Credit unions are different. Different than banks. Different than payday
lenders. Different than every other financial institution.
We can all recite many reasons why: members are owners;
credit unions are for people, not profit; the list goes on. And for most
of us, “different” means “better.” So, what sets your credit union
apart—and do your potential members (or even your members) know?
You have the world of technology at your fingertips to
help you tell the world how your credit union excels—in product choices,
in services, and in responsiveness to members. And now is the time to
use that technology to your advantage.
Get Your Name out There
Connect with members and non-members. You’re already providing information via your website. Now it’s time to step up your social media efforts.
Connect with members and non-members. You’re already providing information via your website. Now it’s time to step up your social media efforts.
- Blog – Provide financial tips to your members via your blog. These can be short and sweet (budgeting tips) or a bit more complex (explain the array of investment options).
- Tweet – We’re not recommending blatant self-promotion. Rather, use Twitter to post information about your community involvement and to follow other industry-related leaders. Hosting a free financial literacy seminar? Now that’s worth a tweet.
- Post – Facebook is a great place to post your community event reminders, announcements about winners of your credit union’s contests, and to mention perks available only to members. You can even respond to potential members’ questions regarding locations, services, and employment opportunities.
(Need assistance with social media? CUSG can help!)
Subtle is Good, Too
Using technology to inform is one way to let people know what sets your credit union apart from the competition. Using technology to provide service to your members is another way.
Using technology to inform is one way to let people know what sets your credit union apart from the competition. Using technology to provide service to your members is another way.
You can do this by adding these online tools that give
your credit union and its member service representatives the ability to
respond quickly to members:
- Searchable FAQs – A searchable Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, also known as an online knowledgebase, can save staff time while quickly providing answers to your members' questions—and ensures they get a consistent, correct answer every time. Members can use this service before, during and after business hours.
- Secure Live Chat – A live chat service is another way to serve your members. Member service representatives can address concerns, answer questions and provide information … all in real time. (The best email programs still have a time delay, but chatting gives an immediate response.) You can also send members directly to a specific page of your website.
Serve your members online and connect with them wherever
they are and whenever they want to connect. Sure, the methods of
engaging with members are different than they used to be. But credit
unions have always been different and have even held “different” up as a
badge of honor. There’s no need to change that attitude now!
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