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recruiter vs headhunter

Headhunting Firms vs. Recruitment Agencies

Why Use Outside Help to Recruit

Talent acquisition is a crucial aspect of any company’s growth and success. While some businesses may have internal recruiting teams, others turn to external firms to assist them in finding the best candidates for their job openings. Among these external options, headhunting firms and recruitment agencies stand out as popular choices. This article will delve into the key differences between these two talent partners and guide readers in making informed decisions for their hiring needs.

The Role of Headhunting Firms

Headhunting firms, or executive recruiters, specialize in sourcing top-tier candidates for high-level and administrative positions. They meticulously search for talented individuals with the skills and experience required for these critical roles. Unlike recruitment agencies, headhunters often target passive candidates who are not actively seeking new opportunities but may be persuaded to consider a better offer.

The Role of Recruitment Agencies

In contrast to headhunting firms’ specialized focus, recruitment agencies cater to a broader spectrum of job openings across various industries. They handle everything from entry-level to mid-level and managerial roles, showcasing their versatility in fulfilling diverse hiring needs. Recruitment agencies actively seek out candidates through job boards, online platforms, and networking, engaging with those seeking new employment.

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Positions Filled: Executive vs. Diverse Roles

One of the fundamental distinctions between headhunting firms and recruitment agencies lies in the type of positions they aim to fill. Headhunters dedicate their efforts to executive-level roles, including C-suite executives and other top-level management positions. Conversely, recruitment agencies take on various roles, from administrative functions to technical and specialized jobs.

Target Candidates: Passive vs. Active Job Seekers

The approach to candidate sourcing sets headhunting firms and recruitment agencies apart. Headhunters proactively seek out passive candidates, often targeting professionals already holding crucial positions in other companies. In contrast, recruitment agencies focus on engaging with active job seekers actively applying for job openings.

Methods of Talent Sourcing: Proactive vs. Reactive

Headhunting firms employ proactive methods to identify and approach potential candidates discreetly. They leverage their industry connections, conduct competitor analysis, and use networking to uncover hidden talent. On the other hand, recruitment agencies rely on reactive methods, posting job openings on job boards and websites and actively encouraging applications from interested candidates.

Hiring Process: Specialized vs. Comprehensive

Headhunting firms’ hiring process is highly specialized and tailored to executive positions. They thoroughly assess candidates based on the unique requirements of the roles they aim to fill. In contrast, recruitment agencies handle a comprehensive hiring process, from initial candidate screening to conducting interviews and managing the entire recruitment journey.

Industry Expertise: Niche vs. General Knowledge

Headhunting firms often possess niche expertise, specializing in specific industries or roles. This in-depth knowledge allows them to identify the most qualified executives for their clients. On the other hand, recruitment agencies have a more general understanding of various industries, allowing them to cater to diverse hiring needs.

what does a headhunter do

Working With Rainmakers

At Rainmakers, we are a unique blend of both a recruitment agency and headhunter, offering our valued clients the best of both worlds. Our approach combines the specialized focus of a headhunting firm with the versatility and comprehensive services of a recruitment agency. We pride ourselves on tailoring our talent acquisition strategies to meet the distinct needs of each client, ensuring that we identify and attract the most exceptional candidates for their high-level executive roles and entry-level positions.

Our extensive industry expertise gives us the insider knowledge necessary to seek out top-tier executives and specialized professionals for niche roles. At the same time, we are well-versed in the art of proactive talent sourcing, targeting passive candidates who may not be actively searching for new opportunities but possess the skills and experience that align perfectly with our client’s requirements.

Moreover, our recruitment process is driven by a commitment to excellence, combining the thoroughness of a specialized headhunting approach with the comprehensiveness of a recruitment agency. We diligently screen, interview, and evaluate candidates to ensure they meet the job qualifications and align with our client’s company culture and values.

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At Rainmakers, we understand that each company has unique hiring needs, whether it be for top-level executives or diverse talent pools. Our versatility allows us to cater to various industries and roles, making us the ideal talent partner for businesses seeking exceptional candidates at every level.

Our distinct blend of headhunting expertise and recruitment agency capabilities positions Rainmakers as a leading talent acquisition firm dedicated to helping businesses attract, identify, and secure the best candidates to fuel their growth and success in today’s competitive market.

Partner with Rainmakers today, and let us elevate your talent acquisition strategy to new heights.

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benefits of recruiting agency

Navigating the Employment Agency Landscape with Rainmakers

Working WIth Employment Agencies

An employment agency is a firm engaged in sourcing and placing employees in diverse roles for a multitude of companies. 

At Rainmakers, we operate differently than a traditional employment agency, as we maintain comprehensive profiles for each candidate, detailing their unique skills, experience, and employment history. This database assists us in accurately aligning employees with new assignments that best suit their expertise.

Numerous industries choose to delegate their recruitment processes to employment agencies like ours. This strategic delegation facilitates and streamlines the hiring process, particularly for account executive and mid-level roles.

Furthermore, employment agencies offer remarkable flexibility to employers and job seekers. The dynamic nature of our service allows companies to adjust their workforce as needed and will enable candidates to explore diverse opportunities and work environments.

employment agency recruiters

How Does an Employment Agency Work?

An employment agency follows a systematic process to ensure they source the right candidates for you. Here are the key stages in the recruitment process:

  1. Discussion of Employer Requirements: The process commences with the employer outlining their employment needs to the agency. This includes sharing job descriptions, anticipated salary range, and other relevant information about the vacant position.
  2. Job Posting Creation and Promotion: The agency then creates engaging job postings and advertises them on various job boards and social media platforms. Agencies have expertise in crafting compelling job posts that attract the right talent.
  3. Application Review: The agency initiates the review process upon receipt of applications. They scrutinize the resumes, assess their compatibility with your job requirements, and shortlist potential interview candidates. Modern agencies leverage top-tier recruiting software to accelerate and enhance the review process.
  4. Interviewing: The interview process begins once the potential candidates have been selected. Typically, the agency conducts the initial round(s) of interviews. Depending on your specific requirements, additional rounds might be performed by your company’s personnel. Upon narrowing down to a preferred candidate, the final interview typically involves a company and agency representative.
  5. Selection and Onboarding: Once a candidate has been chosen, the agency extends an offer letter and contract to them. After completing all necessary paperwork, the onboarding process begins. The agency usually manages these administrative tasks, simplifying the process for the hiring company.

The process aims to reduce the burden on the employer, ensuring that they can focus on their core business while the agency effectively manages their recruitment needs.

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What are the Different Types of Employment Agencies?

Different types of agencies serve unique purposes in the hiring landscape, offering varying services for job seekers and employers. Here is a breakdown of the various kinds of employment agencies:

Traditional Employment Agency 

A traditional employment agency is instrumental in connecting job seekers with employers. Some of these agencies might charge the job seeker, so it’s crucial to understand any associated fees before entering an agreement.

However, most traditional employment agencies are paid by the employer. They often specialize in specific industries, such as sales and marketing, accounting, human resources management, legal, sports, or IT career searches. Considering the multitude of agencies employers retain, it’s generally recommended that job seekers submit their resumes to these agencies free of charge.

Retained Search Firm / Executive Search Firm 

Retained search firms, or executive search firms, have exclusive relationships with employers. These firms are generally hired for executive and senior-level searches over a specific period. They excel at sourcing and contacting top-tier candidates, often reaching out to executives not actively job searching to see if they can attract them to new opportunities.

These “headhunters” are compensated for expenses, plus a percentage of the employee’s salary, regardless of whether the candidate is hired. They thoroughly vet candidates’ qualifications before sending them to the hiring manager, as they are committed to presenting the most fitting applicants.

Contingency Employment Agency 

Contingency agencies are paid when the employer hires their candidate. These agencies might charge the candidate, so always verify who will bear the fee. Contingency firms are typically used for low and mid-level searches, often forwarding numerous resumes to the employer.

When applying via a contingency agency, be aware that you might be competing with candidates sourced from various channels, including the company’s HR department, job boards, and possibly other recruiters.

Temporary (Temp) Agency 

Temporary agencies specialize in finding employees for temporary roles. Such roles can be seasonal or meant to cover periods of increased business activity, vacation cover, or illnesses. Temp agencies often place professional consultants on short-term assignments as well.

Recently, many temp agencies have started offering “temp to perm” roles, where a position begins as a temporary assignment but could become permanent if the employer opts to hire the candidate.

These staffing agencies often act as the official “employer,” issuing paychecks and possibly providing benefits like health insurance, childcare allowances, or vacation pay. If a temp role becomes permanent, the relationship with the staffing agency ends, and the employee is paid directly by their new employer.

types of recruiting agencies

How Can an Employment Agency Benefit Employers?

Understanding the benefits of working with an employment agency is crucial for employers. You may have questions about the process, costs, and our role in the hiring process. The ultimate goal is to facilitate a smooth, successful hiring process that benefits both the employer and the candidate. Here’s how:

Crafting Effective Job Descriptions: To attract potential candidates and highlight your company’s appeal, it’s crucial to create compelling job descriptions that align with various industries and job types. Tailor these descriptions to resonate with candidates and emphasize sought-after skills.

Accelerated Candidate Sourcing: When the need for swift hiring arises, consider partnering with experts who maintain a vast pool of pre-vetted candidates and strong industry connections. Leveraging these resources can deliver talented candidates promptly, saving time and effort in the recruitment process.

Asking the Right Interview Questions: Interviewing for roles outside your expertise can present challenges. Recognize the importance of drilling down into specific skills and qualifications relevant to each role. Industry-specific knowledge helps assess candidates’ suitability accurately.

Access to Passive Candidates: Passive candidates, those excelling in their current roles and not actively job hunting, can be valuable additions to your team. However, reaching them can be challenging as they aren’t actively searching for job opportunities. Consider partnering with professionals who maintain relationships with passive candidates, presenting them with enticing opportunities they may have otherwise missed.

benefits of employment agencies

How Can an Employment Agency Benefit Job Seekers?

As a job seeker, you’ll find that partnering with an employment agency can offer numerous benefits beyond mere job placement. Their commitment to empowering you is evident in their comprehensive approach, ensuring that you discover a role that perfectly aligns with your professional goals and personal needs. Here’s how they achieve this:

Job Matching Based on Skills and Culture Fit: Throughout their thorough onboarding process, the agency engages in extensive discussions with each job seeker, aiming to understand your unique skills and personal characteristics beyond what’s listed on your resume. Their ultimate goal is to match you with a position that not only utilizes your abilities but also aligns with your aspirations and cultural preferences, resulting in enhanced job satisfaction.

Improving Your Job Prospects: The agency provides personalized assistance to enhance your appeal to potential employers. This may involve refining your resume and preparing you for interviews, equipping you to make a strong impression. With their direct communication with internal hiring teams, they can offer unique insights not readily available through public job postings, giving you a competitive edge.

Access to Exclusive Job Opportunities: By partnering with the agency, you gain access to job opportunities that are often undisclosed to the public. Some companies prefer to recruit swiftly or for niche roles and may work directly with staffing agencies like theirs, bypassing public job postings. As their candidate, you benefit from exposure to these exclusive roles, increasing your chances of landing a coveted position.

Assistance with Negotiation and Onboarding: As you progress through interview stages, their team can assist in negotiating job offers on your behalf. Serving as intermediaries, they facilitate discussions on matters like salary, leveraging their knowledge of market trends and industry norms to help you secure a fair deal. Additionally, they handle the paperwork associated with a new hire, allowing you to focus on making a great start on your first day of work with peace of mind.

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What Should You Consider When Choosing an Employment Agency?
When selecting a recruiting or employment agency, it’s vital to consider several unique elements that will ensure you make the right choice.

  1. Certification: Having the right certification is a vital attribute of any trustworthy staffing agency. This is a stamp of approval issued by state authorities, ensuring that the agency has met specific quality standards before embarking on its operations. Request to see this certification to confirm you’re entrusting your recruitment needs to an authorized entity capable of delivering top-tier services.
  2. Track Record: Possessing a certification is only enough if an agency has a substantial track record. Experience is a testimony to the agency’s ability to deliver on its promises. This can be ascertained by exploring their operational history, usually on their website. Agencies that have been active for several years are likely to be more knowledgeable and reliable than newcomers in the field. Also, verify the qualifications of the individuals handling your recruitment needs.
  3. Readiness: The agency’s readiness to commence work is crucial if you’re on a tight timeline to fill open positions. Failure to initiate the recruitment process can disrupt your operational schedule and hamper productivity. Thus, choose an agency that can promptly start working on your recruitment needs.
  4. Cost Efficiency: The agency’s fee structure is another significant factor. It’s essential to find an agency that delivers excellent services at an affordable rate, especially if you’re working on a limited budget.
  5. Technological Competence: In today’s digital era, cutting-edge recruitment tools are crucial in expediting the hiring process. An efficient staffing agency should utilize modern technology, helping you connect with the right candidates quickly and effectively.

Working With Rainmakers

When choosing a staffing agency, certain factors can significantly influence your decision. At Rainmakers, we operate as a true recruitment agency, strongly emphasizing securing long-term job placements for our clients. We take pride in ticking all the boxes to meet your needs effectively and efficiently. Allow us to redefine your recruitment process and help you find the perfect fit for your long-term career goals.

Sign up with Rainmakers to discover the right talent for your team.

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salary negotiation tips

The Role of Sales Recruiters in Salary Negotiation

The Influence of Sales Recruiters

Salary negotiation is one of the most important steps of the interview process for both the interviewer and the hiring company. Yet the process of negotiating a salary can be intimidating for talent and hiring managers alike. Both need to be aware of industry trends and salary ranges to know what effective talent is worth. In addition, talent needs to be able to advocate for themselves when asking for an increased salary, which can be difficult.

Working with a sales recruiter can help. Recruiters are well-versed in industry trends and salary ranges and know what is necessary to match candidates with employers to fulfill sales roles. Here is a closer look at how sales recruiters help with the salary negotiation process.

The Role of the Recruiter in Salary Negotiations

When you enter into salary negotiations with a recruiter at your side, you gain insider information about salary expectations and benefits packages. You also have someone who can help you highlight the skills and benefits you bring as a candidate so you present yourself well in the negotiation process.

A recruiter represents both the talent and the employer. Their goal is two-fold: they want the candidate to be happy in their new role so they do the job well, and they want the employer satisfied with the hire so they continue their professional relationship. Thus, they will be skilled at bringing the two parties to a mutually beneficial agreement during negotiation.

What specific benefits can you expect when working with a sales recruiter to negotiate your salary? Here are some of the significant ways a recruiter can assist:

  1. Expert knowledge about salaries: Sales recruiters can help both parties know whether a salary offer is fair and competitive. Their insider knowledge can help both parties have realistic expectations for the negotiations.
  2. Help selling talent to the employer: Sales recruiters know what top talent looks like. So if you are a talent looking for a job and an employer match, they can sell your qualifications to your potential employer.
  3. Experience with negotiation: Finally, recruiters already have experience in negotiations. That experience helps everyone get the best possible outcome from the negotiation process.

The negotiation process is filled with nuances. For example, not only do you have to negotiate the pay, but you also have to negotiate benefits and perks, which can be hard to quantify. Your recruiter will help you understand these factors and their potential value so that you can make an informed choice about your employment contract.

recruiter salary negotiation

Understanding the Benefits of Salary Negotiation

There are several reasons why it makes sense to negotiate your salary. First, negotiation is often where those perks and benefits come into play. You may find it worthwhile to take a slightly lower salary package when you realize that you have flexible work options and a generous medical plan.

Second, the offer presented at the start of the process is rarely the best offer available. Only through negotiation can talent get paid what they’re worth.

Finally, you can start your employment on good terms with your new employer through negotiation. The two of you will get the opportunity to see how each operates. Since the sales process often involves some measure of negotiation, this is an invaluable part of becoming a sales professional.

How to Choose the Right Recruiter

Choosing the right recruiter is a vital step in a positive negotiation experience. Here are some tips to help you find one.

1. Choose a Sales Recruiter

When negotiating for a sales position, you need a recruiter who specializes in sales recruiting. The unique demands of a sales career require a recruiter with industry knowledge.

2. Look for Experience

Next, look for a recruiter or recruiting firm with experience, not just knowledge, in sales recruiting. For example, have they previously worked for major companies or sales firms? Can they back their stated experience with success figures?

Rainmakers has successfully matched tech sales talent with some of the top names in the industry. Our recruiting team can assist you in finding the right position and negotiating a fair, competitive salary with excellent benefits. We have been in the industry since 2016 and are ready to put that experience to work for you.

3. Ask for References

Finally, ask your sales recruiter for references. Check those references, especially if they were talent that found a position through the recruiter, and see how the negotiation process was handled. This information will tell you much about the support level you’ll likely get from that recruiter.

Common Salary Negotiation Mistakes

As you enter the negotiation process, make sure you avoid some common negotiation mistakes. Remember, negotiating a salary is a challenging dance, and you need to understand that dance to succeed. Here are the mistakes that are common but avoidable:

  • Not doing research into the market and your potential role
  • Not asking about the employer’s budget, which can guide your request for salary
  • Opening the discussions with your salary range
  • Not considering benefits beyond the salary amount
  • Being too quick to say “yes.”
  • Turning negotiations into a power play
  • Negotiating too much and frustrating the employer

Working with a recruiter will help you avoid some of these mistakes.

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Negotiating Non-Monetary Benefits

As you enter negotiations, remember it’s not just about the salary. The non-monetary benefits are quite important as well. Remember to consider these in your negotiations. Some common benefits include:

  • Paid vacation time
  • Phone or tech allowance
  • Transportation
  • Continuing education or professional development
  • Flexibility to work from home
  • Healthcare
  • Childcare reimbursement
  • Company Equity

With so many potential benefits, it would be easy to overlook one. That’s where a sales recruiter can help, ensuring you know all of your possible options and are getting a compensation package that’s fair and equitable.

Start Your New Career with Help from Rainmakers

Getting hired doesn’t stop with the interview. You must prepare for the negotiation process once you get past the interview. Rainmakers will support you every step of the way. Start the process by joining our talent pool today, and let us match you with employers who need your skills.

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sales development representative salary information

SDR Salary Guide

How Much Do Sales Development Representatives Make?

It’s getting increasingly challenging to find top SaaS sales talent. In order to identify the best potential sales team members, internal and external recruiters are searching LinkedIn, online job boards, and other resources to find qualified Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) to help fill your team.

Following their experiences working from home during Covid, sales staff are looking for remote employment opportunities that provide flexibility and require less travel time. This is the case everywhere across the country, and it presents challenges in sourcing acceptable individuals and what to offer in terms of base salary and OTE.

As market leaders in hiring tech salespeople, Rainmakers provides a transparent, data-driven platform to efficiently match top salespeople with the most intriguing and forward-thinking tech firms. The SDRs with the highest potential are consequently linked with the most suitable opportunities that meet their qualifications.

How Much Does the Average Tech SDR Make?

Positions as a Sales Development Representative (SDR) are frequently entry-level. Because most candidates have little to no sales experience, it can be challenging to calculate typical pay.

According to data from the Rainmakers platform, an SDR’s base income tends to start at a little under $59k and an OTE of almost $81k. However, SDR compensation will vary due to differences in regional living expenses.

High-demand areas such as San Francisco and New York will command a higher starting base pay—closer to $64k, with OTEs up to $86k. While still a powerhouse in tech development and sales, Denver would pay a bit less with $55k base pay and $83k in OTE.

Because SDR employment is entry-level, pay rarely rises significantly as one gains experience. According to Rainmakers’ research, between five and seven years of experience, on-target earnings start to decline. After seven years, growth resumes, although this is often a result of many sales representatives moving up to management and lead positions.

how much does an sales development rep make

Being a Sales Development Representative

Sales development representatives begin by researching prospective customers to deliver promising sales-qualified leads (SQLs) to account executives for further contact.

The “outbound sales” procedure starts with the SDR locating a potential customer. They then contact them and pass the prospect to another sales team member. While Account Executives are responsible for closing deals, the SDR primarily focuses on research, outreach, lead qualifying, and facilitating the initial meeting with the account executive. 

By using SDRs, businesses can divide their sales divisions into specialized teams with in-depth knowledge of particular sales process stages. This strategy works well because it streamlines the lead-to-closing process and enables everyone to work more effectively and successfully.

The best SDRs have a committed mentality, good sales skills, and an awareness of buyer personas. They should also have the persistence and inventiveness that makes things happen. A top-notch SDR should be able to recognize the problems and troubles that prospects are having, then explain how they can help.

They must also have strong research skills. A good Sales Development Representative must be able to “deep dive” into a potential client’s needs to uncover demographic information. Then they must communicate their findings to the Account Executive.

How Long Does an SDR Position Last?

That’s difficult to predict, and much depends on the size of the sales team and the target markets. The larger the company, the longer an individual may continue to fill an SDR role before moving up in the sales team. So while a small business may offer quicker promotion opportunities, overall earnings may be less than a similar position at a larger company. Slower promotion can be made up for with greater OTE earnings, but the SDR’s skill set must also be greater.

On average, SDR positions serving small businesses may last up to a year and a half. Those serving mid-market businesses can last up to two years. And those SDRs targeting enterprise businesses could see themselves staying in that position for two to four years.

sdr salary information

After Being an SDR, What’s Next?

SDRs pick up many skills while performing their duties. And they’ve had plenty of opportunities to watch Account Executives and other sales team members. 

After working further to develop skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and time management, SDRs can begin exploring the next step of their career. Often, the next logical stage of a sales career would be a closing, quota-carrying position such as Account Executive (AE). 

Account Executives are responsible for managing customer accounts. Typical duties of AEs include prospecting for new business, running demos, attending to the needs of current clients, and, most importantly, closing transactions that will bring in new customers and generate income for the firm. For example, where the Sales Development Representative develops initial interest and sets up the first sales meeting, the AE is responsible for following up and closing the deal.

Beyond that, an SDR can move on to roles such as Mid-Market Account Manager, Enterprise Account Manager, or Customer Success Manager. However, these positions and others above will almost always require time spent as an Account Executive.

What Cities Are the Best For SDR Jobs?

The West Coast and innovative technology go hand in hand in many peoples’ minds. The region of Northern California, known as Silicon Valley, is widely regarded as the birthplace of the modern technology sector. San Francisco is one of the leading cities that has benefited from its proximity to the technology sector and its large pool of skilled workers.

Other cities across the US are also becoming innovation hubs for information technology, primarily due to widespread technological advancements. On the East Coast, New York City is in the lead, and it is on par with San Francisco in terms of the number of potential customers for SaaS sales representatives. Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Raleigh are other cities that rank highly in terms of their SaaS sales markets.

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SDR Opportunities At Rainmakers

Rainmakers only considers the most qualified candidates for employment, allowing you to confidently interview the highest-quality sales professionals. When we look at potential candidates, we review their sales statistics, such as their performance, what they have sold, and who they have sold to. This enables you to economize valuable time by quickly identifying candidates with the required skills, experience, and personality traits.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can assist you in hiring the best team members for your tech sales initiatives.

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how much do account executives make

A Breakdown of an Account Executive’s Salary

How Much Do AE’s Make?

Acquiring the most successful SaaS sales talent is becoming increasingly competitive. As a result, in-house and external recruiters scan LinkedIn and other sites and reach out to qualified Account Executives (AEs) to find top sellers.

In recent years, many salespeople have turned to look for remote job opportunities that offer flexibility and less time commuting. This is the case all across the country, and it’s raising challenges regarding locating suitable candidates and what to offer in terms of base pay and OTE.

As market leaders in hiring tech salespeople, Rainmakers provides a transparent, data-driven platform to efficiently match top salespeople with the most enticing and forward-thinking tech organizations. The best AEs are consequently paired with the most suitable opportunities that meet their requirements.

Duties Of an Account Executive

An account executive typically works in sales, selling goods and services to corporations and/or consumers. For example, they often deal in SaaS products and hardware in the tech field. To succeed in this role, the executive’s employer commonly sets sales quotas, and the rep’s compensation combines base pay and commission.

The AE might receive clients or work on prospecting potential clients and engaging in cold calls. They identify new customers, learn about their pain points and wants in a solution, and then make specific pitches for services and goods that will satisfy those needs before closing the sale.

But the AE’s duties don’t end there. They will also follow up with customer service teams or talk directly with clients to ascertain whether the products are satisfactory after the sales transaction has been completed. Should issues arise, the AE might help find solutions. In addition, because repeat business is among their goals, the account executive is expected to develop positive relationships with the clients.

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Account Executive Compensation

As mentioned, pay is usually a combination of base pay and commission. Levels will depend on experience, geography, quotas, deal sizes, and success rate.

Averaged nationally, base pay will broadly range between $60,000 and $150,000. Most Account Executives are on a fifty-fifty split, meaning commissions can range from approximately $60,000 to $150,000.

A talented and experienced AE stands to earn a fair amount. The above information doesn’t include other benefits such as bonuses, equity, or profit sharing. For more salary information, review this helpful guide.

The Role of Quotas

If you’re looking for a new AE to close a specific dollar amount within a year, you may wonder how that would affect compensation.

Although it changes a lot by company, a good starting point is to assume an AE will earn a ten percent commission on the revenue they bring in. An AE with a quota of $750,000 could see additional compensation of approximately $75,000. A $1M quota could see a $100,000 commission, and a $2M quota could see commissions exceeding $200,000.

The Role of Geography

Economic conditions vary across the United States. Where a business or account is located and its customers can also affect AE compensation.

For an AE with 6-7 years of experience, top markets such as San Francisco and New York will see base pays of approximately $91,000 and OTE of $187,000, while Atlanta may see the average base pay drop to $79,000 and OTE to $172,000 for a rep with the same experience.

In the middle would be a city like Chicago, with an average AE base pay of $87,000 and an OTE of around $179,000.

Overall, national data points to a SaaS account executive’s total earnings averaging approximately $167,000 if they have 6-7 years of experience.

The Role of the Buyer

Does account executive compensation vary by the buyer they are selling into?

The impact of the product on the sales cycle will play a role in this. For instance, a software scheduling tool can be ready to use in minutes. On the other hand, a new digital operations platform (DOP) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) system needs time to integrate with any current customer tools.

Some sales contracts will take longer to close, which may affect the overall number of accounts able to close within a year and, thus, the total commissions earned. These longer sales cycles generally command larger deal sizes, larger quotas, and, therefore, larger commissions.

In addition to timing, the department of the buyer has an impact on potential earnings. Therefore, AEs who target specific high-earning departments stand to earn more.

For instance, a relatively new AE who closes with a procurements department stands to earn $135,000 in OTE. Closing sales with an IT department could deliver up to $138,000 in OTE. By contrast, closing with small businesses presents the AE with a potential $100,000 in OTE.

What is Annual Contract Value (ACV)?

Annual Contract Value (ACV) is a crucial statistic that assists in evaluating the effectiveness of your sales teams. A client’s annual revenue to your business is determined by its ACV. It’s the typical yearly revenue per client contract. The ACV is an essential SaaS measure used to market products with annual or yearly subscription plans.

AEs can review their annual customer revenue with ACV and determine which customers to focus on using customer success tactics. Then, once high-value contracts expire, they can use sales analytics and work closely with their Account Management or Customer Success team to keep their top-earning clients.

Consider a scenario where a business examines its sales dashboard and discovers that Client A has an ACV of $50,000 while Client B’s ACV is only $10,000. Client A is bringing in more revenue than Client B, so it makes sense for the business to give Client A a higher priority in time and resources.

But this isn’t a call to ignore Client B.

Instead, an effective business should increase ACVs across the board. This means looking at ways to increase revenue from Client B (and C, D, and so on). This can be accomplished by raising quotas and meeting those goals through upselling and cross-selling strategies and looking if some prices and rates could be increased. This, in turn, leads to higher earnings for both the business and the AE.

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What Cities Are the Best For Account Executive Jobs?

Most people think of the West Coast when it comes to top American cities for technology. However, Northern California’s Silicon Valley is well-regarded as the cradle of the modern technology sector, with San Francisco as one of the top cities profiting from both proximity to the tech sector and the skill pool.

In large part, thanks to technology, other cities around the country are also becoming hubs for IT innovation. New York City leads the pack on the East Coast and rivals San Francisco in potential earrings for SaaS sales representatives. Other cities with top SaaS sales markets include Austin, Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Raleigh, and Atlanta.

AE Recruitment Solutions At Rainmakers

Rainmakers accepts only top applicants, so you can confidently interview the most high-quality sales talent. In addition, when we look at potential candidates, you can see all their sales stats, such as performance, what they’ve sold and who they’ve sold to. This allows you to save valuable time by quickly identifying candidates with the skills, experience, and fit you’re looking for.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help fill your tech sales needs. Sign-up now!

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effective cold calling tactics 2022

6 Cold-Calling Tips That Actually Work

Effective Cold Calling Strategies

There are no two ways about it. Cold calling potential clients can be a real challenge. It’s hard to call a stranger you’ve had little-to-no prior contact with, get them engaged, and then successfully pitch a product or service.

Going through this process repeatedly can be even more challenging.

That said, when done right, cold calling can be a great way to build sales and earn commissions—particularly these days with so much business being handled remotely.

With that in mind, here are some expert cold calling tips to help you bring in more sales.

1. Do Your Homework

The term “cold-calling” is a bit of a misnomer these days. If anything, you don’t want to go in cold. You want to go in prepared.

Study what your clients do, how long they’ve been doing it, and how. Research the best people to call at that business and look them up on LinkedIn or other social media sites. Learn about their experience, responsibilities, and how you might find some common ground. (The chances are good that they’re also looking you up, so have a respectable social media presence.)

While you might not be wholly successful at first, you are more likely to get a positive reception on a follow-up call if you come across as someone who shows particular interest in the company or the person you’re calling.

cold calling in 2022

2. Know Your Prospect’s Challenges

When choosing prospects, select those that need what you sell. Instead of trying to convince prospects to purchase your product or service, find businesses that may be experiencing challenges you can help with.

Any product or service should deliver some kind of solution and value. Don’t waste time with prospects who may not appreciate what you have to offer. Instead, focus on potential clients with a problem you can help solve.

3. Adopt A Cold-Calling Persona

The cold-calling process can be emotionally draining—particularly if you hear the word “no” a lot. It’s hard not to take that personally after a while.

One method veteran cold-callers use is adopting a cold-calling persona. This doesn’t mean being dishonest and coming up with a fake background. Instead, it’s about mentally separating your personal self from your work self. You can do this with a slight change of pitch in your voice. Or simply by tilting your head a certain way when on a sales call.

Consider this akin to putting on a metaphorical business suit you can take off and put aside at the end of the day. It’s a small tip, but it can go a long way in helping you maintain your cold-calling endurance.

best cold calling tactics

4. Know Your Script

If you don’t want to sound like you’re reading from a script, then don’t read from a script.

Memorize, practice, and work in a few alternative lines to make you sound more natural.

Clients can tell almost immediately when someone is reading off a page or computer screen, and it’s an immediate turn-off—knowing your script and presenting it like a human being makes you more relatable and gives you a better chance of success.

5. Try Not To Sound Pushy

Easier said than done, right?

Fortunately, there are three simple tricks to help with this.

  1. Don’t act like a salesperson. Instead, act like a fellow business person or consultant.
  2. Identify your target’s challenges, and then discuss how you can help. Introduce your product or service as a solution to a pain point.
  3. Ask open-ended questions to get the customer to feel more engaged in your call.

The idea is to keep the prospect on the phone. Sounding too pushy will end your call before you can make a pitch for a sale or a follow-up meeting. On the other hand, if you can keep your prospect on the line—with them doing most of the talking—for around seven minutes, your success rates should improve.

how to effectively cold call

6. Identify Why They Might Say No, and Be Ready

Turning a no into a yes.

Before placing your call, see what you can do to identify their reasons for saying no beforehand. If you can figure this out, you’re in a better position to focus on finding solutions and steering your prospect toward finding the value in your product or service themselves and then saying yes to your offer.

We’re All Human

It’s easy to see prospects as numbers and cold calls as mere lists.

Remember that on the other side of every phone call or video screen is a living, breathing person with their own responsibilities, goals, and lives.

The real key to successful cold calling is connecting with people, and the only way to do that is to recognize our shared experiences. We’re all human, after all.

If you are looking for top cold-calling talent for your organization, reach out to Rainmakers!

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Meditating Salesperson

Top Apps for SaaS Salespeople That Promote Productivity and Wellness

The coronavirus has ushered in a lot of change over the last year. Despite initial economic fears of a global shutdown, those in the sales tech industry actually saw a lot of opportunity open up in front of them as companies were scrambling to set up remote workforces.  Suddenly, those who were initially hesitant began seeing the value crystal clear as circumstances changed and industries pivoted to meet new consumer and business needs.

This surge in opportunities for SaaS sales might leave employees feeling stuck in overdrive, as if they should continue to strike while the iron’s hot. Couple this with all the transformations in the work environment and our daily lives and it can shake even your best workers. Finding ways to avoid burnout should be a top priority among workplaces today as it is not only crucial for your own individual health, but for the health of the company as well.

In most instances, you know there’s some kind of solution you could implement to help improve your day or a particular pain point. Cutting through the clutter to find what you truly need can be just as daunting a problem in itself, so you end up just tackling it all head on. Luckily, we’ve rounded up a list of apps that can help improve both your overall wellness and productivity so  you can remain a sharp salesperson.

Wellness

Not only does the pandemic put people at risk for catching the virus itself, but at this point, it’s been an emotionally taxing issue for more than a year. Many people who did not sign up for remote work are coming up on a full year of isolation from their coworkers. Some people have already made the transition back to the office, or it is coming up soon, as the vaccine continues to be administered.

All this to say, finding ways to take care of yourself has become even more essential. You never know what curveball is going to come next and the stress can really take a toll on your body, which will have an impact on your productivity.

goPuff

Staying nourished and meeting your daily vitamin needs has never been so important. One of the detriments of a busy lifestyle can be a lack of time to devote to your nutrition and the wear it takes on the body over time. Pre-COVID, you might have been used to meeting up with clients or prospects during lunch, but over the last year this might have changed quite a bit.

Downloading an app like goPuff may just help you keep your edge. Not only does it come in handy when you need a midday pick-me-up, but it is a hassle-free way to get the energy and nutrients you need to make a lasting impression on a prospective client. Plus, this delivery service offers contact-free options.

It’s also helpful on those days when it feels like you’re coming down with something, but need to power through back to back meetings. When this happens, you can get over-the-counter medicine delivered so you don’t have to miss a beat. For other creative, time-saving hacks, browse through what other customers had to say in their goPuff reviews about the delivery app.

Balance the busiest of schedules, without completely sacrificing your personal needs.

FitOn

With so many people new to remote work over the last year, the internet has been abuzz with jokes regarding poor posture due to inadequate furniture to work from. But let’s face it, even a few hours in the best ergonomically designed chair still warrants some break time.

Especially for SaaS sales, you may have small windows during the day in between meetings with your manager or client calls. Getting up and taking a break to get the blood flow going again might just be the refresher your day is missing.

With FitOn, you can choose from a number of different stretching exercises that vary in time and intensity. This is perfect for choosing the best option that fits within your individual schedule and physical needs. Then at the end of the workday, you might want to consider perusing all of the other exercises they have available, from workouts designed to incorporate children to exercise plans that can be done right at home.

Headspace

Whether the pressure is on at work, or you’re feeling anxious from any number of things going on in the world today, one great way to stop and refresh yourself is to meditate. Meditation can be particularly helpful, especially now with resources available like Headspace.

Choose from their large selection of guided meditations tailored to your specific needs. It doesn’t matter if you’re new, or have been practicing this exercise for years. Their clips each have someone calmly guiding you through the process step by step.

We’ve all been there, in the middle of a frustrating quarter, and you’re finding it hard to focus or feeling irritated because leads aren’t converting. With guides surrounding focus, anger, creativity and many more, you can have a quick session to work through these moments to renew yourself and pivot your momentum. If you’re unsure if meditation is for you, consider checking out what other users had to say about their experiences using Headspace.

Talkspace

Another impactful part of our health that can interfere with performance is our mental health. Reports of anxiety and depression are reaching new highs, so if you share these concerns know you are not alone. Your mental health shouldn’t just be a priority because it is affecting how productive you are in a day, but because it is our system of coping mechanisms for taking in not only our job but everything else going on around us everyday.

With that being said, you may not have even been aware you were struggling until it started seeping into your workday. Whether or not it gets that bad, its best to try to connect with a professional. For a SaaS salesperson, you might typically find it difficult to add in a commute or a non-work appointment with a counselor to address these concerns of yours. Luckily, with an app like Talkspace, you can have 24/7 access when you need it, and eliminate an extraneous commute altogether.

Talkspace is covered for many by their insurance provider or as part of their company’s employee assistance programs (EAP). Check out your own eligibility to get started on your mental health journey.

Productivity

Once your mind and body are well cared for you can get into the nitty gritty of your individual workflow. As a SaaS sales professional, you’ll need to be keeping tabs on the burgeoning tech trends and also be able to converse with business professionals speaking to some of their more general business interests. Here’s our roundup to fine-tune your productivity.

Evernote

Spend a day in the life of a SaaS salesperson, and you’re sure to want something to help keep your thoughts organized. Each meeting has a different string of thoughts. Being prepared for a meeting with your manager is quite different than a meeting with a prospective client, not to mention how different your clients might be from one another.

With an app like Evernote you can sync your project and meeting notes across your devices. You also have the capability to add in photos or pertinent documents. Or maybe you want to record the meeting so you are actively engaged in the conversation without the distraction of note-taking. You can add the audio file right to your meeting notes and go back through later to jot down any highlights you may want to circle back to.

There are various note templates available to get you started that can keep even the most scattered of note takers end up with an organized record for each meeting, project, or client.

Flipboard

Working in tech sales means keeping tabs on the industry as a whole. When a prospect asks how your product will fit into their established workflow, you’ll need to be able to speak to how it will improve, supplement, integrate or replace any number of their existing systems.

Staying informed is essential to your on-going success. Every tidbit you pick up is preparation for getting that lead all the way through your sales funnel. While we certainly don’t live in a time with a shortage of information or information sharing, this usually just makes finding the most pertinent resources difficult.

With an app like Flipboard you can cut through irrelevant news to create your very own curated feed of tech and software updates and insights. Not only can you get this customized news, but you can browse through flipboards when brushing up on other industries. Looking for talking points for a prospective sale? Check Flipboard to see if anything of relevance is up and coming in their field and connect it back to your software’s capabilities.

SmartUp

Taking a step back from the tech and software specifics, another great tool at a salesperson’s disposal is being able to touch on the value of the product to their more general business interests. It’s also likely that as a salesperson, you’ll come across young businesses, start-ups, or companies that started out as such. Being familiar with venture capital could really step up your pitch.

With SmartUp, you can dive into the knowledge sharing space and either build upon your business wits or start totally from scratch. This app gives you access to learning communities of your choice where you can share what you learn, ask questions, and make yourself a stronger overall salesperson.

Final Words

As any good sales professional knows, having the ability to be  flexible and make the most of opportunities is absolutely essential to your day to day and long term success. However, investing in yourself is also crucial to that success. Being your most productive and valuable self comes from a place of balance and setting aside time to make your health a priority and leaving time for personal development.

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Why Every Salesperson Should Blog and How to Start from Scratch

Why Start A Blog?

Maybe you’re unaware of this fact, but working as a salesperson ranks among the most common professions in the world. 

More than 21 million people worldwide qualify to be known as a “salesperson,” according to a report by the professional networking website LinkedIn. Understandably, the designations may vary according to the company and your location.

Of these 21 million people, half are women, and a small percentage are also underage or minors, depending on the country’s labor laws.

What Does This Mean?

The sheer number of salespeople worldwide clearly points to one thing: almost every business on this planet requires people to promote and sell their products or services. Moreover, as more companies emerge across the globe, especially startups with innovative products and services, the number of salespeople will rise exponentially – to about 25 million – by 2025, say industry experts.

This means hiring a salesperson is vital to every business serious about staying in business. And thanks to the internet, salespeople are no longer required to call upon potential and existing customers physically. Instead, they can work online by sending emails nurturing business and chatting online with potential leads, all while performing other functions simultaneously.

Therefore, making an online presence is becoming increasingly important for every salesperson. If you’re a salesperson that’s serious about your career, it is high time you also craft an excellent online presence that aligns with your personal and professional goals.

best reasons to start a sales blog

Why Should Every Salesperson Have A Blog?

Some may consider sales a profession that doesn’t require or merit blogging, so you may wonder why I’m suggesting it.

Blogging is essential for every salesperson, whether working for a brick-and-mortar neighborhood or selling online for a large multinational company with a global presence. 

Here’s why:

As a salesperson, you’ll be familiar with this scenario: some people will buy from you regardless of anything. And some people won’t convert as customers despite your best efforts and excellent service. This is part of human psychology; nobody can predict why a person trusts someone while distrusting the other, though both are perfectly honest.

However, it’s common knowledge that people will always approach a popular person when they wish to buy something. This flock mentality, as we call it, leads people to believe that a person is popular due to their honesty, integrity, and skills.

Blogging helps you to develop this trust factor among customers and potential leads. They’re curious about what you’re offering and would like to try working with you. 

2) Honesty Breeds Loyalty

Understandably, only some things that your employer sells in the market will match customer expectations.

Blogging provides excellent opportunities to write honest reviews about your selling products or services. With some good writing skills, you can present the pros and cons of whatever you’re selling in a very positive light that doesn’t harm your employer or customer.

When you’re honest about what you’re selling as salesperson through a blog, it’s natural that customers and potential leads will be drawn to you. They’ll be interested in knowing more about a product or service and about you as an individual. Because your honest blog posts and reviews indicate that you’re there to serve the customer’s interest, it makes it easy for them to pinpoint you as a potential resource.

3) Interaction with Customers & Leads

Frequent, healthy interactions with existing customers and potential leads is the secret behind every salesperson’s success. Blogging increases the reach of potential leads you can work with more than cold calling and emailing alone. People interested in your products will ask questions before they buy. When you respond to their queries honestly and resolve every doubt, you can convert these leads into customers.

You can also make special offers to convert a lead into a client. And that works wonders for your career. That’s precisely what happens when you blog as a salesperson. Customers can post questions and comments about the product or service you’re promoting. Responding to concerns immediately by taking proper measures instead of allowing an issue to magnify will make your life easier as a salesperson, and you will be thankful.

top reasons salespeople blog

Starting Blog from Scratch as a Salesperson

If you recognize how these three advantages can help your career as a salesperson, you might now be wondering where to start if you need to make one from scratch.

Here are some essential tips on how to get started:

Read or Watch an Excellent Tutorial

I’ll assure you that starting a blog from scratch isn’t difficult. However, you’ll have to exert some extra effort. There’re several outstanding tutorials online about how to start blogging. Read a good article written by any successful blogger. Most successful bloggers also have their own YouTube channels. Subscribe to this channel to learn about creating blogs catering to large audiences.

YouTube Videos on Blogging

Usually, every successful blogger shares their knowledge with people like us through their own YouTube channels. Look for these video tutorials from any excellent celebrity blogger from any country. Subscribe to their YouTube channel to get updates on what’s going on in the blogging world, and keep an eye out for trends in content or styling that can help you stay ahead of the curve.

Learn Basic Digital Marketing

Digital marketing consists of various processes that enable you to reach a broader audience looking for something specific such as your product or service. Nowadays, excellent digital marketing courses are very affordable and available online. As a salesperson, understanding digital marketing will help you succeed in marketing yourself and the business you represent.

Invest In a Paid Website

You can open a free blog or invest a little money on a paid website. Nowadays, you can get a domain name and host for as low as $99 per year using sites like Squarespace or Wix, which is reasonably affordable for every salesperson to start a blog from scratch. We recommend you opt for a WordPress website since updating it frequently and performing digital marketing processes are much easier on this hosting platform. There are also free options like Medium.

Use Social Media

No salesperson can afford to ignore the importance and relevance of social media. Your employer already has an excellent social media page on Facebook, a Twitter account, and some presence on YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, and other platforms, but you can and should too. Promoting your blog by leveraging social media to get more followers that eventually translate into leads and sales is one of the easiest methods of reaching the largest audience.

sales recruiting agency

In Conclusion

Now that you know how to start a blog from scratch, we suggest you start immediately. Blogging allows you to make money through online resources such as Google AdSense, sponsored posting, and affiliate marketing. So add to the success you aim to achieve as a salesperson by taking advantage of the many benefits of starting a blog. Good luck!

If you’re a salesperson looking to jump-start your career or make the next big move, Rainmakers can help connect you with companies seeking a skilled sales rep like you. Join our career marketplace. Sign-up now!

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How ‘Girls In Tech’ Empowers More Women To Enter the Tech World

This week Rainmakers sat down for a conversation with Hannah and Isabella from Girls In Tech, a global non-profit founded in 2007 that works to put an end to gender inequality in high-tech industries and startups while empowering women in tech and entrepreneurship.

Girls in Tech is our partner for the upcoming “Perfecting the Tech Sales Interview” event on January 23rd in San Francisco, CA.

We wanted to find out how exactly Girls In Tech can benefit women who are interested in sales jobs in the tech industry, and how we can help their mission.

Hannah, who is a Partnerships Manager for Girls In Tech, explains how often there is a large discrepancy between the number of men and women on a sales force and how that can affect the perception of what is seen as the right “sales person type.” Girls In Tech provides a place for women to develop their sales skills and practice within the realm of their sessions to ultimately become more competitive in the sales workforce. Isabella also stated the importance of networking and community within the 10,000 members of Girls In Tech, with each part of the organization there to support the dreams and ambitions of women in tech sales.

In addition to offering a wide range of services like boot camps, voting courses, hackathons, and professional development workshops, Girls in Tech also organizes events like the upcoming “Perfecting the Tech Sales Interview” event on January 23rd in San Francisco, CA.

More info on the event is below. If you’re interested in attending, you can REGISTER HERE.

Event Agenda:

6:00 pm – 6:30pm: Arrivals/Networking
6:30pm – 8:00pm: Speed Interviewing and Resume Editing
8:00 – 9:00: Happy Hour and Networking

Companies In Attendance:

Verkada makes enterprise physical security systems for the Internet of Things (IoT) era.
Crunchbase is the leading destination for company insights from early-stage startups to the Fortune 1000.
VoiceOps uncovers critical coaching opportunities in your calls. Optimized for high-volume sales teams.
Rippling makes it unbelievably easy to manage your team’s payroll, benefits, computers, and apps — all in one, modern platform.

Our full conversation with Girls In Tech is below if you’re interested in hearing more about ways they empower more women to join the tech world and how you can get involved:

For women who are interested in making a move into the world of tech sales and are looking for help landing their dream job, check out Girls In Tech and consider attending or volunteering at their upcoming event on January 23rd.

For more information on Rainmakers visit Rainmakers.co

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how to build your personal brand

How to Successfully Build Your Brand as an Industry Expert

Personal Branding Tips for Sales Pros

What do business magnate Sir Richard Branson, SEO and social media marketing guru Neil Patel, and best-selling author Mark Manson have in common? 

A solid personal brand. 


What is personal branding? 

Personal branding has become a crucial part of success for anyone with a skill or service to offer the world—the modern-day entrepreneur, merger & acquisition consultant, author, artist, independent contractor, sales and marketing professional, or self-employed freelancer. Through personal branding, renowned experts can set themselves apart from others in their field.

Personal branding is the practice of marketing yourself and your career as a brand. It encompasses your reputation, expertise, skills, personality, values, and attitudes, among a multitude of other things. It is the image that other people see or think of when hearing your name.

Why is personal branding important? 

Nowadays, even large companies no longer solely rely on their corporate brand. Instead, they also hinge on an individual’s personal brand (usually their founder or CEO) to build their image and reputation.

Individuals who build their business around their area of expertise, like authors, speakers, coaches, or freelancers also make use of personal branding strategies to distinguish themselves from would-be competitors and to attract clients. The reality is, nowadays, without a powerful personal brand, even experts will find themselves struggling to grow or even maintain their business.

Below are seven clear and actionable personal branding tips and strategies you can follow to kick-start your branding strategy.

Find your niche and build your expertise

The first and biggest step to creating your personal brand strategy is finding your expertise. Whatever industry you’re in, you’ll want to shine in a particular niche within that industry. There’s a common misconception that it’s better to be broad about your specialization for you to capture a larger market. Perhaps this might have worked for some at the start, but in the long run, those who go on to be successful are those who have found that one specialized field they can excel at.

Take Pat Flynn‘s example. From the broad industry of online entrepreneurship and digital marketing, he found his niche as an expert in creating passive income. This can be done in any field or industry. Finding your niche will help unlock two important questions: who your target market is and what your unique selling proposition will be. 

Have a consistent visual brand identity (that’s tied to your personality)

Your brand identity is often the first impression your potential customers will have of you. It includes your choices on what to name your business, logo design, color palette, graphics, and even photos you choose to share on your blog, website, or social media.

It even encompasses the way you dress for success. It can be hard to understand why it’s important to build consistent visual brand identity or even to have one at all, but visuals play an important role when it comes to differentiation, recall, and even perception of quality.

Develop a strong value proposition

After finding your niche, the next step is to position yourself within it. Research your competition and figure out what sets you apart. Some questions you can ask to determine your USP  or unique selling proposition are:

  • What specific problems are you trying to solve?
  • What are the skills you have, and what can you offer to your audience?
  • Why should your audience care about what you have to say?
  • What new insights or solutions are you offering?
  • What are you passionate about? What do you stand for?
personal branding tips

Create your content and social strategy

If you’re seeking to establish yourself as an industry expert, content marketing is going to be your best friend.

Remember, content marketing gets three times more leads than paid search advertising, yet costs 62% less than traditional marketing.

Content marketing is also what’s going to help your website rank. Focus on creating long, in-depth articles (1000 words or more) that answer a question or problem within your niche. You can search for top keywords or search queries using free tools like AnswerthePublic or Ubersuggest.

Make sure to stay on top of social media trends and topics relevant to your industry. Offer your audience useful content like infographics or free ebooks.

Figure out your modes of communication

Ask yourself: where can I engage with people from my target audience? Then be there for them. Let them find you where they already hang out. Take advantage of the social media platforms available to you and engage with them by replying to their comments on your posts or any feedback they leave on your social media page. 

Consider investing in an official website for your brand. Or, you can start with publishing on platforms such as Medium. What’s important is that you have a platform for sharing your expertise and allowing people to find you.

sales recruiters

Seek out mentors and build your network

Building a successful personal brand doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does it happen alone. A study found that 80% of CEOs said they have had a mentor help them in their respective careers.

Mentors can be a great asset when you’re just starting out on building your personal brand. The right mentor can show you how they achieved success and how to avoid common pitfalls or mistakes, and, very importantly, introduce you to more experts and mentors you can learn from.


Final Words

If there’s one key thing to remember when creating your personal brand, it’s to be authentic. A personal brand isn’t a persona or a facade to put on in front of an audience. People have a way of finding out if a person is being genuine or not. Your personal brand should be just that: personal to you. Consider your brand as an extension of all the good things about your personality, values, skills, and expertise.

Moreover, becoming an expert in your industry won’t happen overnight. As they say, there is no shortcut to success. You’ll need to put in countless hours of hard work, create lots of useful content, experiment with different techniques and tools, and above all, be yourself.

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