In a revealing interview with Samara Jaffe, Co-Founder and GM of Transform at The Desk, Joel Lalgee, Founder of The Realest Recruiter, shared his insights behind his whirlwind rise on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, where he gained 100,000 followers in just 30 days. His story offers valuable lessons for anyone aiming to leverage social media for genuine engagement and growth.
Authenticity Over Production
Joel’s approach deviates from the typical social media strategy that emphasizes flashy content showcasing an idealized life. Instead, he focuses on authenticity and genuine subject matter expertise. His success underscores a pivotal shift in audience preference—people crave real, relatable content over perfectly curated posts. This change is particularly relevant for HR and People Leaders as they navigate the digital spaces where potential recruits and company stakeholders increasingly spend their time.
Strategic Content Delivery
The pivotal moment in Joel’s strategy came when he switched from automated tools to posting content manually on Instagram. This seemingly minor change resulted in a video, “5 Things Should Lie About in a Job Interview,” that talked about interview strategies unexpectedly, earning four million views. Joel emphasizes the importance of a compelling hook in every post to capture attention immediately. His strategy of frequent posting—three to four times daily—helped maintain high engagement and significantly expanded his follower base.
Understanding Platform Nuances
Joel also highlighted the importance of tailoring content to different social platforms. While LinkedIn and Instagram might cater to similar demographics, the content that resonates with each can differ substantially. His insights are particularly relevant as LinkedIn evolves, becoming more content-rich and interactive, challenging the traditional boundaries between personal and professional content.
Generational Perspectives and Content Strategy
about learning who your audience is and what they relate to. Once you know that, you can really dial in your content. Joel also reminded us to keep an open mind and don’t make assumptions. Many people questioned why he was on TikTok, thinking it was too young an audience for him, but he ran the analytics, and 80% of the audience was 25-55 years old.
Turning social media engagement into a full-time role, Joel discussed strategies for integrating content creation with day-to-day job responsibilities. For those still balancing multiple roles, he recommended scheduling dedicated time for content creation to maintain consistency without compromising job performance.
A New Way of Communicating
Perhaps most compelling is Joel’s philosophy on social communication. He advises treating online interactions as one would personal conversations at a conference—just on a larger scale. This approach enhances authenticity and facilitates more meaningful connections with a broader audience.
Joel’s insights provide a blueprint for HR leaders and professionals looking to enhance their presence and influence on social media. By embracing authenticity, understanding audience needs, and strategically managing content, they can significantly impact their professional communities and beyond.
Check out more insightful interviews at The Desk with top people-first leaders!