As many as 50% of individuals won’t consider working for a company that has a bad reputation, even if it means better pay.
Employer branding is more important today than it has ever been in the past. Employees are the foundation of any company, so it’s important to attract and retain the best talent available.
You need to make sure your brand is one that people want to work for, and this can be quite challenging. Working with an employer branding agency will help you do this so that you can stand out as one of the best employers in your industry.
In this guide, we’ll cover some key tips that will help you choose the right employer branding agency for your business. Keep reading for more.
1. Define Your Brand Identity
One of the first things you need to do is define your brand identity. You should do this before you even start looking at different employer branding agencies, as it will play a part in your search. Some of the things you need to specify are your:
- Core values
- Mission statement
- Target audience
- Visual style
When you start talking to employer branding agencies, you should clearly communicate your brand identity to them. This will make it easier for them to develop an effective strategy that’s geared towards your business goals.
2. Look for Experience
If you’re hiring another company to assist with yours, you want to be sure they know what they’re doing. As such, looking for an employer branding service that has plenty of experience is ideal.
Employer branding is a very complex field, and there’s a lot to learn. It’s not something that someone would be able to do effectively without having done it before
It’s worth noting that just because a company is new, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be a bad choice. With that said, experience is always a green flag. A company that has done plenty of employer branding in the past will know what’s needed.
Ideally, they’ll have experience with brands similar to yours. This will ensure they’re well prepared and will be capable of dealing with any challenges that arise.
It’s often worth asking them to show you some employer branding examples so you can get a clearer idea of the work they’ve done in the past. On top of showing you what they’re capable of, this may give you a better insight into what you want them to do for your brand.
Bradford Jacobs has over 20 years of experience and has helped companies all over the world. This gives us the skills and knowledge needed to help you find better employees and retain them with ease.
3. Check Their Services
The scope of employer branding is very broad and different employer branding agencies offer different services. When considering agencies, you want to make sure you take these services into account.
You want to go with a company that’s going to offer all of the services you need. It may be the case that you actually don’t know what your business needs are, so you may need guidance to figure this out. A professional employer branding service will be able to offer advice on the best services based on your current situation and your business goals.
You may find several employer branding agencies that you like the look of. If so, it’s then a case of narrowing them down to the best choice.
After assessing the services they offer, you should talk to them to discuss your needs. Quality employer branding will look different for every business, so it’s important to establish what it is you want and confirm that the employer branding agency you’re considering can deliver it.
4. Consider Your Budget
The quality of different employer branding services can vary greatly, and as with many other services, you often get what you pay for. Saving money is always ideal, but if you go for the cheapest option, you’re likely to get the least impressive results. At the same time, the most expensive options may cost too much.
Before you speak to any employer branding agencies, you should determine what your budget is, and be firm. You may be tempted by different options, but having a set budget will ensure you don’t spend too much.
Lay out all the agencies you’re considering and consider the costs of each. You can then determine the best options based on their value for money.
This can be a bit tricky, as you won’t know the exact prices until you’ve spoken to a company in detail. By providing an agency with some details about your company, however, they should be able to give you reasonable estimates. You can make comparisons from these before moving forward with your decision.
5. Meet With the Agency
Once you’ve considered your options and narrowed things down, you should have settled on just a few companies that you think may be right. You can then arrange a meeting with them to discuss your brand in more detail.
One of the most important things to do here is to pay attention to their team and get a feel for the agency. You’re entering into a partnership, so you need to make sure you’re comfortable with the agency you choose.
Take this opportunity to ask any questions you have. Think about their process, how their team works together, and ensure they understand your brand identity. Prepare these questions ahead of time so you can cover them all without forgetting anything.
It’s a good idea to take notes throughout your meeting. You may have follow-up questions after that can clear up any issues. If you meet various agencies, you can compare the notes from each to help you find the one that fits best.
The Right Employer Branding Agency
Employer branding is a crucial part of building a successful business. It’s important to take the time to find the best employer branding agency for your company as they’ll have a huge impact on your ability to attract and retain talent.
Bradford Jacobs offers professional employer branding services, as well as several other business consulting services that could help your brand. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you achieve your business goals.
