LeveragING Military Appreciation Campaigns
Interested in military appreciation campaigns as a business growth strategy?
Military appreciation campaigns are plentiful during November and Veterans Day. There is so much opportunity being left on the table by brands that limit military appreciation campaigns to the fourth quarter of the year.
The month of May marks the beginning of Spring, when flowers bloom, trees regain their foliage, and temperatures start to rise, bringing a sense of renewal and growth. Mother’s Day steals the headlines. And military appreciation is on everyone’s mind.
Wait…what?
May is designated as Military Appreciation Month. True story. The month of May is dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifices of the military community. Chances are, you didn’t know that. Most of the general population doesn’t. Even Labor Day has a better publicist.
Do you know who does know the military connotations associated with the month of May? The military community. And this creates an opportunity for brands to make a connection with one of the largest consumer segments in the country through military appreciation campaigns.
Military Appreciation Month provides a valuable opportunity for brands to express gratitude and support for those who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. The month of May includes several important military appreciation dates, including Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Armed Forces Day, and Memorial Day – all of which are organic touchpoints for brands to make outreach to the military community.
For brands, participating in Military Appreciation Month is not only an opportunity to connect with a diverse and dedicated consumer base, but also a sound sales growth strategy. By showing regular and consistent support for the military, brands can enhance their reputation, build customer loyalty, and contribute to social responsibility initiatives.
To do it directly, brands should consider:
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Authenticity…is key when engaging with the military community. Brands should genuinely appreciate the service and sacrifices of military service members and their families rather than only using Military Appreciation Month as a marketing opportunity. Demonstrating sincerity in these efforts via military appreciation campaigns will resonate more strongly with a military audience.
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Partnerships with Military Organizations...can lend credibility to a brand’s military appreciation initiatives. Collaborating with reputable military nonprofit organizations can amplify the impact of a brand's efforts and reach a wider audience within the military community.
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Special Offers and Discounts…offered exclusively to military personnel and veterans is a meaningful way for brands to show appreciation – but it can’t be the only tactic employed. Combining other tactics along with tangible benefits, such as discounts, creates a holistic campaign which lends credibility that the brand efforts are genuine.
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Highlighting Military Stories…to share inspiring stories of military service and sacrifice can serve as content for brands to share on their own platforms. Whether through social media campaigns, blog posts, or video content, highlighting the experiences of service members and veterans humanizes their stories and fosters a sense of connection with the audience. This approach not only honors individual service but also strengthens the brand's narrative of support for the military community.
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Employee Engagement…can foster a sense of pride and unity within the organization. Brands can organize volunteer opportunities, fundraising events, or care package drives to engage employees in supporting military causes. This internal commitment reflects positively on the brand's values and enhances its reputation both internally and externally.
Military Appreciation Month presents a unique opportunity for brands to demonstrate their support and gratitude for the military community through military appreciation campaigns. Taking an altruistic approach to show appreciation is an indirect route to increasing brand metrics among a one of the country’s largest consumer segments, who is fiercely loyal and spends $1.3T at cash registers annually.
Brands typically make attempts to connect and engage with the military community on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Throw in a discount and this is what the market has told the military to expect in the way of outreach. For a brand willing to do more, there is an opportunity to turn the heads of the ~40 million consumers that make up the military community.
Marketing to the military should be an “always on” mentality, not just a few touches throughout the year at the same time every other brand is doing the exact same thing. The military community is one of the largest American consumer segments, made up of people from all walks of life. Their diversity and lifestyle offer tremendous marketing opportunities to brands who serve every audience. For a brand to really connect with this group, a level of understanding is required – not just check-the-box marketing done on Veterans Day.
Does your brand have an effective strategy to connect with the military community? We can help. Our team designs and executes marketing and sponsorship campaigns targeting the military community. We deliver results because we understand the audience. We understand who they are, where they live, and what drives them. We speak their language. We connect with the military community through authentic messaging in channels where they are, with information relevant to their lives.
We help brands connect with the military community. Let’s talk about how we can help your brand.
Brands typically make attempts to connect and engage with the military community on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Throw in a discount and this is what the market has told the military to expect in the way of outreach. For a brand willing to do more, there is an opportunity to turn the heads of the ~40 million consumers that make up the military community.
Marketing to the military should be an “always on” mentality, not just a few touches throughout the year at the same time every other brand is doing the exact same thing. The military community is one of the largest American consumer segments, made up of people from all walks of life. Their diversity and lifestyle offer tremendous marketing opportunities to brands who serve every audience. For a brand to really connect with this group, a level of understanding is required – not just check-the-box marketing done on Veterans Day.
Does your brand have an effective strategy to connect with the military community? The Barracks can help. Our team designs and executes marketing and sponsorship campaigns targeting the military community. We deliver results because we understand the audience. We understand who they are, where they live, and what drives them. We speak their language. We connect with the military community through authentic messaging in channels where they are, with information relevant to their lives.
Military appreciation campaigns help brands connect with the military community. Let’s talk about how we can help your brand.
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WHY US?
Our team designs and executes military marketing and sponsorship campaigns targeting the military community.
We deliver results because we understand the audience and how to position your brand message so that it resonates with a military audience.
We understand the pitfalls to avoid, the vernacular to use, and how to be authentic.
If your brand's military marketing strategy is offering a military discount, there is more opportunity for your brand to make an impact and connect with the armed forces as a growth strategy.
Let's talk.