social media 101 why churches need social networks and how to use them to your advantage
TRANSCRIPT
Social Media 101
Why churches need social networksand
How to use them to your advantage
Why Us?
• Claim your space• Connect with visitors and members – create
relationships• Event promotion• Share announcements • Share your story
Facebook• Difference between profiles, pages, and groups
• Create a unique page for your church• Photo/Video friendly – connect with
Instagram and YouTube using apps• Promote events- encourage sharing• Create conversations- get followers
commenting
• A fast way to connect by 140 characters• Constant connection with quick response• Videos and photos – short life span• Connect with other social networks• Twitter handle: @username • Uses #hastags to categorize tweets by
keywords.
YouTube
• Tells your story- embed them on your website• Videos can be made free from a phone• Post sermon clips • Event promotion or highlights –mission trips,
VBS, youth service etc. • Ask members to shoot a quick video- ‘Video of
the Month’
Pinterest• Inspiration boards of pictures with captions• Each picture is a link to a website • Use for crafting, recipes, VBS, humor, gift
ideas, decorating, party planning, fitness, quotes, and more. Possibilities are endless
• Group boards• Pinterest Party Nights
• Active resume – background, education, credibility, and skills
• More of a formal social network• Connect with other organizations, pastors,
ministers, and churches• Post job openings
• Visual way to tell your story• Allows for creativity • Connect to Facebook and Twitter for instant
sharing • Uses #hashtags• Mainly works from phone
Google+
• Operates with “circles” – multiple circles (WMU, youth, VBS, choir, etc.)
• More of a tool – post to individual circles or all• Credibility with Google maps • Photo and Video upload capability • Video Hangouts
Google+ Video Hangouts
Tips for Success
• Be consistent- stay active• Design posts around the social network• Be careful about cross-network posting• Get volunteers• Be patient! • Have fun with it
Stumped about posting?
• Create a plan: verse a day, sermon highlights, ‘Mission Tuesday’, staff/member of the day etc.
• Use photos and videos (tag people if possible)• ‘Share’ or re-tweet 3x’s more than you post• Use conversational questions – get people
talking• Try not to just “sell” your church all the time
Hash Tags
• Specific searchable keyword (ex: #cupcakes)• Only use on Twitter, Instagram, and Google+• Can be placed anywhere in the message• No spaces (ex: #webreadychurch)• Allows you to view all tweets and posts that
use that hash tag