The SSAA Victoria Board last month approved a new Communications Strategy designed to improve the Association’s approach to sharing information with members, media and the wider public.
Feedback from public meetings has suggested SSAA Victoria’s members believe communication has been poorly executed in the past.
In response to the feedback, the Association hired a Marketing and Communications Manager last year and is now seeking to build a more structured framework around its communications practices.
This approach will in turn address the expectations of members and provide Association staff with a clear set of templates for communication between the Association and its stakeholders.
The Communications Strategy considers how SSAA Victoria communicates with its members, branches and sub-clubs, key industry partners, the government, its interstate counterparts, potential members, the media and the general public.
Among the tactics for engaging media, SSAA Victoria will prepare pro-active media releases to send to media outlets ahead of hunting seasons or significant events, to promote programs or share positive firearms-related stories.
Key industry partners will be offered space in the Victorian Shooter magazine to write articles about issues of interest to our members, including stories about policy making, outdoors issues and regulations.
Social media has already become an integral part of SSAA Victoria’s communications and this will remain a focus moving forward. As well as sharing news with members, the Association’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts will encourage interaction and photo-sharing from members, sub-clubs and branches.
The Communications Strategy also highlights the importance of attending events and expos to show members that the Association is committed to spreading the SSAA Victoria messages. This year SSAA Victoria will have stalls at the Wild Deer Expo, National 4X4 Show and the Elmore Field Days.
Over the next several months many new tactics will be employed in an effort to better communicate with members, the media and the wider public. Members are encouraged to contact the State Office for advice about connecting with the Association on social media, the email newsletter system and the website.