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Developing a Reputation

posted on October 9, 2012

When we were younger, our parents would always warn us about developing a reputation. This was said as if the only reputation one could develop was a bad one.

I discuss in Amazing Things Will Happen that everyone should be concerned about their reputation, but why not strive to insure that it is a reputation for being trustworthy, loyal and kind?

Last week, I found my reputation front and center and for some reason it gave me pause.

The World Domination Summit is a unique conference experience that I’ve raved about here and here. In only it’s second year, Chris Guillebeau and team have created something very special. With only 500 attendees the first year, 1,000 the second and who knows how many next year it is doing very well.

Tickets are not easy to get. They go on sale and sell out in a matter of hours if not minutes. So, when the first batch of tickets were announced last week, I made sure to tell everyone I know so that they didn’t miss out.

As expected the tickets sold out before the end of the day and I noticed that several of my friends had purchased tickets thanks to the Facebook integration with Eventbrite.

Then something began to happen that I wasn’t ready for.

My friends began publicly sharing that the reason they bought their ticket was based on my endorsement.

First, I saw DJ Waldow share this.

Then Steve Garfield said something similar.

It was also happening on Twitter as Cara Posey shared.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m comfortable with everything I’ve shared about the event and the fact that each of these people trust me enough to purchase a $500 ticket and spend all the money that goes along with attending an event based on my simple words.

What gave me pause is that we each need to be sure that we are that comfortable with what we endorse and rave about.

My experience at this event was stellar, but what if this year it gets too big and loses some of the magic that I loved. What if it is a flop and all of these friends returned anger and disillusioned from the event and thus never trust my recommendation for anything again?

A reputation takes years to build, but can be destroyed in an instant. Always keep that in mind with every action you take.

 

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  • http://waldowsocial.com DJ Waldow

    C.C.:

    “A reputation takes years to build, but can be destroyed in an instant. Always keep that in mind with every action you take.”

    I would agree with that statement … to a point. I think it depends on how strong of a relationship/trust you have with that person. In other words, if the WDS sucked this year and I went based entirely on your endorsement, your reputation – for me – would not even take a hit. Why? You’ve “earned” your reputation and trust with me to the point that one hiccup could not destroy it.

    Know what I mean?

    That being said, I 100% agree with this point, “we each need to be sure that we are that comfortable with what we endorse and rave about.” – Always.

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      I certainly know what you mean and in this case I’m not worried about my reputation, but I do believe that it can happen that quickly depending on what the bad decision is.

  • http://twitter.com/kevinbehringer Kevin Behringer

    C.C.

    The interesting thing about this is the way reputation extends in all directions. I’m sure that some of the people who are going based on your recommendation also have people that will go based on their recommendation.

    Then, there’s Chris’s reputation and the reputation of the World Domination Summit. Like you said, if it sucks this year, it’ll hit your reputation, but you are making the recommendation based on their reputation, so they have to uphold that for you and for the people who attend based on your recommendation.

    I don’t think many people think through the implications their reputation has and just how far it spreads. We’d all do well to keep this in mind, like you say.

    Great thoughts!

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      WELL said.

      Much in life is all about the ripples.

  • ShannonOD

    You hit on a topic Jodi and I talk about a lot when we decide where and what to do with our sites. Having never formally monetized with ads and that such, for me, it always came down to the idea that I never wanted to violate my community’s trust by linking/endorsing things that I didn’t back 100%, to trade that trust for a momentary gain. The book was a leap for me and the first time I asked my community to act on something for myself, and I can only think that I would have had less support if I hadn’t maintained a consciousness of reputation over the years, and respected this new form of trust that extends into circles of people who may have never met me in person, but go off of the person I represent through the online interactions.

    And in regards to the conference, I’ll see you there next year. And, like you I hope that even as it grows it doesn’t lost that special “something” that makes it stand out. :)