On October 1st, 2015, Amanda Lansche (Content Specialist for Concordia Technology Solutions) hosted a webinar about why and how pastors should blog. Topics covered included: - Why start a blog - How to get started - What to post - How to make it successful

2. concordiatechnology.org

3. Peter A. Frank
Manager,
Concordia Technology Solutions
peter.frank@cph.org | 314.268.1408

4. Amanda G. Lansche
Content Specialist,
Concordia Technology Solutions
amanda.lansche@cph.org | 314.268.1397

5. The Why

6. The Why
Blogs are another means by which
pastors can communicate with
God’s people.

7. The Why
We surveyed over 380 pastors, and
about 25% currently blogged.

8. The Why
We asked:
• Why they did or did not blog
• What made their blogs work
• What hurdles they faced

9. The Why
Blogs are just another way to write
and share.

10. “THINK OF BLOGGING AS ANOTHER
FORM OF OUTREACH.”

11. The Why
Blogs have almost limitless
applications.

12. The Why
• Sermons
• Syndicated content
• Bible study commentary
• Current events

13. The Why
• Share content
• Spark discussion
• Promote your church

14. Current events
Sermons
Personal
Expand
Church events
Engagement
Bible study notes
Answer questions
Other
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15. The Why
Blogs boost SEO for your church
website.

16. The Why
Use a blog to drive traffic to your
site and to your church!

17. Getting
Started

18. Getting Started
Develop a mission or
purpose statement.

19. Getting Started
Can you tell what the
purpose is for other pastors’
blogs?

20. Getting Started
Focused, purpose-driven
content makes this ministry
effort more effective.

21. Getting Started
Choose a platform for your
blog.

22. Getting Started
• WordPress
• Blogger
• Weebly
• Church website

23. Getting Started
Write! Start by brainstorming
ideas in a list.

24. Getting Started
Ask people what they would
want to read.

25. “WRITING IS A SKILL, NOT A TALENT.”

26. Getting Started
Just start writing.

27. Getting Started
Edit your post the next day
with fresh eyes.

28. Getting Started
Even good writers have
grammar questions!

30. Getting Started
Ask for feedback.

31. Promotion

32. Promotion
Tell people about your blog!

33. Promotion
Share a link to your blog:
• Church newsletter
• Bulletin
• Website home page
• Email to colleagues

34. Promotion
Don’t be shy or worry that it’s
egotistical to promote your
blog. This isn’t about you—
it’s a ministry effort!

35. Promotion
Connect your blog with other
pastors’ blogs.

36. Promotion
Does your church use social
media?

37. Promotion
Promote your new blog and
every new post on church
and personal social media
accounts.

38. Promotion
Share a link to each new post
several times.

39. Promotion
Try a social media
scheduling application to
save time.

40. Promotion
Boost SEO on your blog (and
therefore your church
website if they are
connected).

41. Promotion
Improve SEO by optimizing:
• Your URL
• Image alt-text
• Headers
• Metadata
• Cross linking

42. “PROMOTE IT AGAIN!”

43. Overcoming
Hurdles

44. Overcoming
Hurdles
The number one worry
among pastors we surveyed
was not having enough time
to blog.

45. Overcoming
Hurdles
It’s easy to let the hurdles
stop you from blogging, but
if it’s important to your
ministry, you can find a way
to make it happen.

46. Overcoming
Hurdles
Here are a few ideas for
finding time to blog…

47. Overcoming
Hurdles
• Optimize your time
• Prioritize
• Try quick post options
• Feature guest bloggers
• Ask for help

48. Overcoming
Hurdles
Another struggle pastors face
is coming up with ideas for
new blog posts.

49. Overcoming
Hurdles
Have a strategy or just write
about what interests you.

50. “FIND INSPIRATION & MOTIVATION.”

51. Overcoming
Hurdles
Read other blogs for
inspiration.

52. Overcoming
Hurdles
Grab your Bible! Write about
a verse or favorite passage.

53. Overcoming
Hurdles
Expand on your sermons.

54. Overcoming
Hurdles
Ask readers for ideas.

55. Overcoming
Hurdles
Segment a big idea into
multiple posts.

56. Overcoming
Hurdles
Another worry among
pastors is that no one will
read their blogs.

57. Overcoming
Hurdles
Encourage members to go
online, even if they don’t do
that very often, by explaining
by your blog content would
be useful to them.

58. Overcoming
Hurdles
Write your posts to reach
younger members, who
might be more likely to read
a blog.

59. Overcoming
Hurdles
Pastors also voiced concern
about responding to the
“haters” online.

60. Overcoming
Hurdles
Start by asking yourself if you
want to respond to
comments on your blog.

61. Overcoming
Hurdles
Do you have time to
respond? It’s important to
not leave questions or
negative comments
unanswered.

62. Overcoming
Hurdles
If your blog’s purpose is to
spark discussion, comments
are a great way to interact
with your readers and share
the Gospel.

63. Overcoming
Hurdles
You can turn off comments or
choose to moderate
comments before they are
posted.

64. Starting a blog is ultimately about
YOUR ministry efforts!

65. Blogs can be a great ministry tool!

66. Peter A. Frank
Manager,
Concordia Technology Solutions
peter.frank@cph.org | 314.268.1408
Amanda G. Lansche
Content Specialist,
Concordia Technology Solutions
amanda.lansche@cph.org | 314.268.1397

67. Thank you for joining us!