Looking back at some blog statistics, it seems that readers can’t get enough of Google alternatives. Google is great, and – I must admit – it’s my usual starting point. But Google has its limitations, and sometimes we need more. Maybe it’s more privacy. Perhaps you need something more specialized. Or maybe you’re frustrated with […]
If you read this blog, you know that I frequently advise others to conduct a background investigation on themselves. It pays to know what others find when they search for your name on Google or another search engine. But what if the news isn’t good? What if, among your results, you discover information that you […]
Happy New Year to all! I’ve always loved this time of year. Days start getting longer, there’s optimism in the air, and it offers an opportunity for a fresh start. I also like to reflect on the past year and lessons learned. 2019 was full of surprises, and it had its ups and downs – […]
This post was originally published in May 2018. Have you ever run a background check on yourself? I’m not talking about just googling your name. I’m talking about checking court and other public records, news, and even social media, and taking a deeper dive into your digital footprint to see what others might find out […]
I’m busy with holidays, client work, and completing a big new project (watch for announcements), so I’ll be running some oldies-but-goodies for the next month or so. Enjoy this one, originally published in March 2019. No matter the type of research or investigations that you do, it’s important to prepare. Before you start your interviews, […]
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 20 years since that fateful email message – the one that changed my career. At the time, I was in grad school, about to earn a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. I was working two part-time library jobs, and one thing I learned from both jobs […]
It’s time for another of rerun of a top post for the year. This was originally posted in April 2019. I’m currently reading One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer, a book about taking small actions to ease into new habits. When we make any sort of change, we […]
I’ve just returned from Orlando after attending the incredible OSMOSIS conference, where I heard well-known speakers and networked with hundreds of other investigators. At the Bits & Bytes networking event, I also had the opportunity to present a short table talk on Subcontracting Success: Top Tips for Making it Work. I love this topic because, […]
This was originally published in March 2019. Since it was the top post for the past year, and I’m preparing some upcoming presentations on this very topic, I thought a rerun was in order. Enjoy! As a researcher and investigator – and a former librarian – I’ve done a lot of online database searching. I’ve […]
TMI. Too much information. Can the results of an investigation or research project provide so much information, that it’s overwhelming? To you and your client? A recent question from a colleague reminded me that it’s not always about finding too little or, worse, no information. Here’s what what happened during a background investigation she was […]
Confirming what you know and finding what you don't
Time for a change: Google alternatives
January 27, 2020 / by Marcy Phelps / Search tools / 2 comments
Looking back at some blog statistics, it seems that readers can’t get enough of Google alternatives. Google is great, and – I must admit – it’s my usual starting point. But Google has its limitations, and sometimes we need more. Maybe it’s more privacy. Perhaps you need something more specialized. Or maybe you’re frustrated with […]
Read more
Why it pays to pay for online information
January 13, 2020 / by Marcy Phelps / Information sources / 2 comments
If you read this blog, you know that I frequently advise others to conduct a background investigation on themselves. It pays to know what others find when they search for your name on Google or another search engine. But what if the news isn’t good? What if, among your results, you discover information that you […]
Read more
What I learned in 2019
January 1, 2020 / by Marcy Phelps / Odds & Ends / 2 comments
Happy New Year to all! I’ve always loved this time of year. Days start getting longer, there’s optimism in the air, and it offers an opportunity for a fresh start. I also like to reflect on the past year and lessons learned. 2019 was full of surprises, and it had its ups and downs – […]
Read more
Top post: Conduct a background check on yourself – It’s worth it
December 11, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence, Tips/Techniques / 1 comment
This post was originally published in May 2018. Have you ever run a background check on yourself? I’m not talking about just googling your name. I’m talking about checking court and other public records, news, and even social media, and taking a deeper dive into your digital footprint to see what others might find out […]
Read more
Top post: Questions to ask before starting an investigation
November 27, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Investigative business / 0 comments
I’m busy with holidays, client work, and completing a big new project (watch for announcements), so I’ll be running some oldies-but-goodies for the next month or so. Enjoy this one, originally published in March 2019. No matter the type of research or investigations that you do, it’s important to prepare. Before you start your interviews, […]
Read more
20 years later: Mistakes and lessons learned
November 13, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Information industry, Investigative business / 0 comments
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 20 years since that fateful email message – the one that changed my career. At the time, I was in grad school, about to earn a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. I was working two part-time library jobs, and one thing I learned from both jobs […]
Read more
Top post: 10 small changes for transforming your client reports
October 30, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Reports / 4 comments
It’s time for another of rerun of a top post for the year. This was originally posted in April 2019. I’m currently reading One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer, a book about taking small actions to ease into new habits. When we make any sort of change, we […]
Read more
Collaborate for better results: Top tips for subcontracting success
October 16, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Investigative business / 0 comments
I’ve just returned from Orlando after attending the incredible OSMOSIS conference, where I heard well-known speakers and networked with hundreds of other investigators. At the Bits & Bytes networking event, I also had the opportunity to present a short table talk on Subcontracting Success: Top Tips for Making it Work. I love this topic because, […]
Read more
Top Post: Online database searching – More than just finding
October 2, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Tips/Techniques / 2 comments
This was originally published in March 2019. Since it was the top post for the past year, and I’m preparing some upcoming presentations on this very topic, I thought a rerun was in order. Enjoy! As a researcher and investigator – and a former librarian – I’ve done a lot of online database searching. I’ve […]
Read more
Too much information: Now what?
September 16, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Information skills / 4 comments
TMI. Too much information. Can the results of an investigation or research project provide so much information, that it’s overwhelming? To you and your client? A recent question from a colleague reminded me that it’s not always about finding too little or, worse, no information. Here’s what what happened during a background investigation she was […]
Read more