Employee advocacy. Just saying it out loud makes you want to bathe, doesn’t it? But beneath the layers of corporate jargon and bureaucratic crust, there’s a sparkling gemstone of a concept just waiting to be unearthed. So strap on your mining helmet, grab a pickaxe, and let’s dig into the murky depths of employee advocacy.
Employee advocacy is the idea that your employees can be your best brand ambassadors. You know, the ones who go out and spread the good word about your company, like a proud mama bird regurgitating worms of wisdom to the eager baby birds of the world.
These employees aren’t just doing their jobs; they’re going above and beyond to promote the company’s image and reputation online and offline.
Now, you might wonder, ” Why should I care about employee advocacy?” That’s a fair question, my sceptical spelunker. But let’s follow the torchlight of data for a moment, shall we?
According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, 68% of people trust “a person like yourself” more than a company’s CEO. And a study by Nielsen revealed that 83% of people trust recommendations from friends and family above all other forms of advertising. Putting these stats together paints a pretty compelling picture: the average Joe (or Jane) has more clout than your bigwig CEO regarding building trust and credibility.
Now imagine if your employees were your army of average Joes and Janes, spreading the gospel of your brand far and wide. That’s the power of employee advocacy.
Alright, so we’ve established that employee advocacy is a hidden treasure. But how do you actually go about cultivating it? Well, fear not, my intrepid explorer, for I have compiled a list of strategies for you:
Create an environment where employees feel valued, engaged, and passionate about your company’s mission. Because let’s face it: nobody’s going to advocate for a company that makes them feel like a cog in a soul-crushing machine.
Give your workers the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to become your company’s biggest cheerleaders. It might include social media training, access to company news and updates, or even fun incentives like a “brand ambassador of the month” award.
Encourage employees to share their positive experiences and success stories with others inside and outside the company because there’s nothing like a juicy piece of gossip to get people talking (and converting).
Train your employees on how to leverage their social media accounts for maximum brand impact. It could include sharing company news, engaging with industry influencers, or even posting pictures of their adorable office dog (because who doesn’t love a good pupper pic?).
Encourage authenticity and transparency in all employee communications. And there’s nothing more powerful than a genuine, heartfelt endorsement. In the wise words of Oscar Wilde, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
Of course, like any good adventure, there are risks involved with employee advocacy. Here are a few treacherous pitfalls to watch out for:
Beware the employee who becomes too gung-ho about promoting your company. They might come across as pushy, insincere, or just plain annoying – which could actually damage your brand reputation rather than enhance it. Remember, subtlety is key.
With so many employees spreading the word, it’s easy for your company’s message to become garbled or inconsistent. Ensure everyone is on the same page and singing from the same hymn sheet.
We’ve all seen how quickly a poorly-judged tweet or Facebook post can blow up in someone’s face. Ensure your employees understand the potential risks and consequences of their online actions and provide clear guidelines on what is (and isn’t) appropriate to share.
Employee advocacy shouldn’t be an added burden on your workers – if it starts to feel like a chore, they’ll be less likely to participate enthusiastically. Keep things fun, light, and voluntary, and remember that a little appreciation goes a long way.
While employee advocacy might be more effective for some industries and company sizes than others, the basic principles can be applied to almost any organization. After all, who doesn’t want passionate, engaged employees who are proud to represent their company?
There are several ways to measure the impact of your employee advocacy efforts, including tracking social media engagement, monitoring brand mentions, and analyzing website traffic. Ultimately, the key is to establish clear goals and KPIs at the outset, so you can track your progress and make data-driven decisions.
Start by identifying your company’s most passionate and engaged employees, and enlist their help in developing and launching your advocacy program. Provide them with the tools, training, and resources they need to succeed, and make sure to recognize and reward their efforts along the way.
Establish clear guidelines and boundaries for your employees to follow, and provide ongoing training and support to help them navigate the often-tricky world of social media. Encourage open communication and feedback, so employees feel comfortable raising any concerns or issues that may arise.
In conclusion, my fellow adventurers, employee advocacy may be a murky, daunting journey filled with twists, turns, and pitfalls, but the potential rewards are well worth the effort.
By cultivating a passionate, engaged workforce, you can unlock the hidden treasure of brand ambassadors who will help elevate your company’s image, attract top talent, and build lasting customer relationships.
So, as you embark on this wild adventure into the gritty, grimy world of employee advocacy, remember to forge a killer company culture, empower your employees, and navigate the perils and pitfalls with grace and tenacity. With the right approach, you’ll unearth a priceless gemstone of a strategy that will enrich your business for years to come.
And who knows, you might even have a little fun along the way. Happy spelunking!
Up until working with Casey, we had only had poor to mediocre experiences outsourcing work to agencies. Casey & the team at CJ&CO are the exception to the rule.
Communication was beyond great, his understanding of our vision was phenomenal, and instead of needing babysitting like the other agencies we worked with, he was not only completely dependable but also gave us sound suggestions on how to get better results, at the risk of us not needing him for the initial job we requested (absolute gem).
This has truly been the first time we worked with someone outside of our business that quickly grasped our vision, and that I could completely forget about and would still deliver above expectations.
I honestly can’t wait to work in many more projects together!
Disclaimer
*The information this blog provides is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or professional advice. The information may not reflect current developments and may be changed or updated without notice. Any opinions expressed on this blog are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s employer or any other organization. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this blog without first seeking the advice of a professional. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this blog. The author and affiliated parties assume no liability for any errors or omissions.
