...I explained to them about how research funding works for these kinds of things and how government should support them...and if they do agree with it, they should let their reps know. They asked how to let their reps know. So a small example of going out and interacting with the community.

Dangerously, using the same argument could justify doing nothing ever for communication. That aside, balance online and other mediums. I find direct interaction helps. E.g., I talked with a group of American Legion members about leg amputation / protheses research and they were very engaged. Then...

That advantage of name recognition and such early on does impact the grant reviewers for sure. I am not a "genius" scientist, maybe just above mid. I just think I and my circle of fabulous mentors have carefully organized my pathway into staying in science...at least for a bit longer...