Brand-Yourself.com
Posted by admin in 
While starting up DWE I ran across a newer company based out of Syracuse’s Tech Garden during a “How To” free Powerpoint presentation back in August, 2010 called Brand-Yourself.com (we’ll reference them as BY through the remainder of this blog). During the presentation guided by Patrick Ambron, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, I was a bit fascinated with what BY had done with a combination of their own proprietary software fused with some of the very same technology utilized here at DWE. I must admit that I was a bit excited to see that my choice of platform (WordPress) was also being used by a company who has been featured in the likes of Mashable, CBS, CNY Business Journal, NBC, ABC, and The Huffington Post to name a few.
So what are these former Syracuse University students doing that is blog and news-worthy? They’re taking back control of what’s called “online reputation” by offering a way to control the search results that search engines like Google produce with your name or company name. From what I learned through Evan McGowan-Watson, VP Sales, the idea was spawned from a not-so-successful attempt by one of the partners of BY to acquire an internship while attending Syracuse University. Apparently one of the partners kept getting declined for internships despite great interviews, a stellar resume, and great references. During one of this students final interviews he was informed that a Google search of his name was resulting in drug and alcohol-related misdemeanors (and possibly felonies). This introduced the SU student to the potential flaws of search engine-based research and how important it has become to control your online reputation. Note: the misdemeanors were related to another person with the same name and similar age range.
So far the crew at BY has been a poster-child for aspiring entrepreneur students at SU. They have acquired their first round of seed money quoted as being approximately $275K (Mashable), have several new major accounts (including an initial 4,100 graduating students at Syracuse University, and an updated contract to include an even larger population of undergraduate students), and have clearly taken control of their online reputation along with thousands of others throughout the nation.
For more information on Brand-Yourself.com you should check out their website. They have great information, a free downloadable eBook, a “Google Grader” (tells you your “Google Grade” based on search results of your name), and options for both individuals and corporations.
Dan’s Scores:
Innovation: 5 Stars (New concept, nationally recognized)
Technology: 5 Stars (Using cutting-edge tech coding and API)
Environment: 5 Stars (Located at the Tech Garden in Downtown Syracuse, couches, ample coffee, and beer)