Student Branding Academy

This 6-lesson course gives students a purpose online so they can protect their online image (and avoid the bad parts of the internet).

Students will leave with a website that shows their projects, passion and public service so they can start building a positive online image.

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Student Branding Academy How good students can fix bad Google results (to get into their dream college/internship)

What students and families think of our program

"Our kids were relieved to have someone tell them, 'hey, it's great to use it (social media) and you can brand yourself in a positive way for future college, career and volunteer endeavors.' Rather than 'it's bad, stay away from it, etc...'"
–Mollie McNally, Blue Valley High School, Assistant Principal
Josh was so helpful and I was able to learn so much about how to create a positive digital footprint. His training makes it easier to organize your talents/projects in a way that colleges aren’t able to see in essays.”
–Emmy R., High School Student
"In addition to using Instagram, Twitter and Facebook as a portfolio, Josh gave students pointers that helped to keep their information private. Everyone left with a clear road map that they can use for the next few months to make sure they shine online."  –Tracy Rampy, Educator, Southeast Kansas Education
Educators: Contact Us To Learn More About This Program
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Here's what to expect in this program:

Preview: What you can find when you audit your student’s Google results (and why you should take this course with your student)

What do the Google search results for your student’s name reveal about him or her? We’ll show you different ways college recruiters and employers will search for your student online and exactly what they could find.

Google Search results graphic

Lesson 1: Planning your online brand

Your student will learn how to plan their future college and career goals and develop the message they want colleges and employers to discover about them.

Planning your portfolio

Lesson 2: Creating a positive digital footprint and building your student’s portfolio

Your students will learn, step-by-step, how to create an online portfolio and how to brand their social media to shine online. We’ll teach them proven methods to showcase their interests, talents, passions, and goals. They will learn how to tell their story and get discovered.

Online portfolio

Lesson 3: Launching your online portfolio and fine-tuning your digital footprint

We’ll show your student how to fill the first page of their Google search results with content they would be proud to show off. We’ll show them how to handle the technical SEO (search engine optimization) part while they focus on setting up additional networks and microsites to boost their digital presence.

Designing Google results

Lesson 4: Updating your social media accounts to support your portfolio

Hands-on training to launch your student's new portfolio so it shows up when college admissions and future employers type their name in Google. Students will learn how to build their site's authority using social media, links, and photos. We’ll teach your students how to fine tune their online reputation by continually adding to it as they advance through school.

Launching your website

Graduates of the Student Branding Academy (SBA) have earned scholarships, landed jobs, and stood out from competition when applying to their dream college

38% of college admissions officers say what they find online has a positive impact on prospective students (Kaplan).

What Happens When Students Don't Create a Positive Online Brand?

Why should your student build a portfolio?

Wall Street Journal logoCollege Admissions in a COVID Year: SATs are Out Personal Stories are In (News headline)

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FAQs

How does the program work?

Once you enroll, you'll get access to the six learning modules. Each learning module guides you through that lesson's coursework with videos, worksheets, and hands-on activities. Throughout the course, Josh will hold live Zoom office hours to answer any questions you have.

How much does it cost?

This program is normally $499 per student.

What if I want to include two students in the program?

Upon checkout you will have the option of enrolling another student for a discounted rate.

How much of a time commitment is the SBA?

Each learning module can be watched in about 30 minutes. After the learning module, your student can work on their online brand/homework for about 30 additional minutes per week. That’s about one-hour per week for six-weeks.

Can my student work through the program solo, or do I need to be there with them?

It’s best if you (the parent) join them so you can work together to help them. However, your student is welcome to login and watch the videos on their own if they are self-motivated enough to stay on task.

Will my student interact with anyone other than the SmartSocial.com Team?

Our platform/modules don’t allow your student to communicate with other members in the program. During office hours, we may feature other students/parents to highlight their questions and online brand.

What is your refund policy?

The short answer is yes! We provide refunds. If for some reason you work through the first 3-modules of SBA and it doesn’t feel like a fit, simply reach out to our team and we’ll give you a full refund.

Here’s how it works: By the end of these 21 days, you’ll have received access to the first three modules of SBA. Meaning, you’ll have had the opportunity to audit your student’s Google results, plan out their online brand/story and start building their portfolio. If you don’t feel totally confident and motivated by your student’s online plan they created, simply fill out this form, show us you’ve put in the work, and we’ll refund your investment. We don’t want any tire-kickers here. If you don’t commit to putting in the work, we can’t help you shine online, so be prepared to dedicate time to work through the lessons.

Do I have to pay for my student’s website or are there any additional costs in building their digital footprint?

Most of the websites we build are on a free platform. The only additional cost will be if you choose to buy a .com, .net or .org domain name for your student. These are usually $12/year and are renewed if you want to keep your student’s website short to include on a resume/application.

Do you work with schools to implement this?

Yes! Schools can learn more here and set up a call and partner with us to implement this program in their community.

Who will instruct each course?

Josh Ochs will teach each of the learning modules (and live Zoom sessions). Josh is the author of six books that teach the world how to shine online (and keep their kids safe on social media). Josh has taught over 250,000 students how to shine online as he traveled (and now Zooms!) all over the country speaking to middle school and high school students in over 27 states. Learn more about Josh Ochs here.

How will you go about fixing my student’s Google results?

We start by teaching them how to audit their current Google results, then we help your student to build the story they want to be known for, and then we build a SEO (search engine optimization) rich online portfolio to improve their digital footprint.

Will a portfolio/website leak personal information that a predator could use to contact my student(s)?

Great question! Have you googled your kids and found your home address? All of your info is usually already out there and online. Your cell phone, home address, social media posts, & a doppelganger who got arrested! When you build an online brand for your student, they begin to use their smartphone (and social media) with a purpose instead of a past time. Their portfolio will push down all of the other personally identifiable information. A personal profile guides your kids to show what is safe to put online.

What personal information will you need from my student to build their portfolio?

When building their portfolio, your student should include their name, school, grade and any projects they want to share with their dream college/career. All of this info can be reviewed by you (the parent) before it’s published, so you know what your student might share before it goes live.

What are office hours?

All members can join our LIVE office hours during the week on Zoom and Josh will answer any questions you have. During office hours (30-90 minutes) he will help your student(s) to work through questions they have about their online brand, portfolio, messaging, storytelling, project descriptions, SEO (search engine optimization) and much more.

How much does it cost to bring this program to my school?

Every school has different needs. Fill out our form to request a custom quote.

What if I start this program but I don’t have time to finish the modules in 6 weeks?

Take as much time as you need! It’s best to try and complete the program in the first 6 weeks so you can take advantage of the office hours and live training. However, you will have access to the modules for up to one year from your enrollment date.

Educators: Contact Us To Learn More About This Program
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How Schools Benefit From Our Student Branding Academy

We take a positive approach to social media and create fun, easy to follow video workshops and training guides that engage students in the classroom (and at home). We also offer customized, virtual presentations to teach students to shine online.

Conversation bubbles

Reduce the negative impact of a student's negative social media post hurting your community

Smiling face cartoon

Minimize stress on parents by creating a plan that protects each family at home and at school

Create a positive digital culture on campus that promotes healthy screen time habits

Arrow signs

Establish a roadmap for your students' social media education

Graduation cap

Turn your students into positive examples of students who help others

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Learn how to teach students to use social media for good

Educators: Learn How to Bring This Program to Your School

Some graphics on this page are courtesy of freepik.com