Credit unions in Puerto Rico are getting serious about socialmedia.

On Friday, 51 credit unions from across the island will meet inSan Juan for a day-long educational session on how to betterleverage social media.

CUNA Mutual Group Media Relations Manager/New Media MichaelOgden and Senior Communications Specialist Holly Fearing havebeen tapped to share their social media journey at theRevolutionizing Traditional Marketing:Credit Unions in Social Mediaevent. After introductions by CUNA Mutual Spanish Caribbean LeaderVictor Alamo and International Leader Paul Treinen, Joel Villarini,president of Puerto Rico's Social Media Club/social media managerof Wapa TV will also present.

“Before Michael stepped into this role two years ago we were inthe same shoes as these credit unions in Puerto Rico,” saidFearing. “We had a Twitter account, Google+ and LinkedIn but weweren't actively using it. So we'll walk through our story of howwe went from there to where we are today and the success we've hadin a few channels.”

Based on information provided by attendees, of those engagedwith social media, many of their sites have not been regularlyupdated or are used to simply post promotional information.

At some credit unions, even the employees didn't know if theircredit union had social media profiles. Driven by the credit unionsthemselves, the impetus behind developing the session was to helpcredit union executives and marketers identify how social media canbe used to better communicate with current members while reachingout to a younger demographic as well.

“What a great stepping off point,” said Ogden. “We need tounderstand what's happening in Puerto Rico and see it as a modelthat should be advocated here.”

In addition to offering tips on everything from social mediastrategy to content execution, Fearing said they would also providea few credit union best practice examples such asMadison,Wis.-based Heartland Credit Union's “Own It”campaign and an inside look at a few of CUNA Mutual's owncreativecampaigns such as Choose YourOwn Social Media Adventure from this year's America's CreditUnion Conference.

“At Heartland they are using social media to harness the powerof cross-sector co-op collaboration by featuring videos ofdifferent local co-ops each week and offering prizes tocommenters,” said Fearing.

“Not only is the video promoted on their sites, but the socialmedia sites of all the other co-op businesses that participate inthis campaign. So it's a great example of a credit union that hasgone all in on social media and what can be accomplished,” shesaid.