As a web designer I live and breathe great data. Every 10 years the Census Bureau counts every U.S. citizen. It also means data junkies like me get access to rich demographic statistics. Highly effective user experience design and web development evolves from knowing your audience. The current census data is gold for church leaders seeking ways to retool their website in hopes of reaching out to their community. Continue Reading…
Every community has one, it’s that church which seems to draw thousands on a Sunday morning, has the slickest website, or sponsors every community event. It’s natural for organizations, even churches, to want to emulate success, or what they perceive as being successful. So, if you follow the same steps toward success, you reap the same rewards, right? Wrong.
If you look across the landscape of how churches communicate and share their stories, you’ll find it littered with copycats. From brand strategies, website templates to messaging, churches often fall prey to the practice of over promising through communications and then under delivering in the execution. It’s easier to emulate rather than investing the sweat equity required to discover who you are and what you do well. Success is ultimately achieved when you share your authentic story – the story of who you are as a church, not who you wish you were. 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…
In the years I have worked as a church communicator or as a consultant, I have learned successful communications is measured in relationships. The better the relationships, the more effective the communications.
Relationships are nurtured when the flow of communication isn’t being obstructed by any number of barriers: physical, language, perception, emotional, cultural, etc. I’ve found that much of “the work” of church communications derives from better understanding the barriers. Continue Reading…
I was recently asked by the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) to develop and design their social media strategy. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD connects United Methodist leaders with needed resourcing, training, consulting, and networking that support spiritual formation, new church development, revitalization of local churches, and materials for use in Central Conferences (outside the U.S.). As part of this project, I designed and developed components for key social media applications.
DELIVERY SYSTEM
ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
Like most faith groups and non-profits, staffing can be limited, so management of a broad social media strategy must be simple to implement. Through the use of a series of social media applications, GBOD will be able to distribute a single message to a vast network of social sites. Reoccurring content can be distributed automatically, and regular updates can be broadcast at the click of a single button.
ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
Developed in late 2010, GBOD’s Five New Ideas electronic newsletter is distributed on a monthly basis to leaders throughout the United Methodist Connection. Simple in design, this newsletter delivers in a big way, offering vital resources to busy church leaders. I encourage you to view the latest edition and sign-up for the newsletter at http://goo.gl/zgTsc.
CUSTOM FACEBOOK FANPAGE
More than 500 million people have registered Facebook accounts. They are active and are seeking opportunities to connect and learn. This custom Facebook welcome page allows those unfamiliar with GBOD to learn more, and connect directly with resources and staff. As well, you will see that we integrated the newsletter sign-up form. Join the GBOD Facebook Fan Page at http://goo.gl/IijhV.
Twitter recently changed its custom design requirements. As such, most organizations have yet to meet design standards. I developed a custom Twitter theme that elegantly promotes GBOD’s “Equipping World-Changing Disciples” message. Follow GBOD on Twitter at http://goo.gl/Zp2ch
CUSTOM TWITTER ACCOUNT
YOUTUBE
I am often surprised at how little faith groups and non-profits adopt YouTube as part of their social media strategy. Most organizations have a wealth of training videos and other materials that could easily be posted to YouTube. If your videos are simply collecting dust on shelves, you are missing a huge opportunity. Again, the “Equipping” message is translated to GBOD’s custom YouTube Channel. I encourage you to subscribe to GBOD’s YouTube Channel at http://goo.gl/Gms88.
CUSTOM YOUTUBE CHANNEL
If you would like to learn more about how I could help your organization design and develop a custom social media strategy, please tell me about your project.
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.
