How and Why We’re Updating Our Twitter Strategy to Better Serve Members

By Vanessa Hanson  

For more than 90 years, ICBA has provided value to our membership in a wide variety of ways and places. Today, we are refocusing efforts to better serve our members on Twitter.

In the coming days and months, you are going to start seeing some changes across our social channels, and to start, we’d like to take you through the value we’ll be providing via Twitter. Here’s how:

Through Engagement: 

You’ll notice we’re engaging with you a lot more. Have you mentioned ICBA in a tweet? Tagged us? Messaged us? Well now, you’ll hear from us more often. We are here to listen, learn and engage with you and want you to feel empowered to communicate with us through this channel. 

Of all the social media platforms, Twitter has made the least number of changes to its algorithm. Since 2006, the way that people use Twitter and how tweets are presented hasn’t changed much other than the slight increase of characters allowed (140 to 280.)

Twitter is where users can share their thoughts with a big audience in a few words (or emojis) and depending on the topic, responses and shares can generate a domino effect resulting in a trending topic or just a great exchange among like-minded folks. 

In Real Time:

Twitter moves fast and if you’ve ever sat back and just watched your feed go, it can be overwhelmingly fast. In 2011, Washington DC experienced an earthquake and because of course, people took to Twitter to share it, Twitter beat the earthquake. Meaning most people saw tweets about it before they actually felt the earthquake. Another reminder that Twitter can be a great source for real-time information. 

Just In: The Treasury Department said families w/ roughly 61 million eligible children received more than $15 billion in the 5th batch of Advance Child Tax Credit payments. Unless Congress authorizes an extension, the December payment will be the last one: https://t.co/K0Idc3vZsC

— Independent Community Bankers of America (@ICBA) November 15, 2021

As you know, there is no shortage of industry news to stay on top of. With 59% of users regularly getting news from Twitter, that will be an area of focus for ICBA. Many of you may rely on our daily NewsWatch Today to arrive in your inbox each morning and that’s not going anywhere.

However, sometimes news happens when we least expect, and you need to know in real time. That’s where you can expect our Twitter feed to keep you informed in a timely manner. We are going to leverage that very tight 280 characters to get you the information you need to know when you need it. 

What You Need to Know:

Are you actively tweeting? Are you sharing exciting news about your bank or your staff? We’re taking note.  We’ll be following along, responding and sharing. Along with keeping you updated on industry news, we will keep you updated on what ICBA is up to as an organization as well.

We’re peeling back the curtain a bit so you can see the work that goes into representing independent bankers across the country. You can meet the industry leaders that make up ICBA, the staff members who interact with you at events, webinars and more. 

Twitter is another way for you to get in touch with us, so do it. We want to hear from you. 

We’ll be bringing you the information that you need to know when you need it most, in real time. After all, if it’s not on Twitter, did it even happen? 

Vanessa Hanson is ICBA's digital and social engagement director.