With a record number of 273,067,546 (as of December 2011) internet users in North America alone – means there’s a crap load of information going across the world wide web.

Even if you think that the status update you posted on Facebook of the gang-banger you had when you were in college is not going beyond the walls of FB, you must be living under a rock. I try and tell these things to my daughter and her friends and give them advice about not posting things would perhaps might be detrimental to them at some point in their life, but they think I’m an old lady who doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I suppose I used to think that when my parents or those older than me tried giving me advice when I was their age.

What does your digital footprint say about you or your brand? This could affect you getting a job, getting customers or the best employees at your company.

Social Monitoring Tools

There are so many cool tools out there to help us get an inkling when wondering what’s out there on either us or or brand. Have you tried Googling yourself lately to see what comes up? I know – the thought of that frightens the padooky out of you. Nevertheless, it’s a great thing to do on a regular basis. Or you could just stick your head in the sand.

Social Media Monitoring Tools not only helps you to check what people have to say about you or your brand but they also help you in analyzing the ROI (return on investment), and the steps you need to take to save your reputation. Here are a few awesome tools when searching online for what’s out there in regard to you personally, professionally or your brand:

Social Mention - It allows you to easily track and measure what people are saying about you, your company, a new product, or any topic across the web’s social media landscape in real-time. Receive free daily email alerts of your brand, company, CEO, marketing campaign, or on a developing news story, a competitor, or the latest on Lady Gaga, whatever floats your boat!

Who’s Talkin - Is a social media search tool that allows users to search for conversations surrounding the topics that they care about most and can also help you join in on these conversations about your brand and those already talking.

Steprep – This is more of a tool for businesses and in listening to what people are saying about your business online. Anytime your business is mentioned, anywhere on the web, you’ll hear about it immediately.

Twazzup – Operates a leading real-time news platform to make possible to filter the news out of live internet content. And, I simply love the name. Can’t you hear that drawn out “Twazzuuuuuuup?”

Google Alerts – Hopefully, I don’t have to explain Google’s search engine. Try googling yourself every couple of months just to keep watch! And Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your choice of query or topic. Enter the topic you wish to monitor, then click preview to see what your results will look like.

FYI, other folks are Googling you to see what’s up. Why not get in on the action?