This is the fifth post in a seven-part series on anticipating and handling growth in the second half of 2011. For the whole series, click here.
Is your staffing business ready to meet the needs of businesses experiencing growing demand? Being able to handle growth isn’t an accident; it’s the result of a step-by-step plan that puts your business in the best possible position to deal with any change in the economy.
Step 3: Market Yourself for Growth
When your customers are ready to use your services, be sure your name is at the forefront of their minds. Traditional methods of advertising have slipped in their effectiveness, as consumers across the nation have grown weary of a constant barrage of marketing messages being pushed at them. Instead, use “pull” marketing to make the most of your customers’ readiness to consider staffing.
Become a Local Expert
Your experience in staffing has taught you about recruiting, interviewing, hiring, employment trends and job-hunting. Many different audiences in your hiring area would love to hear your insights on these very newsworthy topics. Offer to speak at local business expos, job fairs, meetings of professional societies and other relevant events.
Stay up-to-date on business and employment news, both nationwide and in your region. To get the most information in a short time, make the most of online tools: you can have the headlines from regional and national newspapers sent to your inbox, and if you’re a regular blog reader, an aggregator such as Google Reader can bundle up your favorite feeds in one site.
Staying current on staffing news can be accomplished by taking a little time each week to read staffing magazines, blogs and sites. Being active in professional organizations such as the United States Staffing Association can also keep you on the cutting edge of our field.
Don’t forget to offer your expertise to the local media. If you don’t know how to reach business reporters at local stations and publications, use your business network to find out whom to contact at these media outlets. Reach out to them and let them know you’re available if they need an expert opinion on employment issues. Just remember: journalism is almost as deadline-oriented as staffing, so you might be called upon for a quote at a moment’s notice.
Next time, we’ll look at social media marketing for your staffing firm. If you have any thoughts or questions, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments!