5 Marketing Trends for Credit Unions in 2015

We are heading to the end of 2014 which can have many of you already looking forward to 2015. This can be the year your credit union can really capitalize on the new marketing trends that have emerged. Here are the top five marketing trends for 2015.

1. Social Media: As the social media landscape changes, so should your credit union’s social media efforts. Facebook is slowly losing its Millennial demographic, however, recently it has seen a boost with the Baby Boomer generation. Instagram has seen high numbers in the Millennial category, but has yet to see an increase with Baby Boomers. Twitter still ranks as one of the most widely used social media platforms from all age groups. It’s important for your credit union to diversify your social media efforts to build your brand and make it easier for members to recognize and connect to you. Instagram and Pinterest can seem like unlikely social media outlets for your credit union to use, but it is consistently growing in users. Having an active profile on each can boost your credit union’s member base.
2. Content: Content still remains king through 2015. With each Google algorithm update you can expect Google to favor content over most anything else. Having regularlyupdated content on your site establishes authority and helps your credit union gain member trust. The best ways for credit unions to use content is with its website, newsletters, videos and articles and or blog posts.
3. Mobile: Mobile is quickly becoming an important tool for credit unions. If your credit union does not have a well-developed mobile app on every operating system, now is the time to focus your efforts. According to Forbes, 87% of connected devices are engaging in some form of banking. Mobile banking for your credit union needs to give the user a positive experience. Your mobile design should be in a format that is commonly referred to as responsive design. This means that your site provides an optimal viewing experience-easy reading and navigation with a minimum of resizing, panning and scrolling-across a wide range of devices.
4. YouTube and other video platforms: If content is known as the king, videos can be considered the queen. According to the Social Science Research Network, 65% of people are visual learners. YouTube and other video platforms have made it easy for companies to create and share content with their members.
5. Micro-targeting – when it comes to spending on marketing; you want to get the most bang for your buck. Many credit unions are turning to micro-targeting to increase their member base. Micro-targeting gives credit unions the ability to use consumer data and demographic reports to identify individuals or small groups of the like-minded individuals. By micro-targeting your audience you can increase your member base quickly without the large spend that comes in other forms of marketing. One simple product can be used for micro-targeting is Gas Station TV.

CU Solutions Group has the tools to help you make your marketing the best in the business. If your goal is to improve your website or launch a social media campaign, we have what you need to reach your members.  With our helpful website compliance review, content management system and website design and development products we can help you stand out for all the right reasons. 

Energize Your Credit Union Members' Online Experience

Just about every company and product has its own website. And by now, you know the basics—make your site easy to navigate and user-friendly, include a call to action on every page where a product or service is described, and use online applications and contact forms.

Now What?
Now it’s time to add that “little extra something” to your website—something that gets your members coming back time and again. Use one or all of these website enhancements to energize your site:

Video
Sure, you can put videos on YouTube at no cost. But do you really want members navigating away from your website? The best alternative is to place the videos on your site. The videos can be:

• Instructional – Financial literacy is a must at any age. Place videos that cover different topics and appeal to members of all ages.
• Community-oriented – Share a brief video of your credit union staff participating in community events.
• Promotional – Promote a product or service—or simply post the video of your CEO’s appearance on the local TV news to discuss Bank Transfer Day.
• Informative – Keep members informed about the issues facing credit unions—such as proposed legislation that has challenged credit unions’ tax-exempt status in the past.
• Motivational – Want to do more than keep members informed? Use a video to encourage them to write to their legislators or take other actions.

Blog
A blog invites interaction, which in turn invites people to return to your site. Keep the topics relevant and helpful—and ask visitors to comment. Consider, too, a guest blog. If your credit union has a relationship with a financial planner, invite that person to post a blog. Also, look to your membership. Perhaps a member can share his or her experience with solving a budgeting problem.

(Tip: Use one of your website pages for the blog. If you’re using a “page commenting” feature, visitors can use that to post comments.)

Podcast
Podcasts aren’t yesterday’s news. They’re an efficient way to provide snippets of information to members who are on the go—and find it easier to listen to a message rather than watch one. Use podcasts to provide financial tips and messages from your CEO.

Keep it Going
Once you’ve added one or more of these features, don’t stop there. Talk to your members or survey them—and learn what other features would make your site more valuable. Because when it comes down to it, members are the reason you have a website.

 
Related products: CUBE TV, Podcasts, Web Development