From its humble beginnings in 2001, Wikipedia has now grown to be in the top ten most visited websites in the world. Thanks to the strict guidelines and principles of handling information, as well as strong community of editors, the encyclopedia evolved into respected and reliable resource. Considering Wikipedia for brand development and marketing strategy has become vital for any business, however, yet a very narrow portion of companies truly understand how to interact with the Free Encyclopedia.

Today, we have reached out to Haytham Alexander, the CEO of HC Media & PR Strategies, to find out more about the core principles behind their proprietary Reverse Wikipedia Strategy and how it helps businesses with their brand development efforts. 

Griffin Davis: Haytham, can you tell us about the Reverse Wikipedia Strategy and how it can help boost a brand's online presence?

Haytham Cameron Alexander: The Reverse Wikipedia Strategy is a proactive approach to enhancing a brand's online presence by envisioning the ideal Wikipedia page it would have in a year or more. We help clients create a framework of the best possible publications about their brand before establishing their Wikipedia page. This strategy imagines the sections, content, and references that would support the hypothetical Wikipedia page, forming the foundation for a content plan devoid of irrelevant, negative information or spam.

Griffin Davis: What are the benefits of employing the Reverse Wikipedia Strategy?

Haytham Cameron Alexander: The benefits include a clear blueprint for shaping search results, a shared online brand vision for all stakeholders, a list of targeted publications that align with the brand vision, and a spam-free content plan.

Griffin Davis: Can you provide an example of how the Reverse Wikipedia Strategy might be implemented for a specific brand?

Haytham Cameron Alexander: Certainly. Although each project is unique and has its own specific requirements, I can give you a clear illustration of the main components a brand might utilize. The strategy typically comprises four parts, each corresponding to an aspect of an actual Wikipedia page: 1) A summary encapsulating the brand's story, 2) Sections that bolster the narrative, 3) In-depth content within each section, and 4) References that substantiate the story.

Griffin Davis: How does the Reverse Wikipedia Strategy enhance Online Reputation Management (ORM) strategy?

Haytham Cameron Alexander: By conceptualizing and developing a future Wikipedia page, strategists must consider the online content that would best support the brand in the long run. This content must meet reliability guidelines and withstand Wikipedia editors' scrutiny, ensuring a high-quality online brand presence that aligns with the overarching theme of a reputation management campaign. The strategy also ensures that everyone is focused on the best possible story for the brand, replacing unflattering content with something better.

Griffin Davis: How can the Reverse Wikipedia Strategy support a brand's reputation content?

Haytham Cameron Alexander: A Wikipedia page must adhere to the platform's policies, meaning that claims must be supported by citations. For a brand reputation strategist, this means that reference articles must verify the claims made on the page through reliable third parties. References must be true, verifiable, and credible. Trusted publications provide the most credible third-party content. For content creators, planning to support the brand's future story is as important as the information itself.

Griffin Davis: Could you break it down into simpler terms for our HNGN readers who may not be familiar with these concepts?

Haytham Cameron Alexander: Sure! In simpler terms, a Wikipedia page needs to follow the platform's rules, which means any statements made on the page must be backed up by reliable sources. For someone working on a brand's reputation, this means using trustworthy articles to confirm any claims made about the brand. These sources should be accurate, verifiable, and reliable. Well-respected publications are considered the most credible sources. For those creating content, it's essential to plan for how to support the brand's story in the future, just as much as focusing on the content itself.

Griffin Davis: How can you measure the success of the Reverse Wikipedia Strategy? 

Haytham Cameron Alexander: A successful content seeding process is evident when the content you have created or prompted appears in an existing Wikipedia page, is shared organically, or is linked to. Even if that doesn't happen, the content is likely to show up in search results.

Griffin Davis: What are the next steps after implementing the Reverse Wikipedia Strategy?

Haytham Cameron Alexander: At this point, you may influence the creation of a Wikipedia page (or edit an existing one) using the information generated. Someone else may do so as well. Whether a real page ever materializes is not as crucial as the fact that the Reverse Wikipedia Strategy has helped produce coherent, accurate, and reputationally positive online content. With a solid foundation of positive brand reputation in place, leveraging search engine optimization and other online marketing tactics can truly make a difference in the way a brand is perceived online.

Griffin Davis: In your experience, what types of businesses or industries can benefit the most from the Reverse Wikipedia Strategy?

Haytham Cameron Alexander: The Reverse Wikipedia Strategy can benefit a wide range of businesses and industries, as it focuses on building a strong online presence and reputation. Any brand looking to improve its online image, increase visibility, and establish credibility can benefit from this approach. Whether it's a startup, an established corporation, or a personal brand, the strategy can be tailored to suit the specific needs and goals of the entity in question.

Griffin Davis: Haytham, we've learned that you are originally from Ukraine and a retired U.S. Armed Forces veteran. Can you tell us about how you and your company, HC Media & PR Strategies, are helping Ukraine with humanitarian aid during these challenging times? 

Haytham Cameron Alexander: Yes, that's correct. I'm originally from Ukraine, and having served in the U.S. Air Force, I deeply understand the importance of providing support during times of crisis. My company, HC Media & PR Strategies, has taken an active role in helping Ukraine by featuring links to various reliable Ukrainian charities on our website. These charities provide essential assistance such as food, shelter, and heaters to Ukrainians in need. I conduct conversations with interested parties and explain the necessity of getting involved during challenging times.

It's very personal and it is my way of giving back to the community where I grew up and contributing to making a positive impact in the lives of people who are currently facing tremendous challenges.

HNGN: Thank you, Haytham, for sharing your insights on the Reverse Wikipedia Strategy and its impact on boosting a brand's online presence. It was a pleasure having this conversation with you. 

Haytham Cameron Alexander: You're welcome! It was my pleasure to share this information, and I hope it helps businesses understand the value of a well-crafted online presence. If you have any further questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to reach out.