The Ripple Hiring Process: Building Our Team For Success
At RIPPLE, we believe that our people are our greatest asset. As the Managing Director, I take great pride in knowing that we have a team of dedicated, talented and passionate individuals who drive our success every day. Today’s team was not built overnight and followed a long process to get it right; I’m delighted to currently stand over each one of the team and back them to drive RIPPLE forward. One of the most critical components in maintaining this success is our hiring process.
Our approach to recruitment isn’t just about filling positions; it’s about finding the right fit for both the individual and our company. We aim to build a diverse, dynamic team that shares our values and is committed to making an impact. We understand that hiring the right people is essential for achieving our goals, encouraging innovation and continuing to grow in a competitive industry.
Sounds easy right? It isn’t!
1. Building the RIPPLE Culture
I’ve written previously about the importance of creating a welcoming culture in RIPPLE, this stands now more than ever.
Our hiring process reflects our company’s culture: collaborative, inclusive, team focused and forward-thinking. Skills and qualifications are a strong base, but we are really looking for individuals who align with our mission and values. Diversity of thought and experience is something we actively embrace and we believe it’s a key factor in driving creativity and innovation within our team.
2. Encouraging Growth and Development
Our commitment to our employees goes far beyond the hiring process. Once you join the RIPPLE team we ensure that you have the resources, support and opportunities to grow and succeed in your role. We try to provide ongoing training, mentorship and opportunities for professional development to help every team member reach their full potential.
We believe in promoting from within and supporting our people in their career journeys. Especially through hands-on learning experiences; we are here to ensure that every employee continues to thrive.
3. A Focus on Long-Term Relationships
At RIPPLE, our hiring process is not just about filling a vacancy – it’s about building long-term relationships. We want our team members to feel supported, valued and excited about the future. We’re not just looking for employees; we’re looking for individuals who want to be part of our journey and help shape our future success together!
4. Gut Feeling
Like everything in life, sometimes a final decision can come down to a gut feeling. At RIPPLE, we value our team dynamic and culture so much that sometimes we just know people will be the right fit. Every bit of research and evaluation will be done but sometimes you have to take a chance and put your trust in good people!
In conclusion
If you’re considering applying to RIPPLE, please keep an eye out for any open positions and consider how your unique skills and experiences could contribute to our team. Our hiring process is designed to ensure we find the right fit!
Written by Martin Smith
Ripple, Moving Brands Forward
Influencer Marketing in 2025
I remember trusting every product recommendation from my favourite influencers. But now, with endless ads and sponsored posts, it’s harder to know what’s genuine.
Brands are starting to move away from big influencers, turning to micro-influencers and employee-generated content to build more authentic connections.
In this blog, I’ll explore how influencer marketing is changing and why smaller, more relatable voices are having a bigger impact.
The Rise of Influencer Marketing
Around 10 years ago, Instagram became to go-to platform for brand promotion. Influencers, especially in beauty and lifestyle, grew their audiences by sharing makeup tutorials, production recommendations and skincare tips. As a teenager, I trusted beauty influencer’s recommendations like they were gospel.
During this time, brands relied heavily on influencers because
- Audiences trusted their opinions
- Their reach could drive massive sales
- Their content was fresh and engaging
The Decline of Big Influencers
Fast forward to today, things have changed. The influencer market has become over saturated and audiences are more sceptical than ever. Why is this?
- Too many sponsored posts and declining engagement rates.
- Promoting competitor brands making it hard to believe in genuine recommendations
- Trust issues – with endless ads, affiliate links and PR gifts making it difficult to tell who is truly recommending a product
- Cost VS ROI – mega influencers charge huge fees and brands do not often see the return on investments they once did
The Rise of Micro Influencers and Employee Generated Content
So, what’s the solution to the oversaturated influencer market?
Micro Influencers
- Consistently deliver higher engagement as they build real relationships with their audience for their niche
- Their followers trust them as experts in their industry
- Better ROI – this is a cost effective option as brands get a higher ROI at a lower cost
- Authenticity – people see them as relatable individuals rather than celebrities pushing products for money
Employee Generated Content
- Employees are seen as authentic brand advocates rather than a paid promotor
- Their brand expertise is far superior than any influencer
- Encouraging employees to create content is cheaper and more sustainable than influencer partnerships
- Employee generated content humanises the brand as people connect more with real people than a corporate logo
How should brands leverage this?
Well, how can brands leverage micro influencers and employee generated content?
Instead of relying on a single big-name influencer, brands can achieve better engagement by collaborating with micro-influencers who already resonate with their target audience. By choosing creators whose values align with the brand, companies can foster more authentic connections. Additionally, empowering employees to share their experiences on social media and offering behind-the-scenes glimpses can strengthen customer relationships and enhance brand trust.
In conclusion
Influencer marketing isn’t dead, but it has certainly evolved. Success will shine through for brands that embrace authentic and relatable content. It’s time to rethink marketing strategies and focus on genuine engagement rather than sheer follower counts.
If you’d like help with refining your marketing strategy, we’d love to help! Reach out to [email protected] to discuss with us today.
Written by Lauren Redfern
Ripple, Moving Brands Forward
How to Increase Social Media Engagement: Creating Visual Impact
Good content design is not optional – it is your engagement superpower and is the difference between being noticed and being ignored on social media.
Nowadays, social media channels are visually focused and while it seems like anybody can design a social media post, let us explain why investing in your social media design and graphics is paramount to driving higher engagement on your account.
Firstly, let’s think about the decision-making process for a user to engage with your post.
- Scroll
- Stop
- Read
- Engage
Right now in Ireland, we are seeing an increase in posts about the upcoming election. While there are hundreds of sources sharing important, helpful and relevant information; I bet you’ll notice that the ones being reposted have key design elements that support the content being presented. Posting an infographic with great content design helps to spark engagement, which as a result is rewarded by the algorithm and will help your post reach a larger audience.
Key Design Elements For Good Content Design
While following brand guidelines include bold visuals, good visual hierarchy and a consistent layout. Make use of negative space, vibrant colours and striking imagery. Most importantly, focus on the call to action.
Checklist For Good Content Design
The design of your post encourages interaction and boosts its shareability and as a result gives you better engagement. If you think you should evaluate your current design but you’re not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we can help! Here is your checklist for effective content design.
- Choose complimentary colours from your brand’s colour palette.
- Lay out the information with strong visual hierarchy to ensure you are communicating the most important information.
- Include variations of your logo so that your work is branded throughout. If someone does share your post, you want to guarantee that people are aware of your brand.
- Don’t underestimate the importance of readable, well-chosen fonts that match the tone of voice of your brand and your message. This can be a complicated task, so check out our blog on Why Fonts Matter for guidance.
- Embrace negative space but use your brand assets to add some fun to your posts.
At Ripple, we can help unleash your brand’s potential by levelling up your content design. Reach out to [email protected] and let’s chat about how we can improve your engagement online – starting with your content design.
Written by Lauren Redfern
Ripple, Moving Brands Forward
Why Fonts Matter!
Let’s talk fonts! The font you choose plays a crucial role in how your brand is perceived. Choosing the right font that is right for you is important to communicate brand identity. With over 200,000 fonts to choose from, it can be an overwhelming task.
When choosing a font that is the right fit for your brand, firstly you should ensure it aligns with the purpose of the brand. For example, fonts with serifs (such as Times New Roman) are typically used in print and are fitting for a formal document whereas sans serif fonts (such as Arial) are popular for digital mediums and are very fitting for a modern brand.
Things to consider when choosing a font
A font with good readability is essential, especially for body text. You should consider the font size, spacing between individual letters as well as how it displays on different media. Ensure the font you choose works is versatile and works well on screens, business cards and billboards.
Fonts add personality! Your chosen font should also match the tone of your brand and content. For example, what you use for a wedding invite probably won’t be what you use for a quarterly report.
So, what are some 2024 font trends you can follow?
1) Contrasting Fonts
Using contrasting and clashing fonts is an emerging trend which can help your brand stand out. The visual contrast and hierarchy make key messages stand out. Pairing a bold font with thick and an italic script font is an eye-catching way to communicate a brand.
2) Bold Minimalism
Bold minimalism, and the ‘less is more’ perspective has stood the test of time and remains one of the more popular font choices. Bold minimalism is typically used in videos, branding, and design. The clean, striking nature of the visuals make an impact and are powerful for communication.
3) Playful Design
Playful design is a trend centred around having fun with design. Along with your chosen font, the addition of elements like quirky illustrations and gifs are engaging to an audience and keep them entertained. Playful design infuses personality and allows you to play with colour palettes, illustrations and to think outside the box.
I am currently loving the rise of retro fonts in the last year. I love how funky they are and the vibe they add to graphics. Retro fonts are great to convey a sense of nostalgia and heritage as well as adding unique character and style. While having a classic look, they have more modern features.
Specifically, I am enjoying groovy retro display fonts such as Nectarine. I like how the letters fit together and how the letters are not the same thickness throughout. Fun colour palettes also translate with retro fonts to bring your design to life!
Overall, your font choice matters! It is important to spend time selecting a font that fits your brand and brand aesthetic. It is key to have a font that translates on different mediums. But ensure to play around with different fonts and trial them because making your brand stand out is how people will remember you.
At Ripple Marketing, we understand how important it is to tell your brands story to ensure the success of your business. Get in touch with our creative team now to see how we can boost your branding – [email protected].
Written by Lauren Redfern