Western Community Bank has always approached marketing with an innovative mindset. During tough economic times, their commitment to a social media marketing strategy continues to demonstrate their willingness to assume a leadership position.
The Challenge:
Tough economic times have hit every business—including banks. However, conditions vary greatly from region to region, state to state, and community to community. While many people continue to be spoon fed doom and gloom watching CNN, Western Community Bank saw an opportunity to specifically address local issues from a local bank’s perspective.
The Solution:
The management team at Western Community Bank is a savvy bunch. They’ve always looked to the leading edge when branding their three-branch community bank. So, implementing a social media marketing strategy was simply par for the course.
Their premise was simple—we get enough national doom and gloom watching CNN. What people would really appreciate is insight into the economic downturn… FROM THEIR LOCAL BANKER’S PERSPECTIVE.
During the bank’s new blogsite development, a number of social media specific articles appeared in industry publications.
Western Community Bank was already one step ahead.
The Tactics:
Adam Weight, Western Community Bank’s VP of Marketing and Technology, understands the subtleties of social media marketing. He knows that you can’t buy a set of walkie-talkies, then use them like a bullhorn! Simply posting “ads” for bank services, and disguising them as posts, wasn’t his vision. He continues to spend a great deal of time researching topics that provide value to readers—topics that not only help customers with everyday banking questions, but also lend local perspective to tough economic times.
In addition, Western Community Bank’s strategy has been designed to provide online “one-on-one” type experiences—not only for their customers, but for perspective new customers in Utah County.
Adam has been adamant about throwing a little financial humor now and then as well.
The blogsite has already proven to be a great idea. Customer comments have included, “It’s nice to understand the LOCAL implications of a down economy on MY money, MY mortgage, MY investments, and MY family.”
Currently, we are working with Western Community Bank to develop other innovative and unexpected social networking programs that engage audiences and drive increased traffic to their blogsite.
Visit Western Community Bank’s blogsite, Smart Banking Tips, by clicking >HERE.
