The social media strategy for Auburn First United Methodist Church aims to increase attendance, especially among youth, and enhance community outreach through improved digital communication channels. Key tools include a website and Facebook page, which need better utilization and aesthetics, alongside a suggested blog. The strategy emphasizes regular posting, member engagement, and timely updates, particularly around significant events like Easter, to foster community growth and awareness of the church's mission.

1. Social MediaStrategy:
Auburn FirstUnited
MethodistChurch
(AFUMC)
By Claire Kerbs

2. THE
OBJECTIVES  Increase church attendance with particular emphasis on bringing
in more youth and young families.
 Build the existing AFUMC community while expanding outreach to
the surrounding community.
 Spread awareness of scripture and God’s love.

3. THE
STRATEGY
 AFUMC will achieve objectives by setting up clear channels of
communications to allow for voices of the community to be heard.
The church wishes to serve Auburn and surrounding communities;
therefore, AFUMC needs to understand the needs of others.
Building a strong internet presence will work to create these
avenues.

4. THETOOLS
 Website:
http://www.auburnfirstumc.org/
 Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Aub
urnFirst/
 Blog
 AFUMC currently has two of
the three tools listed: website
and Facebook page.
Although these are good
starting points, there is room
for improvement.

5. THEWEBSITE
 Current website: http://www.auburnfirstumc.org/
 The AFUMC website has been long in the making.There have
been significant advancements made in the last few months, but a
complete and thorough overhaul of the site has yet to be seen.
The website is a crucial element in the development of the church
as all young people go to the internet for all of their questions and
curiosities. Having a website that is deficient and lacking in
pertinent information that potential church goers are looking for
could be a big turnoff. People could be discounting the church
before even setting foot in it! Attention spans are rapidly
diminishing; everything in the digital age moves fast and we need
to keep up!

6. WEBSITE
INSPIRATION
 This is the Federal Way,WA FUMC website. It is engaging,
informative, and kept up-to-date.The pictures on the homepage
give viewers an idea of who the church is and what the church
does.
 http://www.fwumc.org/
 Below is the link to the website I made. It is simple, but to the
point which makes it effective in getting information across to
readers.The sleek and modern aesthetic appeals to all, especially
the younger generation where looks and feel go a long way.
 https://sites.google.com/uw.edu/prison-inc

7. THE
FACEBOOK
PAGE  With 1.19 billion users, it’s impossible to say that having a
Facebook page is not beneficial. Facebook is a cheap way to not
only market on the web, but reach targeted audiences (Post
Planner).When AFUMC members like the Facebook page their
friends will see this, which could potentially bring more traffic to
the page.Although there is a Facebook page that has some
pertinent information (i.e. worship service times), currently it is
not being utilized to its full capacity.
 https://www.facebook.com/AuburnFirst/
Shared here are upcoming
events, relevant spiritual
articles, and photos and videos
taken at church activities.
People can leave reviews, post
on the AFUMC’s timeline, and
contact the church
representative through direct
message.

8. IMPRESSIVE
FACEBOOK PAGES
https://www.facebook.com/gracecomchurch/
Although Grace Community Church (GCC) is a mega church, unlike
AFUMC, important points can be noted about their Facebook page.
They have tens of thousands of people who like and follow their
page.This allows for their posts to be seen by a large audience.
People share their posts. Friends of GCC followers see their posts
which increases views, meaning increased chances of member
growth.
The comment sections of posts are well used.This is helpful in
creating productive discussion among people and often provides
answers to questions that many people might have, but are too shy
to actually ask on the public page.
Posts are made regularly. More posts = more opportunities to be
seen!

9. THE BLOG
 This is currently a tool that AFUMC does not use. Blogging can be
a fun way to take a topic and dissect it in a less formal setting all
the while allowing outside comments to be added to the
discussion.To some, this form of social media might be seen as
less intimidating because of its loose structure. It offers a different
way of talking about spirituality and God.This could be a good way
to reach people on the fence about attending church.
 Below is a link to the blog I created. Again, there is emphasis on
the visual element of the blog. Blogs are as much about aesthetics
as they are about content.The more visually appealing, the more
likely viewers are going to stick around longer and hopefully read
your posts.
 http://ckerbsuwsocialgood.blogspot.com/

10. NOTEWORTHY
CHRISTIAN
BLOGS
 http://jarridwilson.com/
 An attractive layout and clean design makes this blog trendy and
chic.The color scheme is well thought out and makes viewers
want to explore the blog and read posts. Jarrid has a tab for his
podcasts which could be an interesting avenue for AFUMC.
Recording Sunday sermons and linking them to the blog might be
a good way to spread scripture to those who cannot make it to
Sunday services.
 http://sarahbessey.com/
 Again, clean design and a modern touch goes a long way.This blog
isn’t the ”typical” Christian blog. Sarah takes a roundabout way of
incorporating faith into posts about everyday life.This strategy is
great as it doesn’t force any beliefs on readers, but allows for a
connection between blogger and user to form. Sarah’s Instagram
account is also linked to her blog which gives viewers another
opportunity to connect on a different platform which is awesome.

11. USAGE
GUIDELINES
Post 8-15 times per week, or once or twice per day.
Nobody wants their timeline to be spammed, but
keeping a social presence is what we are aiming for. If
people are positively responding to posts, increasing
posts might be appropriate.
New post every two weeks at minimum.
Creating quality blog material takes time!We
want quality work over quantity of work, but
we still want to continually keep the blog
updated and relevant.
Update daily or whenever information needs
adjustment.

12. USAGE
GUIDELINES
Posting times: experiment with morning (6:30-7:30AM),
lunch (12:00PM), and evening (6:00-7:30PM) times.
These are the times when people are most likely to
have leisure time to check Facebook.
Posting times:Anytime during the day. Since
posts are made with longer intervals of time
between them, posting times won’t matter
quite as much.
Updating times: as soon as the information becomes
available.The website should be the main source for
official information.

13. PARTICIPATION
Website, Facebook page, and blog should be run by the social
media personnel appointed by the church. Members of the
church should be highly encouraged to engage and take part
on the Facebook page and blog. Our Facebook posts will be
far more successful with the shares of the congregation and
the blog will be livelier if people jump into the conversation
and explore the page. In the case of the website, more eyes
on the page from the internal side of things will help catch
mistakes before outsiders’ eyes do. On the flip side, if
information needs to be added that is missing on the website,
there is greater chance that it will be added.

14. SOCIAL
MEDIA
GUIDELINES
 Use disclaimers
 Protect confidential information
 Protect AFUMC members and partners
 Respect yourself and your audience
 Add value
 Correct mistakes and apologize if necessary
 Use your best judgement
 Don’t forget about God
[Guidelines adapted from IBM’s Social Media policy]

15. TIMELINE
With the most important Christian holiday quickly approaching (Easter), it is
critical that the website is up-to-date by then (hopefully well before).With
three weeks left I see this is as an easily achievable goal.The bulk of the
website is there; if the social media team sets weekly goals there should be no
issue in fixing the current problems.The necessary changes include updating
pictures and adding appropriate descriptions.
The Facebook page should begin heavily marketing the Easter Sunday Service
now.This will increase the odds that new people see posts and give them
enough time to plan to attend.
NOW EASTER THE FUTURE

16. TIMELINE
The blog can be worked on once the website and Facebook page are taken care
of.The urgency is not as high since the blog is currently not in existence and
posts are made with greater intervals of time between them. A follow up blog
post in April about Easter season might be a fun way to start.
Post-Easter we will resume a normal maintenance schedule of platforms. Small
goals should be set for each platform and evaluated biweekly or monthly,
whichever is more appropriate.
NOW EASTER THE FUTURE…?
Check-in Check-in Check-in

17. REFERENCES
 IBM Guidelines, https://www.ibm.com/blogs/zz/en/guidelines.html
 Post Planner, https://www.postplanner.com/top-10-benefits-
facebook-business-page/
 https://blog.bufferapp.com/social-media-marketing-plan