It Takes More to Change the World than Just Believing

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

We plan. We draft strategic documents. We have lots of meetings. We do these things because we believe in the credit union industry and the potential it has to change the world.
Now what?

I’ve said before, “We are so good at talking to ourselves about the awesomeness of credit unions.” And I’ve spoken with many of you about this particular issue. We chant, we yell and we have more meetings with ourselves.

I mean really – how many meetings do we need to have? I counted it up and I’ll have logged in well over 40 hours of meetings by the end of this month. Meetings have their purpose. But when is enough, enough? When do we take all of our passion for this industry and take it to new audiences and masses that need our services?

For me, that’s where social media comes in. One year ago I came to CUNA Mutual Group completely unaware of how much potential existed for the industry to spread the word beyond our circle. I can honestly say that I’m a changed man. I’ve seen the crescendo of credit union chatter and brilliant connections on Twitter and Google+.

To build upon that crescendo here’s my thought: don’t just believe in the credit union industry – believe in yourselves!

Take your Twitter account, Facebook or Google+ Page or your blog and reenergize it! Here are some things I do to help bring new information and new connections to our social media platforms:

1. Redesign the profile page – This week, for example, Twitter launched a new profile page for your mobile profile. Personalize that page and own it so you can feel proud sharing it with others. And think about including this into your mobile marketing plans.
2. Mine for new connections – There’s a reason I have my Twitter lists open to the public. I want you to go into my lists and find some connections you may not have. Reach out to some new people and media organizations outside the industry.
3. Use Websites & Blogs – We all visit the same Websites and blogs every day. Make a point to try a new site to get your news or information from this month. Blogs are making a comeback and they are all on social media. Find those social media buttons on the site and connect!
4. A good “Unfriending” – You’ve been connected to the same people for so long on Facebook. Go into your “Friend” list and figure out who is and who’s not contributing to the conversation. Those who aren’t? Unfriend them. Then go out to a competitor’s Facebook Page and see who’s active on there – then friend those people.

Like many of you, I’m currently planning for 2013. And after a year of building our social media profiles and connecting with some of the most passionate people I’ve ever known – it’s time to take it to the next level. Don’t worry, I talked to your parents and they’re fine with it.

Here’s my challenge for you and for me: from this moment on, take the social media tools we have and increase the volume for the credit union industry. Take the opportunities we have at industry events, local community functions and even non-industry events to be bold for our industry. Use that passion to change the world – because the world needs us.

Michael Ogden is the Media Relations Manager for New Media at CUNA Mutual Group. You can connect with him on Twitter @CUNAMutualGroup or on Google+ at +CUNA Mutual Group. He flunked Statistics in college even though he didn’t miss one class.

CUNA Mutual Group, based in Madison, Wis., is a leading provider of financial services to credit unions, their members and customers worldwide.