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. 

Why Credit Unions Should Pick Pandora

If more and more of your credit union's marketing budget is going to digital, you'll want to read this article. According to Martini Media, credit unions and banks allocated about 40 percent of their marketing budgets toward digital marketing in 2013. By 2017, digital will account for nearly one in three dollars spent in U.S. advertising reaching close to $44.5 billion in ad spending. 

One of the best bets for your digital marketing dollar is quickly becoming Pandora Internet Radio. If you’re curious why more advertising dollars are being shifted toward Pandora media buys, here are some reasons why Pandora is worth it:

• You can target your marketing efforts with almost pinpoint accuracy with segment and sub-segment choices that include household income, auto preferences, ethnicity, education levels, home and business ownership, etc.
  
• 28 percent of U.S. adults that are online stream music on their computer or smartphone; yet only six percent are willing to pay for commercial-free online music.
  
• Compared to other online ads, Pandora only play one in-stream ad at a time, so marketers have the listener’s full attention.
  
• Users are less likely to tune out the ads since Pandora runs less than two minutes of commercials per hour compared to the up to ten minutes of broadcast radio stations.
  
• Pandora is a clear favorite of the 13 to 35 age group with 39 percent of them using it. The next closest is iHeartRadio with only eleven percent.
  
• Ten out of the ten best-selling passenger vehicles in the U.S. now come with Pandora.

If you'd like to learn more about Pandora, CU Solutions Group has worked with numerous credit unions to help develop a creative, effective and successful media buy. Click here to contact us today.