More qualified inbound + better conversion = less paid spend, fewer agencies, fewer hours per hire.

Cost per hire drops when you don’t have to “buy” every candidate. A strong employer brand increases direct/organic interest, improves apply and reply rates, and reduces drop-off—so you need less job board spend, fewer paid campaigns, and less agency help. It also lowers internal cost: recruiters spend fewer hours persuading skeptical candidates and fewer cycles screening misfit applicants. The mechanism is simple: clarity (who you’re for), differentiation (why you), proof (why believe it), and consistent use in job posts, outreach, interviews, and offers. When candidates arrive pre-sold on the right reasons, every step costs less.