Recently, Seth Godin lauded the advantages of YouTube over traditional advertising. (We assume he was motivated to write this after seeing our poll question this week. Thanks, Seth!) And it seems like the new measure of success these days is YouTube views. All this online video got us to wondering just how much churches have hopped on the bandwagon of “viral videos.”
There are still 41% of you who would prefer the lead story in a local or regional newspaper about your church over a YouTube hit.
But a whopping 59% of you would prefer tons and tons of views on a YouTube video done by your church.
You have to ask yourself questions of target audience, end goals and, in these days, whether you’re all right with people being a part of your church only online. All in all, these were some surprising findings. Let’s just hope your YouTube aspirations don’t end up like this.
This week we’re asking if your church has an emergency plan to deal with tragic situations.
Chris Denham
April 28, 2009
Great question – not surprised at the result though as churches, and I guess people in general, are very good at thinking they are better than they are. The idea of getting a successful YouTube video that is seen by thousands of people seems like a great plan for exposure but in reality it’s pretty pie in the sky for most people. Big hits on YouTube come almost from left field sometimes! On the otherhand, getting a press release in your local or regional paper is very easy if you can find the right angle and get writing regularly.
I think the important thing is we diversify… keep doing the media, keep sending out the press releases, keeping looking for every opportunity to get your church known!
Michael Buckingham
April 29, 2009
You’re a local church, without local attention what good are lots of hits on your funny YouTube video?
I think YouTube, Vimeo are great things to take advantage of but better than local attention? Yes, it’s a great tool but if people in your area, your neighbors aren’t seeing it what good is it?For the local church it’s about local media, local efforts, etc.