I Got Street Cred!

Okay maybe not “street cred” exactly. It’s more like a credible profile on Linked In. :) I just want to give my testimony as to how having a good reputation goes a long way. And, how easy it is these days for people to gain access to your “rep.”

I have subscribed to many of the most popular social sites because it has been reported to assist with business and social networking. Until now, I had no real evidence of its value.

After querying key people that I know in publishing for a line editor, on behalf of a client who is about to self-publish his memoir, my inquiry garnered some impressive options. The author and I made a choice and I went on to work out the deliverable and payment schedule. The editor, whom I’ve never met, sent an email that asked “Are you the same Ms. Brooks who runs Ajoy?” “I am.” “Okay, I am familiar with your company and you are on Linkedin. So, I will take half up front and half on delivery. Normally, I don’t do that but you have a good reputation.”

Over the years, I had not received a lot of feedback on my business reputation. I was glad, that at the very least, completing my “profile” on Linked In had served me well.

My feeling on reputation is that you can’t “create” a good reputation. It’s really based on perception. If you want people to perceive your reputation positively, I would say honesty goes a long way and is the most important quality one could have. At the end of the day, even if those you interact with are not getting positive news, they will appreciate your forthrightness (is that a word?) and will be clear on your decision(s).

Building your street cred “profile”:

• Be honest with people you interact with professionally (and personally, for that matter).
• Don’t put yourself out for more than you can actually accomplish.
• Do what you say you’ll do. Your word is your bond.
• Edit your “profile” regularly with the positive influences you’ve been on people and businesses.

Do you know your professional reputation? Where do you get feedback on your rep good or bad?

Is This Okay?!

Welcome to With Tuesday!... a blogging site all about media. This first entry is not what I intended to be the first entry, however, I thought it so... interesting, funny?, offensive? not sure what I felt (after I exclaimed "OMG!") upon reading the headline.

My cousin Alice, sent me an email that included links to the Google archives for Ebony, Jet and the Negro Digest Magazines. I had a great time scrolling through the magazine covers that display younger images of celebrities and media figures come and gone. Then I remembered I was in the May 1988 Issue with the amazing Sidney Portier on the front cover. So I found that Issue and began scrolling down the pages to find the article about The Black Fashion Museum. Well, I happened upon this headline: "Roaches crawled over my chicken right in front of my guests." With a little further research (very cursory) I learned this advertorial appeared throughout Ebony, Jet (and probably other publications) in 1988.

Is a black woman talking about roaches on her chicken okay in a mass media Ad? Was it okay in 1988 though? I mean afterall there are African-American women who serve chicken at their housewarming party and have roaches right? But was that the only demographic they were targeting?

You can read the whole letter she wrote (really an AD for Combat roach discs) on page 95. Tell me what you think. Is this okay? Leave comments below, and then...

Click on any of these links and enjoy the trip down memory lane.

Ebony Magaizine May 1988 Jet Magazine April 2002

 Black World / Negro Digest April 197