In the war for talent, people are your weapons. Use them wisely. If you've got a charismatic receptionist, make sure he meets all the candidates. Don't be afraid to pull all the stops to get the best talent you can. At the same time, know all your targets.
Candidates make decisions in conjunction with parents, spouses, children, and even psychic advisors.
Always ask if somebody else is helping a candidate make his decision and, if you can, pitch the company to his advisor. Any good recruiter will tell you to exhaust your internal network first. Big-name firms are fine, but you may do better with a local recruiter recommended by an investor or board member. Most importantly, find someone you are comfortable with. Second, not all recruiters are created equal.