Archives For social media

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Eight Ways Churches Should Be Using Social Media

Chris —  September 11, 2014

Whether you are a world-renown brand or a local handyman, you can’t get away from social media.

Social Media is often the first way people will encounter you. It’s a contributing factor to your search rankings. It’s a sign that you are alive and participating in today’s world.

Social media is not sexy. It’s not (necessarily) going to drive a lot of traffic to your website. It’s not going to make you the coolest new church or ministry in town.

It is like one of my clients has said, “table stakes.” Like the phone book decades back, it’s part of doing business.

In my day job, I help individuals, businesses and non-profits tell their story with content and social media marketing. I try to apply the same rules to myself, and to our church community, Austin Mustard Seed. Although, as a landscaper too busy to care for his ugly yard, I don’t always represent the ideal I want for others.CHURCHES (1)

Churches have to be on social media. But they need to be there thoughtfully, purposefully and personally. Here are eight
ways that your Church should be using social media Continue Reading…

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Why We Have to Stop Trying to Sound Smart on the Internet

Chris —  August 17, 2011

 

At some point, somewhere around 1999, people realized that:

1) You could make big money on the Internet.

2) Anyone could publish on the internet.

Social media over has increased #2 trying to accomplish #1 exponentially.

The problem is that, in order to stand out among the voices, we have to convince people that we are smart and should be listened to.  For some this is easy. Seth Godin was the expert on permission marketing long before there were targeted Facebook sidebars.  Rick Warren was already the king of pithy one liners before he became the king of the retweets.

Most of don’t have the authority of Seth Godin or the communication skills of Rick Warren.  And because of the immediacy of social media publishing, we don’t think about what we are saying or edit our words.

The end result is a lot of voicing clamouring to prove to world that they are an authority on something.  Realistically, most of us aren’t authorities.  Even if we are, the chances are that we will never make a living doing this.

What if, instead of trying to sound smart on the internet, we just talked about stuff we know and stuff we like.  Twitter is the new cocktail party, and no one likes standing next to some guy trying to prove how smart he is.

If you’re going to publish online, just talk about what you love and pick your words carefully.  You may never get thousands of followers or make a lot of money, but at least you will be honest and likable.

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How Facebook Causes Depression

Chris —  April 11, 2011

I gave up Facebook for Lent.  Many people ask how I could not be on Facebook since I’m posting there almost every day.  Two reasons:

1) My blog, www.chrismorton.info, autoposts to Twitter and Facebook.

2) I’ve been able to use the time this has freed up to be more creative, and write more, thereby producing more of said autoposts.

Besides being more creative, spending less time on Facebook has helped with the sense of depression I often experience.  I’m not sure if there’s any scientific studies to back this up, but anecdotally, I can think of three ways social networking darkens my days.

First, there is the constant reminders of relationships you don’t have.  There’s the old friends you’ve lost touch with and the girls that got away.  They are constant reminders of brighter days and deep friendships that are now distant memories.  It makes me fantasize of what life would have been like if I hadn’t moved, had been bold enough to ask someone out or had got the job I wanted.

Second, there is a sense of social isolation.  Reading one’s Newsfeed is much like being in a room full of people, and having no one who will talk to you.  It seems like everyone else is so happy and engaged.  It seems like you are invisible to them.

Thirdly it’s just a waste of time.  Spending hours reading the status updates of people I barely know or looking at pictures of parties I didn’t go to keeps me from eating with friends, writing in my journal, working on my homework or making myself or my world a better place.

This Lenten break from Facebook has been really good thing. I’m trying to figure out how I’ll limit my usage after Resurrection Day.  Social media is a tool, but I’ve been using it like a drug.  Lent has helped me see that this is a dangerous addiction.

What about you?  How do you use Facebook and other social media?  Do you feel like it has improved your relationships? How have you limited its affect on your non-digital life?
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