Planning social media

For Parishes and Education

Facebook Users

Twitter Users

Google+ Users

YouTube Videos Watched

CARA Study Of Catholics Online 62% have a Facebook account

17% have a LinkedIn account

15% have a Google+ account

13% have a Twitter account

50% share to Tumblr at least once a day

44% share to Instagram at least once a day

34% share to Twitter at least once a day

20% share to Google+ and Pinterest at least once a day

CARA Study Catholics Online Only 31% have a profile identifying them as Catholic

95% DO NOT read blogs on the Church or faith

Only 4% go to a parish website for information about the Catholic faith

Only 4% go to Facebook accounts for information about the Catholic faith

It’s . . . Not yet a part of our Church culture . . .

Parish Communication Primarily Looks Like . . .

Parish Communication Online Looks Like . . .

The Plan to Get There

Social Media & Social Networking These terms are often intertwined Social Media is any media that can be commented on and/or

shared Blog posts or online articles Online video Online podcasts Online photos

Social Networks are services for connecting with others online and/or sharing social media Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Etc

The role of social media within parishes and education Provides new avenues of communication Connect and communicate to groups like never before

(Google+ Hangouts, Facebook Groups, Hashtags, etc.)

Connect with parishioners throughout the week

Provide new impactful ways to deliver messages or support a point (i.e. video, podcast, blog article, etc.)

Provide a means to begin a conversation and engage others

Provide a method for getting messages and information out to a larger audience in a more timely manner

What is the role of social networks in parishes or education (cont.) Provide a means to overcome barriers inherent to print

(i.e. time, one way communication, etc.)

Allows the parish community to evangelize as a group internally and externally

“in these spaces, it is not only ideas and information that are shared, but ultimately our very selves.” – Pope Benedict "Social Networks: portals of truth and faith; new spaces for evangelization."

The elements of planning social media/networking The 5 W’s of a plan

Why

What

Who

When

Where

Why Should We Do This? Preceeded by a need

A barrier you want to overcome Something you want to improve Etc.

Find the real purpose - How will this technology contribute to the solution?

Avoid just looking to gain simple exposure (i.e. the SEO Trap)

Examples Keep parishioners better informed Share events highlights that people may have been unable to

attend Open up dialogue

What Services & What Do We Do With Them? Choosing services to use

Your audience is your parishioners first and foremost

Where are they (i.e. Facebook. Google+, Twitter, etc.)?

What is it you wish to achieve, overcome, or improve

You do NOT need to use all of them. Use the tool(s) that fits your needs

What types of content? Think of the bulletin without bounds

Make it fun and interesting Check-in at Mass and events

Ask for photos others have taken and give them credit

Welcome comments and discussion

Multiple Services Is A Good Thing

Consistency Is Key

Who Will Do This? Form a web/digital ministry

A website person A social networking manager A photographer A videographer Set up processes for gathering content and media Existing office staff can be involved as well (i.e. managing the

parish social pages and/or Twitter account)

Common errors Placing everything on one person and assuming they can do it

all Assuming it’s only young people that can do these things Not asking for help

Where Does This Take Place? Posting and updating

Thanks to mobile – ANYWHERE

Don’t be bound to just the office

Your web/digital ministry leader should have an open line of communication with the office

Should meet with the Pastor and/or Parish Manager at least bi-weekly to discuss ideas and/or issues

The Ministry members should have an open-line of communication and meet monthly to discuss ideas and issues

When Should All This Happen? Start small and add over time

Don’t be afraid to experiment It will evolve over time Set goals and target dates

Postings and content updates MUST be ongoing but with awareness of your audience Over-sharing is a common mistake on “pages” (i.e.

Facebook, Google+) Combine photos and share at one time in an album Quality vs. Quantity – Posts should be meant to engage not just

about simple exposure

Schedule for events and who can cover them for photos, video, etc.

Applications to Help You Manage Managing multiple networks

Hootsuite (Hootsuite.com) Sprout Social (SproutSocial.com)

Mobile Applications Twitter app (allows for multiple accounts) Tweetcaster Hootsuite Facebook Pages Manager Google+ Wordpress Blogger YourTube

A Basic Model May Look Like . . . A Pastor’s blog

You have a Wordpress website and will inlude the blog on there. The Pastor isn’t comfortable with the platform so he will email the

text to the parish webmaster once or twice a week. The parish webmaster will them cut-n-paste the text to a post and

publish. The post will be shared out on the parish Facebook page and Twitter

account. The pastor will check the post throughout the week to respond to

any comments if necessary

A Facebook Page Assign at least 2 administrators Post one to two times per day (i.e. daily readings, events, new

photos, etc.) Check each day for new comments you might need to respond to

Online Support & Ideas Google+ Communities

Catholic New Media & Tech

Facebook Group Tech Support Group For Churches

Blogs for ideas and guidance CatholicTechTalk.com

CatholicMom.com

WordOnFire.org

Organizations Peter and Paul Ministries (PeterAndPaulMinistries.com)

Pilot New Media (PilotNewMedia.com)

Examples . . . My Church . . .