The Reputation Economy Book Summary - The Reputation Economy Book explained in key points
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The Reputation Economy summary

Michael Fertik David C. Thompson

How To Optimize Your Digital Footprint in a World Where Your Reputation Is Your Most Valuable Asset

4 (21 ratings)
16 mins

Brief summary

The Reputation Economy by Michael Fertik and David C. Thompson explores how online reputation affects individuals and businesses. The book provides insights into the power of reputation and practical advice on how to build and manage it in the digital age.

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    The Reputation Economy
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    Everything you do online is recorded, stored and analyzed to determine your reputation score.

    Before the advent of the internet, people had a fair amount of control over how they presented themselves to the world. Today, however, such tight control is a thing of the past.

    This change is partially due to the dramatic expansion of our data storage capacities. Previously, only major institutions, such as the CIA, the NSA and IBM, had the resources to store massive amounts of data. Then came the internet, and now anyone can store huge amounts of data for close to zilch.

    For individuals, that means that their digital footprint, the trail of data they leave behind after surfing the internet (photos uploaded to Facebook, credit card transactions and ATM withdrawals), will be recorded and permanently stored by a motley of companies.

    Furthermore, emerging technologies are making it easier and cheaper to analyze, quantify and draw conclusions from this data. And companies increasingly rely on data-analysis tools to discern patterns in their customers’ behavior.

    Amazon, for instance, uses a system called Hadoop to find, among millions upon millions of purchases, patterns that allow them to make customized product recommendations. And LinkedIn uses a similar system to recommend “People You May Know.”

    These systems organize the cascades of data via numerical scoring. And at this point, pretty much everything is being processed and scored.

    So whatever you do online – each click of your mouse – is represented as a number. And many companies are plugging these numbers into an algorithm that computes a reputation score for individual people.

    Pretty soon, reputation scores will be ubiquitous. In other words, whatever you want to do in the future, whether it’s getting a job or buying a house, you’ll first have to reckon with your reputation score – the sum of all your online habits.

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    What is The Reputation Economy about?

    The Reputation Economy (2015) explains how to optimize your digital footprint and establish a first-rate online reputation. The authors identify emerging trends and describe how you can improve your prospect of both professional and financial success.

    The Reputation Economy Review

    The Reputation Economy (2015) explores the impact of online reputation on our personal and professional lives. Here are three reasons why this book is definitely worth reading:

    • It provides a thought-provoking analysis of the role reputation plays in today's digital age, helping readers understand its significance and implications.
    • Through real-life examples and case studies, the book offers valuable insights into how reputation affects various aspects of our lives, from employment opportunities to personal relationships.
    • Written in a clear and engaging style, it offers practical strategies and tips on how to manage and improve one's online reputation, making it a valuable resource for anyone navigating the digital world.

    Who should read The Reputation Economy?

    • Anyone interested in protecting their online reputation
    • Every internet user
    • Anyone who wants to be up to date on the latest trends in hiring

    About the Author

    Michael Fertik is the founder and CEO of Reputation.com, a pioneering firm dedicated to online reputation management. He also co-authored the bestselling book Wild West 2.0.

    David C. Thompson is a lawyer and business executive. Previously, he was the general counsel to and chief privacy officer of Reputation.com.

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    The Reputation Economy FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Reputation Economy?

    In The Reputation Economy, the main message is the importance of reputation in the digital age.

    How long does it take to read The Reputation Economy?

    The reading time for The Reputation Economy varies, but our Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is The Reputation Economy a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Reputation Economy is well worth reading. It offers valuable insights and practical advice on navigating the digital world.

    Who is the author of The Reputation Economy?

    The authors of The Reputation Economy are Michael Fertik and David C. Thompson.

    What to read after The Reputation Economy?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Reputation Economy, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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