This podcast is about becoming a better podcaster and entrepreneur. As a Producer and Founder of multiple brands, I want to take a moment to talk about hiring!
Whether you’ve been hiring for a while, having a hard time hiring or you’re looking towards the future, I got you. This episode is for everyone who has a big vision for your business and wants to build a great team in the process.
Let’s get into it…
Don’t hire people in order to train them
People ask me about my hiring process and what I’ve learned. The first piece of hiring advice I have for you is - do not hire untrained people in order to train them later.
I have a strong opinion about this.
Yes, it seems like a good idea! You’re giving them a chance! They’re so eager to learn from you! But this almost exclusively has drawbacks when you’re an independent creator with a small developing brand.
There are several reasons why I don’t recommend this approach.
First of all, you are one person…you don’t have a training department.
Let’s be real, folks! By the time you can hire a team, you’re already drowning in work. You need capable help, not friends to hang out with. Hire people who know what the heck they’re doing.
As entrepreneurs, we are stretched pretty thin. Speaking from experience, Adode Media handles 20-ish podcast episodes every week (with everything from recording in the studio to editing to graphics and promotion). Whew, I’m tired just thinking about it. Think of how busy you are - is this person going to take tasks off your list immediately, with very little management from you? If not, then it’s really just a bad idea. You need help, that’s why you’re hiring.
Not only do you need help with your current tasks, you just don’t have time to train.
Now, I’m not talking about throwing people to the wolves. Get them set up to use your systems and communicate effectively with you. But don’t hire somebody who needs weeks of supervision when you can’t commit to doing it.
Remember, many people get their start working for bigger companies, which have a training department! Later, they can work freelance for you as a contractor or have the skills to work for you as an employee at your cool indie company. It’s not your job to train everybody.
Last thing. Your growing company cannot afford mistakes.
No one is perfect, but if you’re running around desperately trying to mop up the mistakes your new hires make, that will drain your energy and annoy your clients.
You’ll have to take accountability for whatever happens in your company, regardless of who makes the mistakes. You are the face of your brand. Hire people who are really unlikely to disappoint you and your customers please!
This is your business. Build it with pride! Hire capable, skilled entrepreneurs. Hire people you don’t have to micromanage. Find people who bring a lot to the table, because your company is totally worth it.
How not to hire - don’t do these things!
The next piece of advice I will bestow upon you is that you can build your team mindfully by following some guidelines.
This is based on my experience, so do with it what you will. But I have come to these pieces of guidance through tough experience while trying to hire in the last few years, and I really encourage you to weigh these thoughts.
This one’s controversial: Do not hire fans. And don’t hire your friends.
I can feel people tense up when I say that. Honestly, I understand, because I have tried to do both of these things multiple times. But after careful consideration, these are a no from me.
Hiring fans is a big one. It can feel so exciting and flattering when someone follows you online and reaches out to you! Oooh, you want to work with ME? Great! But let me tell you, it can end badly.
When someone is a big fan, they know you from your online presence. You’re so cool and fun on Instagram. But in your day-to-day life, you’re also a business owner, and their boss. You need to be able to remind them about deadlines, ask for edits, and have a tough conversation with them if it doesn’t work out. Frankly, you need to feel comfortable firing them.
I don’t use Instagram to hire my biggest fans. I usually use Indeed to hire professionals.
TikTok is not a career website. Use a job site, because you want somebody to do a real job. When you post a job and someone applies, they look at the list of skills and qualifications and communicate their capabilities to you. They don’t just slide into your DM’s like hey, working there would be fun! Emoji heart! No! Serious professionals are online with their portfolios ready, prepared to prove themselves to you.
People I hired from Instagram told me they’d love an opportunity to work for me. They said they would understand if I fired them, and when I had to, they were actually really upset. They suddenly hated my brand and my work because I am a tough boss.
Online, I get to be fun and captivating to my audience. And while I love bringing my laughter and positive attitude to work, I am also in charge and I have a vision for growing my company. I’m the boss, and I ask for what I need. I know I am a tough and direct person, and my fans will be confused when my tone changes in order to discuss actual work.
Your friends also don’t need to work for you, for this exact reason.
You love your friends. You totally get it when their car breaks down. When they get sick, you bring them soup. You’re on her side when her boyfriend breaks up with her, or you show up for him when he needs a place to crash before he moves.
But. Imagine getting on their case about an important due date for a launch while they’re going through a breakup. Think about firing them because they didn’t do their work and cost you a client - a month before their wedding.
This gets super messy! You don’t need it, and your business definitely does not need it.
I communicate with my friends that I can’t hire them, and that I can’t wait to hear about their lives over coffee next Thursday. I look forward to hearing them complain about their annoying coworker and keeping my biz out of it!
Speaking of which, I also don’t befriend my employees.
I would be friends with them, because they’re great! But I can’t, because I have strong boundaries. And you should too.
How to hire for success
Okay, so I told you who not to hire. Don’t hire Insta followers, don’t hire your sister or your bestie, don’t hire someone and then immediately go on vacation with them to Bali because you click.
When it comes to building your team mindfully, I have some suggestions.
Hire real professionals who are excited about your vision!
That’s right. Get on Indeed and take yourself seriously, so that others do too. Hire individuals who have a portfolio of work to show you and connect with your vision for your business. Although they’re not a fan and they haven’t been following you for years, they are excited to support you in the work you’re doing.
Your ideal candidate will be on board with your vision. They can express their ideas and feedback of course, but they ultimately trust that you are the boss of your brand. They take direction and they accept feedback. They are your teammates, working towards a common goal. But you are team captain.
Speaking of vision, they should have it. Not just for your business - but also for themselves.
Hire people who love what they do.
Yes, we love money. It makes the world go ‘round. But beyond paying the bills, I encourage you to hire people who are passionate about the work they’re doing.
People who have vision and aren’t just in it to get paid will deliver great work because they care. They are invested in their own professional reputation and want to shine brightly while working for you.
Passionate people are also more likely to last longer at your company because they don’t just hop around from brand to brand.
Hire based on strengths and weaknesses
Hiring should not be based solely on their work and their actions - it should also be centered around strengths and temperament.
My team is an excellent example. I am bold and intense. I’m decisive and action-oriented. When I am in charge, shit gets done. Those are my strengths! However, I will cut off a client at the slightest hint of disrespect or rudeness. I don’t have the skill of patience with troublesome people. But Matthew does!
Matthew is our Video Producer and my right-hand man. He is cool, calm, and collected. I appreciate it. When a client causes me frustration, Matthew helps me to consider alternative points of view and ideas of how to work with them more effectively.
I encourage you to learn your own strengths and weaknesses. Be honest with yourself - where do you thrive, and where do you struggle? What feels easy for you and what feels difficult?
Hire people who complement your abilities. You’ll likely bring out the best in one another, and deliver great work to your clients because you see all angles of a project.
That’s all for today’s episode!
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Ona Oghogho
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