How to Get Members to Your Site

Your site will be more valuable to your members when you promote its content and make it easy to find.

Use this link to reach your Googolplex Set-up & Customization page. If you have subscribed but cannot recall your ID and password, just create a new one here. The product code for Googolplex is: GPLX (all caps).

Get the most from your subscription by using these free marketing tools to promote Googolplex to your members:

Customization

Customize with CU Name and Links Back to CU
It only takes 10 minutes to customize Googolplex with your credit union information using our simple online form.

You’ll need:

  • Your user name
  • Your password
  • Internet access

Follow this link and enter your ID and password.

When you subscribed to Googolplex, you selected a password. Your user name is your 5-digit CUNA ID. If you have subscribed but cannot recall your ID and password, contact our customer service staff. To select a new password, click here. The product code for Googolplex is GPLX (all caps).

What you can customize:

  • Add credit union name to each Googolplex level

    You have the option of showing your credit union’s name at the top of each Googolplex section. All you will need to do is type in the name on the customization form. If you change your name, you can update the form anytime.

  • Link from CU name to CU home page

    You have the option of creating a link from your credit union’s name in Googolplex back to a page on your credit union’s site. The logical choice is to link back to your home page.

  • Link from specific Googolplex games or stories to specific CU pages

    In each Googolplex section you are able to link back to a specific page on your Web site. We have default phrase suggestions (most are “See our rates” or “Apply online”), which you may use or change – simply type in your own phrase. You may change the wording of these linking phrases and the pages they link back to on your site at anytime.

Linking Strategies

Place the linking button on your home page

The easier you make it to find Googolplex, the more likely you'll turn your members into regular readers and frequent visitors to your Web site.

Ideally, members should find the link to the Googolplex right on your home page. Logo buttons (which you can download) are the most obvious and effective links.

However, if a logo button conflicts with your site's design, the next best alternative is to use the name as a text link. That way, members know immediately where the link goes, rather than having to explore indirect connections. And, your subscription allows you unlimited links from your Web site to Googolplex — so take advantage of them.

Place the linking button on your secondary pages

Create links to Googolplex from other pages on your site, such as your youth club, kids, and young member services pages. Use the Googolplex logo for instant recognition.

Place the linking button on your online login page

Let your online members know about this new service as they log in to access their account information.

Link from your Web site to specific stories or games in Googolplex

Create a direct link from your specific services to related Googolplex stories. For example, if you offer vehicle loans online, provide a link to any of the many C-Note stories on borrowing. Same for debit and credit cards and student loans. Just type a key term such as "borrow" or "loan" in the C-Note search engine and pick a relevant story from the results list.

If you have a club for kids and/or teenagers, link directly to Googolplex educational stories on the history of credit unions, starting a youth-run business or shopping for clothes on a tight budget – to name just a few.

Do this by clicking on any of the seven headings on the front page of 5-Spot, AJ’s, and C- Note. You can use the URL of the page that lists all the stories or games, or pick a story or game and click on one. Highlight the URL, copy it, and use it to create a link on any of your web pages.

Place linking buttons within Googolplex to take members BACK to specific pages on your site

Link from Googolplex to specific product or service offers on your Web site

Ideally, whatever destination you choose, the specific service you want members to consider should appear on the first screen they see, so that members have no doubt they’ve come to the right place. The more direct you make the links, the more useful they’ll be to your members.

If the service you want to target is not at the top of the destination page, modify the HTML code to take them farther down the page. Here’s an example:

  • The ATM information you want to link to is located halfway down a page whose URL is "www.mycreditunion.org/product2.html."

  • In the source code for your Web site’s page that contains the ATM information, place a "nametag" just before the ATM section begins. The nametag will look like this: <a name="atm"></a>. This nametag will be invisible to readers of the Web page.

  • Use the modified (this URL isn't real, it's a sample URLs for your own credit union page) code "www.mycreditunion.org/product2.html#atm" and it will now take members directly to the ATM section of the page

Logos and Graphics

As a Googolplex subscriber, you may download these free images for use on your Web site and in your print communications.

To download the low-resolution images, place your cursor over the image, right-click, and choose the "Save Picture As" option. For a larger sized version, first click on the image to view the full-size version then right-click and choose the "Save Picture As" option. Specify a directory on your computer or your LAN where you will save the image.

To download a high-resolution, scaleable EPS image, right-click on the EPS file links below the images and save to your hard drive.

Use this 3-in-1 logo on your Web site to link members to Googolplex:
GPLX logo 3in1, right-click to save
EPS version (8MB)

You can also make your 3-in-1 logo link to each site individually. Use the source code below to create image-mapped links. Replace #CUID# in each link with your 5-digit credit union CUID:

<div style="background:url(http://cuna.org/buy/download/gpx_logo_3in1_sm.jpg);position:relative;height:260px;width:450px">
<a href="http://googolplex.cuna.org/#CUID#/5spot/" style="position:absolute;top:23px;left:10px;width:150px;height:200px"></a>
<a href="http://googolplex.cuna.org/#CUID#/ajsmall/" style="position:absolute;top:23px;left:160px;width:150px;height:200px"></a>
<a href="http://googolplex.cuna.org/#CUID#/cnote/" style="position:absolute; top:23px;left:310px;width:150px;height:200px"></a>
</div>

Or if you'd like to link to each site individually, choose logos with or without background detail:

Use these graphics without background detail to link members to 5-Spot for elementary schoolers, AJs for middle schoolers, or C-Note for high schoolers.
GPLX logo 5 Spot, right-click to save GPLX logo AJs, right-click to save GPLX logo C Note, right-click to save
EPS version (20MB) EPS version (973kb) EPS version (496kb)


Use these graphics with background detail to link members to 5-Spot for elementary schoolers, AJs for middle schoolers, or C-Note for high schoolers.
GPLX logo 5 Spot, right-click to save GPLX logo AJs, right-click to save GPLX logo C Note, right-click to save
EPS version (24MB) EPS version (2MB) EPS version (754kb)


If you'd like a small graphic to use in tight spots, use this text logo to link members to Googolplex:
GPLX logo for students, right-click to save
EPS version (435kb)

 TIF version (3MB)

Newsletter Articles or Email Messages

Use these free articles in your newsletter and other communications with members to announce and promote new products and draw viewers to Googolplex. Feel free to edit the articles as you see fit.

Article 1
What the Heck's a Googolplex? *

Ever wonder: Which is worth more—a 1978 Boba Fett action figure or a 1989 Hot Wheels Lamborghini? If the U.S. could run out of money? Who's taking money out of your paycheck?

You'll find the answers to these and a googol of other questions by reading [INSERT URL OF YOUR web site] Googolplex, [INSERT your credit union’s name here]’s guide for student moneymakers.

Googolplex contains stories, games, and puzzles for elementary, middle, and high school students. It's all about money—getting it, saving it, spending it, borrowing it. It'll show you how business and the economy work and how you can take control of your financial future. And it'll make you laugh.

Read Googolplex today. And come back regularly. You'll find something new each month. It's just one more way [INSERT YOUR CREDIT UNION NAME] can help you make the most of your money.

* A Googolplex is the largest number with a name. If we could know how many atoms there are in the universe, that number would still be less than a Googolplex. Notice that Googolplex is not simply the largest number, because there is always Googolplex + 1! [INSERT URL of your web site] Googolplex is also the name of [INSERT YOUR CREDIT UNION NAME]'s new online youth magazine.

Article 2:
Get Your Kids and Teenagers Online

After visiting our [INSERT URL OF YOUR Web site] Web site, click on Googolplex and turn over the computer to the "under 20" members of your household:

5-Spot: Introduce your elementary school age children to important financial concepts by igniting their natural love of play with highly interactive games, stories, and more. Kids earn virtual money and spend it decorating their private online clubhouse.

A-J's: Offer your middle school students a fun meeting place, encouraging creative interaction while educating them about money and responsibility. In addition to informative stories and entertaining videos and games, young teenagers build a superhero identity, post notes to their friends (monitored), and vote on plot developments for Kid Kred, a comic series that teaches money management in the guise of fun.

C-Note: Stimulate your high school students and provide sound money-management information with the interactive stories, games, and videos in C-Note. Students have a chance to win and save money by entering photo contests, and reach out to others using a moderated comment feature and blog posts.

Each week look for new games and articles in [INSERT URL of your Googolplex link] Googolplex, [INSERT your Credit union’s name here]’s guide for student moneymakers.

Article 3:
Find the Best Car

You're buying your first vehicle. But what's the right car for you? The answer depends on whom you ask…parents, insurer, auto mechanic, government, or your friends.

You'll find help on our Web site at [INSERT YOUR Web site URL] Googolplex. Click on the Googolplex logo, and visit C-Note. Enter “best car” in the search engine at the top right of any page, and start your journey with “Find the Best Car.”

After you’ve figured out the auto industry, try your hand at entrepreneurship with the game “Lemonade Eliminator.” Use the search engine at the top right of any page. See if you can make a profit before the massive Globo-Lemon conglomerate puts you out of business!

Come back often—there’s a wealth of information and fun in C-Note, with something new every week: stories, games, videos, blog posts, poll questions, and fresh ongoing dialogue in the form of posted comments from your peers.

Article 4:
Teenage Shopping Challenge

Calling all middle school students! Take the teenage shopping challenge: How would you spend $150 on clothes for school?

Stalked by photographers like stars with their very own paparazzi, Candace, Haley, Justin, and Erik meet the charge in Madison, Wisc., and set out on a marathon mall crawl!

Go to [INSERT YOUR Web site URL] Googolplex, [INSERT your credit union name]’s guide for student moneymakers, and visit AJ’s. Enter “shopping challenge” in the search engine at the top left of any page, and start your journey with “Teenage Shopping Challenge.”

After the shopping challenge, try your hand at entrepreneurship by playing “Lemonade Czar.” You call the shots—name your price and try to outsell the competition. Just be glad it’s not real money!

Come back often—there’s a wealth of information and fun in AJ’s, with something new every week: stories, games, videos, Kid Kred adventures, notes from your friends, poll questions, and fresh ongoing dialogue in the form of posted notes from your peers.

Article 5:
Make a Stunning Scrapbook!

OK, you’ve always saved pictures, postcards, clippings, and other cool things. They remind you of your friends and the fun you’ve had! Are they scattered around the house? Well, pick a topic and organize all that cool stuff into a scrapbook!

Go to [INSERT YOUR Web site URL] Googolplex, [INSERT your credit union name]’s guide for student moneymakers, and visit 5-Spot. Enter “scrapbook” in the search engine at the top of any page and read “Make a Stunning Scrapbook” and other stories about ways to spend your free time.

And then, test your Sudoku skills in a game that deals in everything from fish and flowers to a monster army! Use the search engine at the top of any page to find “Nine Lives Deluxe” and see if you can win this game of logic.

Come back often—there’s a wealth of information and fun in 5-Spot. Every week stories, games, videos, quiz, trivia, and poll questions give you ways to earn virtual clubhouse cash so you can decorate your kids-only online clubhouse.

Article 6:
Teach Your High School Student about Investing in Stocks

Tell your high school teenagers about C-Note at [INSERT your CU’s URL] Googolplex, [INSERT your CU’s name]’s guide for student moneymakers. C-Note offers a teenage-friendly, in-depth series on how to evaluate individual stocks and mutual funds as potential investments.

Even if your teenagers aren’t ready to invest, the series provides useful information about how investments work, and how stocks’ value historically rises over time.

To help your high school teenager get started, click on Stories in the left navigation bar on any page, and then the Your Money category. A wealth of stories opens up in the subcategories:

  • Borrow
  • Budget
  • Save & Invest
  • Spend

In Save & Invest, check out the article “Work Smart: Invest.” Be sure to click on the video in the sidebar at the top of the article, “Invest Now.”

Now click on Calculators on the left navigation bar of any page, and let them explore the different C-Note calculators. Use “Budgeting Calculator” to show them how to track their income and expenses to create a budget that works for them.

Encourage them to come back often—there’s a wealth of information and fun in C-Note, with something new every week: stories, games, videos, blog posts, poll questions, and fresh ongoing dialogue in the form of posted comments from their peers (monitored).

Article 7:
Encourage Middle School Students to Invest

Do your middle school teenagers know that their regular allowance, gift money, and pay from jobs can earn them even more money?

Tell them about AJ’s at [INSERT your CU’s URL] Googolplex, [INSERT your CU’s name]’s guide for student moneymakers. Click on Stories in the left navigation bar on any page, and then the Money category. A wealth of stories opens up in the subcategories on:

  • Borrowing
  • Saving & Investing
  • How Money Works
  • Earning Money
  • Budgeting

In How Money Works, try “Investing Can Get You Free Money!” by Shawn, age 11, from Georgetown, Ky. Shawn shows his peers how compounding interest makes their money work for them.

Now click on Calculators on the left navigation bar of any page, and let them explore the different AJ’s calculators. Use the “My Super Saving and Spending Calculator” to show them how long it will take them to reach a specific goal through having a saving and spending plan.

Encourage them to come back often—there’s a wealth of information and fun in AJ’s, with something new every week: stories, games, videos, Kid Kred adventures, notes from your friends, poll questions, and fresh ongoing dialogue in the form of posted comments from their peers (monitored).

Article 8:
Help Elementary Students Love to Save

Here’s an easy way to convince your children of the value of saving: Visit 5-Spot at [INSERT YOUR CU’s URL] Googolplex, [INSERT your credit union’s name]’s guide for student moneymakers.

Roll your mouse over the Stories trapdoor at the top of any page, and then the Money category. A wealth of stories opens up in the subcategories:

  • Cool Money Facts
  • How Do You Figure?
  • How Can I Earn It?
  • How Can I Save More?
  • Can I Borrow Some?

From How Can I Save More, use “It’s Never too Early to Save,” by Shawn, age 11, from Georgetown, Ky. Shawn encourages kids to start saving now.

Now roll your mouse over the Calculators trapdoor at the top of any page, and have fun with the four 5-spot calculators. Use “Savings Calculator” to show how long it will take them to reach a specific goal through saving.

Encourage them to come back often—there’s a wealth of information and fun in 5-Spot. Every week stories, games, videos, quiz, trivia, and poll questions provide ways for kids to earn virtual clubhouse cash so they can decorate their kids-only online clubhouse.

Article 9:
 Win $$ in the C-Note Photo Contest

It’s up to you. Whether or not your photo entry is voted “best of the best” by your peers, any time’s the right time to visit the C-Note photo contest. Who knows, you could win $100 or even $1,000!

Here’s how: Visit our Web site at [INSERT YOUR Web site URL] Googolplex, [INSERT your credit union’s name]’s guide for student moneymakers.

Click on C-Note and then on the winning photo on the top right of the page. What photo will you enter in the next contest? There’s a new theme every seven weeks. While you’re there, vote for your favorite photo entry and post a comment!

While you’re there, look in the left-hand navigation bar on any page and choose Blogs. Bloggers and topics change periodically. Go ahead and blog—you might build your own following.

Come back often—there’s a wealth of information and fun in C-Note, with something new every week: stories, games, videos, blog posts, poll questions, and fresh ongoing dialogue in the form of posted comments from your peers.

Article 10:
  Be a Superhero! Surprise Your Friends!

Want to surprise your friends? Drop them a note that only they can see—online! It’s all happening in AJ’s on our Web site at [INSERT YOUR Web site URL] Googolplex, [INSERT your credit union’s name]’s guide for student moneymakers.

Click on the Googolplex logo, and then on AJ’s. Register from any page, and invite your friends to do the same. Make sure you share your screen names with one another because it’s the start to all the fun.

From the registration page:

  • Design your superhero identity.
  • Invite your friends to join your league of heroes.

Now get ready to fly! Look to the top of any page. Hint: HEY. IT’S YOUR SITE TOO! DRAG AND DROP YOUR HEROES A NOTE.

Come back often—there’s a wealth of information and fun in AJ’s, with something new every week: stories, games, videos, Kid Kred adventures, those notes from your friends, poll questions, and fresh ongoing dialogue in the form of posted notes from your peers.

Article 11:
Earn Virtual Cash to Decorate Your Private Clubhouse!
Want to earn a little cash? Clubhouse cash that is! It’s all happening in 5-Spot on our Web site at [INSERT YOUR Web site URL] Googolplex, [INSERT your credit union’s name]’s guide for student moneymakers.

Click on the Googolplex logo, and then on 5-Spot. Register from any page, and you’re on your way to mega-opportunities to earn virtual cash!

  • Read a story, play a game or watch a video.
  • Answer a quiz or trivia question.
  • Answer the Whaddya Think? Poll.
  • Create your own poll.
  • Have a garage sale!

Ready to spend your Clubhouse cash? Enter your clubhouse from the left navigation bar on any page and use your imagination to decorate your private lair!

Come back often—there’s a wealth of information and fun in 5-Spot. Every week stories, games, videos, quiz, trivia, and poll questions give you ways to earn virtual clubhouse cash so you can decorate your kids-only online clubhouse.

Print Materials

  • Statement Stuffers

Download and print statement stuffers that spark interest in Googolplex for parents, high-school, middle- school, and elementary-school students.

Simply download the art of your choice, customize, and send to your printer. To download a high-resolution image, click on the file type you need next to the image you want and specify a directory on your computer or your LAN where to save the image.

We suggest you utilize the second side to print your rates, or instructions on how to find the Googolplex on your Web site.

  • Posters

Download and print a poster that sparks interest in Googolplex for parents, high-school students, middle-school students, and elementary-school students.

Tips to customize

You can customize Googolplex posters with your credit union’s logo, name, Web site address (URL), and other messages.

If you use Microsoft WORD on a PC, consider these tips:

  • Save the JPEG image to your PC or LAN.

  • Modify a new, blank document with half-inch margins on all sides (or the smallest margins your printer supports).

  • Use the Insert, Picture, From File commands to place the image on the page.

  • Double click on the image, and select the Layout tab, where you can pick a wrapping style (in front of text) and center the image.

  • Adjust the image size for your needs.

  • Insert your logo and add a text box with your URL. A font such as Helvetica or Arial works well. To remove the border around the text box, double click on the edge of the box; then select Colors and Lines to change the line color to No Line.

  • Save and print to a color or black/white printer.

  • Use bookmarks

Googolplex provides you with full-color 2.75” x 8.5” bookmarks at no additional cost. View and download the bookmarks. Customize them with your credit union's name and web site address.

Distribute bookmarks to young savers with every teller window or drive-up transaction. Display them in your lobby and mail them to kids club members. Take them into local schools.

Community credit unions can distribute them at the public library and community events. Credit unions with sponsor groups can distribute them to all employees to let moms, dads, and grandparents know what you’re doing for their young ones.

New design for 2009! Click either set of images below for a full-size sample view:

Fronts:
Googolplex bookmark
Backs:
Googolplex bookmark

All four bookmarks—front and back—are placed on two PDFs, depending on how you want to print (in-house or using a printer).

Download these updated bookmarks by right-clicking either link below and selecting "save link/target as:"

Customize—add your credit union logo and web address to the front of each bookmark using word processing software. Do this by first creating a template:

  • Open a blank page.
  • Select landscape orientation with the smallest left and right margins allowed.
  • Set centering tabs at 1.4, 4.2, 6.8, and 9.6 inches as measured from the left edge of the paper.
  • Enter down to 7.2 inches as measured from the top edge of the paper.
  • Tab and enter your web address (repeat three times).
  • Insert your logo four times.

After you have created the template, print a two-sided trial copy of the PDF you have downloaded—the actual bookmark. Now use your photocopier to overprint the template on the front of the bookmark. You may have to tweak your template.

Trim the bookmarks apart.

If you are printing a large quantity, consider using a printer. A local express printer/photocopier can overprint from your template and professionally trim bookmarks on the spot. The trim size is 2-3/4" x 8-1/2". Paper stock recommendation: 70-80#, matte-coated, cover weight.

On-hold/Statement Messages

Build awareness of your Web site and Googolplex by adding one of these messages to the bottom of your statements and to your telephone on-hold message:

  • Want your children to become responsible with money? Let them have fun while learning through Googolplex: The CU Guide for Student Moneymakers on our Web site at [address here] with a fresh story or game each week.

  • Our Web site has something for everyone, including our young members. Explore Googolplex, our online guide for kids and teenagers, for fun ways to earn and save money at [address here].

Successful Sites

When youth visit your credit union website, let them know right away that you have something special just for them. Explore the sites of these credit unions to see the different ways they’ve successfully integrated Googolplex and other LifeStage personal finance tools from CUNA:

  1. P&S Credit Union: has graphic links to Googolplex, Guides, and four other CUNA LifeStage tools on its front page.
  2. SAFE Federal Credit Union has graphic displays at the bottom of its front page that link to information for each stage of life, including youth, young adults, adults, and retirement.
  3. Southern California Postal Credit Union maps the Googolplex logo on its front page so when you click on each of the three parts you’re taken to a different site. While you’re in each level of Googolplex, see how Southern California Postal Credit Union uses special links to send youth back to age-specific pages on its website:
    1. 5-Spot’s Watch Your Savings Grow (swinging sign on the upper right) leads to their Watch Me Save SCPCU club for kids. 
    2. AJ’s Special Deals link (under the flying AJ on the upper right) leads to their Money Smart financial services for teens 12-16.
    3. C-Note’s Financial Services link (middle of the left navigation bar) leads to the credit union’s Dream Builders financial services for young adults.  
  4. Utica Gas & Electric Federal Credit Union displays a Kids link and a Teens link in the menu bar at the top of every page that take youth to age-specific information plus links to Googolplex. In addition, the Financial Lit link in the menu bar at the top of every page links to information about all six of CUNA’s LifeStage products. 
 

Testimonials

“The benefits of having Googolplex have been first and foremost convenient for our members and also a nice way of expanding the depth and variety of our Web site. I found it to be very simple in its set-up, as well as all of the online promotional tools to be very convenient and easy to manage. Literally, just a visit to the CUNA Web site and entering a line of code into our Web site. Not too difficult and very simple-to-follow instructions. Maintaining these products is very simple - just a few updates to change here and there. I would recommend Googolplex for the simple fact that we are in direct competition with banks and they have already had these types of features available for years. In order to keep up and not get outdated, we must adapt to the strategies that work for them and apply as many user friendly services to our branches as possible, be it online or in-house.”

-- Ketan Karnik, FLAG Credit Union - Asset Size: $35 million

“Having Googolplex is like having three online youth products because of the way it's divided into elementary-, middle-, and high-school sections. I really appreciate the automatic updates, and the e-mails informing me of those updates. These changes save me a lot of time I would otherwise need to spend researching, writing, and updating regularly to maintain a fresh, "come-back-to-me" site -- time I do not have. ” 

-- Teri Sturm, UnitedOne Credit Union – Asset size: $170 million

“Subscribing to Googolplex is a good idea. We use it to promote our youth member education. It’s very important to teach our youth on financial matters and Googolplex is an easy way to do that. We try to make Googolplex as prominent as we can -- we promote it in our quarterly newspaper that goes out with member statements, and we’ve promoted it on our “What’s Happening” Web page that we change weekly and sometimes daily. We have seen a lot more hits to our Web site with our members using Googolplex. We haven’t received any direct feedback, but if our members are constantly going to Googolplex on our Web site, we think that’s a good sign.”

-- Janet Smith, BayPort Credit Union - Asset size: n/a





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