planning social media
TRANSCRIPT
For Parishes and Education
Facebook Users
Twitter Users
Google+ Users
YouTube Videos Watched
CARA Study Of Catholics Online 62% have a Facebook account
17% have a LinkedIn account
15% have a Google+ account
13% have a Twitter account
50% share to Tumblr at least once a day
44% share to Instagram at least once a day
34% share to Twitter at least once a day
20% share to Google+ and Pinterest at least once a day
CARA Study Catholics Online Only 31% have a profile identifying them as Catholic
95% DO NOT read blogs on the Church or faith
Only 4% go to a parish website for information about the Catholic faith
Only 4% go to Facebook accounts for information about the Catholic faith
It’s . . . Not yet a part of our Church culture . . .
Parish Communication Primarily Looks Like . . .
Parish Communication Online Looks Like . . .
The Plan to Get There
Social Media & Social Networking These terms are often intertwined Social Media is any media that can be commented on and/or
shared Blog posts or online articles Online video Online podcasts Online photos
Social Networks are services for connecting with others online and/or sharing social media Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Etc
The role of social media within parishes and education Provides new avenues of communication Connect and communicate to groups like never before
(Google+ Hangouts, Facebook Groups, Hashtags, etc.)
Connect with parishioners throughout the week
Provide new impactful ways to deliver messages or support a point (i.e. video, podcast, blog article, etc.)
Provide a means to begin a conversation and engage others
Provide a method for getting messages and information out to a larger audience in a more timely manner
What is the role of social networks in parishes or education (cont.) Provide a means to overcome barriers inherent to print
(i.e. time, one way communication, etc.)
Allows the parish community to evangelize as a group internally and externally
“in these spaces, it is not only ideas and information that are shared, but ultimately our very selves.” – Pope Benedict "Social Networks: portals of truth and faith; new spaces for evangelization."
The elements of planning social media/networking The 5 W’s of a plan
Why
What
Who
When
Where
Why Should We Do This? Preceeded by a need
A barrier you want to overcome Something you want to improve Etc.
Find the real purpose - How will this technology contribute to the solution?
Avoid just looking to gain simple exposure (i.e. the SEO Trap)
Examples Keep parishioners better informed Share events highlights that people may have been unable to
attend Open up dialogue
What Services & What Do We Do With Them? Choosing services to use
Your audience is your parishioners first and foremost
Where are they (i.e. Facebook. Google+, Twitter, etc.)?
What is it you wish to achieve, overcome, or improve
You do NOT need to use all of them. Use the tool(s) that fits your needs
What types of content? Think of the bulletin without bounds
Make it fun and interesting Check-in at Mass and events
Ask for photos others have taken and give them credit
Welcome comments and discussion
Multiple Services Is A Good Thing
Consistency Is Key
Who Will Do This? Form a web/digital ministry
A website person A social networking manager A photographer A videographer Set up processes for gathering content and media Existing office staff can be involved as well (i.e. managing the
parish social pages and/or Twitter account)
Common errors Placing everything on one person and assuming they can do it
all Assuming it’s only young people that can do these things Not asking for help
Where Does This Take Place? Posting and updating
Thanks to mobile – ANYWHERE
Don’t be bound to just the office
Your web/digital ministry leader should have an open line of communication with the office
Should meet with the Pastor and/or Parish Manager at least bi-weekly to discuss ideas and/or issues
The Ministry members should have an open-line of communication and meet monthly to discuss ideas and issues
When Should All This Happen? Start small and add over time
Don’t be afraid to experiment It will evolve over time Set goals and target dates
Postings and content updates MUST be ongoing but with awareness of your audience Over-sharing is a common mistake on “pages” (i.e.
Facebook, Google+) Combine photos and share at one time in an album Quality vs. Quantity – Posts should be meant to engage not just
about simple exposure
Schedule for events and who can cover them for photos, video, etc.
Applications to Help You Manage Managing multiple networks
Hootsuite (Hootsuite.com) Sprout Social (SproutSocial.com)
Mobile Applications Twitter app (allows for multiple accounts) Tweetcaster Hootsuite Facebook Pages Manager Google+ Wordpress Blogger YourTube
A Basic Model May Look Like . . . A Pastor’s blog
You have a Wordpress website and will inlude the blog on there. The Pastor isn’t comfortable with the platform so he will email the
text to the parish webmaster once or twice a week. The parish webmaster will them cut-n-paste the text to a post and
publish. The post will be shared out on the parish Facebook page and Twitter
account. The pastor will check the post throughout the week to respond to
any comments if necessary
A Facebook Page Assign at least 2 administrators Post one to two times per day (i.e. daily readings, events, new
photos, etc.) Check each day for new comments you might need to respond to
Online Support & Ideas Google+ Communities
Catholic New Media & Tech
Facebook Group Tech Support Group For Churches
Blogs for ideas and guidance CatholicTechTalk.com
CatholicMom.com
WordOnFire.org
Organizations Peter and Paul Ministries (PeterAndPaulMinistries.com)
Pilot New Media (PilotNewMedia.com)
Examples . . . My Church . . .