Ha Ha Ha! Happy Holidays from IlluminAge

Our recent holiday card sparked conversations and exchanges with many of our clients and friends.  But, one comment sent to senior web designer, Aaron Howard, struck us as a core benefit that we strive to provide to those we have the privilege to serve:

“I admire the patience you demonstrate with me as I try to learn this evolving technology. As a Boomer, I’m a digital immigrant when it comes to all this stuff (and I never was good with second languages). I’ve learned a lot for sure, but my boys think I’m from the dark ages.”- Cathy Knight, Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging

Clients frequently come to us nervous about technology.  They may have never worked on a website project before, have little understanding of how their email works, have never been on Facebook, or they have seen something online that they would love to do in their organization but can’t tell if it’s simple or complicated.

That’s fine!  We serve clients who predominately work in aging services, health care, and nonprofit organizations.  Their strengths in life are the services and care they provide to the communities they serve.  Our strength in life is helping them utilize technology in a way that fits their budget and will help them better achieve their goals.

We welcome questions, and don’t expect our clients to have all the answers…if they did, they wouldn’t need us!

For those working in aging services, acronyms and proper names become familiar ways to refer to the services and programs that you are offering to consumers.  Abbreviations such as RSVP, PEARLS, COPS, LTCO, SCSEP, SOURCE…the list goes on, take the place of longer program names.

WIFM?

This acronym is actually a very useful marketing acronym that we should all keep in the back of our minds when performing our work… “what’s in it for me?”.  Now reverse that, and think about the people you serve, and how you communicate the “WIFM” that your organization provides to them.

IlluminAge had the pleasure of working with Legacy Link, an area agency on aging in Gainesville, GA, on their website redesign while their agency updated their marketing and outreach materials to use consumer-friendly terms.  In their previous site, navigation included terms such as Georgia Cares and SOURCE.

Their new website, found at www.legacylink.org, features simple navigation to help consumers find their way: Getting Started – the place to go if you don’t know where to start, Community Based Programs, Employment & Training, Home Based Services, Housing Options & Advocacy, and Medicare Counseling.  The site also features upcoming events, a quick link to the Georgia Association of Area Agencies on Aging service database, and their Facebook feed.  This is truly a site redesigned with the consumer audience in mind!

The Legacy Link Website, Before

The Legacy Link Website, After

What Is a QR Code?

QR is short for “quick response”.  The code is simply a bar code that can be read by your smart phone and can store a variety of information – anything alphanumeric - including website addresses, text, phone numbers, and email addresses.  QR codes are printed onto posters, coasters, brochures, or any type of print marketing and outreach piece.  This enables smart phone users to take a picture of it with a QR code reader and then the phone will complete whatever action has been coded into it.  This makes it easier for users to complete the call-to-action that you desire.  The user must download an app to read the code – but there are many free apps available.

How Can You Use a QR Code?

Be creative!  Anywhere you’d like someone to take an action from a print promotion you could use a QR code to help them to so.  Here are some ideas…

• Registration for an event –  Connect people to the registration page for an event, such as a fundraiser or an open house.
• Donations – Nonprofit organizations can help donors quickly click through to their donation page.
• Schedule a tour or lunch at your facility – Nursing homes, assisted living and retirement communities can link to a website contact pages or the email / phone number for admissions/marketing person encourage tours.
• Advocacy – Guide people directly to the page of your website set up to contact their legislature or representative.
• Link to your Facebook page, Twitter feed, or email newsletter sign-ups - Encourage people to continue to let you stay in communication with them.

How Can You Generate a QR Code?

QR codes can be generated for free online.  You can do a simple online search for “qr code generator” or try a few of these sites:

http://www.qrstuff.com/
http://createqrcode.appspot.com/
http://onlineqrcodegenerator.com/

When Should You Use a QR Code?

Just like any other type of marketing, you need to keep your audience in mind.  Is your audience likely to be using smart phones?  Are you providing alternatives so that you don’t ostracize those who are not, or who have not yet caught on to QR codes?  This is worth considering…since a recent report on QR codes by NPR called Few Consumers Are Cracking The QR Code advised:

“According to a recent study from digital analyst comScore, a measly 6 percent of mobile subscribers currently use the technology. That 6 percent tends to be male, white and wealthy.”

If you do use a QR code – make it worthwhile.  Set reasonable expectations, make it fun, or save them time.