Oh no you didn't...

by Ron Daly

We are gathered here to day to mourn the death of JuicyCampus.com...wait, did I say mourn? I meant celebrate.

Now, being in the long-time internet guy that I am, I usually don't enjoy the demise of a website. I know there are plenty of people out there just trying to make an honest go of the web. But the folks behind Juicy Campus don't inspire sympathy in me. For those of you who don't know (or don't have college-aged kids), Juicy Campus was set up to let college students spread rumors about the school, campus organizations, or each other. The rumors could be benign things like "the price of parking is increasing soon" or malicious notes about people's relationships, appearances, or any other area of someone's life.

It took me two seconds to decide that this site and its mission was despicable. And it took me less time than that to be happy when I heard it was gone (click here for details on its closing).

I don't know "social networking" as well as some of my credit union contemporaries, but I do know this: a social network can't survive when it's built on hate-mongering. Juicy Campus lost out because it couldn't drum up online advertising here in the downswing. It has since been usurped by collegeACB, which stands for "Anonymous Confession Board", which doesn't encourage gossip so much as anonymous comments from anyone at any time.

Yeah, there's a BIG difference between that and Juicy Campus (sarcasm alert!).

But let's take a moment to talk about the people who are doing a GREAT job of social networking in the credit union world. And HOW are they doing a great job? They're not spitting on people and being catty.

• The Young and Free program - Tim McAlpine and crew at Currency Marketing have really struck oil online by making a social network that is both local and nationwide at the same time. It's the program everyone knows, thanks to its success in Canada (and the high energy and output of Larissa Walkiw, the first "Spokester") and its recent adoption in Texas and South Carolina. There's even a companion social media website that allows anyone anywhere to join and add friends. Go sign up here: http://www.livingyoungandfree.com/
  • Some CU Journal articles about Y&F: here, here, and here

• EverythingCU.com - Morriss Partee and his crew let CU people be CU people. And not only do they get to be friendly with each other, they can follow industry developments, share stories, attend webinars, get feedback and discover as a group new ways to strengthen the credit union movement. We'd like to tell you more, but membership is for CREDIT UNION EMPLOYEES ONLY. CUSOs get to stand outside and try to peek in through a hole in the fence, which they can (sort of) with their blog at everythingcu.wordpress.com, where Partee opines on the industry.

• Banktastic - Brad Garland, Lisa Randolph and their respective gang open their doors to bankers, credit unioneers (feel free to use that word, America) and all financial service professionals. They've recently endeavored to enforce the TIE principles of responsible finance: Transparency, Innovation and Education. Their video on Banktastic about TIE is, honestly, one of my new favorite online videos. Well produced, well written, and with a strong, clear message: now's the time to shape up the world of finance management, for the benefit of not just the industry but the people it serves. Jimmy is a member over at Banktastic (and at livingyoungandfree, too), so go look him up.
  • Banktastic featured in CU Journal - click here.

See? Keep it upbeat and constructive and you're sure to soar. Learn from Juicy Campus - treating people like dirt only buries you.

Want to add to our list of "getting it right" social networking sites for CUs? Feel free in the comments section.

Comments

[Tim McAlpine]

Great article. Thanks for including Young & Free in your list Ron. I agree with your take on negativity online. There is plenty of it, but I just steer clear.

I would add the YES CU Community to your list. There are more than 500 members talking about strategies for credit unions to attract the under 30 crowd. Christopher and Josh from CUNA are doing a great job of keeping it positive, active and fresh.

http://www.yescucommunity.com/

[Morriss Partee]

Hi Ron, I agree with both you and Tim. Best to avoid negativity, or at least make sure it's done in a constructive way. Thanks also for the shout-out. EverythingCU.com is for CU employees-only because they are bombarded with solicitations from vendors all sides. It's our purpose to provide them with a safe forum where they are free to speak their minds about any issue, including which vendors are the best and worst to work with. Digital Mailer has been discussed there with terms such as "absolutely outstanding" and "wonderful" . (Tim and Young and Free also has been talked about very positively!)

[Lisa Randolph]

Thanks for mentioning Banktastic, Ron! We do hope that more and more people within our industry (or any industry for that matter) pick up the TIE principles and run with them. Here's the link to our TIE principles post: http://banktastic.com/posts/51-the-tie-principles

Thanks again for the shoutout!

[Brad J Garland]

Guess it's my turn. Thanks for the mention Ron!

All we really want is engagement and to be apart of a common purpose (ex. TIE). We think by having channels to communicate amongst one another we can improve the transparency of the industry as a whole (banks & CU).

Thanks again!