Communities provide people with a sense of connection, identity and, in many instances, serve as a source of social and emotional support. In what seems to be an increasingly disconnected world, they can be a powerful force for positivity and change. Organizations with big budgets, large audiences, and unlimited resources may easily have what it takes to build successful outreach programs and implement elaborate strategies to engage their stakeholders. Rural community outreach comes with its own challenges – like limited resources or regional isolation. How do smaller counties, organizations, or groups reach their rural populations with crucial information, alerts, and guidance about their safety and wellness? Here are a few rural engagement strategies to consider:
Take Your Mission Mobile
Instead of leading people to your message, bring it to them! While popping up signage and having displays of information in your own location can produce results, it won’t do any good if your audience doesn’t see it. Many organizations use vans, trailers, or buses to bring resources to their rural communities, visiting local shops, public markets, libraries, churches and other spiritual centers, or community centers to educate and inspire citizens.
Put the Information in Their Pockets
Whether living in the secluded mountains or in the middle of downtown, one thing is certain: People are pretty much attached to their cell phones. Leveraging digital tools, such as a website, social media, or an app, can be an effective way of engaging your stakeholders and getting them to take notice of your outreach initiatives – from public health information to emergency preparedness.
Provide Information in the Language Your People Need
Keeping people interested in something is a lot harder when they don’t fully understand the topic or the language used to explain it. Celebrating and respecting the culture of the people in rural communities can help you raise awareness, inform, and protect your community. This means offering outreach materials in the languages your audience uses the most. It’s also about eliminating the use of jargon, technical terms, or acronyms that people may not be familiar with.
QuickSeries Can Help!
For over 30 years, QuickSeries has helped organizations big and small elevate their outreach programs with tried-and-tested, multilingual outreach materials designed to inform, prepare, and protect. Our print formats are durable, well-researched, and easy to understand, while our QuickConnect app technology is user-friendly, quick to launch, and easy to maintain. Amplify your reach with QuickSeries! Contact an Account Manager today to discuss how we can help you achieve your outreach goals!