First Savings Bank: the case study.

First Savings Bank: the case study.

the company.

First Savings Bank is a leading financial institution offering personal accounts, business accounts, and top-notch solutions for people who care about their money. While their marketing machine was getting the job done, they wanted to do more than just “okay.” That’s where we came in. 

They hired Threshold with the goal of opening 463 new accounts and achieving a 20% lift in customer acquisition. Starting in May 2023, we launched targeted campaigns across Google Search, Facebook, Instagram, and programmatic digital display platforms for First Savings Bank. The campaigns leveraged the unique selling points of First Savings Bank’s products, including Kasasa Cash Back, Kasasa Cash, and Kasasa Eats accounts.

The campaign yielded impressive digital marketing and account growth results that transcended expectations. 

 

the problem to solve.

Their previous marketing campaign was good but not good enough. First Savings Bank struggled to differentiate itself in a market saturated with competition. Our goal was to use punchy, high-performance ads that spoke directly to their target audience. We took geographic location, buying patterns, and the customer lifecycle into account when engineering their ad strategy. 

 

the dream. 

To build an unstoppable marketing funnel that would accelerate growth well ahead of schedule. We aimed to hit their goal of 463 accounts and a 20% increase in customer acquisition, then go a little further. 

 

the strategy. 

Our goal was to hone in on First Saving Bank’s unique selling propositions, like Kasasa Cash, and effectively communicate them to the target audience. We opted for an omni-channel marketing strategy to cast a wider net and bring home more leads. 

phase one. 

We focused on emphasizing the brand’s innovative products like Kasasa Cash Back, Kasasa Cash, and Kasasa Eats to differentiate them in the market. We tailored the messaging to align with the target customer and “speak their language.” Phase one was consumed with research, research, and more research before launching the campaign. 

phase two.

Next, we implemented our research across multiple channels, including paid search, Instagram, and Facebook. We used our signature ad strategy to produce results that exceeded the campaign’s goals. 

 

the results.

For First Savings Bank, we did what we do best — create results that go above and against the grain. Here’s how it went down…

  • Total Impressions: 10,066,287
  • Total Clicks: 54,444
    • Paid Search: 69,186 impressions, 11,721 clicks (CTR: 16.94%)
    • Facebook & Instagram: 7,858,678 impressions, 39,627 clicks (CTR: 0.50%)
    • Programmatic Display: 2,138,423 impressions, 3,096 clicks (CTR: 0.14%)
  • Projected New Accounts: 463
  • Actual New Accounts as of 04/01/24: 638
  • Projected Lift: 20%
  • Actual Lift as of 04/01/24: 27.5%

The campaign generated significant digital engagement, with high click-through rates, particularly on paid search. This indicates effective targeting and compelling ad content that resonated with the target audience.

First Savings Bank surpassed its account growth goals well ahead of schedule, achieving 638 new accounts by April 1st. The overall lift in performance exceeded projections, demonstrating the effectiveness of the marketing efforts in driving customer interest and conversion.

to wrap things up.

Threshold’s strategic digital marketing campaign effectively drove new account growth and exceeded performance goals, showcasing the bank’s appeal and attracting customers seeking modern banking solutions. By leveraging unique product features and maintaining a focus on customer satisfaction, Threshold helped First Savings Bank be positioned for continued success in the competitive financial market.

Unleash the Power of AI in Marketing

Unleash the Power of AI in Marketing

Abby Barnes

AI: ever heard of it?

As the digital marketing landscape continues to rapidly evolve, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a critical tool for marketers. At Threshold, we’ve witnessed how AI is reshaping customer interactions and enabling marketers to make more informed marketing decisions.

To fully unlock the potential of AI and create personalized customer experiences, it’s crucial to understand its fundamentals, select the right AI technologies, and measure its impact. We’ve created a guide to equip you with the knowledge you need to really harness AI’s capabilities, enhance your marketing campaigns, and drive your team toward success.

Let’s get started, shall we?

what is AI?

AI simply refers to the ability of machines to perform tasks that traditionally require a human. In digital marketing, AI plays a critical role in helping businesses automate and optimize their marketing efforts to create more personalized experiences for their customers. Cool, right?

One use of AI in digital marketing is through the use of machine learning algorithms. These algorithms can process and analyze large datasets, including customer behavior and preferences. AI can help identify patterns and predict future behavior, allowing marketers to develop more strategic and personalized marketing campaigns.

But it doesn’t stop there. Another application of AI is through the use of chatbots on your websites. Many property management companies have already started adopting these bots as they can serve as valuable virtual assistants, capable of delivering instant support.

what are the benefits of AI in Digital Marketing?

We’re so glad you asked.

enhanced efficiency

AI helps with automating tedious tasks like data collection, analysis, and segmentation, freeing up valuable time for marketers to focus on strategic initiatives.

personalized experiences

Leveraging AI tools allow marketers to gain insights into customer needs and preferences, providing tailored campaigns that resonate with your target audience.

real-time optimization

AI-powered analytics provide real-time insights into customer behavior, enabling marketers to optimize campaigns quickly. By leveraging AI’s ability to analyze vast datasets, businesses can make data-driven decisions that enhance marketing strategies and deliver better results.

automation and scalability

AI automates various marketing tasks, including customer service, data analysis, and social media and email scheduling. This automation allows businesses to scale their marketing efforts efficiently as their customer base expands.

identifying the right AI technologies

Choosing the right AI technologies that align with your specific needs is crucial for successful implementation in marketing. A wide range of AI-driven tools, from customer service bots to data analysis platforms, are available. Like any technology, AI in marketing carries inherent risks that should be addressed. Privacy concerns may arise when collecting and analyzing customer data using AI-driven tools.

That’s some serious business.

It is crucial to ensure that data is collected and used securely and in compliance with regulations. Additionally, being aware of the potential for bias in AI algorithms and taking steps to ensure accuracy and fairness are paramount.

integrating AI into your marketing strategy

Once the appropriate AI technologies have been identified, integrating them into your marketing strategy is key. As digital marketers, we’re already using AI-driven initiatives in Google Ads campaigns. Responsive Search and Display Ads are the perfect example!

By providing multiple headlines, descriptions, and creative assets, Google’s AI will generate ad combinations and learn over time which combinations drive better results.

AI-driven tools enhance efficiency and campaign effectiveness, but it is crucial to track and evaluate results. By measuring campaign performance, you can identify areas where AI has the most significant impact and make informed adjustments. Plus, (last point, promise), considering factors such as cost and return on investment helps ensure you make informed decisions about implementing AI technologies.

to sum it up

The potential of AI in marketing is vast, and understanding how to harness its power is vital for marketers. This comprehensive guide gives you a quick overview of the fundamentals of AI in marketing, along with how you can see success in implementation.

By embracing the benefits and mitigating the risks associated with AI, you can unlock your marketing team’s potential and drive better results.

Tired of spending precious hours trying to decipher AI, ad trends, and where to put your spending? We don’t blame you. Luckily, we have a solve. At Threshold, we are well-versed in AI technology and can guide you through this transformative journey.

Contact us today to explore the revolutionary possibilities AI offers for your marketing initiatives.

before you go

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Ways to Share Your Brand’s Story in Your Marketing

Ways to Share Your Brand’s Story in Your Marketing

Laura Robbins

Your brand story is the soul of everything you do. In a world of ever-increasing competition and constant bombardment of advertisements, your “why” as a company, brand, and business is just as important as the services you offer, the apartments you lease, and the products you sell. Connecting with your audience on a deeper level has become the key to successful marketing.

Your brand’s story holds the power to captivate, inspire, and foster a genuine connection with your target audience. Let’s explore several powerful ways to share your brand’s story and make an indelible impact on your customers, shall we?

 

craft a compelling brand narrative.

What’s your humble beginning? What are the core values, mission, and vision that drive your business? Crafting a story that highlights your brand’s journey, challenges overcome, and triumphs achieved will tap into the emotional response of your target audience. It conveys authenticity and can transform your brand from being a mere product or service provider to a source of inspiration and trust.

Stuck? Go back to the basics with a simple principle: why it all began.

 

showcase your people.

Humans are visual creatures. It’s human nature to feel more connected to a brand with a face. Leverage behind-the-scenes footage that resonates with your audience. Engaging visuals not only grab attention but also make your brand story more memorable and shareable.

 

leverage customer success stories.

Your customers are an invaluable asset when it comes to sharing your brand’s story. Encourage them to share their experiences, testimonials, and success stories. User-generated content adds an authentic touch to your marketing efforts, demonstrating real-world examples of how your brand has positively impacted people’s lives. Think about it, who wouldn’t be drawn to live in an apartment community that has so many real happy endings?

 

don’t forget: share your storytelling across all channels.

Your brand’s story should permeate all your marketing channels consistently. From your website and social media platforms to email campaigns and advertising, ensure that your narrative is integrated seamlessly. Develop a cohesive brand voice and tone that reflects your story, creating a unified experience for your audience across various touchpoints.

Why? Consistency helps reinforce your brand’s message and fosters brand recognition, making it easier for customers to connect with your story.

 

to sum it up.

Sharing your brand’s story is an integral part of effective marketing, allowing you to forge meaningful connections with your audience. Remember, your brand’s story is unique and deserves to be shared. At Threshold, we believe in storytelling’s power and are committed to helping businesses unlock their brand’s potential through compelling narratives. Watch as your marketing efforts become more impactful and resonate with your audience on a deeper level.

 

For more tips and information about marketing, take a look at the rest of our blogs, right here on our website! You can also subscribe to our email newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

How To Determine A Successful Name For Your Brand or Property

How To Determine A Successful Name For Your Brand or Property

Laura Robbins

You have your property amenities sorted, your pricing figured out, and your interior design developed. But what does that all mean if you don’t have a name that fully captures the specialty of your real estate building?

Choosing a brand name is one of the most significant aspects of a brand development process. The right name creates an image of your property and brand in the mind of potential customers, sharing the idea of what you’re all about. And, it’s the most important keyword for internet searches.

A strong brand name should be:

  • Meaningful: It communicates a brand story and creates an emotional response
  • Unique: It should be memorable and stand out from your competitors
  • Easily Understood: Avoid words that are hard to read or pronounce – they won’t stick in people’s minds
  • Visual: It should lend itself to strong brand colors and imagery
  • Future-Proof: You want your name to work now, and ten years from now, so veer away from names that feel really timely

Work backward. Decide what your brand identity, such as target audience, culture, mission, and purpose, will be, and then begin brainstorming names that line up with those needs.

Feeling stuck? Follow along for some tips for determining a successful name for your brand.

Reflect On Your Company Values

Think about your property’s mission statement or parent company’s values – what is it your company stands for, and how can your name tie back to that? Spend time with what your property is trying to achieve, focusing on your purpose and vision. Determining the heartbeat of your brand can lead to a stronger name association down the road.

Connect Your Name To A Story

We communicate in stories, and talking about a brand is no different. Effective marketing connects to a larger target audience through storytelling, which is why your property name needs to mean something. If someone asks you why you named the property what you did, and all you have to say is that it sounded cool, you’re missing out on some really good marketing.

Think about the history of the city your property is located in, what it’s known for, or what interests your target audience has, and then go from there.

Having a great story also allows for stronger visuals (think website design, brochures, signage, temporary leasing space designs), as the logo, colors, and brand patterns all have a north star to draw from.

Less Is More

Short and snappy wins the race! You want to limit the length of your brand’s name, as anything longer than three or four syllables will only be harder for your potential audience to remember. The final name should be punchy, and this is best determined by running any potential names by those who aren’t part of the brainstorming, allowing for fresh eyes and fresh opinions.

Here is where you’ll also want to factor pronunciation into the mix. Your property name won’t only live on signage and a website, it will be said by residents in passing, and therefore shouldn’t be something that’s hard to say or spell. So remember to say any names aloud!

Remember Your Competitors

The last thing you want is to come up with a really amazing name, only to find out a direct competitor has something similar. Standing out from your competition is a key factor in your brand name and final brand visuals, which is why doing research on your market early on is essential.

Consider Creating A New Word

The best way to avoid having the same name as someone else? Create a non-dictionary word. Your name should still have meaning behind it, and not just be created out of thin air, but there are a few ways you can create new words, like:

  • Mashing up two words together
  • Spelling an existing word in a new way
  • Creating a word where each letter stands for something

Plus, what’s more fun than being the owner of a completely new word?

Think About SEO

You heard it here first, do not skip thinking about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) when it comes to naming your brand or property. SEO plays a key factor in determining how popular a potential name is for organic and paid searches.

Say you’re naming your property Dragon (not a great name, but work with us here), then Googling that name will bring up a lot about dragons themselves, the television series “House of Dragon,” a speech recognition software called Dragon, and restaurants in your area with Dragon in the title. A generic name like that could make it hard to stand out in the very competitive search engine space.

Psst. This is why creating a new non-dictionary word might help!

In Summary

The success of your brand and property depends largely on the branding, which begins with a really great name. A name that’s meaningful to your audience, lends itself to great visuals, is short and snappy, and is easy to remember. A name that stands out from your competitors and can be relevant for your audience today, and in many years to come.

Don’t let determining a name feel overwhelming! Have fun with the process and see what unique options you come up with.
For more tips and information about company and real estate branding, take a look at the rest of our blogs, right here on our website! You can also subscribe to our email newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!