communications presentation to south carolina synod retired rostered leaders
TRANSCRIPT
Church Communications Today
Neal F. FischerDirector of Communications
for the ELCA South Carolina [email protected]
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All this modern technology
is making us antisocial
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asdfAll this modern
technology
is making us antisocial.
To be fair…
In both cases people are being social in a way.
The newspaper informed people. There was a common bond.
“Did you see that article in the newspaper this morning?”
It promoted discussion and discourse. Did you every talk around a water cooler?
To be fair…
Social media does the same thing.
“Did you see the video on YouTube?”
Social media takes the newspaper one step further as you can share the link to the content.
People share stories of common interest with each other.
How do we communicate the message well?
Have a plan.
Create a strategy.
Execute it.
Analyze the results.
Iterate to make it better.
Repeat.
Organization Communications Pyramid
Organizational Big Idea
Organization Communications Pyramid
The organizational big idea is who we are and what we do.
Joining neighbors,serving boldly,
loving all,through Christ.
This informs everything we, as synod, should be doing with our communications.
Organization Communications Pyramid
Internal/External Communications
Strategy
Organizational Big Idea
Organization Communications Pyramid
Internal/external communications strategy.
We need to use all forms of communications including print, electronic,
and video to get our big idea out to the world.
We must also use these forms of
communications to support and inform an internal audience.
Organization Communications Pyramid
Through the rest of this year I will be working with the Communications and Technology Table to develop a tool I call “The Grid.”
• Primary Audience• Purpose• Timing/Frequency• Responsible Party• Content Guidelines• Strategic Focus
Organization Communications Pyramid
Website Strategy
Internal/External Communications
Strategy
Organizational Big Idea
Organization Communications Pyramid
Website Strategy
Your website is home base for everything else.
Organization Communications Pyramid
How powerful are websites?
61%of people surveyed said that when they look for a new church that they visit the website before they think of stepping through the door.
(Center for Church Communication)
Organization Communications Pyramid
Scary thought – Only
78%of churches have a website.
This means that 22% of all churches are ignoring 61% of those seeking a church home.
Organization Communications Pyramid
How do we harness the power of the website?
Have accurate information.If you put up dated information, make sure the event hasn’t already past.
Your 2014 VBS information isn’t helpful now and will show potential visitors that you don’t care about the website. They will wonder what else you don’t take care of.
Organization Communications Pyramid
Does your congregation have accurate information listed with the find a congregation listing on ELCA.org?
Organization Communications Pyramid
Note: The ELCA has integrated information about leaders, congregations, organizations, etc. into one unified system. They are aware of some data discrepancies and have been working to correct them. Please report corrections to the ELCA Constituent Care Team.
Organization Communications Pyramid
Social Media
Website Strategy
Internal/External Communications
Strategy
Organizational Big Idea
Organization Communications Pyramid
Social Media Strategy
Our social media outlets are outposts for building relationships and pointing people back to home base for more information.
Social Media
WhoUsesIt?
Social Media
Image from Eric Qualman video.
Social Media
50% of all internet bandwidth in the UK is used for Facebook.
Now imagine what happens when someone has a bad experienceAt the storeAt a restaurantAt a congregation
Social Media
How important is social media?
90% of people base their choices on online and peer recommendations over advertising.
Does your congregation engage online in a way that will build relationships that people will recommend to their peers?
Social Media
“We don’t have a choice on whether we do social media, the question is how well we do it.”
- Eric Qualman, author of the #1 international best seller Socialnomics
Technology
Kids today are learning on chromebooks and iPads
not chalkboards.
Technology
More books are purchased to be read on eReaders than in paper.
Technology
50% of the worlds commerce is done on mobile devices. More people in the world own smartphones
Technology
Than toothbrushes
We must start thinking mobile first.
Technology
By 2018 video will account for more than 2/3rds of mobile usage.
Hence 2/3rds of organizations are increasing their funding for video right now.
Technology
Some things to think about.
Free Wi-Fi is offered at every Starbucks. Does your congregation offer it? Do you make it easier to share positive things?
People are already tweeting and posting status updates about the church, a sermon, and the direction of the church as a whole. As leaders, will we shepherd productive conversations or choose to ignore the conversation already taking place?
Suggested Books
The Social Media Gospel by Meredith Gould
Suggested Books
The Social Church by Justin Wise
Suggested Books
What Would Google Do? By Jeff Jarvis
Suggested Books
The Agile Church by Dwight J. Zscheile
Suggested Books
Outspoken by Tim Schraeder edited by Kevin Hendricks
Thank you.
Thank you for allowing me to present to you today. I hope you found it helpful. If you need more information please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Neal F. FischerDirector of Communications
for the ELCA South Carolina [email protected]