Midway through August 2015, I packed up all my belongings, headed down south to the land of the pines, and thumbed my way into North Caroline. I was working remotely for a company based in the famous Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Yes, that Oshkosh…b’Gosh.
I had a few months to find a new job before my contract expired in Oshkosh, so it was time to look for a new gig. I did what any millennial would do. I turned to social media, of course. I started following Raleigh-based marketing agencies and well-known local accounts, like the RDU Baton, William N. Finley IV, and New Raleigh.
I’ve always been a firm believer in showcasing company culture on social media. I wanted to gauge what some prospective companies were like before submitting my resumé. Then I found this post on the RDU Baton:
Jen Hoverstad, Operations Manager at O3 Creative, had the Baton that day. I read the post, and my girlfriend saw it, too, and I immediately set out to research the company. Then, I looked at O3’s social media channels and website, read some of the blogs, applied for the Digital Marketing Specialist position, sat down for an interview, then got the position soon thereafter.
From that Instagram post, I learned:
- O3 has a company culture that I want to be a part of.
- O3 does great work. I would love to work with a company that produces such quality.
- O3 likes Taco Tuesday. I love Taco Tuesday, so this could be a match made in heaven.
This series of events that led to my eventual hire was a direct result of Jen being active on social media. Even on her personal accounts or posting as a guest on the Baton, O3 was present and portrayed in a positive way. My first interaction with O3 was through a third-party account popular in the area. Ahh, an increase in brand awareness at its finest.
This tells us:
- Companies should be active and present on social media. It’s one of the best ways to distribute content, showcase company culture, and get your message across.
- It’s important for companies to find new vehicles to present content. Experimenting with new social media platforms allows you to reach new audiences. A potential employee or client may be into a platform that you have yet to explore.
- Taco Tuesday is the most important day of the week.
I’m not the first employee or client to find an employer or partner on social media. Having successful social media accounts is more than just taking a photo and click “post.” Time, strategy and creativity combine to make a successful social media presence.
One of our specialties at O3 is social media management. We can help you find your voice, develop a social strategy, and grow your following. Tweet at @WalkWest if you want to improve your social presence, talk strategy, or just say hey! Until then, Taco Tuesday on.
