This document provides guidance and recommendations for churches looking to utilize social media more effectively. It emphasizes that social media can help churches build relationships and support communication if used strategically. It recommends choosing a few major social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs to focus efforts on, and provides tips for setting up and making the most of accounts on each platform, such as posting engaging content and videos. Mobile marketing tactics for churches like texting events and soliciting donations are also briefly addressed.

2. “Social Media can help us be the Church more
efficiently and effectively. It is a
powerful tool for establishing
relationships, meeting needs, and supporting
communication…I pray God will use the
technology behind it to touch lives, edify the
body, and reinvigorate your ministry.”
- Gus Svendsen, Marketing Expert - Social
Media Guide For Churches

3. IT’S WORTH IT.
- Courtesy of DIOSA Communication & Nonprofit Tech 2.0

4. - Courtesy of Social Media Guide For Churches

5. BEFORE YOU DIVE HEAD FIRST INTO SOCIAL MEDIA....
Do you have a website to direct traffic to?
Have you established your goals and
expectations?
Do you have a person or team dedicated to
managing your social media pages?
Have you established who you are trying to
reach?
Is your intended audience using social media?

6. THE USUAL SUSPECTS: LET’S FOCUS
The Basics:
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Additional Exploration:
LinkedIn
Google +
Tumblr
Meet-Up
It’s better to choose a few networks to dedicate your time
to, than to over extend on too many networks.

7. LET’S GET TECHNICAL…….
Visit LFSVA’s YouTube Channel to view videos that walk you through
establishing new accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lfsva%2C+channel&lclk=ch
annel/a

8. BLOG
Easy to use blogging platforms:
Blogger
Wordpress
Tumblr
Learn from the best by reviewing these popular church blogs:
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog

9. FACEBOOK
Example of a good/popular church facebook fan page:
http://www.facebook.com/hillsongchurch?ref=search&sid=594589675.24294106
29
Creating interesting/sharable content: (Your pictures can say 1000 words)
http://nonprofitorgs.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/11-types-of-photos-nonprofits-
should-post-on-social-media/

10. TWITTER
• 5 Types of tweets that are guaranteed to get reposted.
http://nonprofitorgs.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/five-types-of-nonprofit-
tweets-guaranteed-to-get-retweeted/

11. YOUTUBE
• Create a channel (This helps you build a brand or online identity)
• Your YouTube can be created through an existing gmail account.
• The Viral Trap: Set realistic goals/expectations. Your content is a success if
your intended audience watches it.
• Animoto is a great FREE tool: Visit www.animoto.com to try the online
video creating tool. You can request a free upgraded account for your
nonprofit.
• Here’s an example of what Animoto can do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbtwWZJl3po&feature=plcp

12. ADDITIONAL EXPLORATION
Google +
Tumblr
Meet-Up

13. Mobile
Marketing
for
Churches
by Mobile
Marketing
IM

14. MOBILE MARKETING: YOU CAN USE IT TO GET A
MESSAGE OUT THERE OR REQUEST
DONATIONS.
Broadcast: Donations:
Upcoming 1. Text to voice donations: When
persons respond to your text, you
events, alerts, or can call them to take a donation
inspirational over the phone.
messages. 2. Mobile Web site donations:
Provide a link through text to a
mobile web page to make a
donation.
My pick for text
marketing: Find the rest here:
http://www.nten.org/blog/2010/09/1
Simple Texting 3/7-ways-nonprofits-use-mobile-
phones-rake-cash-monies