i am constantly frustrated with church folks who extol their social media use for their churches. one such statement is the proverbial "our church is on twitter." i am not sure what that means? how is a church on twitter? church, can be there if we are looking at church as a verb, chronicling the interactions of the congregation with the community, but most of what we see is same thing we see so many times with church websites.
- church twitters often rehash their inner content creation and just throw it out there as if people who haven't graced their walls are all of a sudden interested. much like marshall mcluhan says we do.
- the face they always show is the church building or fancy logo. again, it works for the people in the church, but doesn't do anything for establishing a relationship with others outside your congregation
so how does a church community use twitter?
- use it just like you probably are using twitter: making church announcements, posting links to your website/sermons/etc. i am fine with that, just know that you are only talking to the audience that is already invested into your church body. there is value to that, so its okay to do, just don't talk about your media use as something getting outside your church.
- get personal by:
- make a formal twitter background with images of your church people, not your steeple
- change your avatar to some people. folks want to see how they will fit into your congregation, give them faces (often changing avatars) that help them see themselves as part of your church
- use pictures a plenty
- interact, don't just follow people from your church, but all over your community
- give out helpful information for community events, family building, parenting, schools
- affirm what others are saying
- talk about your people
- be ready to use direct messages to invite folks & let them know where to meet you
- be willing to show weakness/struggles/frustrations as a church body. authentic is the word
- start some helpful "lists" for your followers to plug into (this would involve knowing who to follow and what are important topics for your community)
sorry to the folks at highland park umc for picking on them with my chosen image.. it was just to easy.
Gavin,
Good words, I’d add make sure you include a link to your website on your twitter profile. You might even customize the landing URL as a landing page for twitterers.
Thanks for the thoughts,
Ron Whitler
Gavin,
Good words, I’d add make sure you include a link to your website on your twitter profile. You might even customize the landing URL as a landing page for twitterers.
Thanks for the thoughts,
Ron Whitler
those are great suggestions ron. i don’t know if church website folks use the landing page to its advantage.
those are great suggestions ron. i don’t know if church website folks use the landing page to its advantage.
Great thoughts. We just put our church on Twitter and you’ve helped me see a wider and more creative use for it, beyond just posting announcements. Thanks!
Great thoughts. We just put our church on Twitter and you’ve helped me see a wider and more creative use for it, beyond just posting announcements. Thanks!
thanks Brian! my work is done here. “Live Long and Prosper” &:~)
thanks Brian! my work is done here. “Live Long and Prosper” &:~)
Great Post
Just like a church, social media should help connect people to other people. Yes, a “church on Twitter” does not make sense. People care about people, not buildings.
– John
Great Post
Just like a church, social media should help connect people to other people. Yes, a “church on Twitter” does not make sense. People care about people, not buildings.
– John
Gavin, Great post. It would make a good presentation for all churches to see. Ive heard several people from churches around Cool Springs talk about being on Twitter or Facebook as an organization. After further conversation it becomes obvious they have no idea what it really means or what the point is.
Gavin, Great post. It would make a good presentation for all churches to see. Ive heard several people from churches around Cool Springs talk about being on Twitter or Facebook as an organization. After further conversation it becomes obvious they have no idea what it really means or what the point is.