Just say NO to Stock Art Part Deux

In April of this year, I urged readers to take stock — ART OUT! I’m happy to report that GEMC Federal Credit Union has just been awarded my first ever Flying Pig Award for questioning everything we hold sacred and doing what no one else thought possible.

This is one gorgeous card. I love how they took an ordinary (and very relevant to their membership) object and made it art.

Does YOUR credit union have a truly branded card? Or are you stuck in the ’80s with your stock art???

Marketing Lessons from Sin City

Brand is your reputation. Period.

Las Vegas was founded on three things. Booze. Sex. Gambling. Guess who the target audience for those activities are? Well, let’s just say, you know who you are.

But somebody complained that there was nothing to do for the little kiddies while mommy and daddy were in the casino. So Vegas tried to appeal to everyone by adding clowns and rides and circus stuff. But at their heart? It’s all about the booze, sex and gambling. It’s hard to change your reputation. I’m sorry kids, you gotta go to Orlando.

I just booked a trip to Vegas. I’m going to the FSCC Conference. I haven’t been there in a while. But I have to admit - I’m a little excited. I don’t gamble, but I do love shows, shopping, dining, wining, and general debauchery.

The ads for Vegas are spot on. With so few words and a perfect image, you know who the target is. Take a look at your last newsletter. Or your home page on your website. Does it say who you are? Or does it have pictures of shiny happy people that rotate to include all the ethnic groups? Does it promote your free checking? Sexy.

Vegas isn’t for everyone. Why should your credit union be?

History Repeats Itself….

Volusia County teachers average $43,000 in salary a year. When classes let out in May, they received four paychecks in advance to cover the summer period. Can you imagine your employer giving you three months worth of income AND three months off - at the same time. I know I’d have a hard time budgeting that. One trip to Home Depot and I’m toast.

Kudos to Space Coast Credit Union for getting that.

Responding to a special request for a teachers’ union, they have agreed to provide no-interest loans to thousands of Volusia school employees affected by the new ”Save Our Summer” law. The state law, which reserves most of August as a family vacation period to boost tourism, forbids school districts to start fall classes any earlier than two weeks before Labor Day. (I like to call it the Mickey Mouse law cuz it’s in Florida. Hmmm, curious).

But what I REALLY love about this story is the return to our roots. We should give thanks to the loan shark (then and now) for reminding us of our cause. People helping people. Today interest rates of 400 to 800 percent are the norm in that largely unregulated industry according to Consumers Union. The “credit union” was an alternative to help the “little guy” (read teacher in this case) borrow from their co-workers. In effect, the teachers who have budgeted money or amassed some savings are willing to loan money to co-workers to help them through the summer.

The “shame of borrowing” is hopefully back. And I mean that in a good way. If a co-worker loaned me a thousand bucks, you better believe I’m going to pay them back FIRST. That’s what made common bond credit unions so successful. And the word-of-mouth that comes with that level of trust was and still is the best marketing.

We have charts and graphs to back us up…..

I was recently chastised for not having solid data to back up my opinions and accused of making vague generalizations and relying on conjecture when speaking of my love for the Net Promoter Score.

Here is my first ever chart, or whatever you call it. I give props to my new favorite blog for this idea, and to another blog I love for referring me.

I call it “What NPS really measures”

California

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to ask my audience to describe their state in three words. By far, the winner is Wisconsin. Without hesitation, as if they had secretly rehearsed the moment, they replied in unison: beer, cheese, Packers.

Now that’s brand. It’s what you’re known for. Some states seem to have a bit of an identity crisis. But not Wisconsin.

I’m in California as I write this. California definitely has a brand. What three words describe Caleefohrneea’s brand (you have to say that like Arnold says it)

SIDE BAR: Please read my “It’s My Job” posting to see why I’m in a coffee shop with long pants on blogging instead of enjoying the sun…..