It’s Not You, It’s Your Brand: How a Rebrand Can Help Attract Star Employees

It’s Not You, It’s Your Brand: How a Rebrand Can Help Attract Star Employees

It may be easy to think about rebranding your company when it comes to bringing in more customers – but have you considered that your current brand might be keeping potential employees away?

If someone is at the top of their field in talent and experience, they have many choices for where to apply for a job. To get the most qualified candidates, it’s important to put your best foot forward.

Let’s break down why rebranding is a great approach if you want to attract new employees.

rebranding checklist

You aren’t getting many applications

If the job search sites are inundated with other organizations in your field, it can be tough to stand out among the crowd. Having a brand that catches the eyes of applicants can increase the number of applicants you receive, and therefore improve your options of finding the best employee to meet your needs.

If your job posting has been on the site for a while, it might be time to add some fresh branding – not just your logo, but the way you describe your company and the job listing itself. It’s time to start asking yourself why employees should pick you above some of the other businesses. What sets you apart? Incorporating your uniqueness into your branding is essential for attracting employees.

You aren’t attracting the right type of employees

So maybe you are getting plenty of applications for the position – but none of them seems to be the right match for your company. Not just when it comes to experience and skills, but mission and drive. By having a brand that reflects the things that are important to your organization, you can find potential employees who value the same thing.

Rebranding your company can help you find the best match in the following areas:

  • Traditional versus modern – While there is nothing wrong with doing things the way you’ve always done them if that works for you, it might not be the best workplace for someone who yearns for innovation. Or if you are an organization that is doing things differently than those in your industry, you don’t want to attract an employee who might not be comfortable with that type of change.
  • Culture – Do you keep things professional in the office – or do you have a more casual workplace setting? Not all employees thrive in the same kind of environment, and branding yourself appropriately will help you find someone that works best in the workplace you’ve created.
  • Expectations – Some employees are more productive in a heavily supervised setting, while others see success in self-management. Finding the best employee for your type of management style from the beginning goes a long way toward employee retention.

Be the brand that people want to work for

Even if you rebrand to draw in new customers and create loyalty for your organization, this will also benefit you in finding the best employees. People work for big companies like Disney and Apple not just because they like amusement parks and smartphones. They love the brand and all that it entails. They want to be ambassadors for it.

Building a strong brand takes intention and purposeful action but pays dividends in employee attraction and retention. If your company has an outdated website, mix and match logos, inconsistent marketing, and lacks purpose and values, a comprehensive rebranding process will reignite the passion for your brand with your current employees and attract the right kind of future employees.

Here at Hoyden, we specialize in rebranding. Our team of awesome people is here to help your organization thrive, and we would love the opportunity to work with you.

rebranding checklist

3 Easy and Effective Ways to Wow Your Clients

Let’s pretend it’s a warm, sunny day and we’re running a lemonade stand. You walk by, purchase a cup, and declare “Wow! That is some seriously good lemonade. What do you guys do so different?” Truthfully, a recipe isn’t that hard to follow: proper portions of water,...

3 Easy and Effective Ways to Wow Your Clients

Let’s pretend it’s a warm, sunny day and we’re running a lemonade stand. You walk by, purchase a cup, and declare “Wow! That is some seriously good lemonade. What do you guys do so different?” Truthfully, a recipe isn’t that hard to follow: proper portions of water,...
Four Reasons to Revamp Your Marketing Strategy

Four Reasons to Revamp Your Marketing Strategy

Your work here is done. You established a marketing strategy last year and it went well. All you need to do now is sit back, relax, and let the customers roll in.
Or maybe not. A marketing strategy is not something you can fix and forget – it is something that needs tending, like a garden. And sometimes, it may need revamping altogether.
Here are the top five signs it’s time to go back and rework your marketing plan.

Things have slowed down

Results may improve dramatically when a new marketing plan is implemented, but after a while, some of that growth tends to taper off. Sure, your sales are higher than they were before, but are you growing?

Some things to consider:

If you brought in new customers with your existing marketing plan, are you keeping them?
What about the customers who didn’t see or respond to this marketing strategy – how do you reach out to them?

You are paying for things that don’t work

Even if your marketing strategy is successful, not every aspect of it may be. It’s always a good idea to refresh your plan and look at where your resources are making the biggest impact, and what can be cut. This way, you’re sure to get the best bang for your buck.

Revamping your marketing strategy can include:

Tracking your engagement on social media posts and deciding which types provide the best results
Adjusting advertising audiences and keyword targets if your cost per click is too high
Increasing your budget in areas that are showing success
Decreasing spending in areas that are yielding little to no results
Evaluating who is receiving and responding to your messages, and who isn’t

You are talking to the wrong crowd

A marketing campaign can be very successful if it is getting your product or services in front of a lot of eyes – but if they are the wrong eyes, it may seem pointless. If your ads are reaching people who will not convert to a sale, it may be time to rethink your marketing plan.

Here are some of the people who may be responding to you, but not helping your bottom line:

Browsers but never buyers – they like your content. It’s always good for a laugh, but they aren’t in the market for what you’re selling. Or they are loyal to their existing provider.
Business peers – sure you may have 50 new followers, but they may be your competitors or peers who just want to see what you’re up to or gain ideas to build their own business.
Not the right person for your brand – maybe your hilarious ad campaign really hit well with the teenage crowd, but they don’t have the budget or need for what you’re providing. Maybe they can tell their parents, but the chances are low. Revamping your strategy goes a long way to making sure the right people are looking at it.

Trends keep changing

While something may be clever and funny one week, something else will be the next. We’re not saying you have to change your marketing strategy every week, but it’s always healthy to revamp it to make sure you are following the latest trends.

Things that can change quickly:

The most popular social media platforms – it seems as though there is a new one every day, which can be hard to plan on which ones will stick.
Common phrases, slang, and memes – no one wants to be that guy saying last year’s phrase that doesn’t even make sense anymore.
Platform algorithms – social media sites frequently change the way they show people’s content and get it in front of most people. An annual revamp will ensure you are hitting all the points you need to in order to be successful.
SEO changes – it’s always best to determine if you need to change or add any words to make your website up to date for search engine optimization.

ot only do things change in the marketing and social media world, but they change within your organization, too. Even if there have only been small things that have been altered over time – your company is not exactly the same as it was a year ago.

Evaluating and adjusting your marketing strategy helps you make sure that all your platforms are up to date and you are presenting your current image, not the one you were excited about a year or two ago.

Here at Hoyden, we put strategy first. Our team of awesome people is here to help your organization thrive, and we would love the opportunity to work with you.

Why Interns Shouldn’t Manage Your Social Media

Why Interns Shouldn’t Manage Your Social Media

Please heed this very important warning – don’t feed your interns to the trolls. The social media trolls, that is.

When a new intern shows up to your office for their first few days on the job, many people tend to give them the work that no one else wants to do. Fetch the coffee, make the copies, answer the phones, and of course…post on social media.

While that may seem like a great task for a college student who spends a large part of their day on apps anyway, it’s not the best idea. In fact, it could turn out very badly.

Here are our top five reasons why you shouldn’t let your intern run your social media.

30 Days of Social Media Content

They are practically strangers

We’re not saying that your intern is stupid, far from it. But they haven’t been around your company long enough to know the things that will create meaningful content to drive sales and leads to your business. They don’t know the top-selling products, the discount trends, the jokes you share with your customers, or which staff members to feature.

They also know nothing about the brand you’ve been building and the tone in which you communicate with the community. A lot of hard work can be lost due to handing the digital reins over to a newbie. 

Social media is an important driving tool for your brand. You need to have someone who can study your analytics and make long-term decisions about your account.

It’s All Just Temporary

Sure, having the intern post to your Facebook page every day may seem like a tempting break, but what happens when they go back to their regularly scheduled class load and it’s handed off to someone else? A unified, cohesive tone of voice for your brand is difficult to maintain if the person behind it is changing every three to six months.

Not to mention, there may be posts that need boosting or great advertising opportunities, but it is unlikely that you will feel comfortable giving buying power to someone who is only there for six months.

30 Days of Social Media Content

Not All Apps Are Equal

It may seem strange to consider, but not all college-aged students are familiar with every single social media app. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but most young adults consider Facebook something for the older crowd. There are so many social media apps, and they all serve different target audiences. Depending on who you’re aiming to reach, your intern may not be able to connect with them over that medium without some guidance.

At the same time, having someone who is familiar with newer platforms may bring your office up to date with the latest apps that are on the scene. This collaboration can be great. But what happens when their internship comes to an end and there is no one left behind who is passionate enough to continue posting that content? You become a ghost on that platform.

No experience

Sure, your intern has been on social media for many years. That doesn’t mean; however, they are ready for all the responsibilities that come with a band’s account. Beyond typos (let’s not throw the intern under the bus on that one, everyone makes typos from time to time), there are several important things to think about when posting from an account that isn’t their own.

Do they have permission to use the images they picked? Do they engage with the trolls? What happens if a customer posts a complaint? There are so many things to consider when it comes to posting to social media. Interns are here to learn, and they do that by being taught. Not by being thrown into the fire on their first day.

Crisis management

While a college intern may know their way around a keyboard better than you, they have far less experience dealing with crisis management. If there is a major issue happening for your business, anything they do or say on social media can go viral or be misinterpreted.

It’s a lot of pressure to put on someone who is just in your office for college credit. You want someone at the helm that can effectively communicate with your audience the important information and facts about the situation. Or to not post at all if the situation warrants. Staying calm and not responding negatively to comments on social media is an important lesson to learn.

Social media is important to your brand. While it may be tedious to post on your page every day and monitor all your platforms, it’s not something that can be passed off to the youngest and newest team member who is only there for a few months.

Interns are in your office to learn. So, why not use this great opportunity for them to learn from someone with more experience. Then when they graduate and are hired for their first job, they will have the tools they need to be successful.

Meanwhile, your brand will be safe and secure in the hands of someone dedicated to getting the most out of your social media platforms.

3 Easy and Effective Ways to Wow Your Clients

Let’s pretend it’s a warm, sunny day and we’re running a lemonade stand. You walk by, purchase a cup, and declare “Wow! That is some seriously good lemonade. What do you guys do so different?” Truthfully, a recipe isn’t that hard to follow: proper portions of water,...

3 Easy and Effective Ways to Wow Your Clients

Let’s pretend it’s a warm, sunny day and we’re running a lemonade stand. You walk by, purchase a cup, and declare “Wow! That is some seriously good lemonade. What do you guys do so different?” Truthfully, a recipe isn’t that hard to follow: proper portions of water,...
What is a Personal Brand and Why is it Important?

What is a Personal Brand and Why is it Important?

While branding is often the key to success for most businesses, individuals can also thrive in their industry and careers by building their own personal brands.

What is a personal brand? It’s basically how you market yourself professionally and publicly. Some of the most famous personal brands include:

And while these names are internationally recognized, every type of industry has its own leaders. People who are known for being credible experts in their field. Building a solid reputation online these days not only impacts your business but can lead to longevity in your industry. Here are some of the top reasons how building a personal brand can help you.

Build a solid reputation

While you want to be honest and genuine about who you are, that doesn’t mean you can’t use your best skills to promote yourself. What do you want to be known for? Having a personal brand is the perfect way to present yourself as an expert in your field.

A personal brand helps build your credibility in the industry. When someone needs a good or service, they look to the Internet to find the best provider. Someone with a well-developed personal brand will stand out among the crowd. Even if you have worked for several organizations, your personal brand will follow you and so will your credibility.

Keep your personal and public lives separate

Look, you may be proud of your baby’s first steps, but that’s not going to help you become the known expert in your field on the topic you represent.

Keeping a personal account for your friends and family and creating public accounts for your brand helps you share what you choose in the appropriate location. If you feel nervous about posting pictures of your family for the world to see, then having separate public and private accounts will help you network while keeping those you love safe.

Not to mention, with the political climate in the world as it is right now, many professionals find that it is easier to keep their opinions to their private accounts, so they do not risk alienating clients and colleagues on either side of any issue.

Networking

Connecting with other professionals is another benefit of having a personal brand. It allows you to befriend others on social media and build a relationship with them. The benefits to this are endless, including cross-promotion, job opportunities, and business leads.

Having likes and follows by others in your industry only helps to build your business reputation. When you have a personal brand that is recognized in your field, you can become sought after for conferences, workshops, and other trade events.

Connect with clients

Other business professionals are not the only people you can build a relationship with through your personal brand. With smartphones in practically everyone’s hands, our clients are living and working on the Internet. Keeping your name fresh in their mind by promoting your personal brand makes you a trusted source to meet their need when the time comes. As a bonus, they are more likely to recommend your name to others.

While a personal brand may not be the first thought that pops into your head when going into business, it is an important thing to consider. By building a personal brand, you set yourself and your business up for success, and you can establish yourself as a credible source in your industry for years to come.

3 Easy and Effective Ways to Wow Your Clients

Let’s pretend it’s a warm, sunny day and we’re running a lemonade stand. You walk by, purchase a cup, and declare “Wow! That is some seriously good lemonade. What do you guys do so different?” Truthfully, a recipe isn’t that hard to follow: proper portions of water,...

3 Easy and Effective Ways to Wow Your Clients

Let’s pretend it’s a warm, sunny day and we’re running a lemonade stand. You walk by, purchase a cup, and declare “Wow! That is some seriously good lemonade. What do you guys do so different?” Truthfully, a recipe isn’t that hard to follow: proper portions of water,...
Why You Shouldn’t Hold Off on a Crisis Communication Plan

Why You Shouldn’t Hold Off on a Crisis Communication Plan

Did you participate in fire drills at school? If the fire alarm goes off in your building – do you know what to do? We prepare for that danger, but it’s important to be ready for whatever crisis may come.

Weather, world events, technical difficulties, and yes, even global pandemics throw a wrench in our lives. And for businesses, these events can put the brakes on everything. And while you are scrambling to problem-solve, your customers or clients are contacting you for information and updates.

You need a plan. You don’t wait until you’re in the middle of the fire to talk about what should be done. There’s no need to wait until a crisis hits to scramble for ways to communicate.

When an ice storm hits, and you need to close or cancel appointments – how will your patrons be notified? If a negative tweet about your organization goes viral – how can you respond in a way that won’t add flame to the fire? What happens if your Internet, power, or water goes out? Or of your systems are hacked and your customers’ private data is breached?

This might cause you to feel slightly panicked about the future, rest assured there is really no need to freak out. You’ve got this! Especially if you have a good crisis communication plan. When there is an issue, there are a few questions that your crisis communication plan can help answer:

Digital Crisis Strategy

Who Will Communicate?

Sometimes when a crisis is happening, leaders can feel like they are being pulled in a million directions. Plagued with solving the problem at hand while communicating to employees, clients, and the community can be daunting.

And like a game of telephone that we played as kids, a message can get confused when it comes through many different sources. Having a communication plan prepares you to designate someone to speak to the public, respond to phone calls, and manage social media while you work to come up with solutions and resolve the crisis.

Knowing ahead of time who you can trust to show grace under pressure and get accurate and timely information goes a long way. Someone who is proactive and not reactive when it comes to crisis communication can help save your business’ reputation.

The old adage tells us that if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. But when your business is in crisis and you can’t afford to keep quiet, having someone who may communicate impulsively can do a lot of damage. Waiting until a crisis occurs to find the right person for the job is not the best idea for such a critical role.

How Will They Communicate?

Figuring out who will get your messages out is half the battle. Most businesses wait until they are in the middle of a situation to decide how they are going to notify their community of what is happening. But in a crisis, not all your communication methods may be functioning.

Here are some issues to consider:

  • How will you communicate if you are without power or Internet access?
  • If you normally send people to your website for the latest information – what happens if you cannot get ahold of your web content manager during the crisis? What if their updates take 24 hours to publish and your clients need current information?
  • If you have someone else doing your social media – do you have access to the accounts in case they are unavailable for updates?
  • Do you have a paper list with the contact information for key stakeholders in your business that you may need to access if you can’t get online?
  • Can you direct all your clients to one website or social media page for updates?

Having a crisis communication plan helps you answer most of these questions ahead of time, and that your entire team will know what to do when it happens.

What Will They Communicate

Even if you assign a person to handle your communications during a crisis, you will still need to have a plan in place for how they will have the latest information approved by you. Information can change by the minute sometimes, and you want to make sure you are not passing along a message only to have to change it five minutes later.

Who signs off on communications before it is sent? Do you have a regular update schedule, so your clients, customers, or employees don’t go for too long without information?

With a proper crisis communication plan, you and your team will be able to handle whatever crisis comes your way without panicking. While it seems like extra work now, it will save you time later if it is needed.

If you need help with any of this – strategy, planning, or training please contact us. We would be happy to have a consultation with you to discuss your needs and budget and find a solution that will work for you and your team.

Digital Crisis Strategy

3 Easy and Effective Ways to Wow Your Clients

Let’s pretend it’s a warm, sunny day and we’re running a lemonade stand. You walk by, purchase a cup, and declare “Wow! That is some seriously good lemonade. What do you guys do so different?” Truthfully, a recipe isn’t that hard to follow: proper portions of water,...

3 Easy and Effective Ways to Wow Your Clients

Let’s pretend it’s a warm, sunny day and we’re running a lemonade stand. You walk by, purchase a cup, and declare “Wow! That is some seriously good lemonade. What do you guys do so different?” Truthfully, a recipe isn’t that hard to follow: proper portions of water,...