When I think about hashtags, the first thing that comes to mind is Jimmy Fallon's skit on the Tonight Show with Justin Timberlake. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out (check it out here). And yes, hashtag use can get a bit obnoxious, especially when your old-high-school-buddy-turned-influencer puts seventeen different hashtags in her Instagram posts.

As silly as it may seem, there is real value in using hashtags from a digital marketing perspective. With a little research, you can identify a few that are commonly used by your target demographics and start contributing to their conversations through social media. This strategy is commonly called "hashtag mining" and we think it's #awesome! Here's everything you need to know about executing your own hashtag mining strategy.

Credit unions have a lot to offer – member-focused products, famed member service and a spirit of giving back to their communities. But as many have made digital transformations over the last 10 years, credit unions still face significant challenges when it comes to marketing in the digital world. How do you navigate compliance under digital regulations? How do you maintain personal touch while creating a digital community? These are the big questions credit unions face. The good news? You can answer them with the right support. Let’s dig into these top challenges and the solutions to surpass them.

Small business owners need to consider the return on investment in everything they do. With limited budgets, staff and resources, running a small business takes creativity and understanding of where to put your dollars for the most impact. This is especially true when it comes to how you market your business.

So, you’ve found yourself shopping for marketing agencies to partner with. Maybe you want to increase your marketing capacity, but the idea of more staff and overhead costs gives you a headache. Or maybe you need the kind of expertise that can only be found in a specialized agency. Whatever your reasoning, you’re on the cusp of something great. By expanding your team with a marketing partner, you’re investing in your company’s growth and continued success. 

I know what you’re thinking. Designing for a financial institution sounds like a real drag. But it doesn’t have to be. I like to think of it as a fun challenge – using design to make community banking feel easy, personable and attractive. Believe it or not, some of my favorite work has been for a local credit union. 

A blog is an important feature for any website, but especially for real estate websites. Why is that? Two reasons.

One: a blog helps establish you as an expert in the world of real estate. Over time, people will look to your content to understand how the real estate market is working in your area and for tips for buying and selling. A blog helps you build trust with your audience by showing them that you know your stuff when it comes to real estate – and that your knowledge can be of direct value to buyers and sellers.

We get it — SEO is one of those terms that can sound crazy intimidating upfront. The earliest mention that can be found of SEO traces roughly back to 1997. This was the same year that Titanic smashed the box office, Hanson released their debut album, and Biggie Smalls was shot. The point? It’s been around a long time (it’s technically old enough to have a drink), and there’s no reason for any person with half a brain to still shy away from the very basics of SEO. Once you look under the bed, this monster is really no monster at all. You can tackle it with ease, we promise. Let’s take a look at three simple ways to do just that.

As you grow your bank to serve more and more customers, your regular marketing tasks can become increasingly laborious and time-consuming. If you find yourself drowning in work, manually sending follow-up emails to every customer who fills out your contact form, you’re doing it wrong. Know that there is a better way. And that’s automation.

A website is a must-have for any successful business in this era, whether you’re an insurance agency, a barbershop or a fun new game app. And while most people appreciate websites with a trendy, enticing design, they also have to work well functionally. The last thing you want is for potential customers to struggle to view your website, find what they’re looking for, or take certain actions. 

Though email is one of the oldest forms of digital marketing, it is not to be ignored. According to HubSpot, email generates $42 for every $1 spent, which is an astounding 4,200% ROI, making it one of the most effective options available. So while new social media channels may be all the rage, don’t swap something that just works for the latest trend. Email marketing is a tried and true method that’s been honed over the years, and credit unions can use it as a way to grow and foster membership.