Social Media
Ministry Outreach Mistake #1 -No Ministry Website! Really?
Sep 15th
At least once a year, I’m led to readdress MOUNDS of questions I get every year from Ministry Leaders about NEW MEDIA and OUTREACH
STRATEGIES. One of the first topics I like to address is the importance of having a website as an EVANGELISM AND OUTREACH TOOL.
Yep, that’s my FIRST STRATEGY, for all the RIGHT reasons!
Strategy #1 : GET A WEBSITE!
Do you feel like you can’t afford a customized website that you can be proud of?
Do you still have trouble understanding why the world is so excited about having an online presence?
Let’s face it. Even though we live in the digital age with new technology and multimedia all around, there are still many legitimate churches and ministries that don’t have an online home.
That’s right, even though “Do you have a website?” or “What’s your website address?” is generally the first question most folks ask when they learn of your ministry or church, you might be surprised at how many pastors of smaller ministries, think a nice customized website is out of their reach.
But, that is FAR from the truth!
As I dive into my first strategy, I think it’s important to explore all aspects of web development, I like to call this web development 101.
By the time I’m done dissecting this strategy for evangelism outreach and ministry marketing, I hope you’ll close this chapter with a wealth of new found understanding, that will allow you to make informed decisions as you explore all the possibilities of having a great online presence by starting with the basics and getting a website.
What’s So Great About Having A Website, Anyway?
From a ministry outreach perspective, I believe there is no better way to reach the masses than by having a website and taking advantage of the Power of New Media.
Month after month and year after year I hear great testimonies about how using new media, particularly having a website has positioned ministries in front of audiences they never would’ve imagined.
For instance, one of the best examples I can give on “What’s so great about having a website?” has to do with one of the first case scenarios I’d ever been involved with years ago back in the early 2000s.
Here’s what happened when I and my former business partner helped provide a website presence for a small church in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Church Example #1
The ministry was transitioning with a new name and new location, that capped off with a new website. The goal was to give online visitors instant access to the church’s vision, mission, style of worship and pastoral philosophy.
In one case, a woman was relocating from New York City to Terre Haute and was looking for a church. She searched the internet, found the church’s new website and then visited the church as soon as she moved to town.
As you can imagine, that was a pretty great result for this small ministry and reiterated, why it was so important for that ministry to upgrade and
“GET A WEBSITE!”
Church Example #2
Another example that comes to mind has to do with a pastor who was very excited about being a guest on a national television broadcast. He was being interviewed about a new book and was also going to discuss the new prayer initiative God had given him.
After the broadcast thousands of people visited his site and within 24 hours more than 3 thousand people committed to being a part of his prayer initiative through his website. Again, more evidence in this Pastor’s eyes of why it’s so important to GET A WEBSITE!
Next time, I’ll address the question: “What Am I Really Paying For?” & How To Count Up The Real Costs & ROI
Can My Faith-Based Organization Really Prosper Online?
Sep 7th
One of the questions I receive the most from Pastors and Christian Entrepreneurs is “How can I or my organization really prosper online?” The see how “Household Name” Preachers appear to be leveraging their ministry following online or how some secular sales person somehow was able to get 5000 people on his teleconference and they begin to wonder, “can this really be done?”
I’m here to say YES, INDEED!
But the key, is are you willing to do what has to be done and to follow specific instructions in order to see and experience the results that others are experiencing.
Last year by dear friend and colleague Karen Swim hosted an online event entitled “ How To Go From You’ve Got Mail To You’ve Got Money!” One by one, we went through the list of top 10 action items that need to be taken in order for ANYONE to be READY to prosper online.
One of the top mistakes I see being made by many of the entrepreneurs I coach and consult with is the fact that they will not consistently capture the email addresses of those who visit their websites.
For anyone who wants to truly develop a revenue stream online, this is key! People come to your website for a specific reason. You have something they need or something they have been searching for!
Let’s look at this deeper from a ministry perspective:
One of the biggest challenges in ministries large and small is information dissemination, especially when it’s connected to fund-raising. How do you get accurate information out to a concentrated group, quickly in order for them to ACT on the information you’ve provided.
I mean, I have seen it all.
It used to be that ministries would rely on the phone. As a matter of fact, I’ve seen ministries create dynamic “phone tree systems” that never seem to work quite right because one of the branches of the tree seems to always break off.
And while direct mail is definitely effective, if you don’t have the financial structure and foundation to accommodate thousands upon thousands of dollars it costs to develop great direct mail campaigns, like some of the household names in mega ministry, the whole process can be daunting.
Why Supporters Want To Hear From You
Nevertheless, one way or the other you have to be able to communicate with your congregants and those who support your ministry. You need to be able to contact them and tell them about the implementation of the vision God has given you. You need to be able to let them know about the ministry issues and concerns you need them to continue covering in prayer. You also need to be able to let them know about all the great things God continues to birth forth through you and the ministry.
Believe me when I say, not only do they NEED to know, but they want to know as well. Despite your challenges of getting information to them, this is very important.
Don’t Forsake Your Online Home
Once you have your ministry website up and running it’s vital that you leverage your contact with the people who visit your site. If they’re coming to your site, that means they are very interested in what you are doing.
Unfortunately if your ministry doesn’t have a resident “web guru” or can’t afford to pay an outside agency or person to keep your content up to date, many times this part goes overlooked.
Many ministry & marketplace ministry website owners don’t seem to understand the importance of keeping information up to date on their site; Or at the very least sending that new information out to the people who want and need to know the information the most.
One of the easiest ways to do this, is through an email list. Simply put, email weekly or monthly ministry updates to your online audience. The good thing is, it can be as simple or as fancy as you want it to be.
The Biggest Mistake Ministries Make
By far the biggest mistake I see ministries make once they get a website is not capturing the email address of those who visit in order to start an email newsletter or what we can an ezine.
Yes, having an e-newsletter is that important.
It’s so important to non-profit organizations that there is a large percentage of non-profits actually developing and successfully employing fundraising campaigns online.
According to MRSS/Advocacy Institute ENonprofit Benchmarks Study (2005)
Organizations generating the most online advocacy actions had several key characteristics in common:
* larger email lists
* longer-lived online advocacy programs
* larger online communications budgets
* a higher volume of advocacy email messages.
Look at those key common characteristics: larger email lists and higher volume of advocacy email messages.
That’s what you as a pastor or media director has to keep in mind.
“How can I build my email list?”
And, “How can I work my email list?”
Answering these two questions will definitely help usher you in the right direction of developing an effective financial stream online. I’ll help you answer these questions next time I post. But in the mean-time, you TELL me, How Can You Build Your Email List? What Specific actions can you take to work your email list?
Almost forgot, if you need an AFFORDABLE STARTER WEBSITE for your personal ministry or new business be sure to check out AFFORDABLE STARTER WEBSITES. Or if you need a FREE “Get To Know You Session” to chat about your vision and how I may be able to assist you moving forward be sure to BOOK ME ONLINE via my online calendar system. I’d love to talk with you!
You Might Be A Social Media Spammer If …
Aug 19th
Recently I’ve talked to quite a few colleagues who have been SPAMMED via Social Media. Sad thing is, I don’t believe some of the folks SPAMMING even understand or comprehend what they are doing and how their social media spamming is affecting their brand in a BAD WAY.
Unfortunately, many of the folks I’ve observed SPAMMING on Facebook (FB) are leaders of faith-based organizations, including ministries, who don’t really seem to understand the true concept of effective Social Media.
First and foremost, using social media is about BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS!
That’s right!
It’s about cultivating relationships with folks who have like interests and callings who you would value getting to know and value sharing information with that you KNOW they’ve shown a true interest in.
With this in mind, you have to realize that having FB friends doesn’t give you the right to TAG FB friends according to the VALUE you’ve placed on the size of their FB network.
That my friend is an ADDED VALUE, only AFTER you’ve truly established a relationship with the FB friend you are targeting with your EVENT GRAPHICS ETC … which if you’re not careful, can come off as SPAM!
That’s right, there is a such thing as SOCIAL MEDIA SPAM and folks are getting pretty tired of it!
I mean just last week, some Speaker/Author sent me a FB message with a link to a video interview of him being interviewed. Funny and sad thing is, he never said “Hi, I want to share this with you” and definitely NEVER even introduced himself or the reason for sending me this message on FB.
I was totally baffled!
And I have many more friends and colleagues who are feeling the same way.
Here’s how you can determine if you MIGHT be considered a SOCIAL MEDIA (FB) SPAMMER:
- You’ve received more than (1) FB message asking you NOT to place your information and Ads on the wall of a FB friend.
- After you place an ePoster or eFlier on the one of your FB friends, when you go to view it on their wall, you notice that it is GONE. (ie: DELETED)
- One by one, you search out your FB friends who have a seemingly LARGE list of friends and you place some sort of event information on their wall, without even GREETING them or even considering whether or not they would realistically have a genuine interest in your event.
- You create a video and just start randomly placing the video on the walls of your FB friends and they have NO CONNECTION to you or the city in which you or even the TOPIC you are talking about in your video.
- You assume because your new FB FRIEND fits the demographic of your “sales audience” it’s okay to place your products on their wall without even acknowledging doing so and without even have an email, fb or even phone conversation regarding, how you might be able to serve them.
- You assume because your new FB FRIEND serves the same demographic and “sales audience” you do or one that is similar, they won’t mind you sporadically posting on their wall about what you’re doing even though, you’ve never had a REAL online or offline conversation with them.
Now, don’t get me wrong, if you can see yourself in the above list, there’s a small chance that you may not be a SPAMMER, but there’s an even bigger chance that you are operating like one and really have no clue that you are.
If so, read this, digest it, learn from it and MOVE FORWARD. (smile)
Do you have any stories of SOCIAL MEDIA SPAMMING that have rubbed you the wrong way?
How have you handled it?
4th of July (50% off) SPECIAL ends TODAY at 8pm EASTERN.
Jul 5th
Hey there,
I’m doing swell. Had a great time with good friends and my daughters and even was able to keep the Open Prayer Line rockin’ and rollin’ Monday night. I pushed it back to 10:30 and am elated that tons of folks called in to give their special prayer requests. Also thankful that my dear friend Prophetess Tori Johnson Wiley was able to partner with me to minister to the people of God at their point of need!50% DISCOUNT on the project or service of your choice, but you have to register and/or sign up for your project by END OF DAY TUESDAY, July 5, 2011 8pm EST.
Media production services include TV Commercials which are regularly $1500 -2900+ Radio Spots which are regularly $250 – $500.00 and the following PR and Media Consulting services and any of the Media Production services located within my online store. Just type in your DISCOUNT code of 4thofjuly2011 so that your 50% discount will be calculated at the end of your check-out.
Here’s to a productive day!
Dwann
8775959117 ext 3
Ministry Consulting
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Peter Shankman:Seven Ways for Small Biz To Generate Revenue With Social Media RIGHT NOW
Apr 26th
Happy Tuesday,
Many times I come across articles and posts on social media tips, however they tend to leave out a very important item: a specific tip on how “everyday folks” can really leverage social media for a PROFIT.
But today, I’m so excited to share this information on to you. Thanks to my dear friend and colleague Karen Swim for sharing this via her FB page et al.
As Marketplace Kingdom Ambassadors, I believe all of these tips shared by Peter Shankman are quite applicable. And even if your industry isn’t mentioned, I believe with a little bit of brainstorming, some sort of strategy WILL come forth!
Enjoy!
Elder Dwann
www.DwannOlsen.com - 877.595.9117 ext 3
Seven Ways for Small Biz To Generate Revenue With Social Media RIGHT NOW, By Peter Shankman
When I speak at conferences catering to small businesses, I usually show up an hour before the conference starts. I check in, but don’t pick up my own badge. Instead, I scan the badges already spread out, and grab someone else’s – usually someone who runs a small business. I’ve been Jon Michelson, Tyrese McHale, and my personal favorite, Gordon Brown (not that one), all of whom own small businesses, and all of whom are looking for the magic bullet that will convince them that social media actually works for them – will actually make them money, will actually help them sell product, and isn’t the next BS thing they hear about every day on the radio, on TV, and through friends who haven’t a clue.
The Top 2 Missing Links in Media Ministry Departments
Mar 28th
The more and more I speak with Ministry Media Directors and Pastors about their media ministries the more I see 2 integral missing links that seem to be gravely OVERLOOKED in Media Ministry.
Strategic Prayer & Strategic Equipping.
Strategic Prayer as a TEAM and even as prayer points that the intercessory team covers weekly, seems to be highly overlooked and disregarded from a Media Ministry perspective.
Unfortunately, many LEADERS relegate the operations of this ministry to talents and giftings and have somehow negated the fact that Ministry Media and EVANGELISM go hand-in-hand.
As a matter of fact, Ministry Media is GLOBAL EVANGELISM at it’s best, when done with a Spirit of Excellence.
As such, though we may not recognize it, it’s one of the biggest fought ministries in Christendom in the natural and in the spirit.
Though we live in a tech-savvy world that seems to OVERDOSE on social-media updates and viral videos, folks in the church sometimes attribute this as reason not to invest MORE in”high-end” media ministry.
You see, many times decision-makers hesitate to invest in Ministry Media to the level they need to and believe half-trained, burned-out volunteers can handle the load and every aspect of the ministry.
Sometimes this is the mind-set that lingers almost until a major catastrophe within this ministry can’t be avoided.
Decision makers tend to forget or may not even realize how important it is to have professionally
trained media professionals and passionate willing-to-learn-and-be-taught volunteers on hand.
There should be regular opportunities of equipping and training volunteers, just like they are equipped and trained in corporate America.
Why should the Kingdom, expect or do less?
In my ebook: “How To Start A Quality TV Broadcast Ministry On A Budget“ Here’s what I write about the necessity of choosing the RIGHT volunteers :
“You have to be realistic when you examine the experience and skill level of your ministry volunteers. Some of your volunteers may be ready to dive in, some may not be. That’s why it is so important to make sure you have a media consultant who can help guide you through the process if there is no one in your ministry who meets these criteria.
More than likely, you will exist as the Executive Producer of your broadcast, because only you know the exact scope of the Vision God has given to you for your broadcast. Your media consultant may then exist as Consultant or Supervising Producer if there is no one in your ministry to fill this role.”
Strategic Prayer for Media Ministry Team is KEY!
Last but definitely NOT least, the Bible tells us that the Enemy is the “Prince of the Power of the Air” (Ephesians 2:2). If this is so, why would we NOT think, he’d try his best to come against Media Ministries which are used as evangelism outreach to the masses?
Just think, even if we look at this from a very simple perspective, we can probably agree that chaos and confusion often come through via radio airwaves and TV airwaves.
In today’s world with the onslaught of new media and web 2.0, there’s definitely something to be said regarding strategic intercession on behalf of media ministry departments in every church that proclaims spreading the gospel through some form of EVANGELISM.
I think it’s VITAL to ministries really be able to achieve the God-ordained Vision placed before them.
How often do you intercede for your Media Ministry Team?
How often does your Media Ministry Team pray together?
How often does your team of volunteers receive industry training?
Join Me For Prayer TONIGHT!
By the way, I’ll be praying for 5-fold Ministry Church & Marketplace Leaders tonight at 10pm EST. Join me and the team by dialing 7124321630 code 418609
Maximize your eEvangelism via Social Media without Burning Yourself Out!
Feb 2nd
“I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence. “
Frederick Douglass
Or at least one essence of it. Many times I hear Pastors and ministry leaders “fretting” about social media and how ‘impersonal” it is and WHY there’s just not enough time in their day to really TAKE IT ON.
A tid-bit to my surprise, (lol) when I walked into the auditorium, the hall was PACKED, with faces I recognized and many more I didn’t. Sure enough, many reported they had been invited via their friend or saw a post or email on the event. They were happy to be there and I was more happy to see them. Here’s a photo from the service.



“You have to be realistic when you examine the experience and skill level of your ministry volunteers. Some of your volunteers may be ready to dive in, some may not be. That’s why it is so important to make sure you have a media consultant who can help guide you through the process if there is no one in your ministry who meets these criteria.
