Recruitment PR and Marketing Blog

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.
The biggest recruitment marketing challenges of 2023

The biggest recruitment marketing challenges of 2023

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.
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.
Recruitment marketing: update your strategies for 2024 and beyond

Recruitment marketing: update your strategies for 2024 and beyond

It's hard to believe 2023 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.
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.