Marketing Your Services

Marketing Your Services

Veterans Affairs

Service Offering Playbook

Marketing Your Services


Providing home care services for veterans involves marketing to two different audiences. The first audience is the veterans themselves and/or their family members. These are the individuals who require care and are, perhaps, unaware of the resources they can take advantage of through the VAC.

The other audience is the community resources and professionals who provide services for veterans in other areas of their lives or are directly linked to the VAC. Marketing (and building strong relationships with them) is critical to getting consistent referrals to your agency for the veterans who require assistance.

As such, you need to be mindful about how you are targeting both types of audiences when marketing your services. In this section, we are going to discuss the online and digital marketing opportunities as well as the community marketing focus to help you optimize interest from both audiences.

Online/Digital Marketing

Our clients and their families live in a digital world and, as such, it is important that you have a strong online presence. This involves having a digital marketing plan that targets and reaches potential clients and their family members. A strong online presence will also help you reach caregivers to service your clients. The success of this digital marketing plan lies in understanding the unique needs and concerns of veterans. By providing them with relevant, valuable, and easily accessible information, you can establish your organization as a trusted source of support and care.

A strong online marketing strategy has a few key components.
1. To increase website traffic
2. To generate more qualified leads per month
3. To improve conversion rates from initial inquiry to client sign up
4. To increase your social media following for future client and caregiver acquisition
5. To engage with your followers and improve visibility.

These will be discussed in more detail in the section on tracking key metrics.

Target Audience

The target audience for your online marketing includes veterans in need of care as well as professional referral sources who routinely work with veterans that may require care in the home.

Components of an Online Marketing Strategy

1. Content Creation – Effective content for your target audience will help to drive traffic to your website and social media platforms. Optimized content will also help increase your SEO by using keywords that are frequently used by the target audience. If you are focusing on providing care for veterans, focus on creating informative and engaging content through these types of mediums:
a. Blog posts – write and publish blog posts with titles such as “Understanding your Home Care Options as a Veteran” or “5 Signs that It’s time to Consider Home Care for Veterans”. You can also write directly about the VAC Home Care Process in a step-by-step guide that includes tips and insights for veterans that have to navigate the system
b. Videos – create informative videos about home care for veterans and promote them on your website and social media platforms

2. Social Media Marketing – it’s important to consistently post content on your social media platforms to increase visibility and awareness. Keep in mind that Qualicare Home Office posts more general social media content twice per week on Instagram and Facebook but you will want to get to the point where you are posting 5-6 times per week for the most effective results.
a. Utilize social media platforms to engage with veterans and their families
b. Create informative and engaging content that addresses the unique needs and challenges of veterans seeking home care assistance
c. Join relevant veteran and caregiver groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn to share valuable insights and establish your agency as a trusted resource
d. Share success stories that show inspiring stories of veterans that have benefited from home care assistance (Ensure you do this with permission from the client)

3. Email Marketing – implementing an email marketing campaign to nurture leads and engage with existing clients will also have an impact on your ability to generate interest from your target audience.
a. Drip campaign - You can use your database of leads and contacts to create a drip campaign, which is an automated email sequence that provides further information about care for veterans and Qualicare’s services and gently leads a potential client toward scheduling an in-home assessment.


b. Newsletters – Sending out newsletters also aids in keeping Qualicare front of mind for potential leads. Newsletters can feature new blog posts, company updates, client stories, caregiver recognition and helpful resources specific to veteran care. (Note – it is important to keep in mind any privacy policies regarding direct content. For example, you may not be able to ONLY send information regarding services for veterans to a client but it can be part of a list of general resources)

4. Google Ads/Paid Advertisements – You can also run targeted ads aimed at veterans and their family members, focusing on a strong call to action to book an in-home assessment.
a. Digital agency - Working directly with a digital marketing agency with experience in PPC (pay per click) within the home care industry is key to your success in this area.
b. Budget – In order to see effective results from PPC, you will need to be prepared to spend at least $1000 per month.

Developing a digital and online strategy may not be something you are familiar with or have experience in doing. Work with your business coach to help develop a strong strategy and to understand the key performance metrics. Your business coach can also help to analyze the results and help make decisions on what may need to change based on the results.

Local Community Marketing

While a strong digital marketing plan is key to attracting your target audience in the online space, it is still of utmost importance that you focus intentional time and energy on the local community marketing. Many of the seniors in your target audience (and their family members) look to local professionals and resources to help them navigate the challenges of receiving financial assistance in the home care space. Building relationships with those professional services and establishing yourself as a local resource will help you win more clients at the local level.

Before understanding how to build relationships with specific professionals within the veteran community, it is important to understand where/who your target audience may interact with on a daily basis. Veterans can seek community assistance from various organizations and resources.

Royal Canadian Legion – The Royal Canadian Legion is a veterans’ organization that provides various services and supports to veterans and their families. Local Legion branches often offer assistance with accessing benefits, social activities and community support programs.

Operational Stress Injury (OSI) clinics – OSI clinics specialize in providing assessment, treatment and support for veterans and military members dealing with operational stress injuries such as PTSD. These clinics are located across Canada and offer specialized mental health services tailored to the needs of veterans.

Community Health and Social Services – Many communities have health and social service organizations that offer support to veterans. Contact your local health authority or social services department to inquire about available programs and resources in your area.

Peer Support Groups – Peer support groups provide an opportunity for veterans to connect with others who have shared experiences and receive support from their peers. Organizations like Wounded Warriors Canada and Veterans Transition Network offer peer support programs for veterans across the country.

Local Veterans’ Organizations – In addition to the Royal Canadian Legion, there may be other local veterans’ organizations or support groups in your community that can provide valuable resources, camaraderie and assistance to veterans.

Primary Care Providers – Family doctors or primary care providers can be a valuable resource for accessing health care services and referrals to specialists as needed.

Online Resources – Websites such as Canada.ca and Veterans.gc.ca can provide information on available benefits, programs and services for veterans in Canada. There are also online forums and support groups where veterans share information and resources.

By connecting with these community groups and organizations, you will be able to develop partnerships that help you to get directly in front of the veterans in need of assistance. And, if you establish yourself as a trusted authority in the industry, these organizations and groups will tell veterans to directly contact you when they are in need of home care assistance.

Professional Referral Process

As described in the previous section, there are a variety of community resources and professionals you can target to reach your ideal client and their family members. In this section, we will discuss the overall process to identify potential referral partners, prepare to market to these partners and establish strong relationships that result in referrals to your agency,

Building Professional Referral Relationships

1. Identify Key Referral Sources - Begin by identifying professionals who are most likely to refer patients for home care services. These might include general practitioners, geriatricians, neurologists, social workers, hospital discharge planners, professionals at senior living communities, or any of the options in the previous section. Create a database of these key sources with contact information of people you want to speak directly with.
2. Create Informative Materials – Collect any brochures, case studies, and one-pagers that clearly outline your services and their benefits, particularly with regard to veteran services. These materials can be distributed to potential referral sources.
3. Understand their Needs - Understand what your partners need and how you can help meet those needs. For example, they may need a reliable home care service to refer their patients to, or they may need educational resources about home care for their patients and families.
4. Communicate Your Value – When talking with potential referral partners, clearly communicate the unique value of your home care services and how they can benefit the partner's clients. Highlight specific services that meet the unique needs of their clients and the quality of care that you and your caregivers provide.
5. Establish and Grow Relationships – Having strong relationships with referral partners is not done in just one interaction. Continue to follow up with referral partners and find out how you can help them. It is meant to be a reciprocal relationship, not one built on a transaction.
6. Networking events - Networking is crucial in establishing professional referrals. Attend local medical conferences, healthcare events, and seminars to meet potential referrers. Regularly visit clinics, hospitals, and senior living communities to build relationships with the staff. Attend specific veteran events and expos where you can even set up a booth to showcase your home care services and engage with veterans directly.
7. Education Sessions - Provide educational sessions or workshops on home care options for veterans. Partner with local senior centers, retirement communities and other community organizations to host these events. Provide educational materials that explain the benefits of home care assistance for veterans and how to access VAC programs.
8. Regular Communication - Keep your referral sources updated with changes or advancements in your services. Regular email updates, newsletters, or personal meetings can be effective for this purpose. You can also include them in any drip campaigns to referral partners that can highlight client stories, new service offerings, caregiver recognition, and company updates.
9. Client Success Stories - Sharing successful case studies or client stories can build confidence among potential referrers. It helps them understand the effectiveness of your service and its positive impact on the clients’ lives.
10. Provide Exceptional Service - Providing top-notch care will naturally encourage professionals to refer their clients to your services.
11. Follow-Up and Appreciation - After receiving a referral, follow up with the referrer to thank them and provide feedback on the client’s progress. This helps to build a solid and trustworthy relationship with your referrers.

Building strong relationships with professional referrals requires consistency, tenacity and patience. Over time, as you continue to meet with professional referrals and provide them with value, you will become a trusted partner and receive consistent referrals, helping you to grow your business and help many of these clients. If you are unsure of how to approach your potential referral partners, work with your business coach to develop a community marketing plan.

Pricing Your Service

Veterans receive funding from different resources, the primary one being the Veterans Independence Program. By registering as a service provider through Medavie Blue Cross, you will receive direct reimbursement for services performed for qualified veterans. This means that you can price your services in the same way you do any other private client.

Note – as an approved provider, you are responsible for verifying your clients’ eligibility and obtaining authorization before providing the service or benefit.

Pricing Factors to Consider

1. Cost of Caregivers - The major expense in home care is often the salary or hourly wage of caregivers. You need to factor in not only the direct compensation but also costs like insurance, benefits, training, and taxes (burden).
2. Level of Care Required - Veterans can require varying levels of care depending on the progression of their condition.
3. Specialized Care Training - Caring for veteran patients often requires specialized skills and training to handle the unique challenges these patients can present. If your caregivers have received special training or if you're providing specialized programs or therapies, these can justify a higher price.
4. Overhead Costs - These include the costs of running your business such as rent, utilities, marketing, administrative staff salaries, licensing, and insurance.
5. Competitive Analysis - Look at what similar agencies in your area are charging. Being aware of the market rate can help you make sure your prices are reasonable and competitive.
6. Geographic Location - The cost of living in your area will significantly impact what you can charge. Services in urban or high cost-of-living areas often charge more than those in rural or lower cost-of-living areas.

Once you've taken all these factors into account, you can calculate a base hourly or daily rate for your services. However, it's crucial to communicate clearly to potential clients what your prices include, and be transparent about any additional costs they might incur.

Some agencies do provide a sliding scale for their hourly rates, which is something you may want to consider. For example, if a client only requires 3 hour shifts twice per week, the rate may be $40/hour but if they require 8 hour shifts five days per week, the hourly rate may go down to $38/hour. The hourly rate you charge is at your discretion but it is recommended you discuss with your business coach to ensure you are taking into consideration all the key factors listed above.

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