Harnessing the power of new media in your ministry By Lisa Hendey & Matthew Warner
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@MatthewWarner
Lisa M. Hendey Lisa Hendey = “CatholicMom.com” Twitter.com/LisaHendey Facebook.com/LisaHendey YouTube.com/LisaHendey
“ New horizons are now open that were until recently unimaginable; they stir our wonder at the possibilities offered by these new media and, at the same time, urgently demand a serious reflection on the significance of communication in the digital age th World Communications Day
Truth Proclamation Authenticity of Life 45 th World COMMUNICATIONS DAY
Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization Value of silent reflection Necessity of finding quiet in an increasingly busy world 46 th World COMMUNICATIONS DAY
Vatican Blogger Meeting
Current Trends – “Reality” 80% of Americans use social media 79% of all adults use the internet (95% of young adults) 80% of Americans use 68% of churchgoers want to connect with their Church via social media
Current Trends – “Reality” 71% of online Americans use video-sharing sites The average teenager sends out 50 txt msgs / day 85% of adults use cell phones & 35% use smartphones e-Readership doubled in 6 months - to 12% in May 2011 (tablets = 8%) Pew Internet Data
Pew Internet June 2011 Stickiness: SNS Frequency of Use
Current Trends – Millennial Catholics 22% have read diocesan newspaper (only 4% online) 70% have no awareness of print Catholic magazines & newspapers 43% self report as “Catholic” on social networking sites Catholic Media Use in the US, CARA 8/11
5 New Media Rules of Ministry Communication
Rule #1 The parishioner is in control
Respect their time & attention
Make it easy for them to connect
Speak to people in the ways they want to listen …which means using new media.
Listen more than you talk.
Rule #2 Your website matters
Your website matters Leaves lasting first impression of your parish Avoid committing “deadly sins” Website is your New Media home base – Information resource – Connection to community
Your website matters Invest in a great website presence Have multiple authors involved Observe USCCB guidelines Offer online registration & tithing Tell your parish story Reach out to inquirers & fallen-away
What parishioners want Bulletin online early Mobile version Online Forms and registration Active Facebook presence for wired parishioners and teens Online stewardship Ride sharing resources Priestly presence Ministry schedule information Homilies available online Q & A with Pastor Photos, photos, photos Religious education resources Opt-in text reminders
Rule #3 Reach people where they already are
Being present is not enough
Social Network
WEB 2.0 Broadcasting -> Monologue -> Talking AT -> Informing -> Engaging Dialogue Talking WITH Listening and Relating
How? How NOT to...
$$$ followers traffic “friend” counts shares klout likes visitors hits fans comments views PEOPLE
If you shoot for quantity at the expense of quality, you’ll end up with neither.
Build your social network upon meaningful relationships
Social Network = Connection + Content
Connection How the conversation happens The occasion for the conversation Content
5 Quick Tips for Building Connections
#1 Use other social networks
#2 Don’t forget Examples: Feedburner.com & Aweber.com (for blogs) Constant Contact & Mailchimp ( marketing) flockNote.com (Catholic parishes, dioceses, orgs)
#3 Use text messaging
#4 Encourage social commenting
#5 Use multimedia
Rule #4 Don’t give up
Don’t give up “Be not afraid” Tap into local and diocesan talent & resources Explore affordable cloud-based solutions: Wordpress, Drupal, Google
Rule #5 Engage their hearts first
3 Reasons for lack of participation People aren’t inspired We’re in maintenance mode Parishioners don’t trust us
Technology is not going to bring people back to the church. You are. People are. And through building meaningful relationships.
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Best Practices Panel Craig Berry – The Catholic Spirit Emily Klinker – Guardian Angels Chaska Caren Hansen – BSM Jr. / Sr. High School Sue Kerr – Carondolet Grade School Adrian Flores – Net Ministries Stephanie Veatch – Basilica of St. Mary
Questions?
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