Latest news with #digitalfootprint
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why It's Important To Tailor Your Personal Branding Strategy To AI
Jason Barnard is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, keynote speaker and award-winning innovator. He's the CEO & founder of Kalicube. You're already building a personal brand—intentionally or not. Maybe you're following a framework like Donald Miller's StoryBrand or Simon Sinek's The Golden Circle. Or maybe you're doing it in a more ad hoc way through thought leadership, keynote speaking, media features or consistent LinkedIn publishing. Regardless of the approach, one thing is now unavoidably true: In the age of AI, your digital footprint is either a risk factor or a revenue driver. While you've been focused on positioning for people, AI and search engines have been forming their own version of your story. And if you're not deliberately structuring that version, it will never match your strategy. That disconnect is a hidden risk—and a missed opportunity that compounds every day. AI is already the world's most powerful influencer. I believe AI platforms like Google's AI Mode, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT and Perplexity are already the most influential discovery engines on the planet. They decide what people see, who gets mentioned and which experts, founders and professionals get surfaced in high-stakes moments. These systems aren't just looking at your content, they're making sense of it, summarizing it and choosing whether to trust it. And they're doing this on an unimaginable scale: trillions of niche conversations with billions of people who trust their recommendations every single day. When these systems understand who you are and how you fit, they can amplify your authority and visibility a thousand-fold. But if your identity isn't clear, credible and aligned for them, they'll either misrepresent you or ignore you entirely. Most branding efforts are optimized for people, not platforms. This is where even seasoned professionals get blindsided. You might have a strong message, polished content and real traction with your audience, but if AI can't understand it, verify it and deliver it to the right people, you're not just being overlooked. You're being replaced. Right now, AI systems are deciding who to surface, recommend and trust in every niche. If your digital presence isn't structured in a way they can process, they'll likely default to fragmented bios, outdated content or third-party narratives that no longer reflect your true value. And they won't pause to ask if they got it wrong. The risk isn't just invisibility. The risk is displacement. Your competitors, even those with less experience or weaker credentials, can secure your place at the top simply because they've structured their digital identity for AI. They've taken what they've built and made it understandable, credible and deliverable to the machines running the show. Meanwhile, your brand still looks great to humans but the platforms that now drive discovery, trust and opportunity don't see you. Adapting your brand strategy now could lead to a competitive edge. The opportunity is massive. When AI understands who you are, believes in your authority and knows exactly who needs to find you, it can amplify your visibility a thousand-fold. It can put your name in boardrooms before you arrive, shape investor research before your pitch and introduce you as the expert before you even speak. This is your moment to lock in the positioning you've worked so hard to earn before the AI defines it for you. If you want AI to get your story right and become your biggest advocate, you need structure. That means aligning your website, bios and digital footprint around where you're going (not where you've been!). Clean up legacy content, unify your message across platforms and make sure the most powerful algorithms in the world can understand, believe and recommend you to the right audience. This is the multiplier for everything you're already doing: PR, speaking, content, positioning. You've earned the credibility, you've created the momentum. Now give AI the structure it needs to amplify you. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Globe and Mail
07-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Ross B. Williams of Modern Profits to Speak on Digital Branding at GHL Assembly in Las Vegas
Ross B. Williams, founder of Modern Profits, will speak at the 2025 GHL Assembly in Las Vegas, sharing his expert insights on personal branding and building a digital footprint for entrepreneurs. Las Vegas, NV - July 7, 2025 - Ross B. Williams, the award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Modern Profits, will take the stage at this year's GHL Assembly in Las Vegas, where he will deliver a high-impact talk on the power of personal branding and how entrepreneurs can dominate their niche with a strong digital footprint. Hosted by Andy Audate and Dakota Routh, GHL Assembly is a premier three-day event bringing together top marketers, SaaSpreneurs, and agency owners from around the world to learn, network, and elevate their businesses with GoHighLevel's industry-leading platform. The event will be held July 10-12 at Kiln in Las Vegas, NV. How Personal Branding Drives Digital Dominance: Williams' talk will center on how entrepreneurs can utilize their personal story, positioning, and content ecosystem to stand out online, attract their ideal clients, and establish long-term authority. 'Your brand is your leverage,' says Williams. 'When you become known for something specific, and you own the digital real estate that reflects it, your business becomes easier to grow, scale, and automate.' During his session, attendees will learn: How to position themselves as an authority (even without a big audience) The 5 components of a magnetic digital footprint Tools and tech that automate brand visibility and lead generation Williams will also discuss how AI and automation when paired with personal branding, create a compounding effect that accelerates audience growth and sales. The Man Behind Modern Profits Ross B. Williams is no stranger to the entrepreneurial spotlight. He is the founder of Modern Profits, a marketing agency known for its tagline: "Building brands people remember and buy from — making them easy to find and hard to ignore." He is also the creator of the Modern Profits Mastermind Cruise, where 50 entrepreneurs gather annually to connect and scale, guided by the event's mantra: "Your next level begins in the right place, with the right people." With over 25 years of experience in sales, branding, and event creation, Williams brings a rare mix of corporate success and creative marketing vision. He earned North American Salesperson of the Year and built a single-city sales territory to $4 million/year in face-to-face sales. He is also a ClickFunnels Two Comma Club Award winner for generating over $1 million in online sales through a single funnel. A proud Florida State University graduate with a double major in finance and real estate, and a four-year varsity cheerleader, Williams now channels his energy into empowering other entrepreneurs with tools, frameworks, and systems that deliver results. Why GHL Assembly Matters GHL Assembly is more than a conference. It's a high-energy experience designed to empower entrepreneurs with cutting-edge marketing strategies and the latest in automation and software innovation. From tactical workshops to elite-level networking, it's where digital marketers come to get ahead. Williams' session promises to be one of the highlights, especially for those looking to stand out in crowded markets and maximize their GoHighLevel investment. Visit to learn more or reserve your seat. Media Contact Company Name: Modern Profits: Ross B. Williams Contact Person: Ross B. Williams Email: Send Email Phone: (321) 754-7409 City: Orlando State: FL Country: United States Website:
The Independent
01-07-2025
- The Independent
Does covering your child's face with an emoji actually protect them?
Many parents use emojis to cover their children's faces in online photos, aiming to balance sharing family moments with Privacy concerns. Lisa Ventura, a cybersecurity specialist, cautions that obscuring faces with emojis offers virtually no real Privacy protection, calling it 'security theatre' rather than effective security. Even with faces hidden, identifiable information such as school uniforms, age, build, location data, and daily routines can still be shared, contributing to a Child 's digital profile. The primary concern is not the removal of emojis, but the cumulative data from multiple posts over time, which can inadvertently create significant privacy risks. Ventura recommends parents carefully consider the story a photo tells, including metadata and background details, and prioritize children's future autonomy over their digital footprint.
Irish Times
19-06-2025
- Irish Times
Travelling to the US and need to detox your phone? Here's how
Enter your name into any search engine and you'll quickly find dozens of results. In the online era, our social media handles, place of work, even family members and addresses can easily be uncovered within a couple of clicks. A few minutes of digging and the jigsaw puzzle of your life is pieced together and laid bare for all to see. Digital footprints have become a bigger-than-ever talking point for those looking to visit the US. Recent developments allow for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents to carry out searches of mobile phones at checkpoints. It was announced today that students will be asked to unlock social media profiles to allow officials to review their online activity before being granted educational and exchange visas. Failing to do so means being suspected of hiding activity from US officials. Among the reasons for checks being carried out are 'any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States'. Online forums are blowing up with questions about how to sanitise devices and digital footprints in advance of visa requests or before entering the country. Here are a few steps you can take to reduce the risk of being turned away. READ MORE Now that you've hopefully taken a few deep breaths, assess your surface-level online presence. Consider deleting any social media posts that raise red flags. A simple principle to go by with your device is 'out of sight out of mind'. Don't underestimate the power of a printed boarding pass, and carrying travel documents with you in paper format. Turn your phone off and stow it away in your bag or pocket before approaching a CBP agent, cross your fingers and hope to fly under the radar. However, it's advisable to be more thorough with your methods. Expert suggestions range from pre-screening and making modifications to your personal smartphone before travelling – including deleting incriminating photos, messages and inessential apps – to investing in a clean travel device. When it comes to modifying your current phone, Apple and Google have recently made it possible to add an extra shield of authentication to apps you may want to hide by placing them in a separate folder. [ Direct flights to Cancún may say more about the US than Mexico Opens in new window ] Android's 'private spaces' can also be turned on in the security and privacy settings menu of your phone, while prolonged pressing of an app on iOS will present the option to place it in a hidden folder. Do with that information what you like. Now it might sound extreme, but privacy and digital rights advocates largely favour building a travel device from scratch. In saying that, it's important to beware that a phone that is too squeaky clean can arouse suspicion, doing more harm than good. [ 'My sister is ill in Ireland, but we are suspending our travel plans': Irish in US voice fear over border arrests Opens in new window ] Starting off with a clean slate is one way to practise 'data minimisation', reducing the data available to another person. Put just what you'll need for a trip on the phone; maybe you want to include alternate social media accounts [ie a 'finsta' – a fake Insta(gram) account where you haven't posted anything that could be deemed controversial] and a separate account for end-to-end encrypted communications using an app like WhatsApp. By building from the ground up, you're able to be selective with what can potentially turn up during a manual search. In cases where CBP deems 'reasonable suspicion' of a crime, it may say a more thorough 'advanced search' could be carried out. This is where a device is connected to external equipment and its contents can be reviewed, copied, or analysed. Digital rights groups like San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation have developed a range of in-depth tool kits dedicated to promoting ' surveillance self-defence '. While it is yet to be seen how hard US border control will be clamping down, it's better to be safe than sorry.
CBS News
15-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Scottie Scheffler deleted his Venmo account over unwanted activity. Here's what to do if that happens to you.
How to clean up your digital footprint and protect against online scams Much like a golf course, Venmo can bring some unexpected traps and other hazards. The popular payment app enables users to send requests and payments to Venmo accounts listed as public — a default setting that opened up a can of worms for the world's top golfer, Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler, 28, who is competing in the U.S. Open this week, said Tuesday that he deleted the app after receiving a string of unwanted financial requests and payments from strangers betting on his performance. "That's why I had to get rid of my Venmo because I was either getting paid by people or people requesting me a bunch of money when I didn't win. It wasn't a good feeling," the 16-time PGA Tour winner recently told reporters, according to CBS Sports. While he occasionally received small payments after winning a game, Scheffler said he more typically got requests from gamblers looking to cash in if he had lost. "I don't remember the most that somebody would send me," he said. "Maybe a couple bucks here or there. That didn't happen nearly as much as the requests did." Ordinary Venmo users may not attract the same attention on the app as Scheffler, but they can still benefit from knowing how to protect their privacy on the payment platform. Read on for tips on how to navigate Venmo safely. What should I do if I get an unexpected payment or request on Venmo? With the proliferation on online scams, Venmo encourages its users to play it safe. If you get a payment from a stranger, Venmo says you should not accept the transfer, but instead contact the app's support team. Likewise, payment requests from suspicious accounts, or people you don't know, should also be declined, the company says. "In some cases, you may receive a payment request from someone who appears to be a friend or relative," Venmo warns on its website. "This can be a common scam tactic, so we recommend contacting your friend or family member outside of Venmo to confirm the legitimacy of the request before taking any action." For more information on how to safely use Venmo, the company's website outlines common mobile payment scams and how to avoid them. Can everyone see my Venmo payment history? Paying your roommate for the electricity bill? Others might be able to see that transaction on Venmo, depending on your account settings. If your profile is public, which is the default setting on the app, then each of your payment transactions will appear on Venmo's main feed, making them visible to anyone online. That includes information on who you're paying, when you paid them and what you're paying them for — cue the pizza emoji. To limit the number of people who can see your transactions, you can switch your privacy settings to "Friends only" or "Private." The "Friends only" setting makes your payment transactions visible to Venmo friends only. The "Private" setting, the most restrictive of the three options, limits payment visibility to the two parties engaged in the transaction. Venmo also allows you to retroactively change your transactions to private mode which would hide your entire payment history, according to a company spokesperson. If you're paying or requesting money from someone who has different privacy setting than you, Venmo will default to whoever's setting is more restrictive. For example, if your account is private and you're making a payment to someone with a public account, the payment will automatically be private, and only visible to you and the recipient.
