DISQUS

"The tools are actually easy to use, but first you have to know they exist" - I think that's Robert's point. You shouldn't have to know about these tools, Google Friend Connect should "just work."

You've got to build these apps for the lowest common denominator and, in this case, the average Google user will think that FTP is some kind of sexually transmitted disease. ;-)

@Amber - unfortunately I'm rarely off the grid--it's a curse! I'll try my best next week while on vacation, but even I'm not holding my breath. ;-)

Keotag.com is another great free tool which helps you monitor tagged content.

Like you said, if you want great detail--and less work--paid tools fill that need. We build Trackur to offer comprehensive social media monitoring with an affordable price tag--just $18.

Thanks for sharing with your readers!

Having a background in SEO doesn't hurt. ;-)

I left a reply for you in the link above (see profile link), but I think you've answered my concerns yourself:

"And certainly it can be a bit convoluted to understand if you haven’t been provided with the right explanatory examples."

For you guys to hit the big time, PostRank needs to make sense without the explanations.

I know you're working to improve things, so I wish you the best of luck!

Of course, having launched services myself, if you really don't want anyone to know about it, you don't mention it! I suspect some mind games were at work here. ;-)

Maybe I should send them a copy of my book Robert. ;-)

Dan, I'm very much honored that you'd include Trackur in a list that includes solutions that cost as much as 50x the cost.

As others have said, and I know you already know, reputation monitoring tools should be just one tool in your reputation management toolbox.

Thanks Jim. If any of your readers have a question about the workshop they can email me andybeal AT gmail.com.

Some good advice. Not only are social networks often "Google friendly" but as you said, building friends also helps to protect your reputation by building allies.

Wow, awesome notes! Thanks for the Trackur love! :-)

Thanks Robert, I appreciate the honor!

Thanks for helping to spread the word.

@jyesmith - great idea, I love Australia and would love to do another event there.

Thanks Jack, it was a pleasure being on the show!

<abbr>Andy Beals last blog post..I’m on the Front Cover of Federal Computer Week!</abbr>

On Marketing Pilgrim, we talk about "you" 60% of the time. I'm happy with that, because folks read the blog in order to here "our" opinion on marketing news and how it effects "them." So it's a good balance.

Now, when you're actually selling a product or service, 90% should be a goal to aim for.

Nice tool Doug!

Congrats!

Glad to clear things up.

Perhaps the bigger question is why is this worthy of a blog post--unless it's just linkbaiting on your part. ;-)

I don't police the internet. Some marketers are willing to risk paid links, so it's a choice they can make. Anyone that believes paid linking does not take place in SEO needs to get out more.

Feel free to update your post with the following statement from me. I do not use paid links for any of my sites nor any of my clients.

Cheers!

It seems to me that Google needs a better way of connecting with the confirmed owner of the account. Have they heard of the telephone? Maybe the old "Your first pet's name?" security question would help ensure that they were talking to Nick, and not some hacker.

Google AdSense for games has been talked about for over a year now. Click my name for story link.

Hi David. You make some excellent points and an argument that I face all the time. Online reputation management should be 90% building and engaging, with only 10% repair.

Unfortunately, companies are still learning that message. So, what happens? They don't build and engage, leading to the need for "repair." This is what so many clients--and firms--focus on at this point.

As the awareness grows, I'm hoping we'll see online reputation management become what it's supposed to be--listening, learning, and engaging the conversations about your brand. :-)

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I fully expect some of you to practice #1 on me, but don't forget to practice #2 on me as well! :-)

Thanks Larry!

Hi Dan, thanks for mentioning Trackur.

We do offer filtering for Trackur users, and we've designed the dashboard to be both simple and intuitive. Our goal was, if you can use Gmail or Google Reader, you can learn Trackur in less than five minutes.

Also, with Trackur you can "favorite" an item and store it forever. :-)

Let me know if you'd ever like to give Trackur a test drive. We offer a 14-day free trial, but I'd be happy to set you up with something more in-depth.

Cheers!

@Mark - you're welcome to your opinion, but I found your rebuttal lacking anything of substance.

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