Social media is a reality and necessary for business and churches alike, but one size does not fit all. In this breakout session you will learn: How to get started Your strategy Maintaining your conversations Tips & resources Case studies Tracking what works If you have questions you would like answered or social media topics you would like to discuss, please tweet to @embracechaos.

1. > social media... the cyber-reality
Jody Wissing
Visual Arts & Social Media Director
Preston Trail Community Church
MinistryCOM presentation
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

2. > social media... the cyber-reality
Questions?
Tweet them to @embracechaos
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

3. > reality #1
Social media exists and it’s not a fad.
It will evolve and change with technology, but it’s not going away. It’s
changing the face of business and it’s altering the landscape of
communication. It’s also changing the way people communicate and how they
do life.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

4. > reality #1
Still think it’s a fad?
?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

5. > reality #1
The Pet Rock was a fad.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

6. > reality #1
Parachute pants were a fad.
(thank goodness!)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

7. > reality #1
Social media is not a fad.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

8. > reality #2
Social media is necessary.
If the majority of businesses use social media and people use social
media, shouldn’t churches? Our job is to get the Word out to people.
You want to create your own church presence on social media, don’t wait
for someone to do it for you.
What I mean by necessary is you need to use some social media. One size
does not fit all. You don’t have to be involved in all of it, but you
can’t ignore it either.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

9. > reality #3
Ignoring social media won’t make it go away.
For people that don’t like social media or don’t want to use it, look at it
like this. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em... but do it for the right reasons.
For those of you who just need to know where to start, how to structure
your social media or need tips for maximizing it, that’s what we’re going
to talk about.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

10. > get started
How do you get started?
If you’ve already started into the social media world, you will still
find some of this helpful. Social media can be overwhelming whether
you know a lot or a little.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

11. > what is social media?
A simple definition.
(wikipedia)
Social media is media for social interaction, using
highly accessible and scalable publishing
techniques.
Social media uses web-based technologies to turn
communication into interactive dialogues.
Important key words here: accessible & interactive.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

12. > options
Social media options. (types and examples)
blogs - blogger, wordpress
microblogs - twitter
personal sites - facebook, myspace
professional sites - linkedin
media sharing - flickr, picassa, youtube
search engines - google, yahoo!
bookmark sites - stumbleupon, digg, delicious
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

13. > options
Social media options.
There are thousands. Choose the ones that are right for you.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

14. > start here
Start with these.
Most popular Very popular Utilize current media
Go where the people are Easy to use Share stories
Networked well It’s free Casual conversation
It’s free It’s free
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

15. > start small
Start small and incrementally add more
as you successfully implement each phase.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

16. > do your homework
Look at what others are doing.
They’re looking at what you’re doing, especially if you’re doing it
really well. Look at churches as well as businesses, non-profits and
personal sites. Don’t copy what others are doing, but gain inspiration
and stay culturally relevant.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

17. > designate a team
Who will set it up? Who will maintain it?
It takes time to set up and maintain social media and there’s no social
media fairy. If you find one, send her my way when you’re done.
How many people need to be involved in it?
Should we use staff and/or volunteers?
What ministries and what people? Staff or volunteers? Most social
media sites have administrators so several people can maintain it if
needed.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

18. > choose your media
text . video . images . audio . apps
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

19. > commit and go
Make a plan and execute it. Don’t wait.
Waiting for the perfect time and everything to be in place might never
happen. Start small and simple. As you get systems in place, expand
your social media.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

20. > look at the big picture
Target audience
Demographics
age - gender - style - passions
Groups
hobbies - age - interests
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

21. > technology options
What’s out there?
What’s available to you?
Budget and plan for technology needs.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

22. > resources
Not just equipment, but time and money.
What resources do you currently have available?
How can you utilize them?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

23. > plan & organize
People like to find media easily. Be organized.
All of your social media should work together.
Your social media should blend with your website.
Coordinate with marketing & communications.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

24. > good reasoning
Why are you using a specific social media site?
Don’t use it because everyone else is.
Use it to reach new people.
Use it to interact with people.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

25. > info
Build it and they will come.
No.
Build it, keep it organized, make it interesting,
maintain it and interact with people.
Then they will come!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

26. > conversations
Social media is interactive, not an information
download. Maintain conversations.
If you don’t converse with people, they will become inactive, therefore
making your social media ventures unsuccessful.
If you receive a negative comment or feedback, take the opportunity to
respond professionally. Don’t delete it. Chances are someone has
already seen it and they’re waiting to see how you respond.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

27. > information overload
Don’t add content just to add content.
Keep it organized with easy access.
Don’t get wordy.
Use page breaks and ‘continue reading’ tags.
Use keywords and categories when available.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

28. > content is king
A definition.
(wikipedia)
...without original and desirable content, or
consideration for the rights and commercial
interests of content creators - any media venture
is likely to fail through lack of appealing
content, regardless of other design factors.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

29. > content is king
Everyone has their own media preferences. Have
something for everyone, keeping your target
audience in mind on all posts and updates.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

30. > utilize what you have
Marketing materials
Email communications
Event descriptions
Message content
The Bible
It’s good to utilize content you already have, formatting it for a blog,
tweet or status update. This saves time and makes it easier to update.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

31. > tips for ease
Set your priorities and plan ahead.
If there’s one thing in this whole presentation you should walk away
with, this is it. Prioritize and plan. Your social media success will
reflect the time and planning you put into it.
Traffic is good, but not your goal.
You want people to visit your site for the right reasons. People
interacting, not numbers or ‘hits’.
Avoid private groups.
These are not accessible and can exclude or alienate people.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

32. > tips for success
Use metrics. Track what’s working well.
Don’t be afraid to use sites without metrics.
Encourage staff and pastor interaction.
If your church leaders and pastors aren’t interacting, neither will your
congregation or potential guests.
Get out of your comfort zone. Try new things.
Social media is always changing. Try new things and new sites. Most are
free or low cost. What do you have to loose?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

33. > misc tips
Be a spy. What are people saying about you?
What are people saying about your church? Your pastors? Your
community? The new guy you’re about to hire? What are your staff people
writing on their personal blogs?
There’s a fine line between personal & business.
Your church staff are viewed as representatives of the church. Make sure
they understand how personal interaction affects you church.
Nothing is private in social media.
Your content will live forever.
Maybe not on your sites, but it might live on someone else’s.
Viral is good, but not necessary.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

34. > online resources
• churchmarketingsucks.com - good ideas
• stuffchristianslike.org - funny with a good perspective
• bedeviant.org - good tips and ideas
• bestministrypractices.com - good tips and ideas
• churchcrunch.com - interesting tips and ideas
• digitalfondue.org - social media, digital art &
brainstorming ideas
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

35. > questions & answers
Thank you! :)
Please ask questions.
If you think of a question later and would like to
continue the conversation, tweet it to @embracechaos
Wednesday, October 20, 2010