Bank Marketing Secrets: Community Commitment as a Growth Strategy

As a community-centric business, you are passionate about serving your local community. But if you've hit a plateau in your growth, you may be wondering what you can do to attract new customers and grow your business.

Let me share my key learnings from over a decade of working at large banks to help you optimize your marketing strategies for community-centric success.

[Make sure to read until the end to get my top 3 resources to level up your community development game!]

Be Authentic and Showcase It

One of the most important things you can do is to be genuine in your commitment to the community. This authenticity should be reflected in every aspect of your branding and marketing.

Please stop using generic stock photos, use real-life photos of your employees, customers, and community members. Share stories about your community involvement on your website and social media. And make sure your online presence is a reflection of the community you serve.

Develop a Community Engagement Strategy

Another important tip is to develop a robust community engagement strategy. This means going beyond simply providing valuable services to your community. It means becoming an integral part of the community fabric.

There are many ways to do this. You can sponsor community events, volunteer your time and resources, and partner with other local businesses. Be sure to wear branded swag or attire to create brand recognition while showing your community Commitment.

Connect with Your Purpose and Market It

Millennials and Gen Z consumers are increasingly seeking out brands with a purpose. They want to do business with brands that share their values and are committed to making a positive impact on the world.

So, what is your brand's purpose? What are you passionate about? Once you know what your purpose is, make sure to communicate it clearly and consistently in your marketing.

You can do this by creating content that highlights your community involvement, commitment to sustainability, or other important causes. You can also partner with other brands that share your purpose and values.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can optimize your marketing strategies for community-centric success. Remember, authenticity, community engagement, and purpose-driven branding are crucial to success in today's market.

Which one of these three tips will you implement first?

Share your answer, and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have.

I'm here to help you succeed!

By: Daniel V. Passariello

Business Growth & Sales Enablement Strategist

Here are three resources for small businesses to find events to sponsor, organizations to volunteer with, and non-profits to support:

1. Double the Donation: Double the Donation is a free online platform that helps employees find and request matching gifts from their employers. It also has a directory of non-profits that accept matching gifts, as well as a list of events that are looking for sponsors. (https://doublethedonation.com)
2. VolunteerMatch: VolunteerMatch is a website that connects volunteers with opportunities at non-profit organizations. It has a database of over 100,000 non-profits, and it allows users to search for opportunities by location, category, and skills. (https://www.volunteermatch.org)
3. Pro Bono Net: Pro Bono Net is a non-profit organization that provides pro bono legal services to non-profits. It also has a directory of non-profits that are looking for pro bono support, as well as a list of events that are looking for sponsors. (https://www.probono.net)