Media Appearances & News

Gain actionable insights to help elevate your institution’s online presence and financial success!

Two "recovering bankers" with extensive experience in financial services came together to share insights on using data to drive better decisions and marketing efforts. They delved into how digital marketing in the AI age can assist institutions in meeting strategic goals and exceeding customer expectations.



By watching the recording, viewers can learn about the importance of content, audience engagement, and social media in positioning their organizations for growth. The webinar also touches on creating customer personas, measuring marketing impact, balancing ROI with customer satisfaction, and the benefits of a digital assessment.

We Love This Book and You Will Too! 

If you're part of the banking industry and you've not got your own copy of Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank - I have to wonder what are you waiting for? This is one of the must-read books that every banker should have ini their library (or on their Kindle reader, if that's more your thing). It was great talking with Allison Netzer, one of the co-authors, as she wrapped up the extended podcast series with other banking influencers about their favorite parts of the book. 

Liz High, the other author, was our special guest for the October 2022 M&M (Monthly Mastermind) session, so it was great that Eric got the chance to reciprocate and be part of their podcast series. Oh, and while you're on their website getting your book, be sure to scroll down and check out the "mug behind their mug." You just might recognize the guy with the cheezy grin (and warm coffee)! 🤣

Eric Shares Thoughts on Staying Positive in Uncertain Times for Bankers

They say "Third Time's the Charm" and in this case, we couldn't agree more. Recently, Eric was able to connect with Banking on Digital Growth author and podcast host, James Robert Lay yet again (yup, for the third time) and record episode #263 for his podcast show! A few key points they discussed are below, so listen in...

• Why banking leaders tend to shun a positive growth mindset
• Valuing progress over perfection in digital innovation
• ChatGPT and the future of AI toolkits (yeah, this was a fun one)

The Quarter 2, 2022 Edition

Another quarter, another great 3 months with our LinkedBanker Community. Check out the Quarterly Digest to get a peak inside what we did for the last couple of months! If you are already a LinkedBanker you may also want to take a look to see if you were featured... and of course to refresh your memory on all the cool stuff we did!

If you are not a LinkedBanker member, here is a great way to understand the community as a whole! Flip through the Quarterly Digest to see our past Monthly Mastermind topics, any challenges that took place and highlights from our AWESOME members!

The Quarter 1, 2022 Edition

Starting off the year strong LinkedBankers! 3 months under our belt and I can already tell it is going to be another great year together. Check out the Quarterly Digest for a refresher on what we learned this year, or to learn something new if you missed a session! Thank you to all our members for supporting us and growing with us.



If you are not a LinkedBanker member, here is a great way to understand the community as a whole! Flip through the Quarterly Digest to see our past Monthly Mastermind topics, any challenges that took place and highlights from our AWESOME members!

The Quarter 4, 2021 Edition

And... we made it to the end of 2021. Crazy to think, but so many amazing memories made in the LinkedBanker Community.  Flip through and get a preview of all that we accomplished as a group in Q4: M&M's, Special Guest Shows, New TLB Features (TLB Guest Pass) and more. It was a pretty awesome quarter and I am so grateful for my community continuing to support us along the way!

If you are not a LinkedBanker member, here is a great way to understand the community as a whole! Flip through the Quarterly Digest to see our past Monthly Mastermind topics, any challenges that took place and highlights from our AWESOME members!

The Quarter 3, 2021 Edition

Welcome to your recap of everything The LinkedBanker did in Quarter 3. We had some pretty awesome M&M sessions (Mastermind calls), TLB Happy Hours (yes...they are new!) and far more. Flip through the Quarterly Digest to see a high level recap of everything our community accomplished.

If you are not a LinkedBanker member, here is a great way to understand the community as a whole! Flip through the Quarterly Digest to see our past Monthly Mastermind topics, any challenges that took place and highlights from our AWESOME members!

The LinkedBanker Turns 1!

It’s been an amazing 12 months! I still remember sitting in the crowd of 5,000+ attendees at the 2018 Social Media Marketing World’s final session, when Pat Flynn took the stage. I was inspired by the online communities he created and the impact they had - both on people and industries. And I couldn’t stop myself from thinking how helpful that kind of community could be for bankers! 



Want to learn more about how the LinkedBanker came to be and what we accomplished in the past year? Check out this blog, 'The LinkedBanker One Year Recap'.

If you’re interested in becoming a member and joining our monthly masterminds (including the recordings of our previous ones!), having a resource that keeps you “in the know” about popular and effective(!) trends, and building your network of like-minded bankers, then head over to The LinkedBanker’s Join Page to get started!

The 2020-2021 Anniversary Digest

Buckle up, folks. What you’re about to read is a comprehensive recap of (to the best of my knowledge), the first of its kind mastermind and mentoring community dedicated to helping banking professionals build their personal brand, connect with customers, and “link” to the communities they serve through digital and social tools... Here is the one year recap of The LinkedBanker!

If you are not a LinkedBanker member, here is a great way to understand the community as a whole! Flip through the Quarterly Digest to see our past Monthly Mastermind topics, any challenges that took place and highlights from our AWESOME members!

Digital Marketing, Social Media, and Metallica

On Friday, July 30th Eric Cook joined fellow banking expert, Jack Hubbard, on his very first EVER LinkedIn LIVE event, 'Jack Rants'. The two of them talked about what's happening in community banking (are you surprised?), trends in digital marketing, their love of teaching (and the GSB programs they both are involved in), and shared some great insight on The LinkedBanker as we close in on our one-year anniversary. Oh, and if you watch the video and are wondering... Eric was successful in getting Metallica tickets and will be headed to San Francisco in December for their 40th anniversary show. 🤘

The Quarter 2, 2021 Edition

Another quarter another Quarterly Digest! Welcome to your personal recap of everything we accomplished in The LinkedBanker Community! We were joined by multiple special guests that shared their knowledge and challenged us to think further. It was truly an epic quarter... cannot wait for more fun!

If you are not a LinkedBanker member, here is a great way to understand the community as a whole! Flip through the Quarterly Digest to see our past Monthly Mastermind topics, any challenges that took place and highlights from our AWESOME members!

The Quarter 1, 2021 Edition

The LinkedBanker Community does it again! Quarter 1 of 2021 exceeded all expectations and we gained some pretty cool members as well. Here's a recap of all of the M&M topics, Bonus Live Shows, Challenges, and more!

If you are not a LinkedBanker member, here is a great way to understand the community as a whole! Flip through the Quarterly Digest to see our past Monthly Mastermind topics, any challenges that took place and highlights from our AWESOME members!

Relationship-Building in a Digital World

The pandemic has put a strain on all our relationships. But in an industry building on forming them…How can financial brands create equally meaningful relationships digitally? In the latest episode, Eric Cook, Founder at The LinkedBanker, joined James Robert Lay share his secrets to relationship-building on social media. And the number one thing people get wrong? Going for eyeballs over engagement. With social media, relationships aren’t built on the content you throw out there and abandon. Relationships are a 2-way street, which means you need to interact with your audience. And one of the best ways to do that is often the one thing people are most anxious about: Being real. 

A Podcast That Will Pull At Your Heart Strings

What types of emotions would flood your mind if you were witnessing a little girl who was the fighting victim of neuroblastoma cancer? The theme of this episode is what can happen when just one person launches an act of kindness, striking the match touching the hearts of many others. Christi still lives in the hearts of everyone who knew this beautiful, 9-year young angel, so I hope you enjoy this episode because just maybe it will inspire you to make a difference. Eric Cook, started building websites back in 1995 as a community banker (for his bank) and now serves the banking industry heading up a digital agency focused on helping community banks with website development, digital marketing and online strategy.

Eric Cook Interview Episode #142

Eric helps community banks build their digital strategy and community bankers build a personal brand via online and social strategies. Digital strategist, public speaker, educator and mentor, and the #TheLinkedBanker.

Just Two "Recovering Bankers" Catching Up

Eric recently had the opportunity to spend some time with a fellow former (aka "recovering") banker,  educator, sales trainer, and good friend Ned Miller. Both Eric and Ned have had the pleasure of serving as bankers for many years in their prior life - and now focus on serving the same industry from the "other side" of the desk as consultants and advisors to banking professionals. On this episode of Ned Talks, Eric is invited to share his thoughts on how bankers may be missing out on networking and "brand-building" opportunities by not effectively plugging in and making the most out of their time on social media (especially LinkedIn). If you're wondering if you're leaving opportunities on the table after listening to this discussion - well, you may not have been listening very carefully! ;-)

A Conversation with StrategyCorp's Dave DeFazio
Thursday, January 28, 2021 Eric and Madison were joined by Dave DeFazio, partner with StrategyCorps and one of Eric's good friends and frequent conference buddies. Serving banks and credit unions around the nation with an innovative, subscription-focused checking program, their money-saving BaZing app provides something much more than simply free checking. Dave shares his insight on consumer trends when it comes to the "subscription economy," differentiation strategies, and ways to build long-term (profitable) relationships. This Zoom meets LinkedIn Live video session also went live on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube... so we got the word out there for sure! Stick around for a big announcement at the end of the video where we share news on our new app, LinkedPERKS (of course, powered by BaZing). Cool stuff - and all for The LinkedBanker members... so JOIN us today!

The Quarter 4, 2020 Edition

The LinkedBanker Team wanted a way to provide an easy way to recap the quarter. If you have been with us since the beginning,  you know we go through A LOT of information. So we thought it would be nice to have a concrete reminder of everything we accomplished in the previous quarter.

If you are not a LinkedBanker member, here is a great way to understand the community as a whole! Flip through the Quarterly Digest to see our past Monthly Mastermind topics, any challenges that took place and highlights from our AWESOME members!

Featuring Eric Cook and Madison Barner
On Wednesday, October 14th Eric and Madison went live for the first time as The LinkedBanker to share details for interested banking professionals to learn about the Community, what's included with the monthly subscription, and how to take advantage of special pricing if signing up before the end of October. You'll learn about the Monthly Mastermind calls (and their archive), our secure Telegram app we use to keep in touch with other Community members, and what's in store for the program down the road.  Eric also shares insights on LinkedIn's new Stories feature with some tips and suggestions on how to get the most out of the new mobile-only option.

Helping to Lead The Industry's First Digital Banking School - History in the Making! 

Back when he was a community banker, Eric attended the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, WI - graduating in 2003. In addition to serving as faculty for GSB's Graduate Banking School and  Sales & Marketing School , Eric was most recently chosen by GSB to help spearhead the first ever Digital Banking School as its program coordinator. Demand was high, as it sold out in less than two weeks, requiring the addition of a section! With 50 community banks from around the nation attending virtual sessions, Eric was part of the founding members to build the curriculum, source instructors, and pitches in however he can to ensure that participants are getting the most out of their Digital Banking learning. 

Featuring Eric Cook: Ex-Banker Turned Personal Branding and Social Media Guru Talks Engagement
Eric joined Bryan Clagett for one of his channel's early interviews to talk about The LinkedBanker, as well as GSB's Digital Banking School. Of course, he wore his glasses the entire video - it was about being Bad Ass, after all! He even manages to kick off the interview with a reference to Metallica and whiskey. Way to rock-it, Eric! 🤘 Be sure to follow Bryan and BadAssBanking on Twitter and check out their YouTube channel for more great interviews from other Bad Ass Bankers.