Facebook and Twitter may be around for years, or they may be overtaken by websites with equally silly names before you’ve finished reading this sentence.
However, they are powerful tools which churches should be exploiting. Generally speaking, Facebook is good for communicating with the existing congregation but it is also how many people will choose to first get in touch with you.
Twitter is a useful way of promoting yourself to the outside world but there are also opportunities for interacting with influential people.
However, they are powerful tools which churches should be exploiting. Generally speaking, Facebook is good for communicating with the existing congregation but it is also how many people will choose to first get in touch with you.
Twitter is a useful way of promoting yourself to the outside world but there are also opportunities for interacting with influential people.
Getting started on Facebook
With hundreds of millions of users and counting it's hard to ignore Facebook. For churches, it's a quick, free and controllable way of letting the congregation know what's going on.
You'll start by creating a 'fan page' where people can sign up for updates about your church. It's then your job to think of something interesting to say.
You'll start by creating a 'fan page' where people can sign up for updates about your church. It's then your job to think of something interesting to say.
Step 1 - Create a ‘Fan Page’
Users who 'like' your church become 'fans'
When you get started you'll need to decide if you want your church to have a 'fan page' or to be a 'group'
A fan page allows other users to say that they ‘like’ your church and they’ll then see your ‘updates’. You can’t send emails to your ‘fans’ but they should see your comments when they log in to their account via the 'news feed'.
The main advantage with Fan Pages is that you are able to hide the ‘wall’ (the area where users leave comments) and so stop other people leaving un-moderated comments.
Fan pages also show up on Google searches, whereas ‘groups’ don’t. Groups are best for groups of friends who want to chat and contact each other regularly. This option might work for a youth group or home group, but it doesn’t allow you much control over who says what and to whom.
For most churches, a 'fan page' is the best option.
A fan page allows other users to say that they ‘like’ your church and they’ll then see your ‘updates’. You can’t send emails to your ‘fans’ but they should see your comments when they log in to their account via the 'news feed'.
The main advantage with Fan Pages is that you are able to hide the ‘wall’ (the area where users leave comments) and so stop other people leaving un-moderated comments.
Fan pages also show up on Google searches, whereas ‘groups’ don’t. Groups are best for groups of friends who want to chat and contact each other regularly. This option might work for a youth group or home group, but it doesn’t allow you much control over who says what and to whom.
For most churches, a 'fan page' is the best option.
Step 2: Increasing your fan number
The main way that fan pages grow in size is through regular interesting updates which get shared. It can feel like a waste of time at first when you are only reaching 10 people, but eventually you'll start picking up followers.
Successful Facebook fan pages are also those which encourage interaction and discussion, rather than those which are just shouting news at people all the time. Ideally, you should respond to comments and questions quickly rather than replying three weeks later.
Without a budget, one technique to kickstart your page is to ‘suggest’ that friends might want to become fans and then ask fans to send similar ‘suggestions’ to their own friends.
You can also add a ‘like’ button on your own website (if you have one).
For more on social media, see the Twitter Guide.
Successful Facebook fan pages are also those which encourage interaction and discussion, rather than those which are just shouting news at people all the time. Ideally, you should respond to comments and questions quickly rather than replying three weeks later.
Without a budget, one technique to kickstart your page is to ‘suggest’ that friends might want to become fans and then ask fans to send similar ‘suggestions’ to their own friends.
You can also add a ‘like’ button on your own website (if you have one).
For more on social media, see the Twitter Guide.
Step 3: make the most of your 'fans'
Not that type of fan
Facebook removed the option to send an email to all of your ‘fans’ a few years ago, but you can invite them to an 'event' or send an update, which will then appear on their ‘news feed’. It’s not a guaranteed way of reaching them, but it’s still pretty effective.
As a general rule, make your updates:
A simple update might be: "This Sunday at St Johns - why God wants you to step out of the boat and start walking on water. 10.30am. More info at www.stjohnssometown.co.uk".
As you get the hang of it, start being more creative and using videos and photos to get noticed.
As a general rule, make your updates:
- Regular, but not too regular - so that you appear on the news feed regularly but not so much that people get bored of seeing you and delete you.
- Short - so that readers aren’t put off by a huge bulk of text. You can always link to a more detailed article on your own website.
- Multimedia - Facebook prioritises video and images over plain text. At the very least, add a link to your post so that Facebook finds an image for you.
A simple update might be: "This Sunday at St Johns - why God wants you to step out of the boat and start walking on water. 10.30am. More info at www.stjohnssometown.co.uk".
As you get the hang of it, start being more creative and using videos and photos to get noticed.
Getting started on Twitter
Whilst Facebook is useful for communicating with your congregation, Twitter is a good way to interact with people who have no connection to the church.
Unlike Facebook, there's a limit to how much you can write, so save your 60 minute sermon for another occasion.
Your updates ('tweets') will then appear on the news feed of anyone who 'follows' you. They can choose to share ('retweet') your updates or can reply to them.
Unlike Facebook, there's a limit to how much you can write, so save your 60 minute sermon for another occasion.
Your updates ('tweets') will then appear on the news feed of anyone who 'follows' you. They can choose to share ('retweet') your updates or can reply to them.
Step 1: Choose a name
Your Twitter name is called your 'handle'. This obviously needs to be unique so ‘stjohns’ won’t be available. Keep it simple and think what people are likely to search for. Spend a bit more time writing the short bio for your church as it should give a good summary of what your church is about.
Step 2: say something interesting
- Talk up your events – there’s no point telling the world every time you break wind but it is important to update Twitter fairly regularly. A smartphone is the simplest option because you can take videos and images and upload them instantly.
- Be a tease – with only a few characters to play with, it’s better to leave people guessing. For example, “Find out why God loves Simon Cowell - join us this Sunday at St Johns, 10.30am, Church Street, Sometown”.
- Include links or images - try to include images, photos or a link for people to follow as these tend to stand out more than a plain text update.
- Think before you Tweet - remember that whatever you post can be seen by anyone and everyone.
Step 3: increase your number of followers
Of course, the main way to get more followers is to post interesting things on a regular basis. Don't expect to have thousands of followers instantly, but if you keep plugging away with decent content then you'll get noticed.
There are lots of techniques for picking up followers, which involve mass marketing, huge budgets and selling your soul.
One quick, easy (and free) way is to search for people near to you and then start following them. Many of them will start following you in return.
There are lots of techniques for picking up followers, which involve mass marketing, huge budgets and selling your soul.
One quick, easy (and free) way is to search for people near to you and then start following them. Many of them will start following you in return.
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Photo from [JP] Corrêa Carvalho - يوحنا بولس
