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.
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.
Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) - VSOs like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) are dedicated to providing support and advocacy for veterans. They offer a wide range of services, including assistance with VA benefits claims, financial aid, counseling, and community outreach programs.
Local VA Medical Centers and Clinics - Veterans can access a variety of healthcare services through their local VA medical centers and clinics. These facilities provide medical care, mental health services, specialty care, rehabilitation, and other healthcare resources specifically tailored to veterans' needs.
County Veterans Service Offices (CVSOs) - VSOs are government agencies at the county level that assist veterans in navigating VA benefits and services. They provide guidance and support in filing benefit claims, accessing healthcare, obtaining educational assistance, and connecting veterans with local resources.
State Departments of Veterans Affairs - Each state has a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or an equivalent agency responsible for supporting veterans. These state departments offer information and assistance related to VA benefits, employment services, education programs, healthcare options, and other veteran-specific resources within the state.
Non-profit Organizations - Numerous non-profit organizations focus on providing assistance to veterans in various areas. Examples include the Wounded Warrior Project, Operation Homefront, Hire Heroes USA, Fisher House Foundation, and Gary Sinise Foundation. These organizations offer a wide range of support services, including housing assistance, employment programs, mental health support, educational scholarships, and more.
Local Community Centers and Social Services - Community centers and social service agencies in your area may have programs specifically designed for veterans. These programs can include employment assistance, housing support, food assistance, counseling, and referral services. Contact your local community center or social services office to inquire about available resources.
Military and Veterans Resource Centers at Colleges/Universities - Many educational institutions have dedicated resource centers for military and veteran students. These centers provide guidance on educational benefits, academic support, career counseling, and social engagement opportunities.
Online Resources and Support Groups - Online platforms such as VA.gov, Military OneSource, and Vet Centers offer a wealth of information, resources, and forums for veterans to connect with fellow veterans and access support services.
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