You’ll find the true power of social media for your church once you stop using it to merely promote your church and its events. Social media is meant to be social, not another cog in a marketing machine.
Unfortunately, most people don’t know what to use social media for if not for marketing. How do you get people to respond and engage with your content? You do it by providing content people want to see.
These five types of social media posts work. People respond to these. See if you can use them in your church and start engaging with your community and congregation.
1. Pictures
We live in a visual world. People respond to pictures. And it’s so easy to take a great picture with the combination of iPhones and things like Olloclips. Why not take a picture of an event instead of writing about it? Why not share a visual quote? How about a meme?
2. Questions
Simple questions get huge responses. Instead of trying to psyche people up about your Christmas services this year, why not ask what their favorite part from last year was? What are you looking forward to this year? What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Questions will get responses. Responses mean people are engaging with and trusting your church.
3. Free Stuff
Why not do giveaways? “First person to like this tweet gets a free book.” Or you can make some cool iPhone wallpaper people can use. Be creative and give to your followers.
4. Funny Stuff
Share a funny Bible joke or a funny story from last week. How does a wildcat like his steak cooked? Raaaaare!
5. Encouragement
Share a good quote or a Bible verse. At any given moment, people are dealing with difficulties. Show your church is a place of encouragement by echoing that encouragement through social media.
6. Inflammatory Posts
I didn’t include this sixth post in my count, because although it works, I don’t recommend it. But you’ve seen that inflammatory posts work. If you attack a church leader or politician, you’ll most definitely get engagement. But remember, Jesus told us that people will know we are Christians by our love for one another. Not for how many retweets we can get by calling out someone for their bad doctrine or stance on a political issue.
Let’s love our communities and congregations by adding value to their lives. Use social media as a tool to enrich the communication between you and your church, and you’ll see the medium come to life for you.
Jonathan Malm is a creative entrepreneur and writer. He is the author of Created for More (Moody, 2014), a 30-day devotional to help you develop a more creative mind.
[Church steeple image via liquidnight via Compfight cc]
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