Social Media 101 Why churches need social networks and How to use them to your advantage.

Social Media 101

Why churches need social networksand

How to use them to your advantage

Why Us?

• Claim your space• Connect with visitors and members – create

relationships• Event promotion• Share announcements • Share your story

Facebook• Difference between profiles, pages, and groups

• Create a unique page for your church• Photo/Video friendly – connect with

Instagram and YouTube using apps• Promote events- encourage sharing• Create conversations- get followers

commenting

Twitter

• A fast way to connect by 140 characters• Constant connection with quick response• Videos and photos – short life span• Connect with other social networks• Twitter handle: @username • Uses #hastags to categorize tweets by

keywords.

YouTube

• Tells your story- embed them on your website• Videos can be made free from a phone• Post sermon clips • Event promotion or highlights –mission trips,

VBS, youth service etc. • Ask members to shoot a quick video- ‘Video of

the Month’

Pinterest• Inspiration boards of pictures with captions• Each picture is a link to a website • Use for crafting, recipes, VBS, humor, gift

ideas, decorating, party planning, fitness, quotes, and more. Possibilities are endless

• Group boards• Pinterest Party Nights

LinkedIn

• Active resume – background, education, credibility, and skills

• More of a formal social network• Connect with other organizations, pastors,

ministers, and churches• Post job openings

Instagram

• Visual way to tell your story• Allows for creativity • Connect to Facebook and Twitter for instant

sharing • Uses #hashtags• Mainly works from phone

Google+

• Operates with “circles” – multiple circles (WMU, youth, VBS, choir, etc.)

• More of a tool – post to individual circles or all• Credibility with Google maps • Photo and Video upload capability • Video Hangouts

Google+ Video Hangouts

Tips for Success

• Be consistent- stay active• Design posts around the social network• Be careful about cross-network posting• Get volunteers• Be patient! • Have fun with it

Stumped about posting?

• Create a plan: verse a day, sermon highlights, ‘Mission Tuesday’, staff/member of the day etc.

• Use photos and videos (tag people if possible)• ‘Share’ or re-tweet 3x’s more than you post• Use conversational questions – get people

talking• Try not to just “sell” your church all the time

Hash Tags

• Specific searchable keyword (ex: #cupcakes)• Only use on Twitter, Instagram, and Google+• Can be placed anywhere in the message• No spaces (ex: #webreadychurch)• Allows you to view all tweets and posts that

use that hash tag