Does yours?

In this post, we’ve highlighted the most actionable (yet simple) tips you can use to take your Twitter bio to the next level.

You see, your bio can accelerate your growth on social media.

Or cripple it.

The good news is creating an awesome Twitter bio isn’t that hard. You just have to know the right moves to make.

When you’re done reading this you’ll have a bunch of great ideas you can use right away.

Let’s get started.

1. Make The Most Of Your 160

Your Twitter bio is capped at 160 characters. That’s not much, but it’s enough to get your message across.

You’d be surprised how many people stop before they even hit 100 characters.

Don’t make that mistake.

The best Twitter bios use every bit of that character real estate. You might feel like you’ve said all you can after 120 characters, but stick with it until it’s maxed out.

You could include another call to action, awards you’ve won, anything. It’s really not that hard to fill that space.

Trust me, you’ll be happy you did.

2. Include Your Core Mission

The whole point of your Twitter bio is to deliver a concise description of who you are.

This means you need to mention your personal mission statement in some capacity.

You obviously won’t have the necessary space to include the whole thing, so you’ll need to trim it down (significantly).

Think of this as an elevator pitch within an elevator pitch.

Take your main goal or mission and turn it into one sentence (a short one).

This might seem tricky, but it’s actually a great exercise to go through regardless of where you use it.

3. Include A Link To Your Company Socials

Dropping a link to your company Twitter account within your own bio looks clean, and provides some credibility to your profile.

It also does a great job of breaking up the text and making your Twitter bio a lot more readable.

Anyone who comes across your Twitter will not only be able to learn about you but quickly check out any companies you’re associated with.

This will help you fast track the relationship-building process with potential followers. Social media is a noisy place, so taking advantage of interest when you have it is essential.

If your company doesn’t have a Twitter you can always create an account for a side project (if it has the potential to build an audience) or just stick to the rest of the tips on this list.

4. Ignore The Herd

You’ve probably seen a lot of the same phrases and self-anointed titles mentioned in various Twitter bios.

Don’t fall into this trap.

The reason people use these is they are trying to set themselves apart from the pack with a little individuality.

The reality is it does the exact opposite.

If you want to give yourself a funky little title, go for it. Just make sure it’s not being used regularly.

To make sure it’s unique, use the Twitter search bar and see if anything comes up.

If the results are flooded with similar nicknames it’s time to go back to the drawing board.

5. Use Keywords

Including keywords in your Twitter bio is absolutely necessary. This makes it easy for people to find you and provides clarity on what you do.

The thing is most Twitter bios either ignore this completely or go way too far.

Work backward from your core values (step 2) to find keywords ideas to include in your bio.

From there, prioritize the one or two that best describes what you do. The best choices should jump out at you right away.

If you want to go a little further, do some basic keyword research. This will help you get new ideas and sort them by popularity.

6. Include Any Accomplishments

If there are any accomplishments you can claim you should include them in your bio. This can be through work or something on the side.

Even without anything formal or fancy (“3x New York Times Best Seller”) you can still take advantage of this.

For example, if you started a blog you can do this. If it’s doing well you could add in something to spice it up (fastest-growing law blog).

Interesting accomplishments and projects are left out of Twitter bios way too often.

If you’ve done something neat, let everyone know about it!

7. Speak To Your Target Audience

Going too broad is a common mistake people make with their Twitter bios.

They want to gain as many new followers as possible and expand their reach on the network, so they talk to everybody.

All this does is water down your message.

We always recommend that our clients niche things down and get specific on Twitter (even with their bios).

You’re better off with 10,000 targeted, engaged, and like-minded followers than 1,000,000 who are the opposite.

To do this well, write the bio like you’re talking to your ideal customers, clients, or followers.

Someone who’s into what you do.

Do this and you’ll start off on the right foot with your followers.

8. Write Normally

In an effort to “optimize” their bio you’ll see a lot of people stuff them with hashtags and weird separators.

You might even see a lot of the “best” Twitter bio examples do this.

Don’t. Instead, keep things clean.

You don’t have a ton of space in your bio, but that doesn’t mean you can’t write in coherent English.

If you don’t do this you’ll come across like one of those over the top social media people (and maybe even seem a little desperate).

You know who we’re talking about, the ones who take LinkedIn SERIOUSLY.

Note: For the record, we do think LinkedIn is very important, but we also think you should have a life away from it

9. Don’t Neglect The Image

It’s a well-known fact that your profile picture carries most of the weight when it comes to leaving an impression on social media.

This means even if you have the best Twitter bio of all time, a bad profile picture will cancel it out.

Trust us, it’s that important.

This doesn’t mean you have to run out and get professional headshots taken. Make sure your picture:

• Is clear and crisp
• Shows your face (many don’t)
• Is well-lit
• Could be seen by a potential customer or employer

That’s a simplified version, but it will help you avoid the most common mistakes people make with their profile pictures.

10. Take Your Bio Further With A Pinned Post

Pinned posts are a fantastic way to expand on the key points or values you included in your bio.

What does this mean?

Inside your Twitter bio, you should be including the essentials about who you are and what you stand for.

But 160 characters doesn’t give you a lot of space to elaborate.

This is where you can use your pinned post to expand a bit.

Now pay attention to this:

We’re not saying you should create a pinned tweet that’s essentially a long description about yourself. That would be kind of weird.

What we ARE saying is that you should choose your pinned tweets carefully (and always use one).

Don’t just pin any old tweet. Pin one that ties back in with the core values you included in your bio.

This could be an accomplishment or news you’re proud of or an update on something important to you.

This will help potential followers learn more about you quickly.

11. Don’t Get Caught Up Trying To Be Funny

If you’re funny, be funny.

But don’t force it.

Of course, when you have something witty to throw in go for it. It can actually help you stand out from the crowd.

If nothing is coming to mind, however, there’s no shame in settling on a simple, professional Twitter bio.

Trying too hard to be funny and failing is a great way to leave a bad impression (or an awkward one).

And plenty of people do it.

Stick to the fundamentals and you’ll be just fine.

12. Include A Call To Action

Not including a call to action is one of the most common mistakes we see people make with their Twitter bios.

You should be using your bio to help promote things you’ve created, done, or are passionate about.

The whole point of social media isn’t to jabber at each other all day. It’s to make things happen.

It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about a long-term follower or someone who just found you on Twitter, everyone will be looking at your bio.

Take advantage of this.

It doesn’t have to be over the top or in your face. Just a quick mention of, “sign up for a free trial here” will do the trick (for example).

13. Drop-In Another Link (If It Makes Sense)

Everyone knows about including a link in the “website” section of your profile.

But did you know that you can include links in your Twitter bio directly?

Tons of people don’t (or just don’t take advantage of it).

This is a very powerful trick because it can tie in with the call to action tip above. You can link to your main website in your profile, and link to a specific page within your bio.

If there’s a landing page you want to drive traffic to or a link to something neat you’ve done recently, this is a great place to put it.

This mean you can link out here and also use a pinned tweet to get as many eyes on your high-priority stuff as possible.

14. Include A Location

This is more of an aesthetic tip than anything else, but appearances matter online.

If you’re not using the location area of your Twitter bio you might be shooting yourself in the foot.

If you look at a lot of the best Twitter bio examples out there, almost all of them are using the location area in some capacity.

Leaving this blank makes things look a little less professional or even spammy. Since we know how many fake accounts are out there, users subconsciously put up warning flags when they see parts of a profile not filled out.

You’ve gotta put something in there.

If you don’t feel comfortable sharing the city you live in online (totally understandable) you can put something else in this area.

For example, if you look at Buffer’s Twitter account they put “We’re Global” as their location. You can do something similar.

15. Keep Your Photos & Videos In Mind

This is another aesthetic tip that can go a long way.

The collection of images and videos that show underneath your Twitter bio play a big part in the overall appearance of your profile.

If you have unimpressive thumbnails and images in this section, it could be harming the effectiveness of the Twitter bio you spent so much time writing.

The Twitter thumbnail feature is a little subpar so it’s not always going to look amazing, but you CAN control the quality of what you share.

What we recommend doing is going back and pruning some of your recent images and videos (whatever is showing below your bio). Find ones that don’t look great and if there’s no need to keep them anymore, click delete.

Simple.

5 Twitter Bio Examples We Love

Here are a few Twitter bio examples that do a great job of utilizing their 160 characters.

Use them to get some ideas and inspiration for your own.

1. Buffer

Buffer does a lot right when it comes to social media and their Twitter bio is no exception. They do a fantastic job of describing their business concisely and include some calls to action as well.

We also like how they included an emoji to draw in the eye.

2. HubSpot

HubSpot makes the list because they effectively include a summary of what they do as well as their motto/slogan.

This might seem simple but cleanly pulling it off can be tricky when space is limited.

3. Richard Branson

This Twitter bio is fantastic because it delivers Richard’s mission statement with punch without droning on forever.

Also, the Dr. Yes bit is fun and different.

4. Tim Ferriss

Tim does a great job of hammering home the awards and accomplishments tip that we recommend above.

This Twitter bio example lives by that principle and instantly delivers credibility by the truckload.

5. Chamath Palihapitiya

This is a good example of a Twitter bio that has some attitude and uniqueness without being over the top.

You get a good idea about what Chamath is like right off the bat and it’s definitely something that fits with his brand.

It’s Time To Get To Work

Now you have everything you need to make some big improvements to your Twitter bio.

The beauty is, none of this stuff takes longer to implement.

You can probably knock off most of it in twenty minutes.

Get to it!

P.S. If you want to give your personal brand on social media a bit of a nudge, create a free BrandYourself account. The tool will help you optimize and grow your online presence!

The post 15 Twitter Bio Tips You Need To Use (With Examples) | 2022 appeared first on BrandYourself Blog | ORM and Personal Branding.

It’s simple:

Whether you started a food truck venture two months ago or have run a Mom and Pop diner for the past 40 years, Yelp reviews have an impact on all businesses.

Whether it’s a customer raving about how excellent the food is, or ranting about a 10 minute wait, online customer feedback can make or break your business.

As of 2014, every minute, Yelp users post 26,380 reviews. According to a 2013 Nielsen survey, a whopping 98% of Yelp users have made a purchase at a business they found on Yelp.

These stats showcase just how important Yelp reviews are in the research process for consumers. A negative review or an inactive business page can absolutely devastate the bottom line of a small business.

Because of this, we decided to create a guide specifically for small business owners trying to delete bad reviews from Yelp.

While every case is different, there are some methods that all business owners should try to win the fight against bad Yelp reviews. But first, you need to fully understand how the reviewing process works at Yelp.

We outline Yelp’s requirements for posting reviews below, but please see the site’s “Content Guidelines” for the most up-to-date policies.

What are the rules surrounding reviews?

According to Yelp’s guidelines, users are allowed to share all kinds of content from reviews to videos to tips and more through the platform. The hard and fast rules when it comes to user contributions revolve around the idea of “playing nice” while providing useful, relevant information with other users.

Yelp discourages lewdness, hate speech, threats and bigotry. They support unbiased reviews which means they don’t condone reviews from the business owner, friends or relatives.

Yelp generally “frowns upon” promotional content (unless you are a business owner adding it to your own page).

Yelp claims that users should make sure that their contributions with their reviews are “relevant” and that they respect the privacy of others when posting.

Yelp also discourages its user community from plagiarism (or stealing intellectual property) and leveraging bad reviews for payment from businesses.

What do these rules mean for your business?

When it comes to the intentions behind these user guidelines, the purpose is to create a space where people share their honest opinions and experiences with different businesses. This transparency helps other members in the community make informed decisions.

But let’s be honest, this doesn’t always happen. Some people use Yelp as an opportunity to write truly damaging reviews because they can, or because they have a bone to pick with a business owner. This is where the natural urge to delete phony reviews comes from in the first place.

Others write scathing reviews because they decide to publish their thoughts while operating at peak frustration levels. A nasty review written in the heat of the moment can have severe consequences for the targeted business.

So once a bad Yelp review is released online, what do you do?

Maintain Your Page

As a business owner, something that you should already be doing is maintaining your company’s page on Yelp. That means making sure that all of the information provided is correct, uploading beautiful pictures of your space, and linking directly to your website and/or social media accounts. By controlling your business page, you can:

• Reach customers directly
• Measure visitor activity on your page
• Create deals specifically for Yelp users

Build Your Foundation

As a growing small business, your focus is likely trained to the daily operations and overall health of your company. However, branding your organization and maintaining a strong foundation online is a cornerstone to maintaining an active business.

At BrandYourself, we help individuals and small businesses alike with developing their presence online. While our reputation management software is intended for individuals, our managed services teams work directly with a number of small businesses.

Right The Wrong and Review a Bad Review?

When it comes to responding or deleting a bad Yelp review, Yelp already has a built in tool for business owners. The free review response tool lets business owners respond privately or publicly to any reviews left on their page. So what does that mean for you? Both public and private responses have their pros and cons.

Let’s start with the pros of a public response:

By diplomatically addressing any complaints publicly, you show your users that you are apologetic for any sub-par experience, appreciate their feedback and can share steps you’re taking to correct this situation. This sort of public acknowledgement is important for your brand, however, there are a few cons to responding publicly to a bad review.

And the cons of responding publicly:

If you respond in a way that is less than professional and courteous, you lose respect from other users. If you respond publicly and this somehow incites the user who posted the poor review, that just means that you will be engaging with more negativity. Additionally, by responding directly to a negative review, you are actually helping that review rank higher in search results by keeping it active. That means that you are increasing the likelihood that someone will read this review.

Pros of responding privately:

If you choose to respond to someone privately, there’s also a lot to consider.

The advantage of responding directly to your attacker, is that you can appeal to them calmly and rationally and ask for more information concerning their experience and how to rectify it directly. AND you aren’t helping the bad review rank better by updating it with fresh content.

Cons of responding privately:

However, by responding privately, you run the risk of the user responding very publicly anyway, or users thinking that you are ignoring the complaints. Also, this means that if someone comes across this negative review, there will be no commentary from you addressing the concerns.

Another option?

If you’re aren’t certain on how to respond, remember that you can also address any common complaints on your page so that you aren’t updating the bad Yelp reviews. The most important thing to remember no matter how you respond, is that timeliness, courtesy and a course of action are most important in your response.

3 Key Factors in Response

While the way that you communicate is important, when it comes to dealing with bad yelp reviews, the key to turning this negative into a positive is what you choose to communicate. It’s up to you to use your discretion in which types of reviews you choose to respond to, but try to keep the three factors of timeliness, courtesy and follow-up in mind. Doing this will help you achieve the same result as deleting a Yelp review if that doesn’t end up being an option.

• Timeliness: By responding to users quickly, you show them and other potential customers how important their feedback is. If you don’t respond at all, it seems like you don’t care about their experiences, or aren’t engaging on this platform. This leaves you open to even more criticism.
• Courtesy: In addition to timeliness, courtesy is key. Instead of responding with a slew of insults, try to find something positive within the criticism. If there’s nothing there, simply apologize for their experience and thank them for their feedback. And if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. It all depends on your personal style. No matter what someone else is saying to you, it’s probably not worth it to quibble with this person online. Instead stay courteous, calm and cool-headed.
• Follow-up: In addition to timeliness and courtesy, a course of action or follow-up is also necessary when dealing with negative reviews on Yelp. It’s one thing to simply apologize, but by explaining actionable steps to your disappointed customer the actionable steps you plan to take, you show that you take their complaints seriously. By following up, you show your commitment to high-quality service, and that you truly care about the customer experience. Don’t just pay lip-service and make promises you can’t keep. Be specific about what you plan on doing, and set a timeframe for more follow-up.
• Ask for help: When it comes to soliciting for reviews, Yelp discourages any outright asks or offers of compensation for positive reviews. However, make it known to your customers that you’re on Yelp! While Yelp discourages any sort of coercion, definitely encourage customers to visit your page. Word of mouth is important – particularly for smaller businesses, and Yelp is just the digital version of this. Include links to your Yelp page in your email signature or on your business cards.

According to Yelp, business owners shouldn’t ask customers directly to review their experience. These sorts of reviews are often viewed as disingenuous, and Yelp’s software may filter them right out of the recommended reviews section on your page.

This is one of the most frustrating things for business owners that want to learn how to delete bad Yelp reviews. They see bogus reviews make it through the filter, but legitimate positive reviews get cut. Unfortunately this tends to lead to them trying shady tactics that don’t last.

Earlier this year, Brian Patterson of Marketing Land reached out to a contact at Yelp, and uncovered more information when it comes to asking clients and customers to review your business. According to this exchange, while asking for reviews is discouraged – it doesn’t violate any terms of service.

Incentivizing the customers is prohibited, but technically, asking for reviews is allowed. However, as mentioned before, if these reviews seem disingenuous or are published by users who don’t post very often, there’s a good chance that the reviews will be filtered out of recommended reviews, and no one will really see them.

So remember, use this information at your discretion, but don’t spend your energy trying to capture reviews that won’t help you much in the end.

Acknowledge constructive criticism

When it comes to harsh reviews, it’s easy to retreat or completely destroy unfounded accusations. However, neither of these reactions will help your business. As mentioned before, focus on the constructive aspect of any criticisms on Yelp. While it’s true, there is a lot of hot air floating around on that site, there are definitely people venting about their experiences at different establishments.

So take a deep breath and dig in. There is a good chance that some of these criticisms can not only help you improve your business, but give you the opportunity to show what your brand is all about in the way that you choose to respond!

Love your haters

Let’s face it, Yelp isn’t always fair when it comes to the rules and options for business owners. There’s no way to remove a bad review (even if it is false) unless it is truly lewd, hateful, or threatening. And, as a business owner, you do not have the option to be anonymous.

Additionally, Yelp has been accused of tampering with reviews and rankings of businesses that choose not to purchase ads on the platform.

All of this tends to skew the bias towards the consumer and those businesses spending more money on the platform.

Don’t let this get you down. Instead, focus on showcasing your brand and the heart of your business.

Be grateful that this platform lets you deal directly with people who are satisfied or dissatisfied with your product. Here you have the opportunity to improve your business in a practical way, and develop a strong method for responding to criticism.

How can you contest the review/correct it?

When it comes to dealing with harsh reviews that are also false, Yelp does not allow you to delete the post as a business owner. Instead, your options are those listed above. If someone leaves a message that includes hate speech, lewdness or truly threatening remarks, Yelp will remove it. However, lies are harder to prove, and Yelp does not mediate or research these types of comments.

How to remove bad reviews from Yelp

While removing most bad reviews from Yelp is nearly impossible, there is another effective method to dealing with these kinds of damaging search results while improving the overall presence of your business online.

At BrandYourself, we encourage that individuals and businesses alike focus on best practices when it comes to Search Engine Optimization and branding so that the properties that they control have the best chance at rising in search results.

While creating positive content that you control will not remove bad Yelp reviews, this approach gives you the best chance to control the results that rank well while suppressing the negative reviews.

To accomplish this, you must focus on building up your company’s Facebook page, Twitter account, Google Plus page and more. You have to actively engage and post original content on these platforms and more while also maintaining a professional website for your business.

Why building your foundation matters

In an age of cyber-bullying, revenge porn, hate sites and inadequate online privacy laws, everyone and every business needs to understand and protect their image on the web with online reputation management.

While a Yelp review isn’t the only information that people will depend on when deciding whether or not to visit your business, it is highly visible and will likely inform them in some way. With that in mind, it’s up to you to build the image that accurately reflects your business online.

Deleting or removing a bad Yelp review is tricky, but controlling how you look online isn’t. All you have to do is follow the steps, or have someone else do it for you.

To learn more about building your brand’s presence online, schedule a call with one of our reputation advisors about our services where our team does the work for you.

The post How To Delete Or Manage A Bad Yelp Review appeared first on BrandYourself Blog | ORM and Personal Branding.

When it comes to dealing with arrests.org removal, first you have to know what it is you’re dealing with. Arrests.org is the parent company of a number of local sites throughout the US that capture, collect, and post public mugshots of people. The sites are searchable by state, although the only states available are those that have open record laws. The mugshots available here are then eligible to be featured as search results on search engines like Google.

On the one hand, the argument is that all of this information would be available to any citizen who did a little bit of digging.

On the other hand, sites like arrests.org make damaging photos immediately accessible and highly visible in search results. Even people who were never charged, have had the charges overturned, are pardoned, or served their sentence will still suffer from the negative effects of an arrests.org search result.

Arrests.org: How to Remove Your Info

We’ve identified the Arrests.org opt out steps below, however, there is a caveat. Supporting documentation is required in order to process a removal and the removal is at the discretion of Arrests.org. There is no guarantee that your info will be removed from the site.

1. Go to Arrests.org .

2. Enter your first name, last name, and state into the search bar.

3. Identify the listing with your info. Click “Record removal.”

4. Select a reason for removal, provide the required documentation, and click “Submit opt-out.”

There are a few different reasons for removal options for Arrests.org, each requiring specific documentation:

• “The arrests have been sealed or expunged.” Requires a copy of the expungement order.
• “The charges were dropped/dismissed/adjudicated not guilty.” Requires proof of identity and proof of disposition.
• “Remove data of birth and address.” Requires proof of identity.
• “Other.” This includes if the person is deceased, active military, not a US citizen, or a law enforcement/government official. Requires supporting documents to verify.

5. Give it some time.

It can take Arrests.org anywhere from 5-30 days to process the removal request. As we mentioned above, this doesn’t guarantee that the info will be removed. Even if you are able to get the listing removed, we recommend speaking with one of our experts about safeguarding your online presence.

More about Arrests.org

Arrests.org provides very little information about the site and its practices, save for a few sentences on the contact page.  If you read the fine print below this contact information, you’ll also see an admission from the site that the owners take no responsibility for the accuracy of the information, and that people featured were not necessarily convicted of any crimes. The site owners also refuse to take any responsibility for user comments.

While arrests.org lacks sufficient information about the site’s intentions, owners, or courses of action, this brief statement speaks volumes.

Many sites like arrests.org claim to perform a public service by “informing the public” about the background information of citizens. However, the statements found on the site strongly suggest that the site is all about entertainment value.

Users are able to tag and search mugshots based on the following criteria:

• Beat Up
• Celebrity
• Handicap
• Grills
• Hair
• Hunks
• Hotties
• Scary
• Tatted up
• Transgender
• Wino
• WTF

The fact that you can’t easily filter mugshots based on the type of charge, status, time served, etc – but instead you can only sort from the tags mentions above suggests that the intent is not to inform citizens, but to mock the subjects of these mugshots.

In addition to this questionable form of categorizing mugshots, the comments section is a wild west of opinions and generally crude and lewd behavior.

Users can link to specific photos and make comments that are then featured on the front page of arrests.org.

The comments are typically degrading, damaging and explicit.

What to watch out for with mugshot databases

The truly controversial aspect of these kinds of practices comes into view when considering how the site is monetized. While some states have tightened up the loopholes regarding “removal” companies, there is still a real chance of extortion when it comes to posted mugshot photos.

Luckily, arrests.org did away with the “pay for removal” system, as they faced legal action along with other sites.

However, some sites like arrests.org still work with companies specializing in removal services. Basically, this secondary company (although it may also just be an extension of the mugshot network) will charge you a certain amount of money to remove your photo from this database. This fee can range from a few hundred dollars upwards.

While there is a chance that this will resolve your problem in the short-term, unfortunately, this is not a guarantee for your online reputation in the long-term.

Even if you pay to get your mugshot removed, there’s a chance that other people can still see it in cached image searches. Additionally, just because you pay for an image to be removed from one database, that doesn’t mean it won’t pop up on other sites down the road. This image could also re-appear on the site you paid for in the future.

While paying for removal may give you some peace of mind in the short-term, using this as your only strategy leaves you vulnerable and sets you up for disappointment.

Consider any course of action you can to get a mugshot removed, but keep in mind that it’s unlikely to do much for you in the long-run. That’s why we suggest an alternative strategy.

Alternative strategies

Through years of experience working with clients, we have refined our strategy for dealing with negative search results like a mugshot. Even though full mugshot removal is allusive, mitigating the negative effects of a mugshot through personal branding is attainable.

We have found that the most successful way to do this is by following these four steps:

1. Remove any Google results that can be taken down.

Again, this is the first thing that you should look into when improving your online presence. Even if you can’t get your mugshot taken down, do a full audit of search results (links, videos, images, news, etc) that come up for your name. From here, unpublish or remove any content that you control. If you choose to work with BrandYouself’s Managed Services, we’ll also create a strategy for identifying and drafting any useful Takedown requests.

2. Create a personal brand that showcases your assets.

Because you are specifically dealing with a negative image result, there should be a heavier focus on cultivating social media profiles that deal with visual content. However, your personal brand development should be holistic, and relevant to your specific goals – not just a reaction to this mugshot.

3. Create positive content to protect your good name from any future damage.

This means regularly engaging on social media and building an audience engaged in your industry and interests.

4. Continually monitor your online presence and track changes in search results.

In addition to monitoring the progress of your mugshot from arrests.org, you also have to be on the lookout for other negative (or positive) search results for your name and how their rankings fluctuate over time.

Remember, at best, paid removal is a short-term solution while you work on building your online reputation management strategy. At worst, paid removal is ineffective and costly.

If removal is an option for you financially, use your own discretion. However, if removal is not an option due to financial constraints, focus your attention on building optimized, well-branded properties that you control. You can learn more about building a strong foundation, by signing up for our free tool, checking out our foundational guides on the BrandYourself blog, and reading the tutorial in BrandYourself University.

Additionally, consider the states that are accessible on arrests.org. This network only features information from states that subscribe to open record laws. Instead of arguing for the public’s right to information or invoking the freedom of information act, arrests.org ensures that they can’t be charged of violating any of these rulings.

If you find your mugshot on a site like arrests.org, you’re probably going to want to sign up for removal services ASAP.

But don’t be fooled! Approach your personal brand holistically, and leverage profiles that you control to showcase your assets.

FAQs

How do I delete a mugshot?

Unfortunately, you cannot simply opt to delete a mugshot, unless it appears on a website or profile that you control. And in most states, arrest records are part of the public records so they are available online. However, you can try emailing the webmaster directly. Because the odds are slim in terms of working out in your favor, we suggest that you instead focus your efforts on building a strong personal brand online that highlights your accomplishments while suppressing this negative image of yours.

How can I disable comments on my mugshot from arrests.org

Unfortunately, you can’t disable comments directly through the site. We also don’t recommend engaging with other users in this forum. Instead, we suggest that you focus on the social media profiles and personal websites that you do control.

Why is my mugshot showing up on multiple sites?

Sites like arrests.org pull from state-run databases that release this information as a matter of public record. Therefore, even if you get the image removed from a site like arrests.org, it can still show up on similar sites or the original database.

How long before my mugshot disappears?

Unfortunately, your mugshot may not disappear. However, as you start to build your personal brand, you’ll notice that properties that you control will start to rank for your name. So the idea is that over time, you’ll significantly reduce the chances that anyone will see your mugshot. The farther down in rankings, the less likely someone is to see it. So while the image may not fully disappear, over time, you will start to see more positive relevant information overwhelm this negative result.

What states does arrests.org cover?

Arrests.org features information from states that subscribe to open record laws. Below we’ve described the regions covered on arrests.org sites by state:

Alabama.arrests.org: The Alabama arrests.org database has grown significantly over the past few years. It now covers 18 counties – it used to list just 5 counties.

Arizona.arrests.org: There are only four counties on the Arizona arrests.org page (Cochise, Maricopa, Mohave, and Pinal).

Arkansas.arrests.org: One of the larger databases out there on the site, the Arkansas arrests.org page includes 23 counties. If you live in this state and have been arrested you should definitely do some digging to see if you’re listed.

California.arrests.org: Surprisingly, there are only 7 counties listed on the California arrests.org page but each is fairly thorough.

Colorado.arrests.org: One of the smaller pages on the site with only two counties. Worth exploring if you live in the state, but the Colorado arrests.org has far fewer mugshots and listings than other state pages, so your chances are a bit better here.

Florida.arrests.org: The arrests.org Florida database covers 52 counties which increases your chances of being listed here significantly. This also means that your mugshot has a great chance at being picked up by another website.

Georgia.arrests.org: The Georgia arrests.org database is also quite large with the page covering 37 counties.

Idaho.arrests.org: Only four counties are included in the Idaho arrests.org page (Ada, Bingham, Canyon, and Elmore).

Illinois.arrests.org: On the Illinois arrests.org page there are 7 counties listed but it is updated quite regularly and has an active comment community which means the chances of someone seeing your mugshot when visiting the page is higher than other states.

Indiana.arrests.org: Indiana’s arrests.org page covers 24 counties and has some fairly active engagement around their listings.

Iowa.arrests.org: Only eight counties are included on the Iowa arrests.org database with moderate activity from visitors.

Kansas.arrests.org: The Kansas arrests.org page has nine counties in their database but very low engagement on their listings.

Kentucky.arrests.org: There are a whopping 70 counties in the Kentucky arrests.org database although the engagement and comments across all Arrests.org KY listings are actually on the low side given the quantity.

Louisiana.arrests.org: 19 counties make up the Louisiana arrests.org page with moderate engagement throughout the site.

Maine.arrests.org: Only the county of Somerset is on the Main arrests.org database.

Maryland.arrests.org: Allegany and St. Mary’s county are the only two on the Maryland arrests.org database page.

Michigan.arrests.org: 7 counties make up the arrests.org Michigan database with lower than average engagement and activity across them.

Minnesota.arrests.org: There are 26 counties in the Minnesota arrests.org database with moderate activity and comments on their listings.

Mississippi.arrests.org: The Mississippi arrests.org page has 19 counties but very low activity and engagement.

Missouri.arrests.org: The Missouri arrests.org page has 23 counties with a high engagement and comment rate on their listings.

Montana.arrests.org: Missoula and Ravalli are the only two counties you can find on the Montana arrests.org page.

Nebraska.arrests.org: Gage, Lincoln, and Sarpy are the counties listed on the Nebraska arrests.org page with low engagement.

Nevada.arrests.org: This page is down right now. We will update this once it’s available to the public again.

New Jersey.arrests.org: There are only four counties on the New Jersey arrests.org page (Essex, Ocean, Salem, and Sussex).

New Mexico.arrests.org: There are five counties on the New Mexico arrests.org database with above-average activity and comments across all listings.

North Carolina.arrests.org: The North Carolina arrests.org page has 30 counties with above-average engagement.

Ohio.arrests.org: 36 counties make up the Ohio arrests.org database with above-average engagement across their listings.

Oklahoma.arrests.org: The Oklahoma arrests.org database contains 11 counties with moderate activity.

Oregon.arrests.org: 18 counties are included in the Oregon arrests.org page with much higher than average activity and engagement from the visitors to the page.

Pennsylvania.arrests.org: There are only 7 counties in the Pennsylvania arrests.org database and below-average engagement.

South Carolina.arrests.org: You can find 22 counties on the South Carolina arrests.org page and the listings receive above-average activity and engagement.

Tennessee.arrests.org: The Tennessee arrests.org database has 20 counties and above-average engagement.

Texas.arrests.org: 51 counties make up the Texas arrests.org database but the activity level on the listings is actually on the lower side of things.

Utah.arrests.org: You can find 7 counties on the Utah arrests.org page but moderate activity throughout the database.

Virginia.arrests.org: The arrests.org VA database covers 13 counties with significantly above-average activity and engagement from the visitors.

West Virginia.arrests.org: 10 counties are included in the West Virginia arrests.org database but the engagement level on this page is extremely low.

Wisconsin.arrests.org: There are only 6 counties on the Wisconsin arrests.org page but the engagement across the state database is slightly above average.

Wyoming.arrests.org: Goshen, Sweetwater, and Teton are the only counties listed on the Wyoming arrests.org page. The engagement level is very low as well.

If you’re dealing with a negative search result like a mugshot from arrests.org, schedule a consultation with a BrandYourself Reputation Advisor to discuss the best option for you from our managed services packages.

The post Removing Yourself From Arrests.org appeared first on BrandYourself Blog | ORM and Personal Branding.

In 2022, it is essential for companies of all sizes to prioritize online security. With the frequency of data breaches and cyber-attacks continuing to rise, failing to implement effective online security protocols can lead to a variety of costly issues. This includes extended downtime, reputational damage, fees for not meeting regulatory requirements, and much more.

The good news is that there are a variety of ways that business owners can go about fortifying their online security. In this article, we’ll explore six proven tips that you can leverage to keep your company’s sensitive data and systems secure so that you can focus on generating conversions and growing your brand.

1) Back Up Your Data

When a data breach occurs, a company’s data can sometimes be lost forever. Depending on how important the data in question is to your company’s operations, this loss of data can sometimes bring devastating consequences. The first cybersecurity step that you should take, therefore, is ensuring that you create backups for all of your vital data. Never store too much important data on a single device, and ensure that you back up all of your data via cloud storage.

2) Utilize Multi-Factor Authentification

Creating strong passwords is one of the most important keys to online security. However, even the best passwords can sometimes be cracked. Thankfully, multi-factor authentication enables you to dramatically improve password security. One example of multi-factor authentication is requiring that you respond to a message that is sent to your phone or email address in addition to correctly entering your password. Another example is requiring that you correctly answer a security question. These extra steps may reduce the convenience of logging into the various accounts you and your employees rely on. However, they also make unauthorized access exponentially more difficult.

3) Train and Screen Your Employees

According to data from Equifax, 60% of data breaches are caused by insider threats. In other words, the majority of data breaches are caused by someone with legitimate access to company assets. This figure highlights the importance of both carefully screening your employees and carefully training them in proper online security protocols.

Keep in mind that an inside cybersecurity threat encompasses both intentional and unintentional damage. An employee might not set out to harm your company, but a simple mistake such as opening the wrong file or clicking the wrong link can sometimes have serious consequences. At this juncture, it is imperative to consider that a well-trained workforce is a prerequisite for optimal business performance. For those seeking to enhance the safety and efficiency of their team, https://www.commodious.co.uk/manual-handling could be a suitable avenue to explore. It provides accessible, comprehensive manual handling courses, thereby promoting a safer work environment.

A little effort spent training your employees in safe online practices, therefore, may be the biggest key to preventing security incidents. If you work with remote employees, utilizing an app such as Calendly is a great way to both get to know who you are working with and provide them with clear online security instructions.

4) Install Antivirus Software

Any device that stores sensitive data and is connected to the internet needs to be secured with antivirus software. Data breaches can come from a variety of sources. One common source, though, is malware and spyware that is downloaded onto an internet-connected device.

Thankfully, good antivirus software is quite effective at detecting and eliminating such malicious code. While it may be tempting to utilize one of the many free antivirus programs available, this probably isn’t the best choice; online security isn’t something you should skimp on. Although some free antivirus programs are decent enough, many others aren’t. Taking the time to research available software and being willing to pay a little extra for the best will likely pay dividends in the long run.

5) Protect Your Network With a Firewall

Anyone who has access to your network may be able to access the data stored on the devices connected to it. Breaching Wi-Fi networks, therefore, is one common way that hackers gain access to a company’s data. Antivirus software only secures individual devices and does nothing to secure the network(s) they connect to. For this, you will need to purchase and install a network firewall, learn about top 3 advantages of using payroll software for your business.

A firewall filters incoming and outgoing network traffic in order to identify and prevent unauthorized access. Installing a firewall often isn’t cheap as it requires purchasing hardware that can cost anywhere from $700 to $10,000+. Considering that your business network provides access to every device you and your employees use, though, hiring managed IT services in Charlotte to secure it is well worth the cost.

6) Don’t Mix Business and Pleasure

As a general rule, any device that stores company data shouldn’t be used for personal purposes. Mixing your business and personal life in this manner is bound to open your data up to unnecessary risks. Sharing business devices with friends and family, for example, means that people who might not know about safe online practices could unintentionally give hackers access to the device.

Using a business device for personal means also means that you’ll be creating a lot of extra accounts on the device yourself – another practice that increases cybersecurity risk. While almost every business owner uses their personal device for business during the early stages of their company, it’s a practice that is best abandoned as your brand grows.

Conclusion

There was a time when only large corporations really had to worry about data breaches. Today, though, cybercriminals have widened their nets to target companies of all sizes. As you go about growing your brand, ensuring that you are protecting its sensitive data with effective online security protocols is essential. By following the tips outlined in this article, you’ll be able to ensure that your brand doesn’t become one of the many victims of cybercrime.

The post How You Can Protect Your Online Security When Growing Your Brand appeared first on BrandYourself Blog | ORM and Personal Branding.

The difference between those that succumb to disaster and those that overcome the setback lies within their level of proactiveness. Organizations and individuals alike are often able to act accordingly when a crisis occurs by having a crisis management plan in place. 

What is a Crisis?

Before we dive into the specifics of a crisis management plan, let’s take a look at what we mean by a crisis. A crisis is something that can pose a significant threat to a person or operation of an organization. If not handled appropriately, it can have negative consequences. For brand crisis management specifically, this often entails the usage of social media and other online platforms.

A crisis will differ from person to person and organization to organization. It can be a negative review or complaint about you or your business online, to a fire within your office building or living quarters. What you determine to be a crisis can vary depending on multiple factors and what you perceive as a threat.

A crisis is something that occurs outside of the day-to-day operations. It can be what is considered an “anomaly” or something that doesn’t seem likely to happen (but most certainly can). For instance, if you’re running a business with time-sensitive processes, knowing the benefits of planned preventive maintenance can save your business money.

Professional Crisis vs. Business Crisis

Individual crises can often look very different from business crises.  For the sake of this discussion, we will look at the two as separate entities in the online realm – professional crisis management and business crisis management. 

Professional crisis management in regards to your brand can fall under the umbrella of dealing with a negative or unwanted link about your reputation, deleting old tweets or posts on social media that are no longer reflective of who you are, and even finding and removing exposed personal information about you online. 

Business crisis management in its relation to branding can look like dealing with a negative review online about your business, a data hack exposing your client information, unintentionally publishing misinformation, and even employee online reputation (or lack thereof). 

How each of these crises is addressed will be determined in the creation of a crisis management plan. 

What is Crisis Management?

Crisis management is how a person or organization deals with an unforeseen or disruptive threat that brings harm to the entity. There are three facets when it comes to crisis management:

1. Pre-crisis
   
2. Crisis
   
3. Post-crisis
   

All of these sections require the individual or business to be proactive in defining what a crisis entails and how to address any perceived threat, long before it even occurs. There is a need to release the notion that “[insert crisis here] cannot happen to me.” 

The reality is, a crisis can, and often will occur whether you want it to or not. Once you come to terms with the idea that a crisis can occur, you can get into the nitty-gritty of creating a crisis management plan.  

Creating a Crisis Management Plan

As we mentioned above, there are three parts to crisis management. 

Pre-Crisis

The first part of a crisis management plan is the pre-crisis phase, which involves outlining any potential threats. This usually requires bringing in key players of an organization or any parties that could be affected by a crisis. For an individual, this could include a spouse or family member(s).

Once you, and your team if applicable, develop a plan, the next step involves sharing the information. Ensuring that all appropriate parties are trained and have received the information they need to perform their roles in the event of a crisis is key. This may include putting together a team specifically for crisis management and having a designated spokesperson to communicate with the public. 

It is vital to keep in mind that this plan is merely a reference tool and not a step-by-step guide. It is impossible to plan for every potential crisis. Planning for those that pose the highest threat and allowing room for flexibility will empower you and your team to handle any crisis in the most appropriate manner. 

Crisis 

So, you’re hit with a crisis and it’s time to put your plan into action. As with any situation, crisis or not, communication and transparency are your best assets. Your initial response to a crisis should not only be quick, but accurate and consistent for the duration of the communication. 

This is especially important when handling a brand crisis on social media. Often, this will require crisis management across all media channels, not just the one where the crisis is occurring. 

Post-Crisis

The post-crisis phase is when the crisis has mostly blown over and things are, for the most part, back to normal. There will usually still be some communication occurring, specifically with follow-up. This may look like communicating changes that have been implemented as a response to the crisis, updates on the recovery process, or investigation of the crisis. This will look very different for each individual and organization. 

The post-crisis phase is also an opportune time to assess the overall damage and make adjustments as needed. This could include updating your crisis management plan, completing a brand audit, and possibly even a rebrand if the crisis was exceptionally detrimental to your reputation. 

In some cases, seeking professional assistance with brand management repair may be beneficial. If you find yourself in this situation or are simply unsure of where to begin, our experts can help. Schedule a pressure-free consultation with one of our experts or give us a call today: 646-863-8282.

Why do I Need a Crisis Management Plan?

A crisis management plan is akin to having insurance. The benefit of having a crisis management plan in place allows you or your organization to efficiently combat a crisis and bounce back quickly after resolving the issue. Oftentimes, simply being on top of matters can do the trick. 

Most importantly, having a crisis management plan will protect your online reputation. For example, addressing a negative review online right away and taking accountability for any wrong-doings can prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown crisis – and simultaneously keep your online reputation intact. 

Social media has dramatically increased the speed at which information travels, including anything perceived as negative. Having a plan in place to adequately manage professional and organizational social media can drastically reduce the evolution of a brand crisis. 

What if I Don’t Have a Crisis Management Plan?

Having a crisis management plan in place is going to be determined by the individual or organization in question. It is not a required component of a professional career or business structure.  However, not having a crisis management plan in place can leave you or your organization vulnerable. 

One study found that, while 76% of board members felt confident that their organization could effectively handle a crisis should one occur, only 49% of their companies had plans in place to be ready for any given crisis. Additionally, company reputation and employee morale made up 48% of areas most affected by a crisis – the highest of all factors taken into account. 

If you are unable to plan and react to a worst-case scenario, you may be viewed as incompetent or incapable of handling tough situations. Your business could lose loads of money if a crisis is not handled appropriately. Your credibility and reputation may even be called into question.

Crisis Management Examples 

If you’re not yet convinced of the necessity for a crisis management plan, let’s take a look at a few examples of brands that have experienced a crisis of some sort. 

KFC

In early 2018, KFC experienced a major crisis in the UK and Ireland when a breakdown in the supply chain prevented the delivery of crucial ingredients. A major road accident near the logistics partner’s warehouse had a trickle-down effect that resulted in two-thirds of KFC locations needing to shut down for an extended period of time. 

KFC was efficient with their response, acknowledging the blunder, posting a website for customers to easily check the status of locations, and responding quickly and transparently to social media posts and questions. 

Samsung 

In 2016, Samsung experienced a worst-case scenario when their Galaxy Note 7 phones spontaneously burst into flames. Ultimately, the brand needed to recall their phones and cease production. To get to the bottom of the issue, Samsung hired 700 researchers and created an advisory group to investigate the issue with the battery (the source of the fire starter). 

Thanks to Samsung’s quick response and their brand credibility before the incident, they were able to bounce back quickly post-crisis. 

Pepsi 

You may recall the ad campaign Pepsi launched in 2017 with celebrity Kendall Jenner, who walked into a protest and brought everyone together by handing a cop a can of their soda. In less than 48 hours, the video was viral with more than 1.6 million views – many furious about the “short story.” At first, Pepsi backed their campaign, releasing a statement that emphasized the ad depicting people from all walks of life coming together in harmony. 

Merely 24 hours after the statement was released, though, they ended up pulling the ad. Pepsi released another statement apologizing for having “missed the mark.” While they were quick and to the point in their responses, it would still take some time for the brand to recover from this internal mishap. 

Chipotle

From 2015 to 2016, Chipotle experienced a crisis no one in the food industry wishes to endure. An E. coli outbreak that began at locations in the Northwest spread across dozens of states, resulting in an 82% decline in profits and a 15% drop in stocks. 

Chipotle’s crisis communication was lackluster at best. Full of finger-pointing, vague answers and apologies, and the absence of representation at the 125 affected food safety cases left consumers feeling like the brand could have done a better job handling the situation. 

What’s the Difference?

The difference between KFC and Samsung’s crisis response in comparison to Pepsi and Chipotle was their crisis management plans. Everyone makes mistakes, even brands. The former brands here responded to their respective crisis quickly and efficiently. The latter two, on the other hand, fell short of addressing the crisis effectively. 

In Summary

All brands, personal or organizational, may experience a crisis at some point. Awareness of potential crises and having a plan in place can be the difference between effectively managing a crisis and having a full-blown brand meltdown. It’s happened to some big-name brands already, like the ones we mentioned above. 

If you would like guidance in getting your brand back on track, or simply a proactive strategy in place for your brand reputation, our experts can help. Schedule a consultation today or give us a call: 646-863-8282. 

The post Brand Crisis Management 101 (2022) appeared first on BrandYourself Blog | ORM and Personal Branding.

Sites our Protect Private Info tool removes from: 

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Highly sensitive information is relatively easy to get removed (or de-indexed) from the internet (ie social security numbers, credit card numbers, government ID numbers, etc) because the law is on your side.

Unfortunately, some information that you deem as too private, has no legal recourse for removal. Instead, you have to find alternative steps to reclaim your privacy online.

This is where things can get a bit more tricky.

Even taking care of highly sensitive information doesn’t just magically happen. You have to be proactive about monitoring the information that appears about you online.

So, let’s get into the nitty gritty of removing public records online.

Your personal information lives online

Gone are the days of flipping through Whitepages and filing information requests by snail mail. Today, all kinds of information is not only available about you, but it’s easily accessed online. It seems like nothing is off-limits.

Think about it, your:

• Home addresses
• Homeownership documents
• Voter registration
• Divorce records

And other public records are available to anyone online who types in the right keywords. With that in mind, we’ve created this guide to help you better understand the most effective ways to remove public records about you from the internet.

Why public records of today differ from those of the past

Public records are nothing new, but the level of accessibility and volume of information aggregators online present modern problems.

In the past, an individual would have to physically go to a government office and/or submit a formal request to access this kind of information.

In all likelihood there would be multiple offices, buildings and requests involved.

Online “personal information brokerages” of today, remove all of the red tape and legwork that used to create a natural barrier. Now with the click of a button, anyone can access all of this information instantly without leaving home.

This is what often makes people most uncomfortable. It is also what makes understanding how to remove public records so difficult.

How to remove information from public records while setting realistic expectations

While it’s true that there are a number of steps that you can take to reduce most of the public records accessible about you online, it’s also true that there is always the chance that there will be some remnants of you online.

Even with the help of a legal team, people who are particularly adept at finding information (think private investigators, government agencies, hackers, etc) online, may still be able to.

But, there are a number of precautions and steps that you can take to reduce the chances of the typical internet user finding this kind of information about you online.

How to remove my name from public records in 10 easy steps

Step 1: Google yourself

Start the process by identifying all of the private information that you want to remove or hide online. Search through as many pages as possible for all web results, images, videos, news clips etc that are attached to your name online. Keep in mind that this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll locate all info that’s available about you online, but it will give you a strong sense of prioritizing the records you want to get rid of!

If finding and tracking these kinds of results seems a bit overwhelming, sign up for BrandYourself’s free DIY Reputation Management Software which automatically scans search results for your name and flags potentially damaging or private search results. .

Step 2: Change your address and phone number

No, we’re not suggesting that you move to a new home just because of a few invasive search results. Instead, get a P.O. Box or head to UPS and get their version of a post office box. This way you can attach a mailing address to most records and it can differ from your home address.

Additionally, consider getting a phone line that’s used exclusively for this type of documentation or business purposes. This can range from a single landline (if people still do that), or a free/inexpensive number from services like Google Voice, whatsapp or Skype.

Step 3: Start a business

You don’t have to go full on Bezos-mode if that’s not your style. Instead, investigate whether or not forming an LLC (limited liability corporation) would make sense as a means of detaching your personal information from public records attached to properties that you own or rent. Make sure to do your research and consult with a professional.

Step 4: Visit the county clerk’s office

Before you visit, make sure you check out the hours, and any suggestions for forms of id to bring. Additionally, there are a number of request forms that you can obtain to fill out from the local county clerk’s website.

Once that’s resolved, be prepared to ask for the following information:

• Permission to review all public records related to you
• What information is allowed to be removed/redacted/modified from these records
• Which documents can include your “new address”

From here, request that all information that can be removed/redacted/modified is. Your telephone number and most of your social security number should be removed or at least partially obscured on most records in question.

Some of the records kept by the County Clerk include:

• Marriage licenses
• Court records
• Deeds and mortgages
• Old wills
• Probate cases
• Government surveys
• Civil circuit files
• Birth certificates
• Death certificates
• More

Most of these records are publicly accessible for free or a nominal fee, so make sure that you are thorough when it comes to examining your own public records!

Also, don’t forget to ask about the UCC database! This is the Uniform Commercial Code database and it deals with records related explicitly to property ownership and Financing statements. This is something that you may also be able to look up on your state’s “.gov” website. So feel free to find out what you can online before your in-person visit.

There’s a pretty good chance that your social security number could show up on some of these records! So make a point to ask about this particular database.

Once you’ve reviewed and discussed all of these records with the clerk, make sure to furnish any additional information needed from formal request forms to updates on your end (namely your new P.O. box address – or a phone number different from your personal number). Follow up as needed.

Step 5: Take a trip to the DMV

Or at least give them a call. Find out if legally you’re allowed to change your address to that of a P.O. or UPS Box. If so, head on over and make the change. That way, in the future, it’s more likely that this address will be attached to your name in legal documentation instead of your actual home address.

Step 6: Make the rounds

While it’s definitely worth a call ahead, think of other publicly funded places where your address is part of the ID. Places like:

• Public Library
• Public Pool
• Unemployment office
• Parks and Rec offices

Ask if you can update the address with the P.O. or UPS Box that you’ve just started renting.

Step 7: Request removal from information brokerage services

When it comes to dealing with exposed private information, you can now focus your attention to data brokerage services online. Some of these include sites like:

• Radaris
• Peoplefinders
• Spokeo
• Intelius
• Truthfinder
• Checkmate
• Peoplelooker

These are data aggregation sites and users pay to find out as much information about other people in one place as possible. This information can vary in nature, but most of these sites provide an opt out request form. Examine the website to find out exactly how to go about the process. Naturally, most of these sites don’t make it easy.

You’ll likely have to send a request via fax that includes a copy of documentation that identifies you as you! This is to ensure that they are removing the correct information from the database. However, feel free to redact your image or key ID#s – just read the details of the site carefully. You don’t want your removal request to result in exposure of more personal info!

And if you have trouble with certain sites removing your information, the law may be on your side (depending on the information that they’re sharing). Sensitive information that can lead to fraud or identity theft (like social security numbers and bank account numbers) must be taken down. This is exactly having separate checking accounts for businesses is extremely important. You can submit a takedown request to Google, or even enlist the aid of a legal team. And if you live in the EU or Argentina, you also have the protections of the right to be forgotten.

Step 8: Expedite the removal process

Unfortunately, this can be a time consuming process if you don’t come up with a system. Look for a removal request template, and keep track of when you send these requests. Consider setting up alerts to remind you when you should check back in with these various requests you’re sending. Avoid requests getting taking longer than necessary by staying organized and setting up a schedule for yourself for checking on the status of these requests.

Step 9: Review privacy settings

This should be a regular part of your digital health. Stay up to date with the personal information that you choose to share on various accounts online. If you are required to store information like a phone number or mailing address, make sure to update it to the new information that isn’t reflective of your primary phone number and home address. Whenever you get alerts saying that a website you use is updating their privacy agreement… make sure that you review your settings. While the information you share doesn’t necessarily fall in the realm of “public records”, there’s a pretty good chance that by using the site you’re agreeing to your data being tracked and sold to other companies. So limit the amount of personal information you use when creating an account.

Step 10: Build your brand and suppress

Enlisting the help of lawyers is not guaranteed to work and will likely be expensive. However, every case is different, so it may be worth it to you to consider the help of an attorney. However, do your homework and make sure that they are not paid by the offending sites.

Whether you choose to include the justice system in your action plan or not,  we suggest that you focus on steps that you can control.

Removing public records with our DIY tool

Another great way to make the process of removing public records easier is by signing up for a free DIY account.

This gives you instant access to our reputation management software which monitors and tracks your online reputation. This means that any new public records that might show up will be flagged and brought to your attention.

Also, our proprietary technology also shows you how to build and protect your online presence and privacy step by step. By creating a strong personal brand online, you’re not only boosting your professional earning potential but also decreasing the likelihood that people will see exposed private information when they search for your name online.

Wrap up

While dealing with public records can make you feel vulnerable, it is within your power to reduce and remove sensitive information about you from the internet. It’s definitely a process, and cannot be completed in a day, but don’t give up. Keep track of the steps you take and celebrate progress.

Following the steps above is how to remove your information from public records online. While you may not be able to get rid of everything, you can significantly reduce the information that’s out there and the likelihood that anyone will see it.

Don’t have time? Let us do the work for you. If this whole process seems overwhelming, reach out to a Reputation Advisor by calling (646)-863-8226 or scheduling a consultation to discuss the best option for you from our managed services packages.

The post How to Remove Public Records From The Internet appeared first on BrandYourself Blog | ORM and Personal Branding.

Why?

The best personal websites serve as a calling card, contact point, and representation of what you stand for. It’s also a place where anyone can go to learn more about you and what you bring to the table.

It’s no coincidence that the best in their industry tend to have their own site. Not only have they made one, but they take the quality of it seriously (regarding content and design). Bing Digital is an e-commerce agency you can rely on to design a website in line with your brand, learn about the e-commerce business.

If you need help creating a high-quality website that aligns with your brand and business goals, you can check out Web Design in Southend.

So what’s considered a “great” personal website? Where do you go to find inspiration for yours?

To help you with this, we’ve scoured the internet and found some of the best personal website examples to serve as inspiration and education. Check them out, make note of what you like, and use it to make your own site fantastic!

Personal Website Examples: 

1. Leonard Kim
2. Cynthia Johnson
3. Neil Patel
4. Nia Shanks
5. Simon Sinek
6. Ellen Skye Riley
7. Tim Harford
8. Joshua McCartney
9. Dorie Clark
10. Hope Reagan
11. Seth Godin
12. Pascal van Gemert
13. Ximena N. Larkin
14. Charlie Waite
15. Tim Ferriss
16. Ann Handley
17. Anna Santos
18. Kevin Koeshartono
19. Joe Mcnally
20. Geraldine DeRuiter

1. Leonard Kim

Leonard’s personal website is a great example of how to make the most of promoting one’s abilities and offerings. His approach is humanistic, while still providing everything one would need in making a decision to work with him. This includes a breakdown of his services, testimonies, content examples, and a clear call to action for how to get in touch with him. We’re also big fans of his color scheme. 

2. Cynthia Johnson

This site does a great job of highlighting Cynthia’s work as an entrepreneur, speaker, and writer. The main navigation has clear pages dedicated to her blog, speaking resume, press bio & links, as well as a great “About” page. Her bio does an excellent job of highlighting her accomplishments without going overboard. Learn more about what goes into a great personal bio.  The professional photography grabs a user’s attention and gives it a polished, professional aesthetic. 

3. Neil Patel 

Neil’s website is also one of the best personal blog examples. Neil has managed to build a marketing empire based on his site, and it’s clear how he did it,  if you need some tips about marketing at that level, check with the charity PPC agency. His content is in-depth, well-organized, and incredibly informative. The overall design is clean and doesn’t let it get in the way of the user experience. He makes great use of call-to-actions to work with him without being overly promotional. 

4. Nia Shanks

There’s a lot to like about this personal website. The design is nice and clean and favors a more minimal style (which we’re a fan of). The headline on the homepage is also something we’re a big fan of. It’s direct, conveys value quickly, and doesn’t beat around the bush. She also uses the top navigation really well to point new visitors in the right direction for whatever they might need. There isn’t a lot of noise with this example, and that’s something we encourage you to emulate with your own site.

5. Simon Sinek

The design really shines here and makes this one of the best personal website examples that we encourage everyone to learn from. There’s a great use of whitespace, the typography is clean and readable, and the colors draw in the eye. The button on the top right is a fantastic example of a call to action that doesn’t take things too far.

6. Ellen Skye Riley

This is honestly one of the best personal websites we’ve ever seen. Riley does an excellent job of showcasing her incredibly gifted design skills, and her site is informative and extremely fun to read through. When a viewer enjoys browsing through your site, you know you’re on the right track to securing some more clients.

7. Tim Harford

The use of whitespace on this page really works wonders. It drives the eye to the main column where the content is the focal point. There’s also a nice call to action block that takes the visitor to his featured book, but it doesn’t distract from the overall experience. Too often you see people take things too far and plaster banners all over their personal website in order to try and get people to buy their stuff. While you definitely need to promote yourself, use this as an example of how to do it without compromising the core purpose of the site. In this case, Tim does a fantastic job making visitors aware of his work while still keeping the look and feel of a content-focused blog.

8. Joshua McCartney

McCartney’s website grabs your attention as soon as you see it. This is a great example of something that simply looks great. There’s no questioning McCartney’s skill when seeing this website, and the clever use of situating a lot of content in only two simple pages is a near perfect blend of quality content that doesn’t feel cluttered.

9. Hope Reagan

Sometimes, you want an online presence where people can get in contact with you and know you exist, but you’re not necessarily interested in having a fully fleshed out personal website, and that’s okay. Here, Reagan does a wonderful job at structuring a great looking homepage that links out to her work, while keeping it plain, simple, and stylish.

10. Dorie Clark

Dorie’s website is chock full of testimonials, speaking examples, press mentions, book reviews, and more to back up her credentials. Even if you may not have the same extensive resume (yet!), this is a great website to use as a template for how you can highlight your expertise.

11. Seth Godin

One of our favorite things about this site is the big subscribe button that you simply can’t miss. It’s obviously the most important action that Seth wants his visitors to take, and he’s not messing around trying to accomplish that. The color is definitely a pattern interrupt from most of the other blogs you see as well and really makes him stand out. The reason why this is a great personal website is it does a lot of things well and doesn’t overextend trying to be something it’s not. It’s very much on-brand with what Seth preaches in his writing, and allows the quality of the content on the site to do the heavy lifting.

12. Pascal van Gemert

Gemert shows off his skill of web development in a really nice interactive, resume website. Initially, any fans of Marvel (specifically, Captain America) are going to love this site. But if you continue to scroll, there’s really something for everybody in this personal website. You’ll also want to scroll down to the very bottom of Gemert’s site to see how he nicely positions and advertises his past projects.

13. Ximena N. Larkin

This is one of the best personal websites around in terms of accomplishing Larkin’s goal of promoting her work and getting connected with prospective clients. She also has a nice pop up that appears when you enter the site. But she’s designed in a way that isn’t annoying—actually, it’s quite helpful. This is especially true when you take into consideration the fact that this site does a great job at engaging the viewer and getting them connected to the work of Larkin.

14. Charlie Waite

Wait’s website is a great example of stellar design and personality. We really like his incorporation of a mobile screenshot, something that shows off his love of being a father and his joy of life. This same joy is captured in everything down to the color scheme of this site, which shows an attention to detail that’s much needed from a design director.

15. Tim Ferriss

As a master of promotion, Tim is someone you should look to when you want to learn how to get visitors to do what you want. With his personal website, he essentially uses it as a feed for his latest podcast content with some complimentary calls to action. The massive header and the “click to listen” is evidently something that’s working very well for him, because if it wasn’t he would have changed it by now (Tim is big on A/B testing). He uses his main menu navigation to direct visitors to his books, podcast, and shows. You can’t see it in the picture above, but he also uses a massive overlay to gain newsletter subscribers as well. Some might think it’s all a bit too aggressive, but those people probably aren’t selling as many books as Tim either.

16. Ann Handley

Ann’s personal website makes excellent use of pairing black and white imagery with bold pops of color. It also uses video baked right into the design, which provides an engaging experience as you scroll through. The site packs a lot of info but it is still easy to navigate. 

17. Anna Santos

This site is friendly, engaging, and you can really feel the warmth of Santos’ professional spirit as you browse this personal website. She also has a ton of great resources to help you see what she’s been up to and has an underlying foundation of high-quality user-friendliness. This site is also another great example of utilizing pop-ups in a way that doesn’t annoy or clutter up a homepage.

18. Kevin Koeshartono

Kevin’s site is the epitome of great design mixed with a simple and user-friendly home page. The design is young, modern, and it easily links out to his social profiles on the homepage. He also gets right to business with a clever contact button on the homepage, leaving little room for frustration for those who are less technologically-inclined. The copy is witty, the colors are captivating, and the use of video and slideshow is a perfect example of showcasing one’s development skills via their personal website.

19. Joe Mcnally

A stunning website that gets straight to the point. Instantly, it showcases Mcnally’s incredible photography skills, and it’s also nicely set up for purchasing, too. Finding an aesthetically pleasing eCommerce site can be quite difficult, but Mcnally strikes the perfect balance between design and demand.

20. Geraldine DeRuiter

This site is an excellent example of self-promotion that is authentic and real. It’s also one of the best personal website examples of somebody utilizing a clever name as a pseudonym. It’s an excellent site that promotes her book and her adventures while still maintaining a very personal feel.

Using design well

If you’re looking at all of these personal website examples and try to find commonalities there are a few that you should be aware of:

The design should always reflect your own brand, and with all of these, you can see it being done well. Tim Ferriss is a bit more aggressive with his promotion, Simon Sinek goes with a more clean and professional “thought leader” feel, and Seth Godin is all about the content.

Take a look at what makes you unique and look at your site as an opportunity to project that. Unfortunately many get intimidated by this process and think it’s going to be difficult to figure out.

It’s actually a lot easier than you think.

You’re going to naturally be drawn to certain styles and designs that reflect your brand. The biggest mistake you can make here is try to create your personal website around what you think you should like, or only what works for other people.

Use the examples above as inspiration and blend that with your natural preferences. If you do that, you will have a personal website that reflects who you are extremely well.

The balance of calls to action

Whether you are looking to create a strict resume website or want to promote a book you just finished, you want to be utilizing calls to action on your site. As you saw above, how aggressive you get with them is entirely up to you.

If you’re a freelancer or job seeker, a single call to action is probably the best way to go. Having a button or link in a prominent location (like Seth Godin) and another in the top menu navigation is a tried and true strategy.

If you’re doing a more content-focused personal website you might want to think about utilizing something in the sidebar, or within the content itself. It’s all about knowing where your visitors are going to be spending the most time and making them aware of what you’re trying to promote (without going crazy).

This is something you don’t have to get right from the get-go, and most of the people on our list are constantly changing or tweaking their sites as they go along. Constantly test what works, scrap what doesn’t, and you’ll be just fine.

Takeaways

The truth is, there’s no one right way to design a great personal website. Trends come and go, and there’s a time and place to capitalize on them, but the success of the websites listed above is that even they are modern and enticing to the current generation’s eye, they’ll still stand the test of time.

A good website is informative, inspiring, and nice to look at it. It’s not an exhaustive list of all you’ve done, and as we’ve seen, it doesn’t even have to house any of your work on the actual page site itself. As long as you learn to implement some quality design protocols, the sky is really the limit with what you can do.

Sure, depending on your niche, some designs will work better than others. But it’s more than possible to design stunning looking websites for a variety of different professional personal endeavors.

And in case you want to equip yourself a bit more with the skills needed to craft an excellent site, there’s a lot of options to better your coding skills for cheap or free of charge.

The post 20 Of The Best Personal Website Examples Around for 2022 appeared first on BrandYourself Blog | ORM and Personal Branding.

Unfortunately, most people don’t understand how to make their name searchable on Google – or why they should want to in the first place.

So let’s get this clear right now, looking good when someone googles your name is important.

Making your name appear first on Google is something that can have significant professional and personal benefits.

Not controlling how your name appears in Google will do the opposite.

If you’ve never googled your name, give it a shot and see if you’re accurately represented.

Most people do not know how to show up on Google, and that’s okay because the problem can be fixed.

Why exactly is this important? Google is the first place people turn to learn more about a person, and often times it fuels the first impression.

Think about it:

• 80 million names are Googled every single day
• 75% of HR departments are required to research candidates online
• Over 80% have turned down based on negative content
• Over half will actually make decisions based on positive content they find

It is absolutely essential you realize how to show up on Google search starts with content that puts your best foot forward (check out joshmacdonald.net to learn more). However, people are often represented by irrelevant content (like the 5K you ran 2 years ago) or by other people with the same name (our co-founder used to be mistaken for an ex-con).

Worst case scenario, this information actually harms your reputation. And the best-case scenario, these results don’t really add anything to the story you’re trying to tell.

Don’t let this get you down. By actively engaging online in a strategic way, you create an opportunity to shape how people see you when they look you up.

Below are tips designed to teach you how to have the best version of you show up at the top of Google search for your name. This is how to take control of your presence on the web with some online reputation management tips.

How To Get Your Name On Google

Fortunately, there are a handful of simple tasks you can start tackling today. Using the following steps, you can drastically improve your chances of ranking at the top of a Google search for your name.

1. Claim your domain(s)

This is definitely the highest-leverage step you can take when starting to practice how to show up on Google. Google loves domain names and helpful websites. If your keyword (in this case, your name) is featured in a domain, you will have a better chance of making your name searchable on Google. You can get free domain/websites at a site like wordpress.com. This is one of the most trusted website builders out there, and they make the process very easy.

Extra Tip:

Understanding how to add yourself to Google search goes beyond buying “yourname.com.” It’s useful to buy your domains even if you aren’t going to use them all. It limits competition from other people trying to rank similarly for your name. This means buying yourname.com, yourname.net, and yourname.org for starters. These are typically around ten dollars per year which is a small price to pay for control over your Google results.

This might seem like an intimidating process at first, but it’s actually rather simple. To learn more about how to purchase and set up your own personal domain name, visit the BrandYourself University guide, “Register a Personal Domain,” if you would like. “How to add my name in Google search list” is a very popular keyword right now (we checked), but you would be surprised how many people don’t want to invest a few extra dollars to give them the best possible chance to make it happen.

2. Put your name in key places throughout the site

This is crucial for something called keyword density and on-site optimization. If you want to truly understand how to put yourself on Google and make your name appear first on Google, this is a concept you want to pay close attention to. When Google spiders index a site, they look to see how often certain words are used to determine what the site should rank for. If your content never mentions your name, how will spiders know it’s about you? This is one of the most important things you can do to make your name searchable on Google, so don’t forget it.

One way to put this into practice immediately is to write a bio in the third person and put your name in authoritative places like navigation tabs or headings. For example, instead of an ABOUT page, call it ABOUT [YOUR NAME] page. This way, spiders know which words are most important.

But don’t go crazy with keywords. Because Google’s algorithms are constantly improving, “keyword stuffing” will actually hurt your chances of ranking better. If you start to include your name in ways that are not natural, Google will penalize your site. So stick to mentioning your name in a few key places that fit organically with the surrounding content.

3. Add keyword-rich content over time

Another valuable tip for understanding how to show up on top Google search results is to continue adding to this content over time. Just because you wrote a bio once doesn’t mean that it should stay that way forever. You have likely gained new experiences and have more accomplishments to add to the mix. This is a great opportunity to beef up your bio and include more keyword-rich content on your site. If you are continually updating your website with well-optimized information about yourself, then over time, you will cultivate a thorough site that Google will love.

4. Create links to and from your content

Links are the currency of SEO (search engine optimization) which is crucial to building your personal brand online. When faced with competing keywords, names, and websites, Google turns to links. Google considers every link as a vote for that specific web page, so the more votes a page has, the higher it will rank. If you have some competition and want to know how to make a name for yourself and make your name appear first on Google, this is one of the most effective ways to make it happen.

Another important factor in how links work is that Google weighs how credible each link is. For example, a link from CNN is seen as more credible or authoritative than a link from some no-name blog. Luckily there are some easy ways to create valuable links to and from your best results with core social media profiles.

Social Media profile examples:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Flickr
• YouTube
• And many more

These are very credible free links you can create. Although they are no-follow links (not considered as valuable as do-follow links), they carry a lot of trust. Google regularly uses them to make determinations and ranking decisions on personal search results. If you use these as a foundation, you will see that understanding how to show up on Google and making a name for yourself isn’t as tricky as it seems.

We also recommend signing up for a free account at BrandYourself to link all of these profiles together. Our free profiles allow you to plug in your social media profiles and make sure they are linking to each other and that they are completely optimized. This will allow you to quickly identify any missed opportunities and allow you to show up on Google a lot easier.

Make minor adjustments to your info:

It may be tempting to simply copy and paste a bio and headshot into your profile and link them back to your personal website when creating these profiles. However, you’ll get more bang for your buck if you regularly update and share content on these profiles.

You don’t have to spend massive amounts of time on them, but search engines will view these profiles as low-quality if they remain inactive for long stretches of time. So do what you can here and there to engage on those platforms just to keep them fresh—the more quality votes you have over your competition, the better.

A commonly overlooked strategy is to actually create outbound links from your own sites/domains back to these social media profiles as well. Create a “CONNECT WITH ME” on your sites that links to all your various profiles. This will show Google that you have a deep-reaching, interconnected online presence and will make your name searchable on Google.

You don’t have to go crazy with this and link to your social media profiles on every page of your site (something that some people try). Instead, stick to creating a little resource page for this situation- as mentioned above. Then you can feel free to include a natural link or two in other content when it makes sense. Google will be smart enough to tie things together if you stick with this strategy. If you’re interested in freelance SEO, there’s a lot that you need to learn and Superstar SEO may be able to help you.

5. Get social & create content

Google loves fresh/updated content. If you want one of the best strategies for how to show up at the top on Google search, this is it. The more active you are on your Twitter, blog, Facebook, etc. – the more credible Google will find your site. In the eyes of Google, this is what a high-quality website or social media property does. There’s no way to fake this (nor should you want to) so just do things the right way. Concentrate on creating valuable content (links, articles, etc.) that people will share.

This is beneficial for helping you show up on Google for a number of reasons. First of all, you are creating more links or “votes” to your sites. One option (if you don’t have a lot of time) is to use widgets to connect your social profiles like Twitter to your other profiles and sites so you can syndicate fresh content that you post on one to various profiles.

If you have a little extra time:

We highly recommend spreading the love around in a unique way. Tweet something interesting one day, and post a different status update on LinkedIn on another. Create a blog post here and there regarding your career or passion and share it on your site. Doing things this way is a more well-rounded content strategy that tends to perform a little better and help make your name more searchable on Google.

The other reason why this is helpful is that as you go through this process, Google will start to view all of your sites and profiles as more authoritative. When a site is deemed to have more authority, its links/votes to other sites are also more powerful. This is a way to get more value from your existing link network without changing anything directly.

6. Understand this is a process that takes time

Unfortunately, showing up in position #1 in Google search results for your name isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a process that requires time and attention. With the help of this Google Ads agency Melbourne, you can create more appealing content for your website. Be wary of any company that promises a quick fix or claims to have cracked Google’s code. Google’s algorithms are complex and take thousands of factors into consideration. The algorithms favor efforts that are genuine and even penalize efforts that attempt to overtly “game” the system. However, by following the best practices outlined above and staying on top of maintaining your online presence, you will establish a foundation that leads to long-term positive results.

Get on Google. You will be searched.

It doesn’t matter if you have an upcoming job interview, a sales call, an important meeting, or even a date. You WILL be Googled. We hope that these tips help you understand how to show up on Google and make your name more searchable. The process itself really isn’t that tricky; it’s just about taking the time to set things up and consistently update your properties over time.

If you are still unsure where to start, sign up for a free BrandYourself account. Once you have, our software will guide you through the steps you need to take to make your name more searchable on Google. You will also be given information on where your online reputation stands right now and how that is affecting your professional and personal goals.

If you have a negative search result, get in touch with a Reputation Advisor to learn about your options. Give us a call at (646)-863-8226, or schedule a consultation. Let the experts in our Managed Services department build and manage your online presence for you.

If you have any questions or are still unsure about where to go from here, get in touch however you want! Customer support, social media, email, whatever works for you. We’re always eager to help.

The post How To Show Up On The Top Of Google Search For Your Name appeared first on BrandYourself Blog | ORM and Personal Branding.

When it comes to your company’s negative reviews on Glassdoor, the phrase rings more than true, but it no longer leaves companies with a shiny and polished reputation as one might hope.

Negative Glassdoor reviews can hinder and sideline entrepreneurs and companies, debilitating their reputation, recruitment strategies, and opportunities for new business ventures — sometimes regardless of company size or seniority.

If Glassdoor reviews are hurting your company, here are the steps on how to remove negative Glassdoor reviews, and assess and manage your company’s reputation so that you can take advantage of future business goals with precision and a clean slate.

Glassdoor ratings can heavily influence the trajectory of your company

No longer can companies ignore negative or misleading reviews, thinking they have minimal to no impact on their company and leadership strategies. Many employers think of Glassdoor as merely a career community site for employees to review and detail their current and former companies of employment.

The site itself is a crucial way for companies to respond and connect with employees while positively building their reputation. In addition, Glassdoor also conducts information on workplace salaries, benefits along with other significant industry and workplace research.

According to a 2016 Glassdoor U.S. Site Survey, 70% of people now look up Glassdoor reviews for a prospective company as they search or apply for a job. The site garners over 57 million unique visitors each month on Glassdoor’s website and mobile site combined, highlighting the importance of the company as a sounding board for employees.

Candidates seek information that can help them determine what it’s like to work for a specific company, but also the potential for career development, flexibility in work/life balance, and workplace culture. While job sites may be especially important for Millennials, job seekers of all ages are using sites like Glassdoor to search your company and how they treat their employees.

At least 60% of people won’t apply to businesses with a 1-star review. Other research shows that at least half of consumers won’t conduct business with companies who have a Glassdoor review of less than 4.0/5.

Reports also show that at least 84% of people trust online customer reviews as much as a friend’s recommendation, showing the influence and credibility of online review systems.   In all, Glassdoor is a great way for companies to assess their brand, employee engagement, work culture, and how their company compares to competitors in the same niche and industry. In fact, 62% of respondents agree that their opinion of a company improves if they respond to negative or positive Glassdoor reviews.

This kind of impact illustrates why the desire to remove negative reviews from Glassdoor is so common (and understandable) for many business owners. Achieving a great company rating can impact a company in a number of ways.

A perfect company rating doesn’t exist

Earning a perfect Glassdoor score is nearly impossible. Even Google, an enviable place to work, doesn’t have a perfect Glassdoor score. In fact, an average company on Glassdoor holds a rating of 3.3 out of 5. When negative reviews roll in, that pristine glass door companies attempt to leave ajar for their employees can become muddied very quickly.

Glassdoor itself adheres to a strict policy of review management. Employees can only leave reviews that follow community guidelines for posting. To ensure legitimate reviews, those who post must certify their employee relationships and validate their email addresses. Glassdoor personnel and algorithms will then review submissions for the website’s rules.

Glassdoor itself encourages employees to write well-balanced, fair reviews that highlight both positive and negative aspects of the job. The guidelines state that users can’t post confidential knowledge, threatening language, defamatory remarks, or otherwise false information. However, that won’t stop negative or vengeful employees, past or present, from venting their frustrations online.

To determine whether your company remains on good terms with your current employee base, you’ll have to find your average Glassdoor score and the total number of reviews. Next, determine if the number of negative reviews is a small or large percentage of the total number of employees that work for you. If the amount is small, it’s not a significant representation of most employee experiences. In the other case, you may want to rethink your HR management and company culture initiatives.

Of course, employers may be shaken by their first negative Glassdoor review, especially if they think it’s unjustified. As a result, companies often want to learn how to remove negative Glassdoor reviews. Don’t worry, not matter your situation you have plenty of options.

How Can I Remove A Bad Glassdoor Review?

So you’ve gotten enough negative Glassdoor reviews to make an impact on your company’s reputation. Unfortunately, most companies don’t notice they have negative reviews until they start to pile up.

A negative review can dramatically debilitate a company’s ability to grow revenue, recruit impressionable, top-tier talent, and attract lucrative investors. So, how do you remove negative reviews on Glassdoor?

Unfortunately, Glassdoor does not remove negative reviews unless there are legal reasons to remove them. This means your options for directly removing a bad Glassdoor review are limited (we’ll explain other possibilities below).

As both human and robot analytics reviews all employee posts, its is likely to have met the standards and guidelines of an acceptable post. However, if you feel that the content of a review is out of line, you can contact Glassdoor to determine if they have the right to take it down. Glassdoor may have the ability to:

Flag Questionable Content: If an employee does post any false, misleading, or defamatory content, the company or subject of the harmful review may contact a Glassdoor representative to flag the content. If the terms are violated, Glassdoor will flag content as a violation. It will be reviewed by moderators who will then have it removed from the site if deemed inappropriate.

However, since Glassdoor does have strict and thorough vetting and guideline process for reviews, it is unlikely Glassdoor’s employees or natural language processing algorithms will flag and remove bad reviews already published on their site without good reason for community guideline violations or due to legitimate legal consequences.

This means you have to think outside the box

Although you may have negative reviews on your businesses’ Glassdoor profile, there are numerous ways to use the site as a promotional tool while helping to suppress bad reviews naturally. This will accomplish the same thing as removing a negative review from Glassdoor, since no one will notice it within a group of positive reviews.

Since getting them to flag and remove content is highly unlikely, as well as a tedious and slow process if it does pan out, these are other beneficial approaches to harness Glassdoors’ review tools and reinvent your company’s online reputation:

Step 1: Optimize Your Glassdoor Profile

Employees aren’t the only people able to create profiles on Glassdoor. A free employer account (verified when you sign up with your company’s email account) allows you to optimize your update public company information, view analytics and profile visits to your company’s page, and respond to both positive and negative reviews.

Pro tip: If you want to stay ahead of the game, a subscription also allows you to add more details to your company’s profile. For example, you can feature a positive review of your choice, along with your company’s details and jobs on competitors’ pages. The strategic step can help you become more engaged with your employees and a large pool of talented job seekers.

Step 2: Respond to Positive and Negative Reviews

Your next step to improve your company’s Glassdoor rating is to start responding to positive and negative reviews. Responding to the negative glassdoor reviews is one positive start to redeem a company or CEO’s reputation. Now, 62% of people report their perception of a company improves if they respond to negative Glassdoor reviews.

This little trick can help soften the blow and public perception, so if you can’t remove a bad Glassdoor review you should always make this a priority.

Pro tip: When a company takes the time out of their schedule to respond to a negative review, it highlights their willingness to find a solution to a problem, even if that problem could have been handled differently at the time. In fact, ignoring negative reviews only emphasizes an employee’s complaints and may also indicate the company doesn’t care about its employees. However, personalized responses with sincere apologies can provide the employee with the autonomy to get the help he or she needs. Potential job candidates may find this an attribute of the company.

Don’t forget to reply to the positive reviews, too! Happy employees often feel that a personal response from the company shows how they go above-and-beyond extends a sense of appreciation and value that can take a satisfied employee to a brand ambassador.

Step #3: Encourage Employees to Leave Reviews

People who want to complain are more likely to use Glassdoor to vent their frustrations and dissatisfaction with their role and relationships within the company. It’s harder to convince employees who are satisfied with their jobs to go online and leave a review. One way to promote positive employee engagement within your company is to send review requests. In fact, Glassdoor encourages employers to ask their employees to offer fair and constructive reviews online.

The best ways to motivate employees to leave reviews include:

• Offering guidance into the review process and guaranteed anonymity
• Letting them know how it helps the company
• Allowing them the choice to review
• Asking them at the right time and place
• Informing them on the review process

Many times, companies hire third-party agencies with expertise in review management to ask employees on their behalf, so the request seems more business-minded and less personal.

Instead of trying to remove negative Glassdoor reviews, they can be counteracted when you ask responsible, long-term employees for their support and insights into the companies review process. Ask marketing staff, managers, and tenured colleagues to write some of the first reviews on the site. Current employees who have stayed with the company for a long time are more likely to give positive reviews and offset the number of negative reviews.

Pro tip: Avoid asking all your employees to review at once. An inundation of positive reviews looks suspicious all at once. Besides, negative reviews tend to filter in at incremental paces so that the positive reviews will get buried underneath newer, negative ones.

Remember to be as helpful, authentic, and transparent during this process. Make sure you give exact directions to your employees and ensure that their privacy will remain protected throughout the review process.

Step #4: Motivate Review Requests with Positivity and Team-Building Moments

There are convenient times to ask your colleagues for help with Glassdoor reviews. Specific staff members may be more enthusiastic to provide reviews after they’ve had a professional success or after a team goal was met. In addition, creating a positive corporate culture can remind employees of the benefits of working at your company. If you offer promotions, recognize good work, or plan fun group activities, your employees feel more respected and appreciated. And one more brilliant tip that we can give you is to always reward your employees, as that is a brilliant way of motivating them. We signed up to a fantastic flexible employee benefits platform recently and it’s incredible how well it’s worked, so that’s our recommendation for employee benefits.

Pro tip: Think about investing more time to connect with employees, ask them their opinions, and mentor them if needed. Scheduling events that allow professional interoffice relationships to blossom can help grow foster satisfaction in the workplace. A critical practice is to develop review request language after these vital team-building moments occur. When an employee experiences a professional win or bonding moment, then make sure to contact them directly with a review request. Employees will feel more willing to give glowing reviews for a company which shows that they value them.

Step #5: Adapt your Business Model Based on Reviews

Since Glassdoor reviews are anonymous, employers can receive honest and detailed feedback on their strengths and shortcomings. These insights often provide companies with the ability to make informed decisions on how to address anything from complaints, compliments, to constructive suggestions.

As anonymous feedback allows the employee air their most earnest concerns, business leaders can discuss trends that are both positive and worrisome. If you notice that the workforce is excited by small perks, like Summer Fridays, it’s worth offering remaining flexible and offering similar benefits in the future. It can also show how the thoughtful side of the company.

Pro tip: Assess where workplace culture, HR policies, or other inclusive strategies that can help build rapport and satisfaction for a positive career experience for all employees. Your company and its leadership are only as good as how you treat and communicate with your employees. Employers have a unique opportunity to make the workplace a more educational and positive place for everyone. If companies stay focused on supporting and providing positive experiences for their employees, they can even end up on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work list.

The Best Approach: Hire A Reputation Specialist

It’s hard for most companies to achieve a 4+ Glassdoor rating without a review management strategy. It’s hard to prompt happy employees to give reviews on a whim. Most likely, on a job review site, you’re going to find disgruntled former employees.

Creating a review management process for your company allows your business to beat inherent negative bias and help potential employees make the right career choice.

But if your company’s strategy focuses on pressuring your employees into writing positive reviews for your Glassdoor campaign, then you are not only defying Glassdoor’s policies, but the reputation management process may be considered null-and-void in the future, since you’re creating an inauthentic and demanding environment for  your workforce.

One way to immediately counteract negative Glassdoor reviews is to hire an external agency to help with branding and online reputation management. As part of this service, Glassdoor review management can help boost your online reputation, credibility, and overall score.

As mentioned above, timing and employee buy-in are essential for negating negative online reviews. But creating and executing a strategy takes a lot of expertise and cohesive planning. It often becomes a full-time position for someone at a company. This way you understands how to remove bad Glassdoor reviews, and when other methods are needed instead.

Instead, companies may want to manage their Glassdoor reviews by hiring some outside help. In fact, utilizing such an agency can provide your company with many great insights into the review process and how to connect with your employees in more satisfactory ways going forward.

An external agency can help you manage the Glassdoor review process in three key areas:

Economics:

If you want to save time and money, an outside agency may be the easiest route to go. Companies should determine the cost of a salary for an in-house position. Dividing that salary by 12 months can offer a comparative analysis to an agency’s quote. The average HR coordinator in the US makes approximately $48,000 a year.

However, businesses need to take into account the cost of recruiting for the job, including advertising and the recruitment fee which now stands at around 20 percent of the employee’s salary. Also, the employer’s tax cost, benefits, and health insurance need to be factored in.

Costs for hiring and retaining talent also need to be determined. Finding the figures for each step of the process can determine if there is economic value to your company. Although, most of the time hiring an external agency has many economic benefits that can save you both time and money.

Employee engagement:

It can be a hardship for some leaders or companies to send a review request to employees. Often, reputational issues tied to corporations can be extremely sensitive topics and its a challenge to ask every employee to review without coming off as desperate or coercive.

Often companies need to take into consideration that most employees at companies are motivated to leave positive reviews if and when they understand how it helps the company. They also need to be ensured that their reviews are kept anonymous. They should also not feel pressured to leave a review.

However, working with an outside agency can help negate the uncomfortable aspects of asking. When the hired agency asks employees on behalf of the employer to leave Glassdoor reviews, it can appear as a more authentic goal rather than a disingenuous chore. External agencies often extend the legitimacy and confidentiality that often comes with independent parties, so that employees have a more organic time believing that the company is genuinely looking for feedback instead of using each employee as a means to end a problem.

As mentioned before, employees are encouraged to be honest, so employers need to make sure they extend respect to every part of the review process in their everyday and overall management process.

When the company’s business team understands that they are addressing the problem thoughtfully and professionally, then they’ll be much more likely to give accurate, constructive, and positive feedback on the review.

Expertise:

If your company is looking for help with Glassdoor, it’s probable that your team hasn’t worked with the review process before. Determining the best economic decision can be more complicated than just comparing salaries to the agency quote. If you want to manage a well-thought review management campaign, business leaders will also have to take into account the expertise that’s required for the job.

Ask yourself if your employees have confronted review management issues before. It’s important to assess the learning curb that occurs as the reviewer learns the necessary software and while you implement a company-wide review process. Employers also have to think about the possibility of the situation becoming worse while the team discovers the review process through trial and error.

Companies always need to stay on top of their Glassdoor reviews promptly since competitors are just a click away. When hiring an external agency, it’s best to think about how to avoid that learning curve or lengthy experiment in the workplace. In the long run, hiring an external agency can quickly and efficiently tackle those negative reviews with quality precision.

For any business, the best bet is to save your time and energy to focus on your employees and business strategy. Leaving the expertise to an external agency can more quickly provide the feedback you need to make essential changes and fix any internal workplace issues that are causing negative Glassdoor reviews. Overall, the data you receive can help you adjust your business strategy to help benefit everyone that makes your company a success.

A Better Glassdoor Page Can Lead to Better Opportunities

An improved Glassdoor can lead to a myriad of opportunities for your company. However, it won’t get better without a happy work culture that supports the efforts and lifestyles of individual employees. It’s necessary to improve your HR and workplace strategies. Then also have a look at giving your staff excellent employee benefits as that is a sure-fire way of making them happier. Otherwise, you won’t truly remove fake or negative Glassdoor reviews for good.

Organically and strategically addressing the issues that have caused negative reviews can lead to many opportunities down the road and help you and your company avoid a reputational nightmare. Instead, your Glassdoor reviews can become a beneficial recruiting tool that helps you build your reputation in and outside of the workplace.

In the long-run, you’ll be able to make that Glassdoor shine like new again for better business opportunities and prospects.

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