THE DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY - EVANGELISM IN A SCREEN DEPENDENT WORLD REV. JUSTIN GRIMM, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR MARY SMITH, REV. JOE LILES
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THE DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY EVANGELISM IN A SCREEN DEPENDENT WORLD REV. JUSTIN GRIMM, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR MARY SMITH, REV. JOE LILES
WELCOME AND INTROS
WHAT THIS IS/WHAT THIS IS NOT
• Is a basic overview of some of • Is not a comprehensive magic
the tools available one stop you know it all shop
• Is a look at some best • Is not rocket science
practices to think about • Is not about making up
content- you already have that
• Is stuff you can do
• Is not as fun to do when we
• Is just the beginning
are on Zoom
DEFINING KEY TERMS
• Evangelism: sharing the good news, telling the
story, bringing someone along to see the Gospel
• Digital: specifically we are talking about digital
tools today - social media tools of engagement
• Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Snap
Chat, Google Business, websites, podcasts
DEFINING KEY TERMS
• Content: your story, the story of God at work in and through your ministry
• You have the content, the people in your congregation have the content, are the
content
• The story of God’s activity is a story that gives people hope and a place to
connect- the key is creating a space where people can share their God Story.
• How do you share it? How do you amplify it—digitally? This is what we will
unpack
WHERE ARE YOU AT? • Polls…
THE RIGHT PLATFORM FOR THE RIGHT MESSAGE
A small bite = Twitter | A feast = blog or podcast
• Short attention spans
• Cross promote but adjust message to fit the platform (length of wording, image
dimensions, etc.)
• Keep ‘em hooked by linking to other contentwww.prochurchtools.com • “We help churches navigate the biggest communication shift in 500 years” • NOT AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE SYNOD! • They want to sell you services…but also have lots of FREE resources about social media, video production, websites, cameras/microphones etc. • Is it true to your image/culture/brand? • Don’t get overwhelmed or discouraged. Do your best in the time you have!
USE SOCIAL TO DO THE MINISTRY, NOT JUST PROMOTE THE MINISTRY • Use digital tools more like a pulpit, less like a bulletin • Only 1 in 5 posts should be promotional • What else is there?
THE NEW SOCIAL MEDIA CALENDAR?
Traditional calendars guide the WHAT.
This approach guides the WHY.
What is the purpose of the post
you’re creating?WHERE DO YOU FIND CONTENT?
• staff • community
• committees • synod
• council • ELCA
• youth • special days
(https://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.co
• children’s programming m/social-media-and-newsletter-ideas-for-
march-2021/)
• musicians
• your congregation membersCONTENT AROUND EVENTS
What content is there AROUND an event (vs. promoting it)?
• Background/history/context
• Congregational mission
• Application to daily life
• Learning of scripture
• Post-event – what was experienced, learned, shared, created, planted…?IMAGES ARE IMPORTANT • Social media posts perform better when you have a quality image. • Do a photo review of social media & website • Photos/videos of real people in your congregation…with their permission – ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT WITH MINORS! • Privacy issues, even with recorded/livestream worship
KEEP OUT OF TROUBLE! • When you post music or liturgy to the internet (social media, website, YouTube, Zoom, etc.) you are subject to copyright laws. See the synod’s Churches and Copyrights Zoom recording at https://vimeo.com/501205952. • Who has administrative rights for your platforms?
WORDS ARE IMPORTANT • “Worship is cancelled” vs. “join us online” • Is the wording the correct tone? Is it inclusive and welcoming or exclusive where you need to know more to understand or participate? • It takes time to create a quality post. • Save a draft and preview how it will appear • Check tags and links • Edit, edit, edit…and proofread
REACH PUBLICLY; CONNECT PERSONALLY
Social media is all about connections. Improve your visibility by:
• Use hashtags to tie into specific topics, events, themes or conversations
• Hop on a meme bandwagon (Bernie Sanders, anyone?)
• Tag other organizations (@)
• Follow other organizations and businesses in your community – react to
their posts, share them, retweet
• Reply/react to comments, follow up individually where appropriate.
Reponses are important!ENGAGEMENT
Even if you don’t get feedback or reactions (likes, shares), that doesn’t
mean you not making an impact!
BUT…
• Always try to improve engagement – it will benefit you with the algorithms
and naturally give you better reach.
• Ask your congregation members to like/follow/comment as part of your
ministry to the larger community.
• Find your “social media influencers”IT’S NOT JUST UP TO YOU!
POST TO LISTEN This week I experienced God when ________________________.
ANALYTICS – TRACKING THE DATA
Website – Google Analytics
• Free
• Tells you about your site visitors: demographics, behavior on the site &
details on the site
• Has your audience changed in the last 12 months? What does that mean
for your future?ANALYTICS – TRACKING THE DATA
Social Media
• Within the platforms
• “Insights” under Facebook. See followers’ demographics, the reach,
engagement, when your fans are online, types of post.
• See what works and keep doing those posts.
• See what doesn’t work and decide if you should stop or tweak.Presenters:
The Rev. Justin Grimm – justin.grimm@elca.org
Director for Evangelical Mission, Assistant to the Bishop for Next Generation Ministries
at the Saint Paul Area Synod
Mary Smith – communications@spas-elca.org
Communications Director at the Saint Paul Area Synod
With Special Guest…
The Rev. Joe Liles – joe.liles@theneighborhood.church
Lead Pastor at The Neighborhood Church in Bentonville, Arkansas
Saint Paul Area Synod
651-224-4313 | www.spas-elca.orgYou can also read
