Googleability = Credibility
In the last few months, we’ve noticed an interesting trend. People who want to work with us increasingly say, “Google my name, you’ll see what I’ve written/done/won.”
At the same time, companies we’re pitching are increasingly impressed when we run a quick Google search on my name. As one of them said: “Wow, with the amount of information on you out there, it’s not like you’re going to disappear on us.”
Hmm. Interesting thought. We just picked up a lot of credibility–not just because of what I’ve said on blogs, what I’ve written, what talks I’ve given–but by the mere fact that I’m findable. Which shouldn’t really be surprising. Findability and transparency are the hallmarks of someone who is participating in the new communications ecosystem; of someone who is comfortable being examined; of someone who believes in Creative Commons rather than copyright.
As William Gibson says: “In the age of the leak and the blog, of evidence extraction and link discovery, truths will either be out or outed, later if not sooner. This is something I bring to the attention of every diplomat, politician, and corporate leader: the future, eventually, will find you out.”
I’ll even venture to add: “Soon, you won’t even be invited to the table if you aren’t knowable. Companies looking to hire you will do a preliminary search, find a blank wall, shake their heads, and move on to persons or firms who are more transparent.”
So, if you’re still shaking your head at blogs, wondering how to manage the hotheads who might post in your user-generated content areas, worrying about how your brand message and vision can be expressed in a video podcast, I’d say: stop wondering, and worrying. Get out there. Be honest. Develop a personality. But above all, be visible. Be knowable.
Because that’s going to matter, more and more.
March 11th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
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