Connecting the Dots! Innovative Email Marketing Rock Star Keynotes Marketing & Business Development Conference

What do the following have in common?

• Finalist in 2010 Maryland Small Business of the Year Awards
• Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies 
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award Finalist 
• Email Marketing Integration with Facebook Connect 
• Bridging the Gap Between Email Marketing and Social Media 
• Marketing and New Media Leader Chris Penn 

Greg Cangialosi, President & CEO of Blue Sky Factory! 

You might ask how Greg was identified and booked as a keynote speaker for our event. It was a matter of connecting the dots! We connected through new media (Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, blogs), old media (reading a book, phone, email), and personal referral. 

The relationship journey began when I started following @cspenn on Twitter. Liking what Chris wrote, I began to follow his blogs. He caught my attention with his edgy, professional style. One day Chris posted a general tweet asking if we should be connected on LinkedIn? Appreciating the insights Chris provides, believing the one with the most contacts (relationships) wins at the end of the day, I connected to Chris. From there I checked Chris out on YouTube to see if he might also be a skilled presenter. Bingo! Now I wanted to know if Chris would be interested in keynoting our Marketing & Business Development Conference. 

While all of this was developing, I was reading Chris Brogan’s book Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust. His description of Blue Sky Factory and how they handle business was the icing on the cake. I was sold and wanted to find a way to work with Blue Sky Factory. And yes, the book was a great read! And yes, I also follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisBrogan. 

Chris Penn treasures family relationships. His brother was getting married the same time as our event. He thought it best he join the family for the ceremony, a most excellent choice I might add. Instead of ending the conversation, Chris asked if I might be interested in their CEO, Greg Cangialosi. I cyber stalked Greg to see what information I could find about him, his blogs, and again going to YouTube to check out Greg’s presentation skills. 

The journey continues. I follow a number of the Blue Sky Factory team on Twitter now. Love the passion and energy they bring to their world.

To connect with credit union professionals and hear Greg live, plan to attend the 2010 Marketing & Business Development Conference, October 6-8, at the Hyatt Regency in San Antonio, Texas. 

Greg will cover: 

The relationship between business and consumer has fundamentally changed due to key shifts in communication tools and the interactions that are now taking place between businesses and their customers and prospects. This new landscape presents both challenges and opportunities to marketers and businesses of every size. 

It can be hard to know where to focus and to find meaning when the newest “shiny object” becomes mainstream or is the all of the buzz. Whether it’s social media, email marketing or mobile, marketers are asking themselves, how can these tools be useful to me? What works and what doesn’t? How do I implement and more importantly measure the effectiveness of my marketing? 

In this session, Greg Cangialosi will discuss how to take a broader, holistic view of this new era of marketing communications. Focusing on the core themes of the shifting consumer mindset and what is important to them when it comes to interacting with a business or brand online. 

Gain knowledge and insight by as Greg shares information about: 

• current market statistics on consumer behavior. 
• examples and case studies of companies who do it right and wrong. 
• how you can implement new strategies to grow your business a glimpse into the future of marketing – what’s coming next?

Greg will also present a breakout session on email marketing.

If you’re looking for fresh ideas on ways to grow you business, come hang out with us in San Antonio. Act fast. Early bird conference and special hotel sleeping room rate end September 9.

Hoping to see you there!

Does Social Media Work for CUs? Let’s find out

A lot of credit unions are wrestling with the business case for social media. Others are adventuring out into the social media arena, looking to see what makes best sense for their business strategies.

Filene Research Institute has launched "groundbreaking research regarding the quantifiable impact of social media marketing strategies."

Can you make a commitment of about two hours over the next year to complete one survey per quarter regarding your marketing activities?

"The results of the year-long research will produce a statistically tested way to predict changes in membership and products per member (or, member share) based on social media activities."

"In plain English: If you keep wondering whether social media is just hype or an effective marketing tactic, this is your chance to find out. We want you and many other credit unions to participate because more responses make for better analysis. In return for your participation, we will provide you with the results of the research. Even if you are not using social media, we would like you to participate."

Credit unions have been built around people helping people. Working together is the best way for us to position credit unions forward. Hoping you make the commitment to be part of this timely project!

Be Strategic About Social Media: Find Your People, Join the Conversation

Social media, however you define it, is a changing environment. Regardless of what you call it, think about it, or the tools you use, it’s out there. And yes, the tools change. It’s not about the tools. It is about the people, relationships, value, authenticity, and conversation. It’s about growing your business and serving your community.

Make a strategic decision.

• If customers/members and potential customers/members are having a conversation which relates to your products and services, it’s in your best interest to be part of the conversation. Find out where the conversations are occurring. If they are at the local business club monthly meeting, show up. If they are on Facebook or Twitter, listen, share, and interact.
• If they are not talking about your credit union, products, or services online, no worries. Or not? Have you provided products and services worth bragging about? Has your competitor? Have your service levels slipped? Your products fallen behind the times? Do you want to know what people think? Look, listen, and learn. Be strategic about whether or not social media makes sense for your credit union and market.

If you make the strategic decision to incorporate social media into your marketing and business development plan, be strategic about what you do.

• Don’t set up a credit union Facebook page just because someone else did.
• Twitter is not a 140 character commercial. It’s a place to help people find connections, learn about cool stuff/resources, and know more about your credit union and what you have to offer. Select the tool or tools best suited for your team and your members.

Southwest CUNA Management School has two courses this summer with limited seats available to help you further explore and expand your knowledge about social media.

Social Media I: Getting Acquainted
Dr. George Low - Texas Christian University (TCU)
July 20 (1-4:30 pm) with 1st Year Students

Social-networking websites such as MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn have seen unprecedented growth in recent years. Consumers are creating their own content on blogs, YouTube, and are rating products and services on message boards and other sites, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for marketers to use these social media to communicate with current and potential customers, and to build lasting relationships with them. The objective of this course is to give students valuable knowledge and skills needed to take advantage of these powerful social marketing tools. Teaching/learning methods will include class discussions of current trends and issues, mini case studies, and the sharing of experiences, ideas, and best practices in using social media as part of a broader strategic, integrated, marketing communications effort in the credit union industry.

Social Media: Let’s Get Strategic
Amanda Vega – Amanda Vega Consulting
July 19 (1-4:30 pm) with 2nd Year Students

You’ve heard about social media, have been dabbling on your own, or have incorporated elements of social media at the credit union. How do you advance to the next level? It’s time to get strategic with Amanda Vega, Amanda Vega Consulting. In this open discussion that is part information and part hands-on learning, plan to explore and discuss:

• What are the challenges and successes associated with social media in the credit union industry and who ultimately owns it?
• Advanced uses and tools in social media to help you get to the next level (comment marketing anyone?).
• The executive team isn’t buying into this marketing activity or simply doesn’t “get it.” – now what? How to and ensure buy-in from the decision makers
• New research on tracking, monetization and the like (a Facebook fan is worth more than $138) and the new tools that are out there to help quantify these efforts.
• Social media compliance, regulation, and policy tips
• Taking your social media to the next level, communication as a whole, arming you with real information and engagement suggestions.

If you’re looking to develop your team or enhance your skills, plan to join us on the TCU campus (Lupton-Brown University Union). Limited seating available on a day rate. For more details, visit www.scms.coop or contact Janine McBee, SCMS Synergist & Director.

Big or Little, Rich or Poor, Creativity is Key when it comes to Business Development

When you hear someone say “business development” what comes to mind?

• If only we could hire someone?
• Sounds good, but we don’t have the money to spend right now.
• It’s someone else’s job!
• So busy right now, good idea but don’t have time.

Seth Godin wrote, "The thing that makes business development fascinating is that the best deals have never been done before. There's no template, no cookie cutter grind it out approach to making it work. This is why most organizations are so astonishingly bad at it. They don't have the confidence to make decisions or believe they have the ability to make mistakes."

With some creative thought, many options exist that don’t involve additional staff or expenditures. It’s time to get strategic and bring growing your credit union into focus:

• Educate, energize and involve your entire staff
• Set goals
  - community outreach
  - retention
  - overall membership growth
  - other metrics appropriate for your credit union
• Track results
• Communicate

If you’re looking for training for yourself or your team to help with business development strategies, plan to spend a day on the TCU campus (Lupton-Brown University Union) with Julie Ferguson, owner of JRF Consulting Services, LLC. With 16 years at First Tech CU, Julie knows credit unions. She brings real life experience and practical tips to SCMS Grad School, July 21, on the TCU Campus. For more details, visit www.scms.coop or contact Janine McBee, SCMS Synergist & Director.

Credit Unions Say No to Interchange

In good old credit union grassroots fashion, two "say no to interchange" videos have surfaced this week. Both provide a fun, lighthearted way to educate your members and community about the facts of interchange and what they can do to take action.

Watch, laugh, learn, share below.

Breaking News: Bankzilla Attacks!

Reports were pouring in yesterday from The Consumerist that Bankzilla was on the loose terrorizing people in Washington, DC. We have a special report with details coming in from another attack of high rates and hidden fees in Pasadena, Texas. Consumers can take action. 

Credit Unions - Social Media, Word of Mouth, Viral Marketing

If you missed the RadioFREE Credit Union Show, you can catch it here as we discussed credit unions, social media, word of mouth and viral marketing with Jason Dias and Scott McKenna. Be sure to follow @cuswag as we played a little game giving some CU*SWAG out to those who counted the number of times CU*SWAG was said. Fun times! Happy Friday to all.

Hi Mom! Live at the Mobilize.org Conference! Watch Below...

Watch a live stream from mobilize.org conference and get involved with the chat on the credit union blog.

Helping People Understand Twitter and Other Social Media

When reviewing the weekly update from one of my LinkedIn groups, I came across the following post from David Pittman (Sr. Director, Marketing Communications, Initiate Systems, Inc.). I found his approach insightful and have his permission to share…

My company recently jumped headlong into social media, becoming active on Twitter, Facebook, and, LinkedIn, with soon-to-roll plans for other social media outlets. As the marketing communications director, I'm responsible for getting all this action rolling. That means I also field a huge range of questions from co-workers.

The most frequent type of question I get is "How is [X] different from [Y]?", especially "How is Twitter different from Facebook?" To help my colleagues understand the different social networks, I borrowed from my product marketing friends and created personas for each network. Each persona is the name of a fellow well-known employee, so everyone can quickly picture the personality of each social network and the 'feel' we will try to give to each in our communications.

Below are the personas I wrote, with the names changed to protect the guilty.

• Our blog is like Tom C: authoritative but with a humorous edge. Invites other opinions.
• Twitter is like Bill F: clever, witty and fun; easily interacts with other people; not afraid to ask thought-provoking questions.
• The website is like Ginger K: organized, has everything you need. Isn’t as outgoing as other media, but is always ready to interact with you.
• Flickr is like Emily G: has all the images, pictures and graphics you could want. (One person added, “And is easy to use.”)
• YouTube is like Dr. Robert H: has depth and technical knowledge, but also has a funny personal side.
• LinkedIn is like Alexandra T: knows everybody; exudes a professional demeanor; isn’t afraid to reach out and make connections.
• Facebook is like Ted P: cheerful, congratulatory and social. Reaches out to other people, encourages interaction among different people, has lots of friends; is able to integrate personal and professional.

What do you think of the characterizations he applied to each social network? What changes would you make?

Credit Union Viral and Word of Mouth Marketing Idea

As you know, we really like to focus on non traditional ways for credit unions to help connect and build relationships with members... both online and offline.  Doing things differently, thinking huge, and pushing creative boundaries gets people talking. 

Plus a lot of credit union viral and word of mouth marketing ideas provide a low investment, high impact solution that can complement traditional marketing channels.

Check out this creative idea that got people talking about Red Bull (known for doing things differently). A well thought out plan that gets people talking in a positive way can create a long lasting positive impact on your credit union's brand.

What are you doing to get people talking about your credit union and do the marketing for you? Shout back below and share your thoughts and ideas.