Did you know that every week, employees spend around 8 hours of time on their phones during work hours? In fact, a recent article from EnterpriseApps Today showed that employees spend an average of 2.5 hours per working day on their phones. In particular, employees can spend half of that time (nearly one hour) per day scrolling through social media channels like Facebook and Instagram (Statstic: Zippia). As business owners, the thought of this can make us cringe. Here we are, paying our staff to be focused on the tasks that push the company forward. However, it’s 2024, and unless you plan on implementing a “no phone” policy (good luck with this), then it’s time to adapt. No, I do not condone employees’ endless scrolling on their phones. Of course the work needs to get done with quality and care. But what if I were to tell you your employees’ time spent on their phones can actually help your business? What if I told you that your employees one hour on social media per work day can actually help generate revenue? While you may think this sounds crazy, it’s not. It’s EMPLOYEE ADVOCACY.
Employee advocacy is a concept that encompasses the idea of employees actively promoting and supporting their organization. It involves employees becoming enthusiastic ambassadors for their company, both within and outside the workplace. Employee advocacy goes beyond the boundaries of their job descriptions, as individuals willingly share their positive experiences, insights, and knowledge about their employer’s products, services, and values. This can be something as little as one of your employees telling their neighbor about how great your services are or how wonderful of a workplace it is. It can be something as small as having a company logo sticker on an employee car, which endorses the company culture. While there are many forms of employee advocacy, there is perhaps none better than that of social media.
Social media advocacy is a strategic approach where individuals, often employees or loyal customers, leverage their online presence to actively support and promote their place of work. It involves these advocates sharing content, voicing their opinions, and engaging with the target audience on social media platforms. Through authentic and enthusiastic endorsements, social media advocates help amplify the brand’s message, increase its reach, and build credibility. What many employees tend to forget is that if you have a social media platform, you have a personal brand, and people are influenced by that personal brand. In fact, a study from Statista showed that 89% of consumers trust recommendations from people they know versus branded content from a company. This means if you compare a branded post on your firm social media page to the same post either shared or posted on an employees page, someone is more likely to trust your company and call you if and when they need you when seeing it on the personal social media account.
Implementing a social media policy within an employee advocacy program is important particularly for a personal injury law firm where confidentiality is crucial. Such policies not only establish clear rules and standards for social media usage in the workplace but also serve as guidelines for employees to grasp the direct impact they can have on the company. By delineating the do’s and don’ts of social media engagement, these policies help protect sensitive information while promoting responsible advocacy. Moreover, they contribute to fostering a positive workplace culture where employees feel empowered to represent their organization effectively. In this context, a well-crafted social media policy not only safeguards confidentiality but also reinforces the symbiotic relationship between employee advocacy and a thriving company ethos.
As I initially stated, the beautiful thing about employee advocacy is that it is free for an employee to simply share your company page content to their personal page. But why should they? Yes, they want to be a team player, but why not incentivize your top advocates? At ARO Effect Marketing, we have worked with and built employee advocacy dashboards that recognizes employee advocacy and rewards the top employees based on the amount of likes, shares, and comments they have on company social media content. While this does require an investment, it’s a small one given the return.
The act of sharing company content and insights on social media platforms not only amplifies the brand’s message but also makes employees feel like they are contributing to the organization’s success. This sense of involvement and influence is a key driver of empowerment in the digital age. Investing in social media advocacy software and dashboards can enhance this empowerment further. These tools streamline the process of identifying top advocates within the company and make it easier to reward them for their efforts. Recognizing and incentivizing employees through methods like gift cards not only motivates them but also underscores the importance of their social media contributions.
Beyond the virtual world, social media advocacy encourages a culture of transparency and open communication within organizations. It fosters a dialogue between leadership and employees, where ideas and feedback can flow freely. This exchange often leads to improvements in company policies, processes, and even product or service offerings, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
Moreover, employees who actively engage in social media advocacy become brand ambassadors, both within and outside the workplace. Their advocacy efforts positively influence customer perception and the overall brand image. This, in turn, can attract potential clients and enhance the organization’s reputation.
It’s 2024, and social media is only continuing to grow. More and more people are making decisions based on what they see on social media. This stands true for people choosing the right law firm for them when injured. We all know that the personal injury field is a competitive one, and having an employee advocacy program in place can only help you stand out from the rest and build trust with potential clients.
About Erik Ovesny, Founder/CEO, ARO Effect Marketing:
Erik Ovesny, hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, is the dynamic Founder and CEO of ARO Effect Marketing, a distinguished digital lead generation and social media advertising agency. In addition, Erik is the visionary leader behind another pioneering venture as the Founder and CEO of an innovative A.I. intake software company, revolutionizing the way law firms and healthcare practices optimize their “speed to lead” tactics. A recognized national speaker on personal injury marketing and employee advocacy, Erik’s dedication to innovation and expertise continues to drive advancements in both the marketing and technology sectors.
