UTILISING SOCIAL MEDIA IN MINISTRY
Starting to use social media for ministry takes some intentional plans and actions for the social media to enhance rather than detract from ministry.
Thoughts to consider
- What social media is currently being used by the church?
- What social media is being utilized the most by members of the church?
- What social media can be consistently updated?
- How much staff and volunteer help is available to create/update content?
Steps to take to begin or improve social media use for your church:
- Create a plan for who will be responsible for posting information to sites.
- Remember: outdated social media is worse than no social media.
- Begin with the social media that is most used by the church members.
- Determine and make clear to all involved what will be posted, when it will be posted, and who is responsible for posting content.
- Set up (or update) the church social media account.
- Add cover graphics and logo.
- Post consistently to keep traffic returning.
- Outdated social media will lose traffic very quickly.
- Things to post.
- Upcoming events with helpful information.
- Past events with pictures, ministry impact made, quotes from the event, etc.
- Related blogs, articles, Scripture verses, etc.
- Links to Sermons that can be streamed.
Resources and Links:
- Facebook – #1 social media site where text, photos, and links can be posted and shared
- Twitter – #2 social media site with tweets of 140 characters, photos, and links can be posted
- Instagram – Social media built on posting photos and videos
- Pinterest – Social media built on sharing photos
- Periscope – Site for sharing live video of your church services
- YouTube – Site for posting videos of sermons or church services
- Vimeo – Site for posting or embedding video of sermons or church services
