FREEDOM, FACEBOOK and the FOURTH OF JULY
It's easy in the hustle and bustle of sales, shopping, family fun and the the *stuff to get done* around all of those activities to lose sight of the men and women protecting the freedoms we are celebrating... and the sacrifices their families here in the States are making on our behalf. I hope this *Retail Idea* will be one that will be appreciated by your customers and/or clients who have loved ones and friends in the military~
Please consider embedding this USO widget http://www.uso.org/index.aspx?id=widget into your own websites, blogs, and Facebook Pages. Doing so will enable your customers and/or clients to share with our troops how much their service to our country is appreciated. Embedding this widget takes less than five minutes.
Another excellent place to get further content for your own sites, blogs and Facebook Pages is via PBS. The link here is for the history of the Fourth of July but this whole section of PBS's site is full of excellent information that you can use for story ideas and links: http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/history.html
I know it will surprise you that this post is so short if you are a regular reader, but that's all I want to say...it's just my hope that through your online channels- our industry will find ways to remember and honor those families who are fighting and sacrificing so that we are free to celebrate and enjoy this holiday weekend.
May you and your families have a safe and Happy Fourth of July!
Gil Velasquez commented:
I agree with Leslie that we should show pride. I also agree with my colleague Lisa that it must be genuine. Whether offline or on, people will know if it is genuine or not, and they can smell fake, so make sure that in your quest to show pride, you r voice always sounds authentic. This will apply equally on standard traditional media or electronic.
Follow the same patterns for Veteran's and Memorial Day. Make sure that you are genuine and honest in your communications, and that your heart is in the right place.
Remember - there are many causes out there that purport to help the troops, though Leslie pointed out one of the best: The USO.
I have been a proponent of strongly advocate the USO as the best cause you as an American citizen can give to, as they do so much more than you can imagine for our men and women in Uniform. As I stated in a marketing meeting with them many moons ago, "The USO is more than just Jessica Simpson and Kenney Chesney showing up for a concert." So, support them as a store if you can, and encourage your staff and customers to do likewise. While this kind of support should be year round, the obvious promotion around events like July 4, Veteran's Day, and so forth, makes it more easily recognizable.
As always, ensure authenticity and genuine heartfelt concern is in all your messages!
Lisa Stansbury commented:
Hey Leslie. I agree with you to an extent, but patriotism and appreciation for the military shouldn't be faked. If you don't feel it, don't do it.
We do free delivery with military ID. All year. My largest store is 30 minutes from Camp Lejeune. That is a lot of trips back and forth, but they truly appreciate it.
I do wish more people would appreciate our military, I just hope they do it for the right reasons.
