“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.  If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” Warren Buffet

Great quote from a very wise and successful man, who has seen this play out in many different ways over many years!

The two questions I get asked frequently, when I work with people on their brand marketing and  Social Media Strategy is “how do I build a following and build my reputation and  “how do I get people to comment and re-tweet”?

I have been a student of Twitter and Facebook for about a year now. I observe and pay attention to the  people that have large followings and influence for the right reasons. There are people who have huge fans and followers but they are not authentic to me and I have no interest in their ‘schtick’. Wish em well, just don’t want them cluttering up my stream.

The social media mentors that I respect, come from different arenas and all kind of say the same thing…authentic, real, consistent, engage, give. This was easy for me to embrace, as my personality and personal philosophy aligned very well with this. So off I went spring of 2009 into the Social Media playground! Whoohoo, this is fun!

Here’s some thoughts on building reputation..

Be yourself so that if we met in person, you’d be the same as you are online.

Be more interested in others than yourself, it mutliplies.

Give people glimpses of your personal world.

Get to know your followers and what matters to them.

Collaborate and hook people up.

Temper your humor and anger. (this is the 5 minutes to ruin it part)

Be consistent and show up.

Give and receive.

Provide solutions, options and answers that have worked for you or others.

Spread hope.

What are your thoughts on building reputation, and influence? Who are your mentors?