The importance of consistency in marketing is often overlooked as a way to strengthen your credit union branding and to make a great first impression with potential members. We always remember to keep the big things in our marketing consistent, such as making sure the website and advertising have a uniform look and messaging, but it is all-too easy to forget that the little things matter too.

In Duct Tape Marketing: The World’s Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide (which, by the way, is a great read), John Jantsch writes, “Any time that a client or a potential client comes into contact with your firm, they are experiencing your firm’s brand or style. If you accept that definition, then you quickly see that any list of elements must also include: stationary, forms, telephone manner, delivery vehicles, printed materials, office facility, smells, business cards, invoices, customer service, salespeople, signage, employee attitudes, sounds, attire, fax cover, advertising, email format, website, vendors and tastes.”

While obviously a lot of those elements are not relevant to credit unions, the takeaway here is that every type of contact or interaction you have with your members and potential members, no matter how small, helps develop the overall impression of your brand. READ MORE »