The document discusses social media and its importance for church communications. It notes that social media is a culture shift that requires being accessible, transparent, listening, personal, and authentic. Different social media platforms reach different audiences, with Facebook appealing more to older users and Twitter to younger users. The document provides examples of how churches can effectively use Facebook, Twitter, and other tools to engage their congregations and spread their message in a way that is authentic and true to their identity.

1. Why Give a Tweet? Social Media and Church Communications

3. It’s a culture shift to being:

4. Accessible

5. Transparent

6. Listening

7. Personal

8. Authentic

10. It’s not an arm of your ministry. It is your ministry.

11. It’s a new way to … research, recruit, network, develop projects, care, everything.

13. It’s not an arm of your ministry. It is your ministry.

14. It’s a new way to … research, recruit, network, develop projects, care, everything.

15. It’s NOT an extra task. Or an add on. It’s a mindset. It reshapes your job.

17. 1 of 8 married couples in US met on social media.

18. In 2009, Boston College stopped giving e-mail addresses to freshmen.

19. Social media has overtaken porn as #1 activity online.

20. IfFacebook were a country, it’d be the 3rd largest.

21. To reach 50 million users, it took

22. Radio: 38 years

23. TV: 13 years

27. If you resist it, you’re missing a chance to reach people.

29. If you resist it, you’re missing a chance to reach people.

30. Jesus went to people where they were.

31. So social media is important…but what strategy makes sense for YOU?

32. People in your congregation are already there.

33. If you resist it, you’re missing a chance to reach people.

36. 17% -- 25 & younger

37. 74% -- 26-54

39. 17% -- 25 & younger

40. 74% -- 26-54

41. 9% -- 55 & older

42. 40% -- 25 & younger

43. 53% -- 26-54

45. Let’s Get to Know These Users *Jan 2011 Infographic from DigitalSurgeons

47. You follow people/organizations. You ‘subscribe’ to get updates from users – like a personalized newsfeed.

49. @username: Reply to someone or tag someone in a tweet

50. #hashtag: creates a feed and helps in search

52. Twitter Examples: Granger Community Church

53. Twitter Examples: Park Community Church

54. Other Twitter Uses Follow people you like. And their followers. Get local (nearbytweets.com) Have your pastor tweet Prayer list In-service tweeting Give the church staff a face/identity Utilize as an on-phone update system for volunteers Research: “Anybody remember that TV show’s name?”

56. Sent messages to group members inbox.

57. More privacy settings

60. Two Things to Be on Facebook Be the sandbox.

63. What does your audience expect from you?

64. How do they want to engage?

65. What can you do besides telling them about you?

66. Want to be the Sandbox? Ask questions.

67. Empower your community.

68. Solve a problem.

69. Post Daily. Even on Weekends

71. Facebook Examples: LifeChurch.tv

72. Facebook Examples: LifeChurch.tv

73. Facebook Examples: LifeChurch.tv

75. You set the price.

76. Incredible ability to focus.

77. Great cost-per-result.

78. Tips:

79. Show faces.

80. Make a tie-in.

81. Solve a problem.

83. Facebook, Twitter

84. Video sharing: YouTube, Vimeo, Tangle

85. Picture sharing: Flickr

86. Blog

87. RSS Feed

88. Email

91. Find your niche/identity

92. What is expected from your brand?

95. Be authentic to who you are.

96. You will lose some control.

98. Be authentic to who you are.

99. You will lose some control.

101. Be authentic to who you are.

102. You will lose some control.

103. Keep things up to date.

104. It takes a commitment.

105. If you’re going to do it, do it right.

106. Find an owner. Empower those who are already doing it.