Digital marketing for brokers: An essential guide
If you’re ready to leave the "incumbent" label behind and refine your marketing strategy, let's dig in.
But fear not. There’s a secret weapon in your arsenal: strategic digital marketing. This isn’t about flashy gimmicks or empty promises; it’s about unlocking the hidden power of your offerings and communicating their value to HR leaders in a way that resonates with powerful marketing basics.
I work with brokers every day to refine their messages and use digital tactics to drive leads and sales. If you’re ready to leave the “incumbent” label behind and refine your marketing strategy, let’s dig in.
Building a brand and marketing strategy that wins in HR
Before you jump into a bunch of marketing tactics, you need a crystal-clear understanding of your value proposition — the unique magic you bring to the HR landscape. Ask yourself: What makes your offerings stand out from the pack? Why is your firm different? Find your niche, your differentiator, and let it be the north star of your brand. A generic answer like “our people” or “our customer service” isn’t going to break through the clutter.
Once you know your value prop, you must identify your ideal customer profile (ICP). Who are the HR leaders most likely to resonate with your offerings? Are they forward-thinking startups seeking premium benefits solutions? Or established corporations grappling with employee retention challenges? Pinpoint their specific needs, their language, and their pain points. By understanding your ICP, you can tailor your message to strike a chord that resonates deeply.
Remember, a successful brand and marketing strategy isn’t just about shouting your message from the rooftops. It’s about building trust, forging genuine connections, and becoming the trusted advisor HR leaders can rely on. About half of my latest book is about developing a strong brand and marketing strategy before you jump into marketing tactics. I firmly believe you need to take the time before you waste time and money on digital marketing.
Essential pillars for benefits marketing
Now that you have a clear brand and marketing strategy, it’s time to jump into the tactics that attract and win HR clients. Here are some key pillars to consider:
1. Website & SEO: Your website is the heart of your business online, the first impression you make on HR leaders. It must be sleek, user-friendly, and packed with valuable information about your offerings. It should showcase your expertise through insightful blog posts, case studies, and other helpful content. But don’t just build it and hope they come. Another often ignored piece is search engine optimization (SEO), which is like a hidden map for search engines to help guide HR leaders directly to your door. There are many tools online that will help you perform a search engine audit on your website. It’s one of the first things I do for free with anyone with whom I speak about online marketing. It can get pretty technical, but the basics revolve around optimizing your website content with relevant keywords, building backlinks, and ensuring your site is mobile-friendly and fast. You’ll climb the search engine ranks and get free traffic.
2. Email marketing: In the digital age, email remains a powerful tool for nurturing leads and building relationships. Cultivate an engaged email list with targeted opt-in forms on your website and social media. Craft personalized email campaigns that speak to HR leaders’ specific pain points, showcasing the value your benefits solutions bring. Remember, automation is your friend. Set up automated email sequences for lead nurturing, onboarding new clients, and sending timely reminders about upcoming benefits deadlines. Remember to consider the power of a well-timed email to keep you top-of-mind with HR decision-makers.
3. Content marketing: Ten years ago, I wrote one of the best-selling books on content marketing. Things have changed dramatically since then, competition has heated up, but I still firmly believe in the power of content. While running marketing at HealthJoy, I created content pieces that developed into millions of dollars in sales. Content marketing is your chance to become a thought leader in the employee benefits world. Publish insightful blog posts on trending HR topics, create engaging infographics on key benefits statistics, and host webinars, which are a considerable lead driver. Share your knowledge, showcase your expertise, and establish yourself as a trusted resource for HR professionals. By consistently delivering valuable content, you’ll attract qualified leads, build brand loyalty, and position yourself as the go-to partner for employee benefits.
4. Social media marketing: Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with HR leaders and building brand awareness. But it’s not just about posting random memes or sharing company news. Choose platforms where your target audience thrives, like LinkedIn and Twitter (X). Craft engaging content that speaks to their interests and challenges, from bite-sized HR tips to industry insights. Foster conversations and run targeted social media ads to reach specific demographics. Remember, social media is a two-way street. Be responsive, answer questions, and build relationships. By becoming a trusted voice in the online HR community, you’ll attract new clients and position yourself as the benefits partner they can rely on.
5. Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising: Sometimes, you need to boost your message. PPC advertising, like Google Ads, allows you to target your ideal HR leads with laser precision. Use relevant keywords and ad copy to reach decision-makers searching for benefits solutions. Track your results, analyze data, and optimize your campaigns for maximum impact. Remember, PPC can be a powerful tool for generating qualified leads and driving conversions, but it requires careful planning and ongoing optimization to ensure your return on investment. You can use PPC advertising both at a local level and at national agencies; let targeting be your friend. Also, don’t forget about Bing.com and other alternatives.
6. Appointment setters: BDRs, SDRs, or appointment setters, whatever you call them, are the marketing superheroes that bridge the gap between online engagement and real-world conversations. They take qualified leads, nurtured by your digital efforts, and transform them into potential clients eager to explore your benefits solutions. Think of SDRs as your ambassadors, armed with deep knowledge of your offerings and the empathy to understand HR leaders’ unique needs. They’re the first line of contact, building rapport, qualifying leads, and scheduling appointments for your benefits experts. I am a massive proponent of either outsourced providers or internal teams for brokerages to take their businesses to the next level. Sites like appointmentsquad.com, belkins.io, and thesalesfactory.com make it easy to run a pilot, and I’ve implemented them for clients for under $2k a month to start, with encouraging results.
Navigating the digital terrain
The digital marketing landscape for benefits advisors is evolving and becoming increasingly crucial in a crowded and competitive market. The strategies outlined above – from strong, differentiated brand identity to leveraging various digital marketing tactics like SEO, email marketing, content creation, social media engagement, PPC advertising, and the effective use of appointment setters – are not just optional extras. They are essential components in the toolkit of any successful broker aiming to break through the noise and connect with HR decision-makers.
As we’ve seen, each element plays a critical role in establishing a broker as a trusted advisor and thought leader in the employee benefits space. A well-designed website and robust SEO strategy ensure visibility in a digital-first world. Email and content marketing provide the means to nurture leads and demonstrate expertise. Social media and PPC advertising offer powerful platforms for targeted outreach and brand building. Finally, the human touch of appointment setters or SDRs bridges the gap between online engagement and real-life business relationships.
In the digital age, where HR leaders are inundated with options, standing out requires a harmonious blend of technology, strategy, and personal touch. The tools and tactics we’ve discussed are more than just marketing; they’re a way to tell your unique story, connect with your audience on a deeper level, and provide solutions that truly resonate with their needs. As you refine your digital marketing strategy, remember that the goal is to reach your audience and resonate with them, creating lasting relationships and building a foundation for sustained business growth.
Rick Ramos, the author of ‘Transform Your Marketing,’ currently leads TransformYourMarketing.com, an agency that helps benefits brokers and healthtech companies market to HR departments to drive sales. Formerly, he was the CMO at HealthJoy, where he played a crucial role in growing the company’s valuation from $0 to $500 million. You can contact Rick at rick@transformyourmarketing.com.