The faces behind a business make the cogs turn – and that’s why we’re so interested to see and hear from them, otherwise known as employee advocacy.
Social media posts from business employees talking about topics in a personalised sense generated 64% more engagement than those that did not, a recent report has shown – and this is testament to the importance of employee advocacy as part of a business’s communications model.
So why do we relate more to these posts?
The answer is because we’re simply human – we relate to other humans, to their thoughts and to their musings, and we’re more likely to connect and trust communication in this form.
The promotion of a business by those who work in it builds credibility and is an easy way for employees to take part in marketing efforts – sharing company messages, demonstrating activities and authentic opinion-driven personal experiences.
Not only is employee advocacy beneficial in terms of optimally reaching audiences in a business sense, but it also plays a key role in professional development through showcasing expertise and involvement with a company’s offering.
Everyone has something to gain from employee advocacy – it’s a chance to raise awareness of a brand, boost credibility, generate engagement and new business leads and attract talent.
For employees – the opportunity to enhance their professional profiles, expand following, network and nurture relationships with fellow business contacts is limitless.
Four easy ways to kick start employee advocacy are:
1- Share expertise as often as you can
2- Use storytelling to show authenticity and build trust
3- Celebrate achievements and activities to show the human side of the business
4- Be transparent about what you do – business wise and personally – audiences appreciate this
To talk strategy and find out more about the valuable role that employee advocacy can play in your business, please get in touch with Jennie Holland PR on 0115 998 3048 or by emailing hello@jenniehollandpr.com.