Your employees may be your best influencers—but how do you pay them fairly when they start creating content for your brand?

In this episode I sit down with compensation strategist Cynthia Abbott-Kerr, founder of WellPay.ai, to explore how companies can design clear, simple, and fair systems to reward employee content creators. From commission structures and affiliate links to ownership rights and tax considerations,

Cynthia shares practical strategies for building employee-creator programs that actually work.

If you’ve ever wondered whether to pay per post, add stipends, or build commissions tied to store performance, this conversation is your roadmap.

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employee content creators, employee advocacy, employee-generated content, fair compensation, creator pay, commission structures, affiliate links, WellPay, Cynthia Abbott-Kerr, Workfluencer podcast, workfluencer, EGC

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Building a personal brand in today’s job market isn’t about chasing viral posts—it’s about showing up authentically. In this special takeover episode, recruiter-turned-founder Brooke Wheeler flips the mic on Workfluencer creator Rhona Pierce. Together they dive into how to build your personal brand with honesty, how layoffs and career pivots can fuel reinvention, and why companies fail when they try to script employer branding.

If you’ve wondered what to share online, how vulnerable to be, or how to turn career shifts into opportunities, this conversation will give you the playbook for building an authentic personal brand that works.

You'll Learn:

CONNECT WITH US:

Connect With Brooke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookewheeler/

Connect with Rhona on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/

Don't forget to leave us a 5-star Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr⁠

personal branding, employer branding, personal brand, talent acquisition, content creation, career development, business ownership, Podcast rebrand, social media influence, career pivots, LinkedIn Strategies, authentic storytelling, career creator, linkedin personal branding, workplace storytelling, employee generated content, video content strategy, layoffs career advice, authentic content creation, recruiting careers

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It doesn’t get more Gen Z than making a TikTok to get hired at TikTok—and that’s exactly what Jade Walters did. But she didn’t stop there. From landing jobs to landing on the TEDx stage, Jade has used content creation to build a career on her own terms. In this episode, she shares how content became her biggest career tool, what Gen Z really wants from work, and why boundaries at work aren’t red flags—they’re strategy.

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Don't forget to leave us a 5-star Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr⁠

workfluencer, content creation, Jade Walters, Gen Z career advice, TikTok resumes, TEDx talk careers, personal branding, early career content, job search tips, video resumes, content creators at work, Workfluencer podcast, Gen Z workplace boundaries, career content strategy, personal brand job search

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What happens when employee advocacy moves beyond “posting on LinkedIn” and into creating full-blown branded content? Should those employees be paid like influencers?

In this episode of Workfluencer, employment lawyer and creator Heather Bussing joins Rhona to explore how companies can compensate employee-creators fairly and compliantly.

We dig into:

Why paying employees for branded content builds trust and authenticity

How to classify and compensate employee-creators without missteps

Overtime, equity, and ownership issues every HR team should consider

Lessons from influencer contracts employees can adapt

How HR and marketing can protect employees and unlock brand value

If you’re an HR leader, TA pro, employer brand manager, or corporate content creator, this episode will help you champion employee advocacy programs the right way.

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Don't forget to leave us a 5-star Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts  ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498⁠

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr⁠

Workfluencer, employee advocacy programs, employee ambassadors, employee generated content, EGC, paying employees for content, HR compliance, influencer contracts, content ownership law, work for hire, internal influencer program, Heather Bussing interview

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LinkedIn can be overwhelming, especially for introverts. But what if your quiet approach is actually your superpower?

In this episode, certified career coach and LinkedIn Top Voice Lissa Appiah shares how she built a personal brand that converts—without being loud, posting daily, or faking confidence.

You’ll learn how to:

Build a personal brand on LinkedIn as an introvert

Turn your side hustle into a full-time business

Grow visibility without burning out

Use content strategy that works for quiet creators

Create LinkedIn posts that attract clients and speaking gigs

Whether you're a content creator, coach, or corporate professional, this episode breaks down exactly how to grow on LinkedIn—on your terms.

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Don't forget to leave us a 5-star Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
 https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Workfluencer, introverts, content creation, personal branding, LinkedIn,

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Most people think building a community is about finding a niche and hoping people show up. Jeremy Lyons knows better—he’s the man behind the RecOps community. From launching the first RecOps conference to building the widely read RecOps Roundup newsletter, Jeremy has turned a behind-the-scenes role into a movement.

In this episode, we dig into:

The four (sometimes five) pillars of Recruiting Operations—and why employer branding belongs in the mix.

How Jeremy built the RecOps community during a wave of layoffs, and why neutrality became his non-negotiable.

The moment his newsletter stopped being about him and started being for the community—and how that shift changed everything.

Why he replaced “hot takes” with “spicy takes” (and what Scoville levels have to do with recruiting).

His advice for anyone who wants to start creating content but feels overwhelmed: start small, start simple, start now.

Whether you’re a recruiting pro, a corporate content creator, or someone thinking about how to build trust through content, this conversation offers both clarity and inspiration.

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Workfluencer, RecOps, Recruiting Operations, Recruiting Ops, Talent Operations, Hiring Operations, Talent Acquisition, Employer Branding, RecOps Community, RecOps Roundup, HR Tech, Recruiting Conferences, Community Building, Content Creation, Spicy Takes, Neutrality in Content, Newsletter Growth, HR Community, Recruiting Strategy, Candidate Experience, Talent Strategy

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Zach Nunn, founder of Living Corporate, pulls back the curtain on what it takes to create authentic content about race and identity in the workplace. From deleting episodes with problematic guests to calling out patronizing DEI storytelling, Zach shares why most corporate diversity content misses the mark and how to create conversations that actually matter.

What You'll Learn:

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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🌟 CONNECT WITH ZACH
💼 LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharynunnphr/ 

🌐 Website: https://living-corporate.com/ 

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingCorporate/ 

🎙️ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mRmf9FpyH8GfhRNSQ1ZV9 

🌟 CONNECT WITH RHONA
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social  
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce

🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/ 

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/ 

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Workfluencer, diversity equity inclusion, race at work, workplace conversations about race, DEI content, corporate diversity programs, authentic DEI, workplace equity, inclusion podcast, systemic racism workplace, DEI storytelling, platform responsibility, content creator ethics

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Tired of recruiter content that chases likes but lacks substance? In this episode, discover how Andrew Lewis grew from 0 to 45K followers by mastering content creation that delivers real value and opens up new career opportunities. As Head of Talent at Worldly, Andrew shares how he carved out his unique voice, built personal branding that stands out, and earned the trust of his audience.

We dive into actionable strategies for recruiters and creators who want to break free from recycled talking points and create original content that builds credibility—not just engagement. Learn how Andrew curates what’s worth sharing, turns daily recruiting challenges into high-impact posts, and balances authority with vulnerability. Plus, get tips for staying consistent with your content creation while leading a busy talent acquisition function.

What you’ll learn:

- How to identify your unique lane and voice as a recruiter-creator

- Why selective curation matters for personal branding

- The difference between content that gets clicks and content that builds long-term trust

- Turning real-world recruiting challenges into high-value posts

- Practical strategies for consistent content creation in TA

- How personal branding can unlock new career opportunities in talent acquisition

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🌟 CONNECT WITH ANDREW

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-lewis-31104559/

Website: http://www.talentoperator.com/

🌟 CONNECT WITH RHONA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce

Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

If you’re ready to elevate your content creation, boost your personal branding, and open up new career opportunities, this episode is a must-listen!

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Anessa Fike has led 125+ organizations, pioneered the Fractional HR model in the U.S., and built a career by saying the things most people won’t. In this episode, she joins Rhona to break down what it really costs to speak up in HR—especially when it challenges power, calls out performative allyship, and disrupts the speaker circuit status quo.

Anessa shares how she uses her privilege intentionally, what she’s given up to stay true to her values, and why she keeps going even when the backlash hits. This one’s for every HR leader, content creator, or change-maker wondering if the risk is worth it.

What you’ll learn: 

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

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🌟 CONNECT WITH ANESSA
💼 LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anessafike/ 

🌐 Website: https://www.fikeandco.com/ 

📗 Book: https://a.co/d/6ZAsC8d 

🌟 CONNECT WITH RHONA
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social  
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce

🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/ 

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/ 

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Workfluencer, HR leadership, fractional HR, privilege, authenticity, DEI, speaking up, business alignment, expertise, HR conferences, community, performative allyship, advocacy, allyship, authentic allyship, social justice

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In this bonus episode, recorded live at SHRM 2025, Rhona Pierce interviews Tara Amaral, a veteran talent acquisition expert. Tara shares practical strategies for building effective recruiting functions, highlighting the importance of simple, repeatable processes, data-driven decision-making, and thoughtful change management. She discusses how organizations of all sizes can optimize hiring, leverage technology and AI wisely, and foster strategic partnerships. Tara emphasizes the enduring value of human expertise in recruitment, offering actionable advice for leaders and recruiters navigating today’s evolving talent landscape.

This episode was brought to you by VirgilHR, The all-in-one SaaS solution that empowers HR professionals to make smart, compliant employment decisions in real-time.

HR compliance doesn’t have to be a headache. 

👉🏾 Schedule a demo and see how easy it can be: https://link.rhonapierce.com/VirgilHR 

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Connect with Tara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taranamaral/ 

Learn more about Riviera Advisors at https://rivieraadvisors.com/

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💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

SHRM 2025, Talent Acquisition, HR, Data-Driven Recruitment, Change Management, AI in Recruitment, Intake Calls, Recruitment Strategies, Employee Engagement, Hiring Process, Recruitment Technology

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