As a freelancer, have you ever had to fix a bad reputation for doing something silly online? If so, you might be not alone.
Bad reputations can be difficult to overcome, especially in online businesses, and can often lead to difficulty finding work, freelancing jobs, and other opportunities.
Below, I’ve outlined five simple steps that you can take to try and fix your bad reputation, or maybe if you have already a clean slate (congratz!), make sure you keep that blog handy just in case.
By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to restoring your rep. and opening up new opportunities in the process.
Recognize that some people may forget
Over time, people will stop caring as much about your past mistakes. This doesn’t mean that rebuilding your reputation is an easy task; it takes time.
Many people remember their own failures more than the failures of others. Your reputation may be worse in your own mind than it is in others’ perceptions.
Research indicates that reputation is less important than other factors when compared to other social rating methods.
Take a break from social media and the internet by going off the grid.
“Live.”
Unplug from technology and enjoy some time in nature, with friends or family, or doing something you enjoy, e.g., buying yourself a home gym.
Disconnect from the constant stream of information and give yourself a break. You’ll feel refreshed and recharged after some time away from the digital world.
Some of the major benefits from unplugging:
Reduce stress, Discover time, Physical health, Mental health, and Be present!– source: Adventishealth.org
You can’t control how other people may think about you, but you can control how you present yourself. Focus on being the best you can be, and let go of worrying about what other people think.
Inform others about it
Be honest and direct when discussing your bad reputation with others. If you stay calm and respectful, they may be willing to help you.
Ignoring the problem will only make people more suspicious and give rumours more power.
If you hear that someone is spreading the news about your bad reputation, it’s important to talk to them directly. This way, you can get their side of the story and try to resolve the issue.
“Ignoring the problem will only make it worse.” says Incourage.me
When making a decision, it can be helpful to ask your friends for their opinion. This way, you can get different perspectives on the matter and make a more informed decision.
Of course, you should ultimately make the decision that you think is best, but getting input from others can be helpful in the decision-making process.
Don’t get defensive; try to relax when you are communicating with others. This can help to create a more open and productive dialogue.
Make it your strength to a bad reputation
Your bad reputation might not be so bad after all. It could be a positive thing that gives you power and control.
Think about how it could be a good thing, and reframe your perception of the situation.
It may be more difficult to overcome something negative.
Instead, use your weakness as a source of inspiration by finding something good to do every day.
Create a detailed plan for how you’re going to deal with something crucial the following day, rather than dwelling on ways to be more motivated.
Influence others’ thinking
If you feel like someone is not seeing a situation correctly, try to help them see it from a different perspective. Sometimes it can be helpful to explain things in a different way or provide more information so that the other person can understand the situation better.
Find ways to present your actions in a positive light.
It’s important to be aware that you might not always be able to change someone’s opinion on a subject.
You may have to accept that there are some people who will never see eye-to-eye with you on certain topics.
Call out false allegations
Tell people outright that the false reputation is not true. Don’t be pushy or aggressive and ask others for assistance in correcting the facts of the story.
It may be more difficult to manage a bad reputation that has been established for a long time.
It’s important to make sure that people who are spreading negative information about you understand where they might be going wrong.
If there are misunderstandings, take the time to explain your side of the story and clear things up.
This way, you can help to improve your reputation by setting the record straight.
When you hear someone telling a lie, it’s important to speak up. By challenging the lie, you can help to expose the truth and stop the spread of misinformation.
In a nutshell
If you’ve been wondering what to do to fix a bad rep., go through the steps above and prove all the haters wrong.
It is that simple. Just make sure you follow each step carefully and consistently before expecting any results. It might take a while but keep pushing.
As freelancers, we constantly need to be on our toes about what we write, reply and do online because once something is online, it is there forever!
Just for fun- Do I have a bad reputation?
Here is an entertaining and definitely non-scientific quiz on “Do I have a bad reputation?” Take that very lightly.
Have you ever had to “fight” to clean up your reputation? Let me know in the comments below.
