I am always on the lookout for free resources for non-profits and churches. I recently received a tip that VerticalResponse.com provides free service offerings and discounts to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations. The Vertical Response toolset allows you to create emails, online surveys, and direct mail postcards. As well it tracks who opens, clicks, shares and buys. Continue Reading…
Like most church volunteers and leaders, when marketing news and events, you want to cast the broadest net possible. Unfortunately many are not familiar with the rules of the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. This ruling keeps you and your friends from being inundated by unwanted email. If your church is sending a weekly email to your congregation, there are seven things you need to know to comply with CAN-SPAM. The Federal Trade Commission does a great job outlining the seven rules in the following video. Continue Reading…
I believe every human resources department should be required to educate employees on the appropriate use of email. I don’t recall ever being taught how to appropriately write a professional email, I learned through experience. Consider this my personal checklist, or what I consider before hitting the “send” button. Continue Reading…
When auditing a churches communication strategy, I peel the layers of the onion; we eventually come to the question of social media. How is your organization using social media? What social media tools are your members using? Inevitably, someone will identify email as part of their social media strategy. I quietly cringe at the response. Continue Reading…
I spend way too much time sitting at my computer — but it does give me ample time to monitor the world of social media. While I am monitoring my own social media brand, I am also monitoring the social properties of clients as well. To juggle that much real estate requires a number of useful tools. So rather than give away my secret recipe, I thought it best to show you my desktop. Half the battle is knowing how to see broadly while working nimbly.
I work from two wide-screen monitors. One for design work (not shown); and the other for monitoring messages (see above). I use three key tools:
The selection of tools and how they are arranged, I believe, are unique to each person. These tools and their arrangement work for me. I would love to hear what tools you are using and how you arrange your desktop.
If you or your organization need assistance with your social media strategy, please contact me.
Best described as a tech-toting evangelist for web and social media, Matt Carlisle consults with non-profits and faith groups to make the necessary changes to fully embrace new media.
