Tag Archive for: social media at work

What is Your Company Known For?

If you were at a business event and someone were to ask you or anyone on your team what your company is known for; would you be able to give them a confident response?

Of course you are known for the products you sell or the services you provide, but what exactly makes your organization’s model and digital presence different from that of your competitors?

This key selling point is often one that gets missed, since the top priority for most businesses is simply to promote their company as the best in the industry at what they do.

However, with more and more companies establishing themselves on social media to beat out their competition for the top spot in the algorithm; and a market where employees and job seekers have the upper hand, standing having strategically placed qualities that set you apart is what will make the difference between a company that is remembered and one that is not.

In previous years at Award, we have had a strong digital presence, particularly on Facebook, known as the local staffing agency that has a comical and entertaining presence. Through our creative use of skits, movie characters, and themed photographs, we build a solid audience and omnipresence to a group of people, of which many would become our associates.

Over the past year, we have rebranded and with that have also reactivated an important piece of our business- our Award Cares program.

It has always been important to us that we give back to our community; which is why, as of last summer, we decided to do a company-wide service project every quarter going forward.

To enhance each of these projects, we also create a social media campaign that showcases the progress of them from beginning to end on social media

Through this, we began to see a significant increase in our social media engagement, particularly on LinkedIn.

Many of our connections have showed an interest and what we are doing and have expressed the desire to do similar things at their companies as well.

To really stand out, we experimented with the idea of all black and white photos, with a pop of color. This began during our Warming Their Soles sock drive last fall when we wanted the primary focus of the pictures to be the socks our employees were wearing and the stories behind them.

It proved to gain a lot of traction online; therefore, we decided to keep it going and to make it a main focus of our strategy. Now, when people see the black and white photos with just a hint of our green and turquoise brand colors, they instantly recognize it as a post from Award Staffing.

Implementing these things the past several months have proven to be a very effective way build a presence within our local and online communities, all while showcasing what we at Award are all about.

What is something your company does or can do to increase that recognition factor within your industry?

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If you’re company is in need of employees, we at Award are here to help. Contact us here with your staffing needs. 

How to Build Connections in Your Community

One of our biggest priorities at Award is building meaningful connections within our community. Not only are we in the staffing industry where relationships are everything, we also value giving back and partnering with local organizations to make a difference within our community through our Award Cares Program.

Whether you are in the staffing industry or not, we highly recommend creating a solid foundation of relationships with other businesses. Doing so well help you build rapport and lead to a good reputation within your community. This will likely get you regular referral and marketing/publicity opportunities, which will make the surrounding businesses want to partner with you, in some capacity in the future.

Here are our recommendations for how to create connections in your local community:

1. Follow and Engage with them on Social Media

It’s no secret that having a social media presence is absolutely crucial in the world we live in. By leveraging social media, you have the chance to showcase your brand’s personality and share your company’s culture. Because all social media platforms are algorithm based, following and regularly liking/commenting their posts will give them more exposure. Also, by leaving positive comments on their page, their prospective customers and clients will automatically trust them more.

2. Send them Holiday and Checking-In Gifts and Notes

Building relationships is the first step to creating meaningful connections, but it is equally important to maintain them. Every so often, send the executives of the company a gift or note, letting them know you are thinking of them. The people who run businesses can be skeptical of partnering with other companies when they feel like the other company is only out to see what’s in it for them. Doing this will create a human-to-human connection. Also, it doesn’t have to cost money. Even an email just to check in every once in a while can go a long way.

3. Provide Recommendations

When creating relationships, the best thing that you can do is come from a place of value. When communicating with other businesses, problems that they are facing will inevitably become a topic of conversation occasionally. Offer your unique perspective and solutions if you deem it fitting for the conversation. If nothing comes to mind right away, reach out later with a few ideas and resources. This shows that you were listening and that you genuinely care.

4. Refer and Connect Them

As networking is such a crucial part of any business, you will inevitably run into individuals and other companies who could use their services. If you know those people or organizations on a personal level, introduce them. If it is someone you are just meeting, give them your business associate’s contact information and ask that person or company to tell them that they were sent by you. People will be happy to return this favor.

5. Share their Needs and Wins with Your Network

Going back to social media, another great thing you can do for a business associate is spread the word about their needs and/or successes. If they post that they are hiring, share it your LinkedIn and Facebook connections. If they post about a recent win they had, help them celebrate by sharing their post. This will communicate genuine appreciation for their partnership and will incentivize them to do the same for you.

If your company is in need of employees, we at Award Staffing are here to help. Contact us with your staffing needs here.

 

 

Make Social Issues A Part of Your Marketing

“A little over half of consumers (57 percent) are more likely to buy/use a product if a brand takes a position on a social issue similar to the consumers’ views. That figure was 77 percent for Gen Z and millennial respondents.” – A List Daily

It’s nothing new that in today’s world, there are a multitude of social issues that society is passionate about changing. Everyone wants to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves and depending on their upbringing, often choose to support causes that they have been affected by in one way or another.

With so many different walks of life out there, everyone has a different ability to contribute; some able to offer thousands of dollars on a monthly basis and others solely able to offer patronage in the form of time. However, no matter whom you are or what your fiscal capabilities are, we are all regular consumers of both goods and services. By adding the support of social issues into your business model and marketing game plan, you will give people of all different socioeconomic statuses the ability to give back through buying from or partnering with you.

Over the past few years, online buying has increasingly become the preferred way to purchase since it is convenient, and ever since the pandemic began, fewer people feel comfortable in public spaces with large crowds. To capitalize on this new norm, marketers have pivoted their approach to reach more people in the online space. Currently, the businesses that are thriving the most are the ones that have implemented the support of social issues into their marketing strategy.

As quarter four approaches, both marketers and consumers will increase their spending on account of the upcoming holiday season. As we are still in Quarter 3, this makes it the perfect time to map out a plan that brings your support of social issues to the attention of your audience. Whether you are service or product based, this tactic is sure to bring in more business and publicity as well as contribute to positive change and the common good.

 

Here are some things to keep in mind as you plan:

1. Increase Your Marketing Budget

As the highest consumer quarter is right around the corner, if you want to see an increase in your sales, you must be willing to spend more to get the word out about the cause you are supporting. It may feel like a bit of a stretch in the beginning, but the return on investment will be worth it as new clients and customers discover you.

2. Use Social Media

If your company has a cause that you have been supporting for some time now, remind you audience by discussing it on social media. Reintroduce the cause/organization you support and inform them of how and why you chose this cause. Then make it a weekly practice to talk about this cause on your platforms. It will only be effective if you make it a long-term part of your strategy. If supporting a cause is not something you have done before, choose one and then inform your audience about this new endeavor.

3. Make it Clear the Impact They Will Have

In order to get consumers to partner with or buy from you, you’ll need to be clear about how spending with you will make a social difference. If a percentage of every sale or contract goes to the cause you chose, let them know that. People want to know how their contribution matters, so be sure that they know what will happen as a result of doing business with your company.

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If your company is in need of employees, we at Award are here to help. Contact us here to see how we can support you.

How to Expand Your Professional Network

Whether or not you’re currently in search of a new position or career, it is always a good idea to continuously be growing your network. You just never know when the time will come that you are in need of a change and if you keep your circle big, hopefully sometime down the line you are able to put someone else in contact with the right people as well.

When most people hear the term “networking”, they envision a cocktail party that comprises of hustlers handing out their business cards wondering who they can meet that will skyrocket them to the top. While that is definitely one of the better known ways to network, there are many other ways to meet and develop business and personal relationships with people both in-person and virtually.

Here are 5 ideas for expanding your network:

  1. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

This one sounds obvious, but the majority of people use social networking platforms solely as a way of staying in touch with long-distance family members or old friends from high school and college. If you use your social media as a way of growing your personal brand, it can be an incredibly useful tool. Get involved in industry related groups and forums, post or share links about industry related topics on your page, comment and engage on posts relevant to your field or interests. This will give you a ton of credibility and you’ll start to be seen as a go-to person for job/industry knowledge. Networking isn’t just about asking, it’s also about giving.

In the case that you are attending an event such as a convention or trade show, reach out to others who are attending and get to know some of them before the day of. If you prefer not to mix business with personal, you can always set up a separate account specifically for networking.

  1. MAKE A LIST

Even if you don’t have your own business, you should still have an email list. Begin with listing out everyone that you know professionally from college, internships, past jobs, past events, etc. Include their email and where they live. Then expand to friends of friends. Keep adding to your list every time you make a connection and be sure to keep in touch with each person from time to time. This can look like a phone call or text, an email, or a direct message on social media. Staying on people’s radar is key; don’t just create the list and then ditch it. Networking is equally about being seen and keeping people in mind.

  1. SPEND TIME IN THE RIGHT SOCIAL SPOTS

Ask yourself, “If I wanted to run into more people in my industry, where would they be spending time?” What coffee shop do they have regular meetings? What bar do they have company happy hours once per month? If there is a certain industry professional you want to meet who regularly hosts or attends specific events, make it a point to be there. And then, be sure you introduce yourself and engage in meaningful conversation. The point of attending these events is to get to know people and for them to get to know you. Be sure you make yourself known by being friendly and cordial, and having something valuable to bring to the table.

  1. PERFORM GOOD NETWORKING DEEDS

In the long term, people are going to remember the kind things you did for them. A few times per week or per month, choose a few people and do something to benefit their personal brand. Endorse them on LinkedIn, leave their company a good review on Yelp, connect two people you know, recommend them to the write people. There is an endless list of ways you can make a professional, kind gesture for someone. People will remember when you did this and will be glad to return the favor.

  1. Consider Volunteering

When you put yourself out there, you just never know who you’re going to meet. And, depending on what type of volunteering you are doing, you may even have a chance to show people some of your skills and work ethic. Opportunities often come from being in the right place at the right time, so the more you make an effort to be involved, the higher your chances are of finding something. People will also remember your assistance and will think of you when an opportunity becomes available.

Whoever you meet, be sure to add them to your contact list.

As you can see, there are many different paths you can take to growing your network. Remember, growing a network takes time, so be patient as you’re expanding.

If you are currently in search of a new job, be sure to check out our newest postings here.

How Minnesota Workers Lose Jobs Due To Social Media

Social media is a necessary evil that has transcended into all areas of both professional and personal life. When used in the right way, social media is a great tool that can help you connect with significant people in your life. However, there are social media blunders that could cost you your job:

Posting Inappropriate Pictures-

You’ve gone out for a night with your friends, and somehow inappropriate pictures have surfaced on your social media profiles. While this does happen from time to time, you need to make an effort to monitor your social media profiles to make sure nothing inappropriate happens without your permission. If you are posting a picture of underage drinking, this could cause you to lose your job because it’s illegal.

Commenting with Inappropriate Language-

If you post inappropriate language frequently on social media, this could put your job at risk. The reason is that employers don’t want a bad reflection on their company. Many times, if you’re publicly associated with the company, this can be the sole reason you’re fired or let go in conjunction with using inappropriate language.

Posting Negative Comments About Your Job-

Some people take to social media to complain about their job. This is a bad practice, because not only can other people see it, but your employers can also see it. Why would your employers want to keep a negative employee around, especially if they know they hate their job? If you do need to complain about your job, do it in a private atmosphere with trusted friends or family instead. If you are mindful of the way you use social media, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a job that wants to continue employing you on a regular basis.

If you are in need of a job to apply for, contact Award Staffing. We have a whole list of new job opportunities for which you would be a good fit for through taking your experiences and skills into account.