Why do you use PR?

PR is an effective way to get our brand out further. We recognised that in order to build our brand and communicate with publics we wouldn’t have reached [...]]]> For some recruitment businesses the decision to undertake PR can be a hard one. Recruitment is hugely results driven and ROI is easily measurable. PR is different and can take some time to see results. This month we speak to Lucy Heskins from webrecruit about the value of PR.

Why do you use PR?

PR is an effective way to get our brand out further. We recognised that in order to build our brand and communicate with publics we wouldn’t have reached otherwise, PR needed to be a key part of our strategy.

The Web has helped us to push out our messaging much quicker than had we opted for just traditional methods such as print. Whilst these are still extremely useful, the likes of online magazines, newsletters and blogs have helped us tenfold to distribute our messages.

Increasingly, it’s also important for reputational management. By issuing a statement on our website or answering questions in real-time on Twitter or Facebook, we are seen to be much more responsive to our publics.

How do you measure ROI?

PR, for us, takes a drip-feed approach; it’s a slow burner that helps to promote our services over time.

We measure our ROI in many different ways. The most straightforward way is to record the number of features and comments at the end of the month, as well as talk to our customers to find out how they learned about us. Google analytics is also important too, as is the number of visitors to the blog/website after a release has been published.

With our increasing use of social media, however, we find it goes much further than this. We are able to track who re-tweets us, shares our content and comments on our blog – all important metrics that enable us to increase our brand awareness.

What would your advice be?

PR is a crucial part of the marketing communications mix, it allows you to manage your brand and communicate with audiences you may never have thought possible. Many people associate PR with getting column inches in the paper. In fact, the Web has enabled anyone to publish and voice opinion on virtually any subject, and the tools are in most cases, free-to-use.

I strongly suggest to anyone considering using PR to jump in straight away, learn about the different distribution methods and identify where your target audiences are. Of course this can take time, and you may not always have the resources, but it is an activity worth investing in that will ultimately differentiate you and your business.

Our own Managing Director, Tracey Dunn, presentation from the Recruitment Agency Expo

This edition we speak to David Press, Director at DMJ Recruitment.

Why do we use PR?

We use PR for a variety of [...]]]> For some recruitment businesses, the decision to undertake PR can be a hard one. Recruitment is hugely results driven and ROI is easily measurable. PR is different, and it can take some time to see results. With this in mind, we thought we’d feature a Q&A in each newsletter with a recruiter who uses PR, and why they do so.

This edition we speak to David Press, Director at DMJ Recruitment.

Why do we use PR?

We use PR for a variety of reasons but a key motive is that it places us as experts in the market place and gives us a ‘voice’ within a crowded and competitive industry. As a prominent presence in the market place, gaining coverage in broadsheets and targeted press allows us to enhance our brand but also stay at the forefront of our existing and potential clients’ minds, especially during difficult economic times. PR is also a very useful marketing tool when trying to win new business, allowing us to demonstrate our successes and experience. One of the most important parts of our PR activity is our social media strategy. We use Twitter, Linkedin, our blog and our website to demonstrate our wider interest and knowledge in our respective markets and to engage with our candidates and clients.

How do you measure ROI?

It is often difficult to measure ROI as it takes time for the cumulative effect of the PR to filter through. However we monitor traffic through our website via Google analytics and notice an increased flow in traffic after a blog or article has been published. We also measure ROI by how our clients and candidates react to the press coverage or events they have seen and make a note of any direct response on our database.

What advice would you give…

Do not underestimate the impact of PR on your business. It is easy to dismiss it on the basis of an increased cost, but with consistently good coverage it will have an enormous impact on your brand and reputation. In a crowded marketplace you need to stand out as experts and this is actually an extremely cost effective way to do this. The access that PR has to online and print publications means that your business will start gaining recognition outside your sphere of loyal clients and candidates which is critical if you are looking to expand your business. It is also key to ensure that you use the PR to its best effect at client visits and pitches. It is an invaluable tool that will separate you from your competitors.

Making the most of networking events

The company

Ochre House is the leading international partner for recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) and strategic talent management. It works with many of the world’s ambitious companies to build organisations that are truly talent centric.

The challenge

With a wide range of contacts in the HR profession, Ochre House set up an HR Network in 2001 which provided opportunities for industry leaders to share their knowledge and learn from each other. This HR Network has developed over the [...]]]>

Making the most of networking events

The company

Ochre House is the leading international partner for recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) and strategic talent management. It works with many of the world’s ambitious companies to build organisations that are truly talent centric.

The challenge

With a wide range of contacts in the HR profession, Ochre House set up an HR Network in 2001 which provided opportunities for industry leaders to share their knowledge and learn from each other. This HR Network has developed over the years from the original networking events to include an online community and an annual HR Directors’ Symposium.

At the time, Ochre House had a PR agency on board who worked on a basic media relations campaign, but there were a few issues. Not only was it the case that the basic level of media relations wasn’t enough, but having initially seen a senior team and been sold on their experience, Ochre House were then disappointed to be left in the hands of a junior team member with less experience.

The solution

BlueSky PR started work with Ochre House in 2007 with the promise of a senior level team who would work  on not only a media relations campaign, but other areas which would benefit the business such as a website re-write, video content and case study creation. The key selling factor however was BlueSky’s approach to the work.

Whilst a contract had been agreed, BlueSky mirrored Ochre House’s own approach with clients: if work needs to be done they will find a way to do it. As an Ochre House client once said, “The day you have to get a contract out of a drawer is the day you lose a contract.”

It was through this flexible approach that the BlueSky team came to work on the HR Network Symposium events. Having heard the frustration of the team that not enough was being done to maximise the content at these events, BlueSky recommended that a member of the team attend and participate in the discussion.

For each event, BlueSky created a White Paper report which brings together the discussions from the day for both those in attendance and other members of the network who were unable to make it. The content of each paper is then used for media relations activity and the Ochre House blog.

What they say

“BlueSky PR has a great approach to their work and have really become an extension of our marketing team. They don’t just stick to the PR, they provide us with marketing and business support which is exactly what you need from a supplier. We’ve really come to see the team as part of the family here. ”

Amy Knightley, Marketing Manager of Ochre House.

This edition we speak to Maggie Berry, Managing Director of Women in Technology.

Q: Why do you use PR? A: We use PR [...]]]> For some recruitment businesses, the decision to undertake PR can be a hard one. Recruitment is hugely results driven and ROI is easily measurable. PR is different, and it can take some time to see results. With this in mind, we thought we’d feature a Q&A in each newsletter with a recruiter who uses PR, and why they do so.

This edition we speak to Maggie Berry, Managing Director of Women in Technology.

Q: Why do you use PR?
A: We use PR to make female technologists aware of the opportunities available to them in the sector, as well as helping businesses to understand the importance of gender equality in the workplace. We have so much to offer the industry that one of our major goals is to ensure that every woman in technology comes into contact with us at some point during their career. This can be through a networking event, through our site, or through reading our advice in the press coverage generated through PR. Another reason is that it has a completely different effect to advertising. Anyone with the right budget can buy advertising space, but PR places you as an expert in your field within prestigious and targeted trade publications.

Q: How do you measure ROI?
A: We measure ROI by how our clients and candidates react to the press coverage they’ve seen, and we monitor increases in our web traffic following PR activity. We get a lot of feedback on articles people have read that bring to light the positive work we do. That is how we know we’re getting our message out there.
Q: What advice would you give to recruitment businesses considering PR?
A: Don’t expect advertising and instant results. PR is a completely different kettle of fish and if you’re looking to use it to promote a short-term initiative, you may want to think about your aims. For example, if you’re trying to immediately convert sales, PR may not be for you. However, PR can work wonders for longer term aims, particularly given that recruiters aren’t always the most popular of professionals. If you have a niche and want to set yourself apart from the crowd and establish yourself in key media as an industry expert, PR is definitely for you. If you’re thinking about investing in PR, it is worth noting that identifying an agency that is an expert in your field may be more beneficial than a generalist PR agency. This is certainly the case with us and BlueSky, who know the recruitment sector and can identify with the challenges we face as a business exceptionally well.

was on corporate giving and discussed their work with Chance UK, a children’s charity. Our client was naturally very happy.

You may think that’s where the story ends. But it doesn’t.

Chance UK got in touch with us recently to say that as a direct result of the article in The Times, they had received three new corporate donations totalling over [...]]]> PR works. Here’s an example: We secured an article in The Times featuring Antal International, a recruitment client of ours. The story

was on corporate giving and discussed their work with Chance UK, a children’s charity. Our client was naturally very happy.

You may think that’s where the story ends. But it doesn’t.

Chance UK got in touch with us recently to say that as a direct result of the article in The Times, they had received three new corporate donations totalling over £100,000.

From our point of view, it’s another example of how high quality PR work really can affect the bottom line.

Q: Why do you use PR?

A: We use PR [...]]]>

For some recruitment businesses, the decision to undertake PR can be a hard one. Recruitment is hugely results driven and ROI is easily measurable. PR is different, and it can take some time to see results. With this in mind, we thought we’d feature a Q&A in each newsletter with a recruiter who uses PR, and why they do so. This edition we speak to David Leyshon, MD of specialist technical and engineering recruiter, CBSbutler.

Q: Why do you use PR?

A: We use PR as a key element to achieving our ultimate business goals: namely to promote the company as an employer of choice, build the brand amongst target communities and, in all cases, to create positive messages for the market place.

Q: How do you measure ROI?

A: ROI within PR can be somewhat qualitative. While loose financial returns can be applied to media insertions, we largely base it around feedback from stakeholders. And in the case of candidates, the number of applicants who refer to key PR events, such as awards.

Q:What advice would you give to recruitment businesses considering PR?

A: Be clear about your priorities and business objectives, define your strategy and agree a set of expectations via measurable service levels e.g. the number of media articles per quarter. Once you’ve decided on your goals, hold regular reviews to discuss performance and fine tune the approach and tactics used. Be prepared to enter into a two-way partnership; the quality of work delivered by PR professionals is highly dependent on the material your team offers up – they cannot perform miracles!

In my job search experience I have come across some great consultants – they have listened and understood exactly [...]]]> I am new to working within the recruitment sector but getting here hasn’t been the best experience, and I have to admit that it left me feeling somewhat negative towards recruitment consultancies. However since working at BlueSky I have met a lot of highly professional individuals within the sector, who are already changing my view that maybe recruiters aren’t all bad.  

In my job search experience I have come across some great consultants – they have listened and understood exactly what I want, then fixed me up with a good interview. However, the majority I have encountered, in both small and large agencies have been terrible. Without naming names, I have found some consultants to be rude and pushy.  They haven’t read my CV properly and they don’t listen which results in them contacting me about jobs that are of absolutely no interest to me and completely unsuitable. Here are just a few examples:

• ‘The salary is £10k less than your current wage – I think you should go for it anyway.’
• ‘The job is in Norwich – I think you’d be great for it – would you relocate from Aylesbury?’
• ‘The job is for a finance officer, I know you have a degree in marketing and pr, but I’d like to put you forward for it.’

Since leaving university, I’ve never been without a job and I’ve never been desperate enough to take any old position. So  the number of inappropriate opportunities I’ve received along the way has got me quite used to saying ‘no’, which I have found out is not a word accepted by all recruiters. One wanted to put me forward for an interview, ‘an opportunity I’d regret if missed’. The role wasn’t for me so I said no… several times. After speaking to a pushy consultant I was passed onto an even more relentless manager who informed me that if I didn’t go they wouldn’t help me in my search any more. I’ve never spoken to them since!

And it’s not just me – a colleague of mine relayed the sorry tale of a consultant asking her to change her CV so that her skills would fit a position they were trying to fill! The consultant guaranteed the interview, but the fact that my colleague didn’t have the required skills and wouldn’t be able to do the job didn’t even cross their mind!

This is why I get wound up with some recruiters; do they really realise what they are doing or how they are coming across to candidates and clients? In my experience, I can only think of 1 or 2 consultants out of about 10 who were professional and really had my interests at heart.

If I’ve had a bad experience with a recruiter then I will tell others not to use them. I’m sure that goes for a lot of people, including clients. Word of mouth is a very powerful tool, and now with social media you can reach millions!

I know you shouldn’t tar all recruiters with the same brush, and I know there are some good recruiters out there; this is just the view I have gained from my experience over the years.  And having got stuck into reading various recruitment blogs since I have started at BlueSky, it seems I am not on my own.  Andy Headworth in his recent blog post advises recruiters to:  ‘Look back at yourself through the eyes of your candidates’

Wise words indeed!

Investing in PR is key for recruiters who want to boost their brand in the eyes of their clients, candidates and even potential employees for themselves – however that’s really only half the story. What should recruiters do to really leverage that PR coverage and make sure [...]]]> You may have seen our recent post on Greg Savage’s ‘The Savage Truth’ blog (click here!) But if you were unlucky enough to miss it, do not fear, here it is:

Investing in PR is key for recruiters who want to boost their brand in the eyes of their clients, candidates and even potential employees for themselves – however that’s really only half the story. What should recruiters do to really leverage that PR coverage and make sure that great article isn’t quickly forgotten?

We’re always saying to our clients that using PR coverage is essential. Why make that investment if all you do with the coverage is send it to your proud mother or maybe tuck it away in a folder on reception? PR can establish you as a credible and respected commentator in your field – so make sure you shout about it! And not only that, the chances are that whatever you are talking about in the media is going to be of interest to your audience, so sharing this information will be of benefit to them, and they’ll remember you for it.

With the boom in social media it’s easy to spread information at the touch of a button, so maximise on this. Put the coverage and/or a link to it onto your blog, tweet about it, Facebook it, put it on LinkedIn – not only will all your connections see it, some may pass it on to their network too. There are plenty of examples of how stories can spread virally and your news is no exception. And don’t forget to put it on your website too (just be aware of copyright rules).

But don’t just share coverage amongst management and marketing – make sure it is shared with everyone in the team. It can boost motivation and arm everyone with some useful collateral. If a recruiter is in contact with a client or candidate and the company has had a nice mention in the press, they should flag it up. Email the link or mention it over the phone – it will be informative for the recipient, whilst boosting your credibility.

In the same way, PR can be key when it comes to winning new business. One of our clients was pitching to recruit for a big Financial Director role, however he was last in on a Friday afternoon so the odds were against him. Nevertheless he began the meeting by showing the client an article we had ghost written in his name in one of the heavyweight publications in his sector. The client had in fact read the piece the day before, it automatically boosted the tone of the meeting, he won the business and made the fee – that’s a direct return on investment. Turning PR coverage into media packs that consultants can use is therefore another great idea.

So all in all, PR isn’t just nice for your ego – if used properly it can lead to increased credibility, more business and to future PR opportunities which you can use to start the process again!