is always better to know how you and your business are perceived by others. You and your communication team may then work even better on developing your brands.
Manuel Zebeida is the President of Press Index, a group specialized in watching media. Picanews is its free search and alert service.
