Four Social Media Platforms Churches Should Be Using
Social media is here and it is changing the way we interact. Churches who aren’t using them are missing a huge potential of not only connecting people but also reaching people who may otherwise never step into their building. Social media if used right can even enrich what you do on Sundays and help further develop people to be disciples of Christ.
So, now that I’ve obviously convinced you, what sites should a church be investing their time into. There are so many out there it is hard, I’m sure, to figure out where to get started. Often times many churches feel they should being doing every single thing that’s out there.
Let’s boil it down to four and tell you why, at a minimum, you should be doing them:
- Facebook -If your goal is to go where the people are…facebook is the king. Seventy-one percent of young adults use Facebook, as do 75 percent of those thirty and over. It is the largest social media online and, at this moment, it should be your primary vehicle after your website. You can use it for photos, video, events, updates and so much more.
- Twitter – It’s simple and it’s also hot right now. In 2009, twitter hit mainstream and is a simple way to connect with people.
- Youtube – I know vimeo is sexy, but when is the last time you heard anyone talk about how they were searching for a video on vimeo. All of your videos especially short ones should be on youtube. And if you use it right it could be a great way to get some viral content out there.
- Blog – A blog is a great way to add extra content and allow people to go deeper after the weekend. It could also be used to keep people informed on events.
All four of these are about where the people are and about ease of content production. Should you be doing others? Yes, at a minimum your church should be on every social media platform in one way or the other. If you want to maximize your social media effort then I suggest focus on these.
I also wanted you to hear from some others out there and what they thought.
- CatalystLeader – // twitter, facebook, flickr, blog…think?
- mikewhenderson - Facebook, You Tube, Twitter, and blogs.
- jmillerjr - facebook/twitter/vimeo/ after that I have no idea. (@JasonArredondo) I would add twitpic or some other social pic repository
- JasonArredondo - facebook/twitter/vimeo/ after that I have no idea.
- A_Lan – Facebook Twitter Youtube. But more importantly a main hub where all content can be accessed easily, so a spiffy looking webpage
- ralphp – Twitter, FB, a video site such as Vimeo/Youtube and Flickr.
- revkevgcc – FB, Twitter, Skype, blog
- BJHewitt – Twitter for live sermon notes & for the pastor, facebook page for the church & or pastor, texting to check up on each other..
- BJHewitt – ….for groups get youth and young adults into location games like Gowalla and Foursquare.
- chrisfromcanada – FB Twitter YouTube wordpress
- chrisfromcanada – but… Don’t make it about the platform. Go where the people are
- m2net – // the answer is “yes” // Churches should use as many channels as possible 2 connect + communicate the message.
- paulHharris – Twitter FB Foursquare there’s three. I think those would do
Yeah, no question. In talking to people from our church and getting feedback from users of our website, I’m learning that basically people are looking for lots of ways to connect. I resonate with the response from @m2net…the people who I’ve talked to are asking for more engagement.
Good Information.
outstanding post !! really exceptionally ideas
Good stuff Jason. Have you heard of any church uses of Foursquare? Curious how that would work.
Scott…I have entered in almost all of our campuses on Foursquare but to be honest outside of that I don’t see much use for it. I think it is important for one more way to keep the name out there.
I agree. I saw a few mentions of it above and wondered how they suggested implementing it. I’ve put our church on there as well. When I’ve had it echo to FB, I’ve had people ask me what that was all about, so that’s kinda cool. If more kids in my SS class had smartphones, I’d consider special incentives for the mayor. Somebody just messaged me on Twitter suggesting loading it with tips re: service times, etc.
Cool ideas, but in my area, I know maybe 3 people that actually use it, so what’s the point anyway!
Same here Scott…I don’t really believe foursquare/gowalla will ever be a long range player in the social media landscape…
Jason, Good choice of topic that speaks my language. I like Facebook, Twitter, WordPress Blogs, LinkedIn (picking up momentum) and FourSquare. FourSquare is complimentary application that is good to use in the proper setting but can be played out by the usage if not careful. I think though another untouched resource is YELP. Though more for businesses, if someone is searching for a church, they could find a review on the church and leave a comment.
Thanks for the comment Benny…I haven’t even touched YELP…I gave a good go at FourSquare and felt in the end it added no value to what I do…I still use it only so minimal it’s like a blip.