Employee advocates certainly deliver numerous advantages to both the employer and the employee. Most staff employees are already literate on social media, so they use these platforms to discuss their professions and other matters. Why not utilize it to develop a well-thought-out employee advocacy program that benefits everyone?
Personal employees of a company are the most powerful brand advocates. When it comes to brand advocates, most people think of outsiders, such as social media influencers, as bloggers. This may be true; however, employees are the ones who are intimately familiar with the brand and might even provide a certain voice to its image.
What is Employee Advocacy?
Employee advocacy is promoting a company’s or a brand’s name by an individual who works for it. It is commonly acknowledged as a company representative speaking on behalf of the employer’s brand. Any employee of the organization is qualified to fill this position. It can be wider than the marketing division.
Excellent employee advocacy strategy will enable employees to:
- Increase brand exposure by amplifying corporate communications and promotions.
- Powerfully discuss their professional experiences and lives, offering an insight glimpse.
- Engage as expertise by recommending the company’s products and services to friends and relatives.
Let us now explore the different types of Employee Advocacy:
Types of Employee Advocacy
While considering the types of Employee advocacy for the organization, it is essential to recognize the goals the company intends to make with this strategy.
- Seeking New Costumers
Employees enthusiastic about contributing to the company and sharing their experiences on various social media platforms may be a huge asset. These behaviors might capture the interest of potential customers, encouraging them to be fascinated by what the brand offers.
- Quality Employee Recruitment
Successful organizations make it a point to maintain high workplace morale among current team members through various methods, including corporate events and employee bonuses (extra time off, flexible hours, tuition reimbursement, etc.). Encouraging employees to discuss the benefits of working for the company may persuade a qualified candidate to join an available position.
- Company Promotion and Merchandising
Sending out freebies and merchandise is a tried-and-true method of allowing employees to reach more people. While it predates social media, postings sharing freebies on social media are frequent and serve as an excellent method for employees to promote company culture.
People always appreciate relevant and very well goodies. Having to wear a branded comfortable hoodie or attach a charming, branded sticker on a laptop cover quickly and discreetly advertises that company.
- Internal Benefits and Acknowledgment
Employees that satisfied with their jobs are more likely to become brand advocates. This indicates that the company culture and workplace atmosphere are therefore established that were celebrated accomplishments privately and publicly.
A good illustration is an employee of the month program, in which a valued employee receives public recognition and monetary compensation or another honor. Other employee recognition software packages allow everyone in the organization to send compliments or accolades to others. Establishing a moment in a meeting for acknowledgment, for example, is a stepping stone toward more effective employee advocacy.
- Social Media Advocacy
Social media has become an important component of a successful employee advocacy campaign. Social media advocacy occurs when employees write positively about the company on their accounts. Coordination of an effective social media advocacy strategy requires more effort than the other types, but it can also yield a high return on investment.
The Importance of Employee Advocacy
Employee advocacy provides several benefits, such as the following:
- More Effective Marketing Efforts
Implementing an employee advocacy campaign is an excellent way to expand the company’s reach. Because once employees provide at least some material, the organization is portrayed as more approachable. Potential clients may even believe they know the individuals they would be working with before making contact with the company.
- Sales Growth
Many consumers use social media as part of the decision-making process before purchasing a product or service. Consumers go out of their way to seek information about the business online so they have an idea of who they will be dealing with ahead of time. The organization must represent a reliable specialist with the appropriate knowledge and expertise to assist them in resolving their issue. Sales associates who provide customers with the information they find fascinating and relevant are expected to increase their sales manager’s target.
- It is Now Easier to Attract Excellent Candidates.
To discover exceptional job applicants, a firm must stand out from the crowd in some way. Employee advocacy enables job candidates to learn about a company before applying for an available position. Based on their experience and skills, the applicant is searching for a firm that can be trusted as a brand and is a perfect match for their capabilities and abilities.
They are also seeking a workplace that will appreciate their contributions. In other words, determining whether applicants can do the responsibilities of the position to be filled is just as important as determining if they would be a nice choice for the working environment. These are the two essential elements of a successful hire.
Some Important Steps To Creating An Employee Advocacy Program
- Make workplace culture a priority for the company.
Always prioritize the workplace culture of the company. Make sure that employees feel great and satisfied about their job. A happy employee had a significant role in employee advocacy.
- Determine the objectives of the employee advocacy plan.
Give focus on the company’s goal or wants to accomplish.
- Inform employees about the strategy.
Let the employees know the strategies or plan regarding making the employee advocacy. Make them familiarised with the ideas and perspective of the plan.
- Create a social media policy for employee advocacy.
Anything has limitations, including using social media. Employees should have enough knowledge, especially communicating with prospects through social media.
- Implement your employee advocacy campaign.
The greatest moment to establish a successful employee program is when you have something notable to discuss, such as a large event, an award, or a new development in your field. Employees may organically share corporate news on their social media pages, making employee advocacy a part of their brand. Each person will have their perspective on the important events in your organization, which means there will be enough for employees to discuss online.
We hope you find our employee advocacy guide informative and relevant as you work to implement a plan for your organization. So, we wish you the best of luck in your endeavors!
