This is part 1 of a 5-part series on using Facebook for churches.
Even though the team I serve with is amazing, I have to say that getting this social media thing right has been a battle, specifically with Facebook. A lot of it was my own insecurity, because I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. Once I got over that, though, I started getting more confident and felt ready to establish goals for the church and staff (and inspire them to use it!).
The biggest hurdles were the preconceived notions people had about Facebook. I heard everything from, “I don’t have time for that nonsense,” to “I don’t care what people have for lunch everyday,” and “I don’t want people knowing every detail of my life.” I realized that most of this was coming from people who hadn’t even looked at Facebook.
Rather than beg, I started gathering stories and talking about Facebook every time we were together as a staff. Whenever it came up in conversation, I was ready with a real-life example. Before I knew it, I wasn’t the only one sharing stories.
That was my first and most important victory. Get your church staff to care about Facebook by sharing why it matters. Share the stats and share real life stories of how Facebook can help your church connect.
- Part 2: How Our Church Uses Facebook
- Part 3: Pastors on Facebook
- Part 4: Resources
- Part 5: Next Steps
Paul Hickernell
June 14, 2010
Our hurdle was not getting the staff to care as much as getting the church family to care. Mainstream media comes to Western PA last. So, our communication goal is to help the church family see Facebook as one more effective way to help us stay connected to our stories, needs and concerns. Like your context this is a big ship and takes a while to turn. Your emphasis on sharing the stories is right on. thank you.
Paul Steinbrueck
June 14, 2010
My church has had a Facebook page for a while now – http://www.facebook.com/cypressmeadows. We’ve got a fair % of members and regular attenders as fans. We’re using it primarily as a broadcast medium, so pageviews to the fan page have been ok but there has been little interaction.
Probably our biggest success with Facebook was when we used Facebook Ads to promote our Christmas production to people in the community. I wrote about that here:
How Facebook Ads Filled My Church
http://blog.ourchurch.com/2010/01/29/how-facebook-ads-filled-my-church/
bondChristian
June 14, 2010
Not disagreeing, but another way to put it would be just to share that Facebook matters, which is what I think you were doing.
I’ve noticed that when I try to explain why it’s so wonderful, I lose people. For whatever reason, they just have objections, which leads to me answering them but no one just trying it out.
So instead, just sharing what’s going on – as you did – instead of a benefits-driven “sales pitch” usually adds a curiosity level to it. I’m not one of those people who’s against the dreaded sales pitch, but most people won’t get Facebook until they’ve actually tried it and connected with people.
Then it takes off…
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Danielle Hartland
June 15, 2010
Paul – where in Western PA are you? I’m in Erie.
Jason
September 2, 2013
Wondering where these comments stand now, three years later. How big of shift has Facebook made for your church?