This one is “global” though…!
Someone passed me a link to this Christian social network and of course I had to take a look. Here’s what they’ve got to say about themselves:
Cross.tv is a multi-lingual, faith-based, online social media community which is a free service for everyone to enjoy. Cross.tv’s values and moral standards provide a family-friendly online network featuring various media sharing functionalities.
Fun!
π
This social network isn’t doing anything revolutionary or outside the box as I’ve seen it, unless I’m missing something.
I think they have missed one critical point, especially in their explanation for the ads and advertising on the site:
Advertisers who seek to target a faith-based audience in a certain language or region have had very limited options, until today.
Faith-based websites are usually careful to implement ads through a common AdNetworks, as incoming ads can only be filtered to a limited degree. Because of this limitation in filtering, there remains a certain danger for ads to suddenly appear on their faith-based website which may compromise their users values. This predicament limits faith-based websites in regards to advertising monetization.
cross+ads seeks to respond to the needs of marketers seeking to target faith-based audiences worldwide as well as publishers of faith-based websites who seek to advance their ad revenue through positive ads of interest to their users.
I don’t think advertisers that seek to target a faith-based audience has had limited options at all. I think the issue is that they are simply ignorant and/or uneducated on advertising within the online space. Or, they don’t do their due-diligence.
Also, you can definitely filter. This doesn’t limit faith-based websites at all. I think we just need to call it for what it is in terms of our “motivation” for advertising:
Money.
Be wise, be respectful, and do your homework. Even for the 8BIT properties we’ve had some serious issues with our RSS Feed advertising and we’re going to correct that pretty soon (most likely just stop doing it after our trial and testing is complete).
Thanks for those that have noticed and sent us emails! We appreciate it a lot!
Michael Hyatt says
Great. Christians can segregate themselves into yet another ghetto and avoid any meaningful contact with unbelievers. Uh, no thanks!
Stacey says
Took the words out of my mouth!
danielcberman says
For all of the dissing that Christian social networks have received, there is a need for encouragement of intra-church and para-church organization communication for improved ministry cooperation. That said Cross.tv may be entirely the wrong way to do it
Maybe something for the roadmap of SoChurch 2.0?
joanna says
I suspect most of the time it isn’t going to be used for ministry cooperation. It will probably just turn into a lame christian version of myspace where people think they are being salt and light because they talk about Christian stuff but there isn’t any non Christians around to hear it.
danielcberman says
In regards to cross.tv, you are probably correct. But if it were possible to encourage ministry cooperation between churches and parachurch organizations, what would you see as first steps to make that happen?
joanna says
And what is with the gold plated USB drives they are selling as a fundraiser? If I was going to buy an expensive gold item it certainly wouldn’t be a USB drive because I leave them behind by accident in computer labs way too often
Daniel Decker says
Lame. π
Sam.T says
hm…is it my internet connection or the site seems laggy and bloated ?
paul landin says
I think christian social networks are great, also the christian website like http://www.vchristianstore.com that provide teenagers with christian clothing are doing a great job.
Daniel Berman says
Naming something “Christian” for the “Christian” market does not “Christian” make it. Its about a relationship with God, accepting and believing that Jesus died for for our rejection of Him.