Social media is a reality and necessary for business and churches alike, but one size does not fit all. In this breakout session you will learn: How to get started Your strategy Maintaining your conversations Tips & resources Case studies Tracking what works If you have questions you would like answered or social media topics you would like to discuss, please tweet to @embracechaos. #smreality

1. > social media... the cyber-reality
Jody Wissing
Visual Arts & Social Media Director
Preston Trail Community Church
Tweet your questions #smreality
Full presentation online at digitalfondue.org
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

2. > social media... the cyber-reality
Questions?
Tweet them to #smreality
for the q&a at the end of the session
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

3. > reality #1
Social media exists and it’s not a fad.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

4. > reality #1
?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

5. > reality #1
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

6. > reality #1
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

7. > reality #1
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

8. > reality #2
Social media is necessary.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

9. > reality #3
Ignoring social media won’t make it go away.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

10. > get started
How do you get started?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

11. > what is social media?
A simple definition.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

12. > what is social media?
Social media is media for social interaction, using
highly accessible and scalable publishing
techniques.
Social media uses web-based technologies to turn
communication into interactive dialogues.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

13. > options
Social media options.
blogs
microblogs
personal sites
professional sites
media sharing
search engines
bookmark sites
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

14. > options
Social media options.
blogs
microblogs
personal sites
professional sites
media sharing
search engines
bookmark sites
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

15. > start here
Start with these.
Most popular Very popular Utilize current media
Go where the people are Easy to use Share stories
Networked well It’s free Casual conversation
It’s free It’s free
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

16. > start small
Start small and incrementally add more
as you successfully implement each phase.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

17. > do your homework
Look at what others are doing.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

18. > designate a team
Who will set it up?
Who will maintain it?
How many people need to be involved in it?
Should we use staff and/or volunteers?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

19. > choose your media
text . video . images . audio . apps
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

20. > commit and go
Make a plan and execute it. Don’t wait.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

21. > look at the big picture
Target audience
Demographics
Groups
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

22. > technology options
What’s out there?
What’s available to you?
Budget and plan for technology needs.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

23. > resources
Not just equipment, but time and money.
What resources do you currently have available?
How can you utilize them?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

24. > plan & organize
People like to find media easily. Be organized.
All of your social media should work together.
Your social media should blend with your website.
Coordinate with marketing & communications.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

25. > good reasoning
Why are you using a specific social media site?
Don’t use it because everyone else is.
Use it to reach new people.
Use it to interact with people.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

26. > info
Build it and they will come.
No.
Build it, keep it organized, make it interesting,
maintain it and interact with people.
Then they will come!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

27. > conversations
Social media is interactive, not an information
download. Maintain conversations.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

28. > information overload
Don’t add content just to add content.
Keep it organized with easy access.
Don’t get wordy.
Use page breaks and ‘continue reading’ tags.
Use keywords and categories when available.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

29. > content is king
...without original and desirable content, or
consideration for the rights and commercial
interests of content creators - any media venture
is likely to fail through lack of appealing
content, regardless of other design factors.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

30. > content is king
Everyone has their own media preferences. Have
something for everyone, keeping your target
audience in mind on all posts and updates.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

31. > utilize what you have
Marketing materials
Email communications
Event descriptions
Message content
The Bible
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

32. > tips for ease
Set your priorities and plan ahead.
Traffic is good, but not your goal.
Avoid private groups.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

33. > tips for success
Use metrics. Track what’s working well.
Don’t be afraid to use sites without metrics.
Encourage staff and pastor interaction.
Get out of your comfort zone. Try new things.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

34. > misc tips
Be a spy. What are people saying about you?
There’s a fine line between personal & business.
Nothing is private in social media.
Your content will live forever.
Viral is good, but not necessary.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

35. > online resources
• churchmarketingsucks.com
• stuffchristianslike.org
• bedeviant.org
• bestministrypractices.com
• churchcrunch.com
• digitalfondue.org
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

36. > questions & answers
Thank you! :)
Please ask questions.
If you think of a question later and would like to
continue the conversation, tweet it to #smreality
Wednesday, October 20, 2010