Make Switching Easy

How can you help new members make the switch to your credit union? And once there, how do you inform them about all the services and products you have?

The answer is switch kits. An easy solution that gives members the tools to make switching financial institutions as easy transition. The switch kit will help members gather all the information they need, and help with questions about contact information for all incoming and outgoing transactions. It should give a place for the member to list payment due dates, with the time frames of payments and deposits. Basically, it should be a resource for the credit union with places for their specific account information to be filled in.

Having a switch kit included with the welcome package when an account is first opened is a good step in gaining members for life.

by Loretta Nevers

Best Wishes Debbie Fletcher!

Click to view our press release about Debbie's retirement and updated PMD ownership info.

New Year. New Marketing.

PMD Marketing is ready to help your credit union grow in 2012. We offer a full spectrum of services that are 100% customizable to your credit union and your budget.

• Marketing
• Graphic Design
• Youth Marketing
• Prequlify Offer Fulfillment
• Branding
• Media & Advertising
• Social Media
• Website Updates & Designs
• eBlasts & eNewsletters
• Printing
• Mail Processing
• Promo Products
• Electronic & Mailed Surveys
• T-shirts & Employee Apparel
• Strategic Planning
• Name Changes & Mergers
• Copywriting
• Consulting
• Monthly Contracts for Part-Time Marketing
• And many more!

Contact us today for more info or a personalized quote.

Happy Holidays from PMD!

Happy holidays from all of us at PMD Marketing!

Talk the Talk

Social media is no longer just the hot topic at marketing conferences. It's here to stay. And there are unlimited opportunities for your business to use the mediums. Everyone knows the most popular ones - Twitter and Facebook. If you're new to social media, set up accounts with those first and see how they work. They're free, but require a few minutes a day of your time.

Once you've determined the social mediums you're going to use, make sure you keep your messages conversational. People don't want a hard sales pitch, or they'll ignore, unfollow or unfriend you. Keep it interesting and really think about your message before you put it out into the social world. Keep it short and snappy, and include links where people can go for more details.

Too busy to write your own messages? PMD Marketing can help you with all your social media and blogging needs.

by Bonnie Nelson

Promote Your Facebook Page

Most credit unions today want to get the most out of their Facebook page and grow their followers. Here are some different ways of promoting your page:

• Put a link in your email signature.
• Write a blog on your website about the Facebook page. And give them an incentive to follow you. (Free giveaways, loads of useful and interesting financial advice, etc.)
• Add tags to other organizations in your wall or status posts. Your post will appear on that organization's page, and give you exposure to their followers.
• Ask Twitter followers to join you on Facebook, and add your Facebook link to your Twitter profile
• Use Facebook ads. You determine the amount to spend, so it really does fit every budget.
• Put a Facebook widget (link with the F icon) on your website
• Use a custom URL. Example: facebook.com/customtexthere
• Put a link on your business cards
• Link on your personal Facebook page
• Ask current followers to post about you on their page
• Add a tag to your YouTube or Vimeo videos
• Use a QR code that directs people to your Facebook page
• Add a Like box to your blog or website sidebar. This shows visitors to the blog or website how many of their friends like your credit union too!

Don't do all these at once, and pick and choose the ones appropriate for your business. Facebook is a great resource if used appropriately!

by Bonnie Carroll Nelson

Source: Social Media Examiner

Brand Advocates. You NEED them!

Brand advocates are the members every credit union wants. Why? Because they're the people actively telling others about you! And word of mouth is a powerful influence.

Click "read more" to see a  study illustration about brand advocates by University of Rhode Island and BzzAgent. Then, click on the image to be able to zoom.

by Bonnie Carroll Nelson

Effective Email Signatures

Everybody has received them - an email with a signature line that gives everything about the sender except their blood type and social security number. Yes, contact info is important, but everything isn't necessary. Here are a few key things to keep in mind.

Info appropriate for an email signature:

• Full name
• Company name or logo
• Job title
• Mailing address
• Phone number
• Company website
• Social media links
• Email address
• Line of text or video or web link for a current promotion

Use your digression. All the above info may not need  to be included, so pick the ones that are appropriate for your business.

An email signature SHOULD NOT include:

• A variety of fonts
• A background design or color
• Clip art images
• Moving or flashing text
• Embedded video or sounds that play automatically
• Titles or certifications unrelated to your job

Keep these suggestions in mind for your smart phone emails too. Email signatures are meant to identify the sender, and offer various methods of contact. PMD offers custom design of email signatures, if you need any help developing an effective email sign-off.

by Bonnie Carroll Nelson

The Humble Font

A skilled writer can pack a string of words with nuance, emotion and meaning. A skilled designer can take those words and amplify their effect through careful use of typeface (or font.) The components the designer brings to the project are vital tools for enhancing legibility and drawing attention to important words and phrases. The appearance of type can determine whether or not the article is read. Each typeface enhances a page with it's own particular weight, texture and style, which in turn, affects the appeal, mood and legibility of your text.

Much as we love graphics, text is the main reason most printed documents exist. And so this makes the humble font the single greatest contributor to the look and feel of every page.

by Loretta Nevers

 

Sometimes It's What You DON'T Say

eBlasts are an inexpesive and reliable way to communicate with members and non-members. But sometimes spam filters snatch up your message before it's reached their inbox. Here are some common financial words and phrases to avoid when composing your eBlast titles:

Affordable

Apply Now

Additional Income / Extra Income

Dear Friend

Free

Mortgage Rates

Opportunity

Remove

Save $ / Save Money

Keep your subject line free of those words and phrases, and it should be smooth sailing into their inbox.

 

By Bonnie Carroll Nelson