Recruitment PR and Marketing Blog

Five years on: how recruitment marketing and engagement strategies have evolved

Five years on: how recruitment marketing and engagement strategies have evolved

To the vast majority of readers, the COVID-19 pandemic represented probably the most seismic event in their lifetimes. Despite somehow feeling like both a lifetime ago and yesterday, simultaneously, the pandemic started over five years ago now, with global lockdowns commencing from March 2020. While the list of changes these times have driven in our day-to-day lives, and across society, is extensive, one area that has undergone rapid evolution in this timeframe is recruitment marketing, and specifically the way candidates, clients and other stakeholders engage with content. We’ve outlined some of the changes, highlighted in more depth in our 2025 Marketing Evolution; Five Years Post Pandemic Report, and offered insights to recruitment marketing specialists looking to keep pace with this changing environment.
Why outsourcing content production to AI platforms isn’t a good idea

Why outsourcing content production to AI platforms isn’t a good idea

As a leading PR and marcomms specialist, it’s fair to say that we read and review a lot of content. That’s understating it, and our thirst for knowledge means we are encountering an ever-increasing volume of copy on business websites that is clearly being generated by GenAI platforms. The likes of ChatGPT, Claude and CoPilot are being used to fill web copy, produce blogs and even write ‘meet the team’ bios and other supposedly ‘personal’ content.
How to Attract Top Talent and Transform the Hiring Process

How to Attract Top Talent and Transform the Hiring Process

In today's competitive recruitment landscape, agencies face a critical challenge: 73% of job seekers report that job hunting is a stressful experience (NorthOne). For recruitment agencies striving to attract top talent and serve their target audience effectively, the application process requires strategic rethinking. How can your recruitment firm stand out to both candidates and clients while reducing this friction?
PR & Media Relations Workshops: Boost Your Agency's Visibility in Challenging Economic Times

PR & Media Relations Workshops: Boost Your Agency's Visibility in Challenging Economic Times

What Are PR & Media Relations Workshops? Our recruitment PR & media relations workshops provide recruitment professionals with essential tools and expertise to excel in their marketing roles, helping recruitment agencies optimise their PR and brand awareness activities during challenging economic times.
The End of SEO as We Know It

The End of SEO as We Know It

SEO isn't just about Google anymore. And honestly, it hasn't been for a while. When AI can sum up your carefully crafted content in seconds and serve personalised answers right in the search results, what's left for us? Well, two things really matter in 2025:
Recruitment marketing: update your strategies for 2025 and beyond

Recruitment marketing: update your strategies for 2025 and beyond

It's hard to believe 2024 is behind us. And what a year it was. Full of twists and turns, and perhaps most critically when it comes to recruitment, a year of change. Which means, if you haven’t already, you need to urgently adapt your recruitment marketing strategy.
Recruitment marketing trends in 2025

Recruitment marketing trends in 2025

There is no denying that the recruitment sector has undergone significant transformations in recent years. Technological advancements and shifting workforce dynamics have created huge shifts in the job market, exacerbating skills shortages across sectors and fundamentally reshaping talent acquisition strategies.
The biggest recruitment marketing challenges of 2024

The biggest recruitment marketing challenges of 2024

We’ve heard the phrase ‘content is king’ on repeat for many years now. And we've all listened and churned out blog post after blog post.
Top 5 tips to boost your recruitment marketing strategy in 2025

Top 5 tips to boost your recruitment marketing strategy in 2025

Over the past few years the one constant has been change. Recruitment marketers have had to learn how to plan (and often re-plan) in times of uncertainty. Here are five tips to ensure your 2025 recruitment marketing strategy is fit for purpose: Be personable, relatable and honest Thought leadership Employee engagement Repurpose The three Rs: reassess, refine and reflect
Why prioritising PR is crucial for recruitment firms in 2025

Why prioritising PR is crucial for recruitment firms in 2025

In uncertain economic times, investing in your brand's PR and visibility should be a top priority, not an afterthought. Gaining a consistent media presence and standing out from the immensely crowded recruitment landscape are key competitive advantages as we head into the challenges of 2025.
Recruitment marketing strategies: insider tips from industry experts

Recruitment marketing strategies: insider tips from industry experts

In the ever-evolving recruitment industry landscape, having a robust marketing strategy isn't just a luxury—it's a necessity. But what truly separates a mediocre approach from an exceptional one? Three industry experts from BlueSky PR recently sat down together for a webinar on the intricacies of creating a recruitment marketing strategy that genuinely delivers.
What are firms’ recruitment PR and marketing priorities in 2025?

What are firms’ recruitment PR and marketing priorities in 2025?

As we head into the new year, hiring firms across the UK are adjusting to potential economic pressures, new priorities and a changing talent arena. To drive better results in what could be a challenging environment, many are readjusting their communications strategies for the coming months. This evolving environment is why we launched a poll recently across our social media channels that looked to identify what firms were prioritising when it came to marketing and PR in 2025.
The power of meaningful connections in talent management - guest blog

The power of meaningful connections in talent management - guest blog

In today’s recruitment world, we often focus on the metrics—time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, and turnover rates. These numbers matter, but they don’t tell the full story. What truly drives long-term success in recruitment and talent management is something less tangible: meaningful connections.
Navigating recruitment marketing trends: Insights from in-house teams

Navigating recruitment marketing trends: Insights from in-house teams

In today's competitive job market, in-house recruitment marketing teams face significant challenges. According to our latest report, 73% of these teams have seen budget reductions, while 87% are dealing with increased workloads. As we begin to see signs of optimism on the horizon for the economy, demand on in-house marketing teams is only going to increase. So, what’s in store for 2025 and how can professionals best navigate this landscape?
How PR can help your recruitment agency excel in the age of AI

How PR can help your recruitment agency excel in the age of AI

Worried about AI encroaching on your territory? I understand. With all the buzz about artificial intelligence transforming hiring, you might be questioning your agency's future relevance. But here's the reality - with a savvy PR strategy, you won't merely weather the AI revolution, you'll flourish in it.
How to create a positive candidate experience

How to create a positive candidate experience

In what remains a highly competitive job market, creating a positive candidate experience can make all the difference between securing a new candidate, or losing them to a rival. But what elements contribute to this experience, and how can employers optimise their hiring processes?
AI in recruitment marketing - is it the solution we are looking for?

AI in recruitment marketing - is it the solution we are looking for?

You can't escape the AI chatter these days. It's being pitched as the miracle cure for every conceivable problem. In our work as PR and marketing experts in the recruitment, HR, and talent management arena, we've noticed more and more firms experimenting with Generative AI tools like ChatGPT for their content needs. But does this approach actually work? What's at stake? And what should agencies understand before they hand over their content creation to algorithms?
Why should you enter a recruitment award?

Why should you enter a recruitment award?

To blow some cash To give you a reason to lose weight and get into that little black dress To waste some time To increase your already busy workload To create stress for yourself To demoralise your team Or, perhaps some hard figures as to why you should enter a recruitment award? To increase sales (37%-77%) To improve your stock price (44%) To influence your buyers (80%) To improve confidence in your supplier status (49%) To outperform award “losers” (17% for sales and 36% for share value) Things to do before entering a recruitment award Agree the goal of winning Ask the awarding body what their marketing process is Speak to previous entrants Have a battle plan (and a resource) Agree your ROI model – what are you measuring? 10 things to do as a finalist, before the “big night” Tell your company Tell your clients Tell your competitors (ideal recruits?) Adjust email signatures Adjust mailers / eshots Adjust social media banners Get a quote from your leader Create content (blog / images / video) Have a marketing plan for the night of event Assume a hangover and get everything ready for the day after Things to do during the awards Try and stay (relatively) sober Live post on socials – use the hashtag Lots of pictures (that look good without beer goggles) Video of winning the award Video quote from the organiser of the award Get a “feelings” list from the team Engage with the organisers online Things to do after the awards Measure the ROI Survey your staff, clients, and candidates (to market your win) Create content Adjust all online channel branding Email signatures Video quote from your leader/winner Adjust job adverts Create a podcast Capitalise on your win Measuring and communicating the ROI What should you measure?
Winning at SEO in the age of AI-powered search

Winning at SEO in the age of AI-powered search

As a recruitment agency marketing manager, you already know the importance of search engine optimisation (SEO). After all, strong organic search visibility is critical for attracting top talent and connecting with potential clients. In fact, according to Search Engine Journal, 49% of marketers say organic search offers higher ROI than any other marketing channels.
Why you need a PR and marketing agency to support your hiring

Why you need a PR and marketing agency to support your hiring

Ask someone to think about PR and it’s likely their minds would bring up images of glamour, lots of drinking and, if you’re of a certain vintage at least, Absolutely Fabulous. Alas, times have changed. While it would be lovely to spend afternoons schmoozing with journalists in fancy bars, that’s sadly an outdated view of our industry. Most people have a broad understanding of what PR is, but few know how it really works, and why every in-house hiring department looking to boost its hiring should have a specialist agency in place.
Why PR?

Why PR?

One question we get asked a lot is ‘why PR?’ It’s a good question – for a typical buyer, usually a marketing or business leader – there are an abundance of ways that you could spend your, possibly fairly limited, marcomms budget, and there is a lot to do.
The best employer brands – and what you can learn from them

The best employer brands – and what you can learn from them

We recently looked at the importance of building a strong employer brand – which is particularly key now, before the job market rebounds in the coming months. But what does a good brand look like? We’ve outlined some examples with key takeaways from each.
Why authenticity is key in communication

Why authenticity is key in communication

Authenticity is a key trait for any hiring expert, and it’s becoming increasingly important as a cornerstone of wider external communications strategies. Here’s why it’s become critical for agencies to be more honest with their audiences, and how they can develop their authentic voice.
The power duo: Content and PR in In-House Recruitment

The power duo: Content and PR in In-House Recruitment

Despite falling vacancies, skills shortages remain a core issue for businesses. In-house recruitment teams are facing tough competition for the best talent. And as the UK economy and labour market begin to show signs of optimism, no doubt attracting the best people is going to become tougher.
Recruitment marketing: make the most of the downturn while it lasts

Recruitment marketing: make the most of the downturn while it lasts

It’s been a tough few years for recruiters in the UK. Following the post-pandemic boom period and since the beginning of last year, the fortunes of many have taken a downturn, with the market locked in stagnation. However, light looms on the horizon; with the election approaching, there have already been signs that hiring is on the up and, as the now infamous song goes, ‘things can only get better’.
The war for talent is only going to get worse: is your employer branding strong enough?

The war for talent is only going to get worse: is your employer branding strong enough?

The extent of skills shortages in the UK and indeed globally are well-documented. There’s no denying that companies are increasingly struggling to find the critical skills they need, despite falling vacancies. With green shoots on the horizon for the economy, businesses are understandably focusing on how they can both tackle current resourcing gaps and build talent pools that are sustainable for a fast-growth future. But it’s not going to be easy.
Why Elon Musk shouldn’t have dropped his PR team

Why Elon Musk shouldn’t have dropped his PR team

Elon Musk is never far from the news, and not always for the most positive reasons. This is why it was a surprise to see the Tesla and PayPal founder letting his only public relations employee at X depart earlier this month. But what impact could that have, and why is PR a must-have in the modern day?
The importance of communicating effectively with your audience

The importance of communicating effectively with your audience

We live in a significantly more interconnected world than at any other point in history and sectors like recruitment are becoming increasingly crowded. This makes communicating with your audience and standing out, key. It may have been possible to rely solely on word-of-mouth and your network in the past, but it’s certainly not now. So, with that in mind, how do you communicate effectively with your target audiences?
Why trade associations need to ramp up their communications in a General Election year

Why trade associations need to ramp up their communications in a General Election year

It’s hard to think that this year’s ‘will they /won’t they’ question has been dominated by the General Election. However, following months of speculation around when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will call an election, the announcement was finally made, albeit on a wet and dreary May afternoon.
How NOT to launch an election campaign – PR own goals to avoid

How NOT to launch an election campaign – PR own goals to avoid

As a communications professional, you quickly learn that there are some major PR ‘own goals’ to avoid when launching any campaign. To put it mildly, if you mess up your key interactions with your audience – no matter who that is – it will likely have a detrimental impact on your reputation and your ability to convert or win over that potential customer further down the line.
Key practices for fostering inclusion in a diverse workforce - guest blog

Key practices for fostering inclusion in a diverse workforce - guest blog

In today's globalised and interconnected business landscape, the significance of a diverse workforce cannot be overstated. Beyond mere compliance or tokenism, embracing diversity in all its forms brings a multitude of benefits to organisations, from enhanced innovation and creativity to improved decision-making and market responsiveness. However, achieving true diversity and reaping its rewards requires more than just hiring individuals from different backgrounds. It necessitates creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. In this article, we will delve into key practices for fostering inclusion in a diverse workforce, with a focus on strategies like diversity hiring and addressing religious discrimination.
Why you can’t afford to cut recruitment marketing in a recession

Why you can’t afford to cut recruitment marketing in a recession

We all want to save money, and cutting back on marketing can seem like a good way to do it. But if you're considering reducing your marketing spend, take a moment to think first. Marketing is an investment in your company's future. Without the right marketing strategy, the results from other investments such as an ATS, LinkedIn, or sales training may not occur. What you need to do is measure the results of your efforts, so that you know what works and what doesn't work for your business. If you are thinking about cutting your marketing spend, here are some reasons why you should reconsider:
What the new Gmail and Yahoo email rules mean for recruitment

What the new Gmail and Yahoo email rules mean for recruitment

Have you heard about the latest email rules from Google and Yahoo?
How easy it for talent to apply for jobs?

How easy it for talent to apply for jobs?

Inhouse hiring teams have a lot on their plate with sourcing, interviewing, vetting and recruiting candidates and the myriad other tasks they deal with on a day-to-day basis, so it’s only natural that some things may get overlooked.
How relevant is your employer brand today?

How relevant is your employer brand today?

Even the biggest, most successful firms need a strong and well-developed employer brand. You could be a world class employer doing amazing things for your staff, but without this brand in place you will struggle to hire the skills you need and will miss out on talent to your rivals. However, it’s one thing building and developing this brand over time, you also need to consider whether it is still relevant in the drastically different employment world in which we’re now operating. So how do you keep your brand relevant and ensure it is up to speed with the demands and motivators of the modern workforce?
Is the traditional EVP on shaky ground

Is the traditional EVP on shaky ground

Employee Value Propositions (EVP) have traditionally focused on the workforce as, well, workers, and not much else. However, like so many other areas in the modern employment world, this has changed. But why is the traditional proposition on shaky ground and what must employers to do when adapting their EVP?
Why you should audit your EVP annually

Why you should audit your EVP annually

The employment market is evolving rapidly, you won’t need us to tell you that. However, businesses that want to win the war for talent need to evolve their employer brand in line with it, rather than risk being left behind. Here’s why it’s so critical to regularly assess where you are carry out an EVP audit.
Why your EVP needs a shake-up in a post-Covid landscape

Why your EVP needs a shake-up in a post-Covid landscape

While not quite as much has shifted post-COVID as many expected during the height of the pandemic, it’s obvious that some areas of life have changed dramatically, perhaps most notably, the employment market.
Why you need an EVP

Why you need an EVP

The importance of having a strong external consumer or customer brand enables your customer base to know that a product they invest in will have a certain level of quality and is obviously recognised as a fairly fundamental part of almost every business, but many firms aren’t aware that they also need a strong brand in order to recruit staff for themselves. But why is an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) so important in the modern world?
Debunking the top 5 PR myths: Separating fact from fiction

Debunking the top 5 PR myths: Separating fact from fiction

Get ready to challenge what you thought you knew about PR and equip yourself with the truth.
How to create a podcast for your recruitment niche: A low-cost, high-impact strategy - guest blog

How to create a podcast for your recruitment niche: A low-cost, high-impact strategy - guest blog

Podcasting has exploded in popularity over the past decade, with 42% of Americans aged 12 and older having listened to a podcast in the past month (Edison Research). It's a medium that provides a unique opportunity for businesses to demonstrate thought leadership, deliver value, and generate substantial profits. Yet, many staffing agencies and direct hire firms are late to the game.
B2B PR: How to effectively raise your business profile

B2B PR: How to effectively raise your business profile

If you're new to the world of PR and looking to raise your business profile in the B2B (business to business) space, you might be wondering just how effective B2B PR can be for your firm. The truth is, when done well and done properly, B2B PR strategies can deliver fantastic results and be hugely effective for any recruitment firm. However, the challenge lies in getting it right from the start. In this blog post, I'll explore some actionable tips to help you make B2B PR work effectively for your recruitment agency.
Here’s why you can’t always trust generative AI…

Here’s why you can’t always trust generative AI…

I asked: Can you summarise this report and pull out the key quotes relevant to the recruitment industry? https://business.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/business/en-us/amp/marketing-solutions/images/lms-state-of-b2b-marketing/pdf/the-b2b-benchmark-report-2023-final.pdf
This is how to use AI for recruitment marketing

This is how to use AI for recruitment marketing

Are you ready to take your recruitment marketing to the next level? Let's talk about how AI can help you out!
6 big differences between PR and recruitment marketing

6 big differences between PR and recruitment marketing

Are you a recruitment agency looking to build and promote your brand? Public relations and marketing are two important tactics that can help you achieve your goals. But what are the differences between the two, and how can you combine them to create an effective strategy?
Why people read blogs

Why people read blogs

Blogging has been around for over two decades now, and it's safe to say that it's not going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, according to WordPress, there are currently over 600 million blogs on the internet. That's a lot of blogs! And around 77% of internet users read blog content regularly (Social Media Today).
7 types of content marketing recruitment firms should be using

7 types of content marketing recruitment firms should be using

Content needs to be at the heart of every recruitment firm’s marketing strategy. When produced and utilised correctly it enables your business to generate brand awareness, build relationships with candidates and clients and bring your marketing costs down.
How to ensure your face-to-face meetings are worth the time - guest blog

How to ensure your face-to-face meetings are worth the time - guest blog

If you’ve found yourself at work thinking, “This meeting could’ve been an email,” you’re not alone. One of the big things the pandemic revealed was how much time some companies waste on pointless meetings, along with how this can have a knock-on effect—damaging productivity, preventing employees from focusing their energy on more important things, and giving your company a bad reputation among employees and potential recruits.
Even ChatGPT doesn’t think it can replace PR agencies

Even ChatGPT doesn’t think it can replace PR agencies

ChatGPT is all the rage right now, with many marketers excited (76% according to my LinkedIn poll) about the prospect of AI but a few feel threatened by it.
Why PR is essential for attracting top talent: 3 winning strategies

Why PR is essential for attracting top talent: 3 winning strategies

In today's job market, one of the biggest hurdles recruitment firms and internal recruiters both face is attracting talent.
Why should you invest in recruitment agency PR?

Why should you invest in recruitment agency PR?

When it comes to helping your company achieve its goals, great communication can be what makes the difference. So, here are some of the reasons why you should invest in recruitment agency PR.
9 things you should know about personal branding

9 things you should know about personal branding

Personal branding is something that recruiters are often asked about, but many don't know what it is or how to get started. Personal branding for recruiters is about becoming a known entity within your industry. And it’s about creating a consistent persona across all your different platforms, so your audience knows what to expect from you. One of the key ways you can improve your personal brand is by creating content that builds trust with people who are interested in what you have to say.
Ensure your marketing plans for 2023 are top-notch with a content calendar

Ensure your marketing plans for 2023 are top-notch with a content calendar

Whether you are working alone or as part of a team, a content calendar is a quick and efficient way to streamline your marketing process. In this article, I’ll cover how a content calendar can help your strategy – and keep you in check – during the next 12 months.
7 most common content marketing mistakes (and how to avoid them)

7 most common content marketing mistakes (and how to avoid them)

A successful content marketing plan can become your strongest ally in attracting clients and candidates and retaining your current audience’s attention. A successful strategy will need to be not only well focused on the needs of a target audience, but also avoid being too salesy or not informative enough.
The importance of SEO in recruitment to attract candidates in a skills short market

The importance of SEO in recruitment to attract candidates in a skills short market

To understand why SEO blog content is so valuable for recruitment agencies in attracting candidates, it is first vital to understand why blogging is needed for SEO.
5 Creative strategies to make sourcing candidates easier

5 Creative strategies to make sourcing candidates easier

For recruiters the biggest problem right now is most likely finding candidates right? You've got how many open roles? And zero (or it feels that way) candidates.
Tips for responding to negative reviews about your recruitment agency

Tips for responding to negative reviews about your recruitment agency

The concept of ‘word of mouth’ reviews has changed dramatically now that the internet is an integral part of our lives. Years ago, disgruntled clients and candidates would express their dissatisfaction by telling their friends and colleagues. Now, they tell the world via a frustrated tweet, withering LinkedIn comment or damning Google review. The speed at which these comments can be shared means that your business can suffer widespread reputational damage, which is why it is important to manage them with care. Just Google 'viral negative reviews' and you'll be amazed by how many results you get. So, if an unhappy client or candidate has left your agency less-than-glowing feedback, what can you do?
5 things recruiters need to do before starting a business blog

5 things recruiters need to do before starting a business blog

You’re an excellent recruiter and you know it - but when it comes to writing... perhaps not.
Keywords for recruitment blogs (and why you should care)

Keywords for recruitment blogs (and why you should care)

You already know the importance of having a business blog for your recruitment firm. But what's the next step once you get started? For a successful content marketing strategy, you need to use the right keywords for recruitment agencies, and then apply them effectively. This can be difficult to get to grips with at first, however it is a crucial step to master in content writing, as without the correct keywords, your carefully crafted blog post risks being lost in the depths of Google! There are a number of free keyword research tools online such as ‘Google Trends’ or ‘Answer The Public ’ to help you find out what is trending around your topic and the relevant keywords you should be using.
How to view your competitors’ social media ads

How to view your competitors’ social media ads

Did you know that you can find paid social ads your competitors in the recruitment industry are running?
Content marketing: Tips for recruiters on writing a blog

Content marketing: Tips for recruiters on writing a blog

As most people operating in and around the recruitment industry will have heard, recent ONS figures reported that, for the first time since records began, there are fewer unemployed people than job vacancies in the UK. While this shows that the efforts of recruitment are certainly paying off, businesses still have vacancies that need to be filled, and with talent pools drying up, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to attract top talent.
What does LinkedIn's algorithm update mean for recruitment marketers?

What does LinkedIn's algorithm update mean for recruitment marketers?

Over the past several months, LinkedIn has been busy tweaking its algorithm to increase the number of valuable conversations taking place on the platform whilst reducing the number of irrelevant posts that appear in users’ feeds.
Recruitment industry trends: Global Recruiter Summit 2022

Recruitment industry trends: Global Recruiter Summit 2022

After receiving an invite to the Global Recruiter Summit 2022, I was delighted to get out of the office and attend. Throughout the day, I listened to some extremely thought-provoking talks, indulged in some delicious complimentary treats and had fun networking with other attendees from the recruitment industry. Here are my highlights from the day:
How to increase your recruitment firm’s organic reach on social media

How to increase your recruitment firm’s organic reach on social media

Have you noticed a decline in your recruitment firm’s organic reach across social media over the last few years? You’re not alone. Algorithm changes at Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter have all negatively impacted the number of people that businesses are able to reach.
Why we should all be producing more infographics

Why we should all be producing more infographics

Research suggests that articles that feature relevant pictures receive up to 94% more views than articles that are made up of pure text. So it’s pretty surprising that so much content is still posted without relevant visual aids, especially considering that just over 65% of us are visual learners. Ensuring that your content is accompanied by a relevant photo or graphic is also key for social sharing.
How to create candidate personas for recruitment marketing

How to create candidate personas for recruitment marketing

In an increasingly candidate-led market, it is more important than ever that your recruitment firm’s marketing is as effective as can be. Candidate personas enable you to successfully target jobseekers and produce compelling content that resonates with them so that you can save time, money and resources on finding the perfect candidate for your client.
5 secrets to creating killer video content

5 secrets to creating killer video content

I know, I know. You’re busy. You barely have time to write a blog post, let alone make and edit a video. In the world of recruitment marketing (all marketing actually now that I think about it), there is never enough time.
People over productivity: burnout is real - guest blog

People over productivity: burnout is real - guest blog

Burnout has been an aspect that is usually not paid much heed. Though it is one of the things that employers have had to deal with for the longest time. Employees who are overworked, unappreciated, dissatisfied, frustrated are usually at the brink of burnout. It is one of the significant factors affecting retention.
3 ways recruiters can increase their LinkedIn engagement

3 ways recruiters can increase their LinkedIn engagement

With the shift to working from home as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, social recruiting has become far more competitive as recruiters look to stand out on the LinkedIn feeds of potential clients and candidates.
5 things to stop doing with your recruitment marketing

5 things to stop doing with your recruitment marketing

STOP looking at PR as a vanity project – have objectives and measure outcomes STOP creating content and not marketing it STOP writing crap job adverts and blaming the advert and the talent who applies STOP sending out press releases about what you do… no-one cares STOP using billers to write blogs Tracey Barrett and Lisa Jones’ top recruitment PR and marketing tips Focus on the objectives of your content strategy Content is a tactic There’s a lot of crap content out there Keeping your brand a secret isn’t a great tactic Leverage, stretch and repurpose your press coverage to get maximum ROI Think of job ads as content – not a rehash of the job spec Build your recruitment marketing strategy around your target market Stop telling people what you do – no-one cares – tell them what you know Promote the success of your marketing activities internally and take credit for the sales you contribute to Think about how you can get content from recruiters without asking them to stop billing Use PR as a business development tool Shocking stats: recruitment agency polls 58% of recruitment firms hardy ever appear in the media outside of the recruitment press 42% of recruitment consultancies are generating valuable leads and talent with their content – if you’re not one of them, you’re missing out 75% of recruitment businesses say they have lots to say but they don’t know how to create or send a press release 71% of recruitment marketers say getting recruiters to give them content is like trying to pull teeth Looking to build PR into your business development strategy? For more tips on how to leverage your media coverage read more from the BlueSky PR Blog and check out our free, on-demand webinars.
Recruiters - Marketers are in high demand / short supply!

Recruiters - Marketers are in high demand / short supply!

With the latest research from APSCo finding that jobs for marketeers were up 130% in 2021 on 2020 and recruitment agencies themselves victims of the ‘great resignation’ - if you're struggling to hire a recruitment marketer then perhaps it's time for to consider outsourcing all or part of your marketing function?
Key takeaways from Recruitment Agency Expo

Key takeaways from Recruitment Agency Expo

Last week, the team here at BlueSky PR were lucky enough to attend Recruitment Agency Expo. We attended talks, networked and finally caught up with some of our clients… in person! Here are some of our takeaways:
Content marketing stats to bring to your MD

Content marketing stats to bring to your MD

A guide to creating an efficient and meaningful report Most recruitment firms will recognise that, to be successful, they need to be driven by data. As a marketer, you have access to an abundance of tools that help you measure your content marketing efforts and the value you bring to your business. With so many numbers and analytics in your grasp, it can be hard to identify which figures you need to bring to your Managing Director (MD).
5 social media tips you should ignore

5 social media tips you should ignore

Social media as a communication channel continues to grow, with a report by Datareportal in 2021 saying, “There are now 4.20 billion social media users around the world. This figure has grown by 490 million over the past 12 months.” This is astonishing as now the vast majority of the world is on social media, which increases your opportunities to find the perfect candidate for the role you are trying to fill.
How to effectively engage with journalists

How to effectively engage with journalists

It goes without saying that companies expect their PR agency to secure great coverage on their behalf. Whether that is through securing interview opportunities, comments in a wider article or a thought leadership piece, effective engagement with journalists is a must. Although journalists are often inundated with pitches, press releases, and calls, there are techniques you can follow to help get on their radar, while also establishing lasting relationships. This blog looks at the 5 steps you need to take to effectively engage with journalists and the 3 things to avoid.
Why media relations is important for recruitment

Why media relations is important for recruitment

I’m Sadie McGrath and I have recently joined BlueSky PR as their new PR and Communications Assistant.
Social media recruiting: trends and features to watch

Social media recruiting: trends and features to watch

Live streaming – marketing tool or a Covid necessity? Do you need to broadcast a message to clients or employees?
How to attract candidates, clients, and recruiters to your business

How to attract candidates, clients, and recruiters to your business

Recruitment businesses need three things in order to be successful:
5 questions you must ask to perfect your recruitment content marketing

5 questions you must ask to perfect your recruitment content marketing

The more time we spend sitting in front of our screens these days, the more we are bombarded by information which is why having an effective content marketing plan in place that catches your audience's attention is more important than ever.
Why your recruitment firm should be producing long-form content

Why your recruitment firm should be producing long-form content

Are you producing long-form content for your recruitment firm’s website? While the prospect of turning a blank page into one that offers substantial value and information for your target audience can seem pretty daunting, it is something that offers many benefits.
5 ways to achieve work-life balance when working remotely - guest blog

5 ways to achieve work-life balance when working remotely - guest blog

Remote working is here to stay. It's been over a year now that most organisations have gone fully remote (whether temporary or long term) or adopted a hybrid working model. Face-to-face interactions, water cooler chats and coffee breaks have now been replaced by virtual meeting rooms and zoom calls.
Communication tips to double your recruitment agency client base

Communication tips to double your recruitment agency client base

In the busy world of recruitment, agencies are often so fixated on the daily complexities of their jobs that they may miss out on the benefits of an effective communications strategy. Here’s just a few of the most effective communications tricks to double your recruitment agency’s client base:
How to increase your recruitment firm’s LinkedIn followers

How to increase your recruitment firm’s LinkedIn followers

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from recruitment marketers and agency owners is ‘How can we increase the number of LinkedIn followers we have?’
Social media for recruitment: In-house versus agency

Social media for recruitment: In-house versus agency

As a recruitment agency owner you’re no doubt aware just how important social media has become in recent years. It enables your business to increase its brand awareness, enhance its reputation and generate leads – to name just a few of its many benefits.
Authentic PR and marketing: What is it and why does it matter?

Authentic PR and marketing: What is it and why does it matter?

Any recruitment agency owner that has had limited interaction with outsourced PR and marketing support (or, indeed, a particularly bad experience with a less than reputable agency) might not automatically think of ‘authentic’ as being a key part of public relations or marketing. But authenticity is crucial in any content you’re pushing out.
How recruitment firms can use LinkedIn video

How recruitment firms can use LinkedIn video

Are you looking to implement video content into your recruitment firm’s LinkedIn strategy?
How recruitment firms can create snackable content for social media

How recruitment firms can create snackable content for social media

As social media feeds continue to become increasingly saturated with a rise of 2.3 million UK users in the last year, it is more difficult than ever for recruitment agencies to cut through the noise and generate content that captures the attention of their target audiences.
Top 5 reasons why your recruitment firm should hire a PR agency

Top 5 reasons why your recruitment firm should hire a PR agency

Public Relations, or 'PR', for recruiters is all about the way you communicate with your target audience, promote yourself, and build a positive reputation.
What is evergreen content? And why should you love it?

What is evergreen content? And why should you love it?

You may have heard the term before, but aren’t exactly sure what it means, how it can benefit your business, or why it’s named after a tree. So what is evergreen content? Evergreen content is content that is relevant now and long after it is published (such as this very slightly updated post from a few years ago). It can show up in a variety of formats, such as ‘how-to’ articles, top ten lists, case studies, and much more. Topics that work well for this are those that are part of our everyday lives, or relevant for everyone within a certain industry or subculture. Be it careers, health, finance, family, or relationships, evergreen content will flourish regardless of what’s going on in the news. News articles, statistics and reports, and trending topics are typically not suitable for this.
Instagram Reels: What recruitment marketers need to know

Instagram Reels: What recruitment marketers need to know

Has your recruitment agency tried Instagram Reels? In this blog, we will:
Recruitment marketing trends for 2021

Recruitment marketing trends for 2021

While 2020 was without doubt a challenging year for us all, many will have entered the New Year with some sense of optimism. And while the announcement of another national lockdown has certainly put a dampener on some of the positive forward planning that staffing companies had begun, the simple fact is this: we’ve been here before and we know what can help businesses survive.
Creating a marketing and PR strategy that really works

Creating a marketing and PR strategy that really works

The New Year is always a great time for new beginnings and new objectives. And for recruitment agencies, it’s a great time to plan for the year ahead – and what a year it’s looking to be. What lies in store for the UK economy is certainly unknown. Indeed, the only certainty is uncertainty. For every business, now is the time to look at how to weather the storm and, in my view at least, having a robust marketing and PR strategy in place will prove hugely valuable in the coming months. In fact, this formed the topic for a recent webinar I hosted with my colleague Dan. So how can recruiters and marketing teams create a strategy that’s impactful, relevant and can withstand the potential changes that lie ahead? Start at the beginning It might sound like an obvious statement, but when setting out your plans for the coming months, it’s vital that you take a step back and consider the ‘why’ before the ‘how’. Defining exactly what you want to achieve from any activity and why, will put you in a far greater position to see demonstrable results that are aligned with your agency’s growth plans. And while of course the most ambitious firms might have a number of objectives, being minimalistic will often deliver greater results than taking an all-encompassing approach. By trying to cover all bases at once, you’ll be spreading resources rather thin and, as a result, will be unlikely to see the desired impact. Instead, setting three clear targets to begin with and investing time and energy in achieving this will deliver greater ROI.
TikTok: Should your recruitment firm be using it?

TikTok: Should your recruitment firm be using it?

TikTok witnessed incredible growth in during the pandemic, as people sign up to the app to join in with challenges, learn dance routines and be entertained in what was a challenging time for us all. So, should your recruitment firm get in on the trend and start using TikTok? Here's what you need to know about the platform.
How to run a Facebook competition: The rules you need to know

How to run a Facebook competition: The rules you need to know

We often receive queries from businesses asking how to run competitions on Facebook and what the rules are. In this blog post, I will outline the key Facebook competition rules – including one that many brands break – and share some top tips on planning a successful competition.
Recruitment Marketing: Return Reset Restart: Three Month Trial Packages

Recruitment Marketing: Return Reset Restart: Three Month Trial Packages

2020 has been testing for all of us, however we are starting to see shoots of optimism when it comes to the recruitment sector, which, as we all know, is often viewed as a barometer for the wider economy.
Why thought leadership PR content is more important than ever

Why thought leadership PR content is more important than ever

For those of you who have heard anyone from BlueSky PR present in person or on webinars, you’ll have no doubt heard us talking about thought leadership PR and content. If you haven’t, here’s a quick explanation: thought leadership PR comprises content and communication that demonstrates your knowledge, experience and skills, with little to no sales pitch. It leaves your target audience with a real understanding that you are 100% in tune with the sector you work in.
How to improve your recruitment firm’s client acquisition activities

How to improve your recruitment firm’s client acquisition activities

Why you need to revisit your client personas What content to use for client acquisition Getting your social media content right The need for paid social media campaigns
Specialist versus generalist PR agency: Which is best?

Specialist versus generalist PR agency: Which is best?

When it comes to partnering with a PR firm, there are a number considerations to factor into decisions. However, quite often one of the questions we come across is whether a recruitment business should go for a generalist firm or a specialist agency. While there are benefits to both, for staffing companies in particular, having a niche expert on board can often provide the greatest return on investment.
In-house vs agency marketing teams: the growth of the hybrid model

In-house vs agency marketing teams: the growth of the hybrid model

There are numerous viewpoints when it comes to whether to outsource marcomms to a specialist agency or keep it in house. But what about a combination of the two? Increasing numbers of companies are turning to a hybrid model where they keep some of the marcomms mix in house and outsource other areas to a specialist agency. And an effective relationship between the two parties can substantially maximise business results. So what are the top ways you can effectively work with an outsourced provider?
7 questions we receive from recruiters about outsourcing social media

7 questions we receive from recruiters about outsourcing social media

Are you looking to outsource your recruitment business’s social media? Here are seven of the most frequently asked questions we receive when speaking to recruiters enquiring about our range of social media services.