Content creation is a team sport.
From the time sales cold-calls a lead to the time a blog or mat release gets published online, many talented people work together for each and every client. It’s a thing of beauty.
As in any line of work, though, sometimes your employees just need a boost. Maybe a writer has just had a call with a less-than-pleased client. Perhaps that hot lead an account executive has been pursuing for months just went with another vendor. Or maybe an account manager has been doing the same thing day in and day out for a while and you feel like they’re in a rut.
Whatever the reason, everyone needs some extra motivation from time to time. And that’s where you get to shine as a manager and fellow team member.
Everyone, of course, is wired differently. What motivates one member of your team may not motivate another. With that in mind, we’re going to look at how to motivate your employees and keep them working to produce beautiful content for each and every client.
1. The right perspective
When you’re in the daily grind of writing blogs, publishing social posts or making cold calls, it’s easy to lose sight of what you’re really trying to accomplish. This can often lead to boredom and a lack of motivation.
A common tactic is re-framing. A past digital strategy and social media manager, says her biggest role as a motivator is helping the strategy team think a little differently. “I like to present a different angle for my team to think about,” she says. “I try to frame work through the learning lens… even when it feels tough.”
Putting things in a different perspective can help team members work through the ruts we inevitably all go through and put them back on the right track.
[Read More: How to Structure The Perfect Content Creation Team]
2. Incentives
This is a difficult one to get right because the same great incentive will not motivate each team in the same way. Furthermore, the wrong incentive could leave your employees feeling like you don’t know them well enough to know what really motivates them.
For our sales team, cash is king. “…a good cash contest is always a hit,” says a previous Brandpoint’s VP of sales. He knows what motivates his team and understands these incentives are a justifiable expense.
The IT team functions a little differently. Adam McBroom, Brandpoint’s CTO says his biggest tactic for motivating is to get out of the team’s way. “I try to focus on autonomy, mastery and purpose,” McBroom says. His “less-is-more” approach to motivation allows the team to do their work in a manner that works for them, and the results speak for themselves.
Find something that works for your team. Don’t be afraid to tap the team to discover the incentive that works for everyone.
3. Reconnect the team
Although it’s a little embarrassing to admit, we tend to talk to each other a lot more when the internet goes out. I imagine this situation is not unique to Brandpoint.
While your team works hard, a reminder that everyone’s on the same team is sometimes crucial for keeping everybody’s head in the game.
Have everyone share a bit of good news to kick off a meeting. Bring in some bagels or donuts every once and a while for the team. Take them all out to lunch to thank them for all their hard work.
If the work itself doesn’t motivate your employees, their feeling like they’re part of a team might. A little goes a long way, after all, when it comes to keeping the team connected, and the impact it has on the team and each person’s work is invaluable.
[Read More: 6 Key Ways Sales and Marketing Should Collaborate on Content]
Conclusion
No matter your management style, your role as a motivator cannot be understated. You don’t need to give any riveting speeches or blast your favorite Survivor song (unless that’s what does the trick). You simply need to have a good sense of who your team is and exactly what they need to succeed.
