Hey Reader!
It's Friday! That means it's time for the weekly TL;DL (Too long; didn't listen), where I summarize this week's podcast episode.
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This week I spoke to Taylor Desseyn.
Taylor is one of the few recruiters that's so well respected in the Software Engineering community, that he's invited to speak at tech conferences. Engineers aren't the biggest fans of recruiters, especially if you don't have a technical background. So the fact that they want to hear from Taylor, who is not an engineer, is a testament to the organic relationships he's built with the community.
I was so pumped when he agreed to chat with me on the podcast!
In only 414 words, Taylor shares:
- Why he's passionate about building Talent Communities
- His content creation process and how he comes up with content that resonates with candidates
- The role of in-person events in building community
And much more…
Enjoy!
What made you passionate about building online communities for tech professionals?
In 2020, I got frustrated with traditional recruiting and was inspired by Gary Vaynerchuk. I started creating content on LinkedIn and Twitter, launched a newsletter, and built a Discord community. This shift helped me connect more organically with tech professionals.
Can you share some of the strategies that you use to engage your audience?
I wing most of my content, believing anything can be content. I post spontaneously and consistently, treating it like texting friends at scale. Experimenting continuously helps me find what resonates, and I focus on authenticity over rigid strategies.
How do you manage your time effectively to maintain engagement across all of these channels and do your job?
When I started posting in 2020, I focused on LinkedIn and Twitter. I used LinkedIn's scheduling tool. I built my audience year over year, adding platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Discord, and YouTube gradually. Initially, I managed everything myself with a simple phone stand. Now, I have a small team, including a ghostwriter, video editor, and part-time YouTube assistant, which allows me to scale my efforts. I recommend starting small and expanding your reach gradually.
Have you faced any challenges in building your community and creating content?
Early on, my content wasn't great. A major challenge is avoiding the trap of focusing on likes and follower counts. I don't let data dictate my strategy. Instead, I focus on organic growth and engaging genuinely with my audience, treating community building as a long-term journey.
How do you decide what type of content resonates best with your community?
I use Twitter to test content ideas and expand successful tweets into LinkedIn posts. Combining personal experience with industry trends helps create meaningful content. It's like playing a sport; the more you practice, the more intuitive it becomes.
What are your thoughts on the future of online talent communities?
Community building is crucial for the future of recruiting. Firms need to focus on platforms like Discord and email newsletters. Content creation is key to staying competitive, and recruiting organizations should prioritize hiring content teams over traditional marketing teams.
How do you think that in-person events are playing a role in community building now that people are back to attending conferences?
In-person events are essential, serving as the bottom of the funnel in marketing. They solidify relationships built online. Firms should budget for recruiters to attend and document these events to create social proof and enhance community engagement.
Listen to the full episode: #14: Ditch the Cold Calls: Build a Talent Community Instead - with Taylor Desseyn​
​Watch on YouTube​
Talk to you next week!
