Community is great; bringing people together, sharing ideas, being a part of something bigger than yourself. For recruitment agencies it is an essential tool for increased quality hires for both candidate and client, as well decreased time-to-fill and cost of vacancy.
Read on for some practical tips and strategies to create a professional community online.
What is your why?
Why is community good for you and your brand? Do you need to…
- reach more people?
- share content?
- build trust?
- share your brand?
Getting clear on the answers to this question will help you to formulate a clear and effective plan.
Be social
Predictable as it is, one of the best ways to build any community online is through social media. Use your platforms to
- connect with clients and candidates
- share regular and valuable content
- engage in discussions with your audience
This keeps you visible, relevant and builds trust in your brand. Make sure you tailor your content to your platform.
Be valuable
Offering online courses, workshops and virtual events can attract people interested in learning more about what you offer – eg. your target audience. You could talk about
- how to make your CV stand out
- tips on effective onboarding processes
- how to ensure a great candidate experience through interview technique
- accessibility in the recruitment process
Covering a diverse range of topics will increase the amount of people benefitting from your online presence which pays dividends in attracting top talent.
Blog on
By regularly publishing informative and engaging content on your blog you will attract readers from search engines and other online spaces. By encouraging readers to comment and engage with your discussions you can build on your community.
Think outside the box
Finally, getting a bit creative can be a really great way to build on and add value to your community. Post video or podcasts on your website and social channels to
- reach the people you need to see them
- showcase your brand values
- put a face to the name of your company
All of which adds up to personalising your brand and helping people get to know you better.
Having a solid online community is one step towards increasing your connections and expanding your network of key players. Backing this up with a strong employer brand, well made design and cutting edge video and animation will give you the competitive edge you need to source and attract the best out there.
