How to better connect with today's Veterans?

1SG Dan Thorstad — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 12:08:13 -0400

We're a small state Veterans Affairs department in a large, rural state. It's difficult to conduct outreach in all the areas so we've updated our website, started a Facebook account, and Twitter account. Anything else we can do?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2014 12:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 12:15:36 -0400

As a veteran and prior recruiter I would hit all the local grocery stores and post offices. and just place a few flyers there. It's really amazing how many hits I received out of those 2 areas. Opening a Facebook account is a great idea. Now joining all the Retiree and VA pages on Facebook would truly enhance your department methods in getting the word out.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Aug 31 at 2014 4:44 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 16:44:50 -0400

Word-of mouth campaign? Not everyone will do it, but adopting a catch phrase that tasks everyone to "tell two friends". If you can make it catchy enough for people to want to do it, I bet it could really catch on.

Also, maybe try getting all the local news stations to run a story on an event, a success, or perhaps just a human interest story.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 3 at 2014 10:14 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 10:14:54 -0400

1SG Thorstad, I am a CVSO in a large, urban county and we face the same challenges. The tricky part of the problem is that veterans are EVERYWHERE, urban, rural, high rent districts and public housing, you name it... makes it almost impossible to do 'target advertising', what radio station(s), country, pop, rap? Vets listen to them all, but who has the budget for 'blanket advertising'.
While I agree with web, FB, Twitter, etc., word of mouth has been our best friend here.

Response by SFC(P) Tobias M. made Sep 3 at 2014 11:00 AM

SFC(P) Tobias M. — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:00:12 -0400

Word of mouth is the best way to get into contact with our vets but you have to love FB and LinkedIn as well. These are two of the best social media that I have found to stay in contact with our vets. Rally Point is becoming a great one as well.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 5 at 2014 2:09 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 02:09:48 -0400

1SG Dan Thorstad We Retirees are too "old", Top. We pale in comparison to 4th graders and their knowledge of social media. The VFW's are complaining that there are not enough young veterans joining and then you go there and see shuffleboard and WWII pictures on the wall. I love WWII and have mad shuffleboard skills, but then again, my 19 yr old thinks I'm a dinosaur. We need the young "kids" to get the word out by putting them to work in the very agencies we are trying to promote. In Alaska, it was so rural that they did video conferencing with therapists. It was immensely popular. They also had case managers that did telephone appointments with clients. Please keep us in the loop so we can share ideas. V/R Mark

Response by SSgt Tim Meuret made Sep 5 at 2014 10:55 AM

SSgt Tim Meuret — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 10:55:05 -0400

I have you tried the local "hang out" in each of these small towns the bar or cafe where the community hangs out or congregates. Senior centers are great for older veterans. Have you tried the motorcycle groups with the American Legion and the VFW they may already know these places and they always wear their colors proudly. Get our there and network with people and they will help you get the word out.

Hey, it is the way it was done before social media and it still works!

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Sep 5 at 2014 2:24 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 14:24:17 -0400

Offer money to the young ones and women to the old ones :)

Response by SPC Shawn Durnen made Sep 5 at 2014 6:40 PM

SPC Shawn Durnen — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 18:40:20 -0400

Yes, as a veteran navigator in Lakewood, WA I have discovered that local business are always happy to donate and raise awareness or support events for veteran causes. Try reaching out to your local business's to raise awareness then move up to corporate ladders.

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Sep 5 at 2014 11:04 PM

Sgt Jennifer Mohler — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 23:04:57 -0400

Might I also suggest partnering with the local social welfare offices. Many vets rely on these resources and would see the veteran advertisements there.

Response by Sgt Samantha Jee made Sep 12 at 2014 2:45 PM

Sgt Samantha Jee — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 14:45:45 -0400

1sg Daniel Thorstad, I'm a VSR in a large rural county. What we do, since most of our veterans don't have computers, is send one of my coworkers (Veteran Peer Specialist is their title) out to our 'one stops' in the more remote towns. We have them out there once a week, and one in the most remote town (about an hour away) three days a week.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 16 at 2014 7:19 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 19:19:22 -0400

You're posting in it!