5 Reasons/Pluses Credit Unions Should Use Google+

by: Michael Ogden, Media Relations Manager for New Media at CUNA Mutual Group

I have to say this, “I do not hate Facebook! I just don’t think it works well for everyone and I’m tired of being poked so the Class of 1989 can remind me that I never go to a reunion.”

Now I must say this, “Holy crap! Google+ is like an angel from social media heaven!” Sorry, but I get very excited.

Google has added more than 90 million users. And that’s amazing considering Google launched this social media platform in the summer of 2011. According to a story this week, it’s projected to hit 400 million users by the end of the year.

You’ve probably heard things like, “It’s a lot like Facebook,” and “It’ll never be as big as Facebook” and “I love Facebook so much I want to marry it!” And on and on and on…

The truth is that it’s a little like Facebook and a lot not like it.

The questions about Google+ I hear most are, “Should I be on this?” The answer – yes! “Should my credit union be active on Google+?” Same answer!

The main hesitation comes from those who’ve set up a successful Facebook Fan page and an active Twitter account and they wonder if they’ve made a mistake. There’s no mistake in setting up a successful online platform for your credit union. Stick with it! Google+ is another (albeit amazing) evolution to the social media universe.

Here are 5 reasons why you and your credit union should start a Google+ page:

1. Circles – Communicate with who you want, when you want. Google+ allows you to organize who you follow by adding them to “circles.” This means that you’ve selected to receive all public posts from that person. But, what’s different here is that they won’t see your posts unless they “circle” you. Also, you can select specific “circles” to see your posts or have your post go to the public. With Twitter, it’s all or nothing when it comes to communicating. For instance, I have a “Credit Union circle” where I can post information that these people, but not the entire world, would be interested in. The brilliance behind the “circles” is that it slashes the activity of spammers. You know those new followers you have to block on Twitter every morning. I haven’t had one spammer on Google+.
2. Hangouts – Like Skype, but better. This built-in video chat feature is one of the most unique and powerful things about Google+. It allows up to 10 people to have a live group discussion. Here at work we’ve had “hangouts” with Google executives, scientists, public relations professionals and even with the people who run the Coca-Cola archives warehouse in Atlanta. You can invite specific people from your “circles” to join your “hangout” or invite the world (as long as it’s only 10 people). The collaboration you get from the “hangouts” is truly remarkable. There are a lot of great people out there with a lot of great ideas that can help you and your credit union.
3. Google Search/The +1 Button – Improve how your credit union appears in search results. Since Google is the number one search engine in the world, it makes sense that they are tying search results to Google+ pages and profiles. Attaching the +1 button to your credit union Website will give you an even better chance that your credit union will show up higher in search results. Part of the beauty of Google+ is that Google learns what your credit union likes to talk about, and it also learns the same thing from people in your “circles.” Think of it like this: Google knows who you’re connected to and they know what your followers like (they like you), so when your followers do a search for “Credit Unions” or “Banking” your credit union Website and Google+ page will get priority and show up at or near the top of those search results.
4. Google Owns Everything – Okay, not everything, but they do own YouTube (the world’s second largest search engine). They own a majority of the blogging platforms out there and the photo-sharing site Picasa. All of these things are tied together into one nice Google+ package. You have a new video to post on YouTube? Well look, you can share it automatically on your Google+ page. New blog post? Share it! New photo? You get the idea. Google+ is built for instant sharing and connections.
5. Mobile – Communicate with your “circles” on the go! Remember when I said “Google owns everything.” Well, if they don’t own it, they sure have some good friends. Google and therefore Google+ are built in to all Android smartphones. That means any photos you take or videos you record can be instantly uploaded to your Google+ page. You know all of those Valentine’s Day pictures you took at your credit union? You don’t need a camera and a computer – you can simply use your phone to upload and tag people instantly. And you can also do “hangouts”…on…your…phone! BAM!

The beauty of Google+ is the deep collaborative nature of the multi-layered approach of easily sharing videos, photos and blog posts with the entire world, or with a very specific group of people – and don’t forget the “hangouts!” For me, it’s been the most exciting platform to work with in a long time. We’ve been slowly building our Google+ page  and I cannot wait to share with you the plans we have for it this year!

Michael Ogden is the Media Relations Manager for New Media at CUNA Mutual Group. You can connect with him on Twitter @CUDiscovery or on Google+ at +CUNAMutual.  CUNA Mutual Group, based in Madison, Wis., is a leading provider of financial services to credit unions, their members and customers worldwide.