Prioritize Community to win Converts with Digital Ministry

Last month the U.S. Surgeon General released an Advisory stating that we are in an epidemic of loneliness. In the report, Dr. Vivek Murthy says, “Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders. Together, we can build a country that’s healthier, more resilient, less lonely, and more connected.”

Hebrews 10:25 immediately comes to mind. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Jesus’ disciples were called to follow him. But, have you ever noticed that Jesus didn’t call them all one-by-one? In fact, the first disciples were already living and working in community, and they all responded to Jesus’ call together. 

Mark 1:16-20 shows us that Jesus called Simon and Andrew first, and then “going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in the boat mending nets.” Anyone who has ever visited a fishing village knows that everyone knows everyone in these communities. Simon, Andrew, James, and John likely grew up together, and it was these four men around whom Jesus began to build his ministry. 

Similarly, most of our own church experiences likely include a friend inviting us to church, sharing the Gospel with us, or coming to faith within our family communities. 

If community is core to discipleship and disciple making, why then do most digital ministries engage in transactional Gospel initiatives with little thought or structure to engage people into Gospel communities? The simple answer is that most digital media teams are centralized, while Discipleship Communities are localized - geographically and/or by language. 

What would it look like if new converts, or those curious about the Gospel, were to be welcomed into a community of believers? Here are three ideas for how your centralized digital ministry team can work to build community with and among those whom you are reaching. 

Gather Communities Online

Whatsapp Communities, Facebook Private Groups, Discord Channels, or Discourse Online Communities - Welcome to the world of online communities! The good news is that there are so many options for building community today. These platforms are just a few examples of the wide variety of tools available to ministry teams interested in building community online. Once your team decides on key issues like privacy, group moderation, rules of engagement, and whether or not new members will be vetted in any way, you’ll be able to narrow down these selections to the right tool for your community. For example, a group that wants to qualify new members into a private community may be okay working with Facebook Private Groups. But, if there is a desire to move people onto a more secure platform, a Discourse Online Community may be a better fit. 

Gather Communities Locally

The largest digital ministries, with global reach, may be able to think about gathering or connecting contacts in-person. If your ministry has a concentration of responders/seekers in a major metropolitan area, consider moving people from online to offline by hosting an in-person event. While working with a national ministry on digital outreach campaigns, this author realized that the ministry had an opportunity to create a meetup. We hosted a public meetup in a well known city park where hundreds of people attended to listen to preaching, participate in worship, and receive Gospel materials from local pastors. The outcome was that many were connected face to face with local church partners in a single event. MII understands that security concerns and other circumstances may limit local gatherings. That is why we’re big fans of local partnerships!

Partner with Existing Communities

Local pastors or missionaries exist throughout the world. These brothers and sisters are uniquely equipped and positioned to minister to their local community, all while that local community may be using digital tools to seek out their answers about Jesus. This is where your ministry has an opportunity to be a connecting ministry. MII serves many teams that conduct initial follow up digitally, eventually working to connect seekers with qualified partners in local areas ready to engage with new believers or those with questions about the faith. As we read in John 17, the world will know that Jesus is from the Father by the unity shown among believers. 

Perhaps the biggest opportunity we have today, as believers engaging in digital ministry working among people suffering from a lack of community, is to invite online contacts into a loving Gospel community. Online, offline, or through partnerships with others, there are many opportunities to engage with seekers today. 

The Power of Storytelling in Social Media

Donald Miller, author of Hero on a Mission, unveils the power of story. While a 30-minute PowerPoint presentation may be a challenge to pay attention to, watching a 2-hour movie just seems more possible.  A storyline captures our imagination and draws us in.  This is the power of story.  

As Christians, we know the power of story firsthand as well. We know that the stories of the Bible are formative to our faith and to our lives.  The power of the stories of David and Goliath, Moses and the 10 Commandments, and Joseph and Mary’s Bethlehem adventure, all capture our imagination and our hearts.  They are formative to us.  

We should capitalize on the power of storytelling through social media in our ministry.  We have the ability to tell stories in a way that has never really been done before and we must utilize this to its fullest impact.  Leverage the power of storytelling by considering these 3 opportunities to tell a captivating story for your ministry:

1.  Tell Bite-Sized Stories

   Utilize the feature of reels and stories to tell smaller stories.  For example, share about the problem that your ministry is currently working on, then follow that post a day later with a second story about how your ministry is helping to solve this problem, and finally share a final post a day later sharing the results of what impact this work had.  According to recent studies, the average viewing time of a Facebook video is 5 seconds, so make sure to make these bite-sized stories short, sweet, and to the point.  

2. Clarify the Characters

   As you tell stories on social media, make sure that you clarify the message and the characters of the story.  The power of the simple story of Jesus is clean and concise.  No matter who is viewing your posts, they have problems and pain that only Jesus can heal.  Also, clarify what role your ministry plays in the story.  Tell them how you are specifically helping in the story of redemption.  Finally, make sure that they have a role in the story as well.  Define for them how they can also be part of the story and the role that they can play.  Viewers become heroes, you become the guide, and sin is the enemy.  This is captivating storytelling.

3. Tell Their Stories

   One of the recurring themes within social media is the power of engagement.  Inviting user- created content, resharing their stories, and finding ways to tell the story of others will propel your ministry to the next level.  Sharing begets sharing in both the natural and digital world.  Be those who readily share the stories of those who engage with your content.  Share the stories of lives being transformed.  Share the stories of those who have sacrificed and given of themselves for the benefit of your ministry and the Kingdom.  

It has been said that the best story always wins, and this rings true for social media.  Utilize these tips this week to tell the incredible stories that are happening around you.  Leverage the beauty of pictures, videos, and user-generated content to tell a story that captivates hearts and minds.   

Thinking like a seeker

The Seeker is Always First

You may have heard this common phrase in business - “The Customer is always right.”  It’s a great idea, but one that may be lost in this maxim. A better phrase may be, “The Customer is always first,” or better yet, “Think about the customer (seeker) first.” When you do this, you'll create campaigns that are more effective and more likely to resonate with your target audience. You'll also build stronger relationships with your ministry contacts, which will lead to repeat engagement and effective communication of the Gospel.

But what does it really mean to put the seeker first? (In this article we’ll use “seeker” generically to mean those we are reaching with the Gospel) It means understanding their needs and wants, and then designing your marketing messages and campaigns around those needs and wants. It means listening to your seekers and responding to their feedback. And it means making it easy for seekers to engage with your ministry.

When you put the seeker first, you're essentially saying that you care about them. This shows that you're not just trying to get them to the next step in your funnel, but that you're actually interested in helping them solve a problem or find answers in their life. This kind of attitude is incredibly valuable today, where seekers have more distractions, loneliness, and content than ever before.

Let’s go back to the business examples for two reasons - First, we’re all familiar with these companies, and because we’ve all experienced interactions with these brands, our individual experiences can be transferred into the experience that we’re trying to build for those we are trying to reach. There are many examples of companies that have had great success by thinking about the customer first. 

For example, Apple is known for its focus on user experience. The company's products are designed to be easy to use and intuitive, and they're packed with features that make people's lives easier. But, Apple doesn’t market the features of their product. Apple is famous for showing customers what they can do with their products, or better yet, who they will become. Apple doesn't talk about Apple. Apple makes ad campaigns that focus on YOU. As a result, Apple has become one of the most successful companies in the world.

Another example is Amazon. The company's focus on customer service is legendary. Amazon is known for its quick and easy shipping, its generous return policy, and its helpful customer support. As a result, Amazon speaks directly to the well known needs of their customers, and has become one of the most popular online retailers in the world.

If you want to be successful in ministry, your team needs to put the seeker first. You need to encourage your team to always ask the question, “What does our Persona need?” When you do this, you'll create marketing campaigns that are more effective and more likely to resonate with your target audience. You'll also build stronger relationships with your seekers, which will lead to greater effectiveness in communicating and encouraging engagement with the Gospel.

So how do you put the seeker first? Here are a few tips:

• Understand your target audience. Who is your Persona? What are their needs and wants? What motivates them to engage with your ministry? What are they searching for? Once you understand your target audience, you can tailor your marketing messages to appeal to them.

• Listen to those connecting with your ministry. Don't just talk to your audience, listen to them. What are their complaints? What are their suggestions? When you listen to seekers, you can learn what they need and want, and you can use that information to improve your messaging and offers to engage.

• Make it easy for seekers to engage with you. Make sure your website is easy to use and navigate. Offer clear and concise information. And make it easy for seekers to contact you when they have questions.

• Listen. Yes, we’re repeating this one! Your team needs to truly and carefully listen to those engaging with you. We endeavor to minister to those we are reaching. We are acting in service to those whom we reach. People are more than a KPI. They are more important than your ministry metric that must be reported to donors and your team. Seekers are people in need of a Savior! Listen to them. Serve them. Put their needs above your own. 

We hope these tips help you put the seeker first in your marketing efforts. When you do this, you'll be a more effective minister of the Gospel in a noisy and chaotic online world.

The Importance of Personalization

Personalization Drives Engagement

People are exposed to somewhere between 4,000 and 10,000 marketing messages a day! Most of these messages are ignored. In the age of digital ministry, personalization is more important than ever. With so much noise and competition, it's essential to find ways to stand out from the crowd and connect with your target audience on a personal level.

Personalization can take many forms, from using persona data to create targeted content to using marketing technology tools to deliver personalized experiences. But no matter how you do it, personalization is all about showing your personas that you understand them and that you care about their needs.

When done right, personalization can have a dramatic impact on your ministry results. For example, a study by McKinsey found that companies that use personalization effectively generate 40% more revenue than companies that don't. Your team may not be driving revenue, but we’re all looking to move people from passive observation to engaged conversions. Personalized messaging increases the number of people who will take that step. 

So how do you get started with personalization? Here are a few tips:

1. Start with your persona data. The first step to personalization is to gather as much data about your personas as possible. This data can include things like their demographics, purchase history, and website behavior.
   

2. Use your data to create targeted content. Once you have your data, you can use it to create targeted content that is relevant to your personas' interests. This could include things like email newsletters, blog posts, or social media posts.
   

3. Use Marketing Technology (MarTech) tools to deliver personalized experiences. MarTech can be used to deliver personalized experiences in a number of ways. For example, the business world has many tools that can be deployed to effectively engage ministry audiences. Tools like Customer.io or Personalize can be used to recommend content to personas, personalize website experiences, or even create chatbots that can answer questions.

Personalization is an essential part of any successful digital marketing strategy. By taking the time to personalize your marketing, you can connect with your target audience on a deeper level and drive better results.

"Personalization is the key to marketing in the 21st century. If you want to reach your target audience and make a connection, you need to speak to them in a way that is relevant to them. This means understanding their needs, their interests, and their pain points. It also means using data and technology to deliver personalized messages and experiences." - Seth Godin

So if you're not already personalizing your marketing, now is the time to start. It's the best way to reach your target audience and drive results.

User Engagement on Social Media

Engaging People on Social Media 

The working title for this article was “Audience engagement on Social Media.” But an “audience” isn’t what we’re trying to accomplish in ministry. We don’t want a bigger audience - we want to reach the individual. Doing so effectively will require a shift in thinking. 

Social media is a powerful tool for ministries to connect with the people they are trying to reach. But in order to get the most out of social media, one must understand how users think and what they want.

Users are thinking about themselves, not you.

When users are on social media, they're not thinking about your ministry. They're thinking about themselves, their friends, and their interests. To add to the challenge, users are bombarded with thousands of ads and messages a day, all asking for their attention. So if you want to engage with users, you need to create content that is relevant to them.

Provide a value exchange.

If you want users to go deeper with your ministry, you need to provide them with value. This could be in the form of educational content, entertainment, or even just a sense of community. When users feel like they're getting something out of interacting with your ministry, they're more likely to keep coming back. Many MII ministry teams have had success offering a listening ear and an opportunity to connect. With so many advertisers trying to take something from users, here is an opportunity to give something back. 

Here are some value exchange  ideas that social media teams can offer to users to drive engagement:

• Educational content: Share articles, infographics, and other helpful information that your target audience will find valuable.

• Entertainment: Post funny videos, memes, and other content that will make users laugh. Use humor carefully though. The idea is to be approachable, not offputting. 

• Community: Create a space where users can connect with each other and share their thoughts and experiences. This is a great opportunity for ministry teams. Rather than focusing on one on one conversations, think about how you can create a place for users to talk with each other while you stay engaged with many in the same community. 

• Freebies: Give away free products or services to your social media followers. This can be a great opportunity to distribute resources to users. 

By providing value to users, you can create a strong social media presence that will help you achieve your ministry goals.

Here are some additional tips for increasing user engagement on social media:

• Post regularly. The more often you post, the more likely you are to show up in your users' newsfeeds.

• Use visuals. Images and videos are more likely to be engaging than text-only posts.

• Ask questions. Get your users involved by asking them questions and encouraging them to share their thoughts.

• Be responsive. Respond to comments and questions as quickly as possible. This shows that you care about your users and that you're interested in what they have to say.

By following these tips, you can increase user engagement on social media and reach your target persona more effectively.

Cultivating Curiosity: 2 Simple Steps to Creating a Seeker-Centric Culture

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV)

The story of the Magi has been the inspiration of many Christmas decorations, songs, and even the tradition of gift giving. The gold, frankincense, and myrrh given in the stable are highlights of Christmas celebrations and traditions around the world. And yet, it’s in the midst of this story we find a deeper insight. We find the very first seekers. Those who were known as wise, well read, students of the scriptures and even the stars. There is a word that best describes these Magi from the east, curious.

It is in this same lineage that we find many around the world today. Those who have not yet heard about Jesus, but know that there must be something more to this life. Those who have heard about Jesus, but still haven’t decided what to do with that information. Those who grew up around faith, but have rejected the Gospel message. All of these people have different specific needs, but at the heart of the issue, they are all in need of the greatest answer to their questions - Jesus. We must create cultures within our organization that seek to cultivate curiosity around Jesus. We must offer opportunities for them to seek and discover the baby in the manger for themselves. With this in the forefront of our minds, let us consider 2 simple steps to creating a seeker-centric culture.

1. Stay Curious Yourself

   There is nothing quite like being near someone who has recently surrendered their life to Jesus. The excitement that they have is infectious. They are filled with wonder and awe about why God would freely give them the gift of grace, found in the death and resurrection of Jesus. They are quick to tell others about their experience and about what God has done to transform their life. They have an insatiable hunger and thirst to learn more about the scriptures, prayer, and Jesus. They are more curious about faith in this moment than nearly any other time in their life. 

   You can probably remember when this was your story. When you first heard the Good News of Jesus, and the new life offered through him. You can probably picture your baptism, your first Bible, and your first moments walking with Jesus. You can probably think back to the questions and the curiosity that led to you seeking out this moment. And yet, as the years go by, sometimes these memories seem to fade. Working in ministry can be incredibly life giving, but it can also take much of that initial joy and excitement out of your everyday life.

   Before we reach out to those seeking Jesus, we must rekindle this curiosity within ourselves and within our organizations. Like the church in Ephesus, written from John in Revelation 2, we must not forsake our first love. We must stoke the fires of curiosity, seeking Jesus with the same passion that we had in our first moments of faith. One of the greatest ways to do this is by sharing stories of what Jesus has done recently in our lives. Your culture is shaped by what you celebrate and so you must build into the fabric of the organization the celebration of these moments. At your next staff gathering, spend 5-10 minutes sharing what God has done in the lives of your team, and see how it cultivates curiosity.

2. Ask Great Questions

   The Magi are introduced to us as those who ask great questions. Their curiosity is on display as they search for this king. And their hearts are filled with joy as the answers to these questions are revealed. The heart of a seeker is that they are filled with questions. Questions about life. Questions about faith. Questions about God. They are seeking ways to answer these questions by asking more questions. 

   There is an art to asking great questions. Not surprisingly, this art is found most powerfully in a culture of curiosity. As a leader within your organization, you shape your culture not only by the answers that you give, but as often by the questions that you ask. A genuine interest in your team is seen most clearly in the questions that you ask. An invitation for other’s input and insight is only visible when a great question is asked. You will shape the curiosity within your culture through these questions. Setting the tone that we are an organization that asks great questions is no small feat. We are often prone to simply giving answers far quicker than asking follow up questions. The problem is that we serve those who are seeking by using questions. It is only by embracing this same posture that we will be able to serve them at the highest capacity. 

   Jesus himself modeled this for us. Often in his interactions with people he would ask them a question. It is striking that more than once Jesus asked someone with an obvious physical ailment, “What do you want?” Within this question Jesus was cultivating deeper curiosity. He also genuinely wanted to know the needs of those he served. In order to serve seekers well, we must lead with questions. In your next staff interaction, consider what question that you might ask before you think about the answer that you want to give. 

Cultivating Curiosity with your team will not happen by accident. It is your job to serve and lead your team well through staying curious yourself and asking great questions. Just like the Magi, we are called to be wise within our organizations and lead our teams into greater curiosity. Let us cultivate this culture as we continue to build ministries that shine like the Christmas star in the sky. Let that light shine above the place where the Child King lay. So that many may come to seek and be saved. 

Your Brand Matters More Than You Think It Does

I remember vividly going to a conference in the early 2000’s that was simply titled, “Theology After Google.”  During this riveting multi day conference, we discussed everything from the speed of dial-up and the speed of God, to the impact of Twitter (Instagram hadn’t been invented yet) on churches and ministries.  One specific breakout session that was particularly interesting was on the topic of ministry branding.  The session ended with a fairly heated discussion about whether or not Jesus would have a brand and what he would use social media branding for.  

Years later, this conversation has become even more important. Your audience needs to see you, hear you, and connect to you. Here are 3 suggestions for why your brand matters more to your audience than you think it does.

1. They Need to See You: Coca-Cola is one of the most recognizable brands in the world and it didn’t get that way by accident.  The first rule in Coca-Cola’s marketing is to make sure that they are visible.  They want to make sure that people know they exist.  This means that they spend millions of dollars on getting their logo seen, giving away free Coca-Cola, and purchasing advertisements on any platform that they can. All of this in the name of a sugary, fizzy, beverage.

   Your brand matters more than you think it does because your mission is to share the Good News of Jesus to the world.  If your brand isn’t visible, then no one knows that you exist and no one can access this Good News that you have for them.  You have to commit to making your brand visible to as many people as possible.  As Jesus taught in a parable, to cast a large net.  Visibility is casting the biggest net that you are capable of so that your brand will be seen and that your message can be shared.  They need to see you.

2. They Need to Hear You: The proverbial saying is that a picture is worth a thousand words.  This applies exponentially to your social media ministry.  The posts, reels, and stories that you share tell a story.  They let your audience know your voice and give them insight into who you are and what you exist to accomplish.  This also allows them to get a glimpse of what you have to offer to their lives.  Your brand is your voice.  It speaks for you. It says that you are interested in them, eager to listen, and open to offering help. It tells them that you are a familiar face in a social media landscape full of strangers.  It offers to them your story, connected to their story, which ultimately leads to the greatest story.  

   And make no mistake, there are competing voices out there.  Voices that are offering cheap solutions that offer no real lasting help. Voices that are loudly yelling in their face, telling them that they need to buy the newest product, have the life that their neighbor has, and continue to jealously covet all the things that they do not have.  Your voice in the midst of this sea of noise must ring as loudly with the offer of, “the Way, the Truth and the Life.”  Your brand matters more than you think it does because your voice might be the only voice that they hear today on social media offering real hope. They need to hear you.

3. They Need to Connect With You: The inventor of the Facebook like button has been published numerous times sharing that the like button was created to keep people connected to their platform.  The simple science on this is that likes, shares, and other engagements give the user a dopamine rush.  This was built into the platforms to keep users coming back for more content and drive advertisement dollars and company expansion.  Although this can certainly seem like the dark side of social media, what it shares in a positive way is the nature of human being’s deep need for connection with each other.  

   Your brand matters more than you think it does because there are real people who need to connect with other real people.  There are lost sheep that Jesus is on a mission to bring back to the fold.  We get to be part of this in our ministries as we connect in authentic ways with authentic people on the other side of the screen.  As has been recognized in many books and articles in the past few years, people are more connected and yet more lonely than they have ever been.  We have the opportunity to leverage our ministry brand to connect with people so that they are not alone any longer.  They need to connect with you.

Your brand matters more than you think that it does because your audience needs to see you, hear you, and connect with you.  Don’t lose this “why.”  Allow this “why” to drive you even further in your branding and in your mission.  Pursue these 3 opportunities for the good of the Kingdom and for the Glory of God. 

The 4 Pillars of Engagement

Social Media Ministry is ultimately about people.  People who are hurting, frustrated, lost, confused, and in pain.  People who need the good news of Jesus to help heal, direct, clarify, and give them hope in their broken lives and this broken world.  The need for us to engage well with people has never been more important.  In a world that so quickly looks past people, we need to be those who leverage social media to see the people that God loves and that Jesus died to save.

The currency of social media is engagement.  Without engagement your posts don’t get viewed, your audience doesn’t see you, and the message doesn’t get shared.  And if the best news ever isn’t getting shared, then we’re all losing.  This means that the goal of every post is to spark engagement.  Every story, every reel, every post, every repost, every comment, is building engagement.  The people you hope to reach must be engaged with you through social media.

How do you engage with these people in the best way? What are some of the pillars to build consistent engagement in your social media ministry? Consider these 4 pillars of engagement to help you build your ministry and reach people that you’ve never reached before.

1. Activity: Consistency has definitive reward in social media.  The people that Jesus wants to reach see a barrage of posts each day.  The organizations that post on a regular basis have consistent engagement more because they are available and active on a consistent basis.  They don't just post when they want to, instead they prioritize their activity and are seen on a more regular basis.  They also don’t see you when you don’t stay active.  You must prioritize your social media reach and you must stay active in the spaces that you desire to see an impact.  Consider a weekly or a monthly habit of scheduling all of your social media activity and stay consistent.

2. Authenticity: Everyone suffers when authenticity isn’t practiced.  Your audience needs to hear your real voice.  They have to know that you really care about them and their needs and concerns.  They also desire to have someone connect with them on a highly personal level.  Authenticity breaks through preconceived notions and reveals that you are simply a person who wants to connect with another person.  Know your voice.  Embrace your flaws.  Have a typo every onc in a while.  Be real in a space that is often defined by inauthentic filters.

3. Curiosity: The art of asking good questions is becoming a lost art.  Staying curious about your audience is key to them engaging with your content.  Ask them questions.  Ask them follow up questions.  Post simple 1 sentence questions that you actually want to know what they think about.  For example, a simple question asking your audience, “what do you think of Jesus” will reveal to you real, felt needs that you may have never thought of before.  Curiosity shows that we actually care about our audience, that we love our audience.  Jesus modeled this for us with everyone from Peter, to the woman at the well, to you.  Follow his example and stay curious.

4. Responsiveness: Nothing slows down progress on social media more than a lack of response. Conversely, nothing can add more value to engagement and to the message than responding both well and in a timely manner to your audience.  When your audience likes, comments, and shares your content, respond to this quickly and with genuine interest in what they have done.  Their responses are the absolute key to engagement.  You set your social media culture largely by what you celebrate.  Respond and celebrate your audience.

These 4 pillars of engagement will be the catalyst for your social media ministry reach.  Try these out and see what results are returned.  Ultimately, we want to leverage social media to reach people.  Jesus wants to engage with people in their point of need and you have the opportunity to help meet that need.  Fully engaged with your audience for the Kingdom and for his glory.

10 Essential Factors for Engaging Your Audience

Maximize Your Digital Outreach with These
10 Engagement Tactics

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who only talks about themselves? It is annoying, off putting, and usually leads to a desire to avoid future conversations with that person. 

Engagement is a dialogue between your ministry and its audience. True engagement comes through connecting with people, building relationships, deepening understanding, and inspiring action toward a common goal. Engagement is essential to digital outreach, but many ministries don't understand that their efforts to drive people to action are killing the conversation. Using the wrong approach will lead to missed opportunities to share with people about Jesus, develop your relationship with your audience at a deeper level, and create kingdom impact.

Improve your outreach and make a lasting impact for the kingdom by considering these ten factors that influence digital engagement for ministries:

1. Optimal Messaging - Who is your persona? What do they care about? What are they trying to accomplish for themselves? What lead them to your content in the first place? Focus on conveying your message concisely and compellingly, but do so in a way that resonates with your target audience and their goals. 

2. Quality Content - Quality wins over quantity in today’s world. Create informative, inspiring, persuasive, and emotionally engaging content. Too often ministry teams try to just churn out something to hit a deadline or a social media posting calendar. Slow down. It is better to go silent for a while than to lose your audience by bombarding them with content that doesn’t resonate. 

3. Timing - Reach out at the right time to ensure maximum impact. Understand when your audience is most active and likely to engage. Post during those times. 

4. Audience Engagement - Get people talking about your ministry on social media and other digital platforms by asking compelling questions. This is a great opportunity for donors or supporters to get involved, but encourage them to focus on stories of inspiration or insights that your audience will care about. 

5. Email Marketing - Email marketing is a powerful and underutilized tool. An email list with high open rates can be more powerful than social platforms when it comes to audience engagement. Also, your email list can’t be shut down like social platforms can. Send out regular emails to keep your supporters informed about the latest developments in your ministry. 

6. Personalization - Know your persona and make your message personal. Make sure your message is tailored specifically to each user or group of users. If you have multiple audiences or big differences between the groups that you’re trying to reach then you must personalize content for each group separately to build deeper engagement. 

7. Social Media Management - After covering the basics listed above, now it is time to think about social media calendars and posting schedules. Working on a deadline at the last minute is a great way to burn out your team. Instead, manage your accounts with an organized and consistent approach. Set clear expectations and define who owns the different parts of your process. 

8. Visuals - Images, video, graphic design - Use visuals to capture attention and draw people in. Your content only has 3 seconds to make an impression and help someone know if they want to continue engaging with you. Visuals are a perfect way to capture and hold attention. 

9. Gamification - Ready for next-level engagement strategies? Leverage the power of gaming mechanics to engage your audience interactively. Examples of gamification could be responding live to people who comment on a post during the first 15 minutes after a post has been published. This works really well for ministries with a large following who are trying to boost audience engagement. 

10. Analytics - Measure, measure, measure! Track analytics to measure the success of your efforts and make improvements as needed. Nothing is constant. The team that can learn from measurements and adjust quickly to what the data is saying will build consistency and deep engagement with your audience over time. 

How is your ministry utilizing these ten factors? Where are you strong? Where do you have room for improvement? With these tips, you can create an effective digital ministry engagement plan that will drive real results. 

Remember that engagement with your audience is a two way dialogue that can lead to deeper relationships, building more trust with your audience, and leading to kingdom impact! When we care about the people we are reaching, they will reach back.

3.4 Billion Reasons Mobile-First Still Matters

Is your Ministry fully taking advantage of the Mobile Revolution?

By the end of 2023, there will be 3.4 billion people worldwide accessing the Internet via their phones or tablets. That’s a massive chunk of the population, meaning ministries must think mobile-first when designing websites and digital content. Chances are the first look that a user gets of your ministry website or landing page will be on a mobile device!

Statistics show that mobile users are highly engaged and spend more time on websites than desktop users, yet they often struggle navigating poorly designed websites. Additionally, Google considers the “mobile-first” mindset when ranking websites in its search engine results pages (SERPs). Because of Google’s mobile emphasis, any site created with a mobile-first mentality is more likely to be seen and visited by users.

It doesn’t matter if your ministry specializes in online courses, videos, podcasts, or other types of content; having a mobile-first mentality can make a huge difference in how successful your ministry’s digital content is. Not only will it be more accessible, but it will also be more engaging and attractive to potential customers.

To help ministries get started on their mobile-first approach, here are four practical steps they should take:

1) Keep the design simple and uncluttered – Requiring users to navigate through multiple pages to find what they’re looking for can overwhelm the user experience, so focus on keeping it minimal and straightforward. A clear and compelling call to action, visible from the landing page, is a best practice your team should always employ. 

2) Test the mobile version of your website or content before you launch – Catch any potential issues with functionality or design before they become a problem. Require that your team present the mobile experience before approving any new content launch.

3) Make sure your website is optimized for speed – Most people expect pages and content to load quickly, so make sure you’re taking the necessary steps to ensure your website is running as fast as possible. Images should be optimized for mobile browsers. If your site is slow to load on mobile, your images are likely the problem. 

4) Utilize tools to review the mobile experience – Google Analytics and Google Search Console are great tools for understanding how your site performs on mobile devices. Check your performance regularly to provide the best experience for your users. 

Overall, having a mobile-first mentality when designing websites or digital content is essential in these modern times. Not only will it provide your users with the best possible experience, designing for mobile first will help you reach more people and drive engagement with your ministry’s content.

A Hyper-local approach to social media

Social Media offers a promise to reach the whole world. Should ministries focused on reaching a local audience even care about social media?

When we think about using the Internet for ministry, our minds are drawn to a global audience and a call to reach the entire world. After all, this is the “world wide web.” But as we say so often at MII, digital ministry is much more than reaching a wide audience. 

Social media was created to build community. Relational engagement is at the heart of most social media platforms, and these can be a powerful tool for ministries seeking to move people from the crowd to the core of their engagement efforts. For ministries called to reach a local audience, social media provides a great opportunity to quickly establish relationships with supporters, volunteers, and beneficiaries of your ministry. 

Knowing how to utilize social media to reach out to the local community can open new engagement channels for your ministry. Here are five practical tips for engaging with a local community through social media.

1) Engage in conversations: Use social media as a platform to start conversations and engage with local community members. Ask questions, join in on discussions, or post polls to get feedback from local followers. Digital conversations can be an effective way to open the door to meaningful face to face connections with people within the local area.

2) Showcase local events: If upcoming meetings or events are happening in the local community, post them on social media! Promoting ministry events is a great way to reach out, inform people of what’s happening in their area, and invite people into your gathering. Some platforms have reservation tools, or plugins that allow your audience to RSVP right from the post. 

3) Utilize familiar visuals: Photos or videos from the community can grab people’s attention and be an effective way to signal that your ministry is local. People are more likely to react to and interact with visuals they recognize and inherently care about things happening in the place where they live. 

4) Promote partnerships with others in your area: Is your ministry working with a local business or organization that is benefiting the local community? If so, promote your work together. Show people that your team cares about others and is actively working that out in your community. If you aren’t currently working with another organization, consider who you might partner with to better accomplish your mission.

5) Invite your audience to connect: Remember to make a strong call to action inviting your audience to engage with your team, if that is an outcome that you’re working toward. This is always good advice, but the advantage that local ministries have over a global team is that they have multiple ways to connect in person. Use this to your advantage and create opportunities to invite people into a deeper conversation with your team. 

Utilizing social media to engage with the local community is essential for any ministry looking to make a lasting impact within their area. By following these five tips, ministries can create content that effectively reaches out and engages with their local community.

Decoding the Online Ministry Puzzle with Data-Driven Techniques

Data-Driven Ministry: Measure What Matters

Measuring, observing, and using data to make wise decisions is an essential part of online ministry. Creating a data-driven culture within your digital ministry team allows you to make informed decisions that honor Jesus. Data can also be leveraged to measure the impact of online ministry initiatives and track performance over time, but many teams can bristle at the idea of measuring the work and impact of ministry. In this week’s article, we discuss how to build a data-driven culture in your ministry. 

Building a data-driven ministry team starts with understanding the online ministry funnel. The online ministry funnel contains three stages – awareness, consideration, and engagement. Understanding how each stage of the online ministry funnel flows into the next presents an opportunity to measure online success as explorers, or seekers, move through the funnel and into a discipleship community.

Most teams find it beneficial to have at least one person on the team that understand how to deeply leverage web analytics, social media tracking, and A/B testing tools to inform online ministry decisions. For example, your team may use analytics to determine what content resonates with your audience and then A/B test different strategies, and calls to action, to optimize engagement and conversion. This kind of data measurement allows your team to make more informed decisions and maximize the impact of your online presence.

Adopting a posture of learning is essential if you or your team want to optimize your digital ministry efforts. The analytics and data measurement landscape is constantly changing, and teams that aren’t constantly learning about new strategies and measurement tools will quickly fall behind. The good news is that for every analytics tool that your team can deploy, there is an online training program to teach you how to use it. But, one of the best ways to learn is from peers and colleagues that have the same goal. 

Our partners at FaithTech have done an excellent job building a community of ministry and technology professionals who are passionate about leveraging technology to share the Gospel. You can follow along and engage in that community here at FaithTech - Medium https://medium.com/@faithtech

Finally, it's important to remember that Jesus is King, and data is simply a tool that can be used to further his kingdom. Data-driven teams don’t replace Godly principles; rather, they enrich online ministry by providing insight into how online initiatives impact your audience. By building a data-driven culture in online ministry, you can ensure the success of your online presence and, most importantly, honor Jesus. 

Increase Engagement & Reach People for Jesus

Digital Ministry: Boosting Engagement & Reaching People for Jesus

In recent years, digital ministry has been on the rise. Churches and organizations have seen an increase in their reach as people flock to online content. However, while this reach is growing, engagement with church and ministry content is on the decline. This can challenge those who use digital ministry to connect people with those working to guide them toward a relationship with Jesus.

How do teams increase engagement in their digital ministry? Firstly, it’s essential to understand that increasing engagement is not just about having more followers. It’s about deepening relationships with those who already follow you and connecting them to Jesus. Here are a few practical tips for increasing engagement:

1. Ask more profound questions. Rather than simply asking people how they’re doing, invite them to deeper conversations. Ask questions that get people thinking and allow them to open up about their faith journey with Jesus. Asking open ended questions shows your audience that you want a deeper response. Of course, asking questions is only the beginning.

2. Offer support. People are more likely to engage when they feel supported in their faith journey. Listen carefully to what people say and provide thoughtful responses that offer guidance and support. Your church or ministry should be able to share next steps and resources to help people progress in their relationship with Christ. 

3. Create content that speaks to deeper needs. Create content that reaches people at their point of need. Resources that discuss how to grow in faith or topics of deeper conversations around Jesus and His work in our lives are a good place to start. The good news is that there is no shortage of this kind of content, and many content creators are happy to partner with you to share resources. 

By utilizing conversational questions, providing support, and creating content that speaks to deeper needs, churches, and organizations can use digital ministry to increase engagement and reach deeper down the funnel. When done well, online ministry can be a powerful tool for connecting people to Jesus.

If you’re a part of a church or ministry that is currently streaming worship services and reading this article to build deeper connections with your audience, you may also be interested in this recent article by our friends at Faith Tech, https://faithtech.com/product/streaming/ Learn more about digital distribution here. 

As more and more organizations take advantage of digital ministry, it is essential to remember that the goal is always about helping people find their way back to Jesus. With this top of mind, digital ministry can be a powerful tool for sharing the Gospel message.

A Guide to Managing Up in Digital Ministry

Don't Be Afraid to Question Your Digital Ministry Metrics: A Guide for Managers

Vanity metrics are numbers that look good to others, but don’t actually help you achieve your goals. Often, ministry teams working with MII on digital media strategies have reported that their boss, or a donor, is asking them to increase a number that doesn’t really matter. What should you do when your boss wants you to measure success using vanity metrics like Impressions or Likes? Here are a few tips on managing up and leading from inside your digital ministry.

First, be sure you know which metrics are really driving the outcomes your ministry is looking for. Digital marketing success should not be measured by vanity metrics like page views or click-through rates that don’t convert into meaningful engagement with your audience. Instead, define success by using engagement metrics such as time spent on the page or Message rates. These are more meaningful and provide data about the success of your digital ministry.

Second, be proactive in managing up. If you think different metrics are necessary for measuring success in digital ministry, don’t be afraid to make suggestions. Make sure you have done the research, and present your more meaningful metrics along with a plan that will help your digital ministry move forward toward the goals your organization is trying to achieve. 

Finally, make sure you are tracking the right metrics correctly. Metrics like the number of first time contacts, and conversion rates will be lower than vanity metrics like Reach, so you’ll want to make sure that your numbers are accurate. The good news is that often a metric like Direct Messages can be counted in an inbox, and include a wealth of personal data that can lead to a better understanding about the real life-on-life impact your ministry is having with your audience. 

Confronting a request for reporting or boosting vanity metrics doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming. By questioning the wrong metrics, being proactive, and tracking the right ones, you can successfully manage up, and show your leadership that you understand what needs to be done to truly deliver on the goals your ministry has put forward. 

As a digital ministry professional, don’t forget that success in ministry starts with you! Take charge of your digital ministry and ensure your team tracks the right metrics for success. With these tips, you can make a positive impact on your digital ministry.

Harnessing the Impact of Brand for Your Ministry Online

Unlock the Power of Brand in Your Ministry

Your ministry’s brand is more than just a logo and color scheme. A brand is an identity. Think of your favorite brands like Apple, Amazon, or Google. The best brands demonstrate the core values of an organization and communicate those values to its audiences at every touch point. 

Brand is a dirty word in most ministry communities. Our thinking is that if we are building a brand, then we’re lifting ourselves up higher than our message. Today, we’d like to challenge that thinking. In digital ministry, having a consistent brand can actually help engage with your online audience. A well formed and consistent brand can build trust with your audience and help accomplish your vision.

If you’re wanting to build a stronger and more trusted online presence, here are three practical tips for how brand can help ministries digitally:

1. Define your voice: A strong brand identity allows you to stand out, build trust with audiences and communicate more effectively. Your brand is more than a logo - your brand is your voice, both how you communicate and what you say. 

2. Connect with audiences: With exposure to more than 10,000 marketing messages a day, our audience have become experts in filtering value from the digital noise. Once your brand voice has been defined, your team is able to explore new ways to engage and connect your audience to your brand. While a brand is more than just a logo, branding elements like logo, color scheme, fonts, and brand message all combine to build a consistent message that communicates professionalism and trust over time. 

3. People Connect with People: Excellent branding is just the first step. A well defined brand is a signal to your audience that a ministry is legitimate and trustworthy. People build relationships with people, not brands. So, once your brand is in place, now your team can highlight personal representatives of the brand with which your audience can connect. This may be a spokesperson or personality if you’re a media ministry, or individual team members that are ready to engage one on one with members of your audience that are seeking a deeper conversation. 

In a world where digital technology is constantly changing, clear branding is an essential element for ministries that desire to quickly communicate their legitimacy to an audience bombarded by marketing messages every day. By investing in brand, ministries can help build trust with their audience and focus on driving toward deeper, personal, engagement. 

Personalize Your Ministry for Deeper Connections

The Secret to Deeper Connections

Personalization has become an essential digital marketing practice for many organizations, and digital ministry is no exception. At MII, our coaches constantly encourage ministries to “Begin With The End in Mind.” With digital ministry, personalization is not only about reaching more people but also about deepening the connection with them and guiding them into a deeper connection with follow-up teams and the local church. 

Personalization of content and messaging can help digital ministries build deeper connections with their followers by increasing engagement, creating relationships of trust, and allowing for more targeted digital ministry strategies. Personalized content can include content specifically designed for your target persona or campaigns that address your users and contacts by name and include other personal information that your team has gathered and stored in a follow-up tool or CRM. Many tools exist to automate the personalization of content. If you’re wondering how to create deeper engagement through personalization, here are three practical steps you can take to get started:

• First, segment your digital ministry followers into various groups based on your target persona.  Consider the interests, digital activity, and demographics of your persona. This will help you to better understand your digital ministry followers and create personalized content for each segment. (Learn more about creating a persona through MII University, our free training on social media marketing. https://mii-university.teachable.com/p/mii-university).
  

• Second, with a better understanding of the wants and needs of your audience segments, create content tailored to the interests of each group (mentioned above). For example, create a newsletter that shares links to articles discussing the authenticity of the Bible for a segment of users that first engaged with your ministry with questions about scripture. Your content will address an expressed need of your audience, and when matched with a strong call to action to connect for further discussion, your team will be able to more deeply engage those ready to take the next step in their faith journey.
  

• Third, personalization tools to address explorers directly. Personalization tools such as Google Optimize (free) can plug into your website and allow your team to conduct experiments, build A/B testing, and personalize your pages to gain higher quality scores. You can ensure that website messages are tailored to the right persona and are sent at the right time for maximum engagement.

Through these three practical steps, your ministry will see deeper connections with your followers, leading to more engaging conversations and resulting in more ministry conversions.

Get Your Content Viral in 5 Simple Steps

VIRAL? GIVE YOUR CONTENT A CHANCE WITH THESE FIVE SIMPLE STEPS

You could have the best content in the world, but if no one knows about it, then you’re not likely to get the Kingdom impact you’re looking for. Let’s get your content viral! Here are five tried-and-true tactics for getting your content seen by a wide audience and creating a buzz on social media.

1. Know Your Audience: Before you can get your content to go viral, you need to know who your target audience is and what they’re looking for. Are they millennials? Gen Xers? Boomers? Knowing this will help you craft content that resonates with them and makes it more likely to be shared.

2. Keep It Simple: Don’t cram too much information into one post or article. People will quickly lose interest and won’t be likely to share it with their friends. Keep your content concise and clear, and make sure each point is easy to understand.

3. Focus on Quality: Quality is more important than quantity. It’s better to have one great piece of content that people love and connect with than 10 pieces of mediocre content. Invest time in creating something special, and you’ll be rewarded.

4. Use Multiple Platforms: You don’t want to limit yourself to just one platform. If your content is good enough, it should be shared on multiple platforms to reach the widest possible audience. Try posting on various social media sites and see which ones get the best response.

5. Promote, Promote, Promote: A lot of digital marketing is paid ads, but to go viral, your content must grow organically as well. You need to ensure people know about your content, so get the word out! As applicable, share your content on social media, and send it to influencers and journalists. The more people that know about your content, the more likely it is to go viral.

There you have it – five surefire tactics for getting your content seen by a wide audience and creating a buzz on social media. With the right strategy and a bit of luck, you can ensure your content reaches its full potential and goes viral! Give it a try – who knows, maybe you’ll be the next creator to have their content seen by millions.

Internet Technology has made it easier than ever to get the Gospel in front of the world. FaithTech’s Adam Graber wrote an excellent article covering the past 75 years of global technology and the Gospel. Check out FaithTech’s Evangelizing Technology on Medium.

Digital Marketing and the Bible

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT DIGITAL MINISTRY?

Jesus was pro-technology? As a carpenter, he was constantly using technology (woodworking tools) to be creative. This is one of many surprising parallels John Dyer drew attention to in his recent article, published by Faith Tech: Where Does Technology Fit into the Story of God.

Continuing forward through the story, we also see that Jesus himself, in the Greek language, he’s called a tekton. That word tekton is the Greek word that we get technology from. We translate it in English as “carpenter” because we think that Jesus was the kind of artisan or craftsperson who worked with wood and nails. 

If Jesus is pro-technology, then this really opens up a different perspective on the Bible and technology. As we seek to reach people using media and our digital “creations”... what does the Bible have to say about digital ministry like this? What insights can scripture provide that helps us engage missionally in digital space? Let’s take a look.

Starting in the second chapter of Proverbs, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (verse 5). This speaks volumes when it comes to developing an effective digital strategy. It's easy to get caught up in all the latest trends and technologies, but at the end of the day, a successful strategy requires trust and patience. You need to be willing to sit back and wait for God’s plan to play out.

"Be wise as serpents." (Matthew 10:16) In this passage from Matthew, Jesus discusses the importance of being shrewd and having worldliness in mind when engaging with others. The same thing is true regarding digital ministry – you need to be savvy and aware of the trends to maximize your success.

"Do not neglect the gift that is in you." (1 Timothy 4:14) In this verse, Paul encourages us to use our talents and abilities for the glory of God. And when it comes to digital ministry, this means leveraging your skills – such as copywriting or design – to create an effective online presence.

Finally, let's not forget about the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). In this story, Jesus tells us that “To whom much is given, much will be required.” The story's moral applies perfectly to digital ministry—it doesn't matter how talented or skilled you are at digital ministry. If you don't put in the effort and dedication required, nothing will come of it.

The Bible has a lot to teach us about digital ministry. From trusting in God’s plan to having a clear vision and collaborating with others, there are plenty of lessons that can be applied to this ever-evolving field. So take some time to explore what the Bible says about digital ministry. 

Pushing Past the Vanity Metrics

Don’t Settle for Vanity Metrics: How to Focus Your Efforts on Driving Connections

Many teams engaging in digital evangelism are working to funnel users from an awareness of the Gospel to connection with a believer for follow up. After becoming aware of a ministry or message, people will progress into deeper levels of engagement. As ministry teams seek to measure and improve digital ministry efforts, it is easy to become distracted by the high number of likes, followers, and visits, and lose focus on the activities actually creating opportunities for connection. These teams may even have a leader that is enamored by reaching large numbers of people and driving the team to do more. 

A word of caution - Don’t get fooled by vanity metrics. Instead, follow these action items to increase connection opportunities.

1. Build Your Audience – Knowing your audience and speaking to them with valuable content is key to developing effective lower funnel activities. To build a program that delivers meaningful connection opportunities, you must first attract and engage those you seek to reach. By understanding your audience, your team can create content that engages the people you seek to reach.

2. Make it Personal – One of the best ways to ensure your lower funnel calls to action resonate with your persona is by making them as personal as possible. Incorporate user-generated content into your campaigns and create engaging conversations with customers on social media.

3. Track Performance – Finally, it’s important to track the performance of lower funnel activities to understand what works and what doesn’t. Analytics tools like Google Analytics and Data Studio can be used to create detailed profiles of segmented groups within your audience. Your team can then measure the performance of different engagement campaigns, and get an overall picture of what works best for each group.

Developing effective lower funnel activities is essential for digital ministries looking to connect with people for the cause of Christ. These four strategies can help you take your digital marketing efforts to the next level.

Does the Bible guide us on how to use digital tools and social media? FaithTech has several books published on topics ranging from the Redeeming and Corrupting Power of Technology to Modern Technology & The Human Future. For a full listing of FaithTech’s Books, check out https://faithtech.com/theology-of-tech-books/

We Asked Artificial Intelligence How It Can Help Your Ministry. Here’s What It Told Us.

This article was written by Artificial Intelligence, with two, one-sentence prompts…. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way digital content is created and shared, giving ministries a powerful tool to help produce digital content more efficiently and cost-effectively.

AI technology enables the automation of the content creation process. Through AI-driven natural language processing (NLP), for example, machines can understand written text like humans do—allowing them to take large amounts of source material and automatically produce new digital content. AI-driven algorithms can be used to understand user preferences better, enabling ministries to create content tailored specifically to their target audience.

AI technology can also help increase the engagement and reach of our digital content. AI-driven algorithms can enable ministries to better target their audience with messages tailored specifically to them. 

Artificial Intelligence can help your ministry with:

1. Automated Content Creation: AI-driven natural language processing (NLP) and algorithms can quickly produce large amounts of content, eliminating manual content creation and allowing ministries to focus their resources elsewhere.

2. Targeted Messaging: With AI technology, ministries can better target their audience …increasing the likelihood of engagement.

3. Optimized Content Performance: AI technology can analyze content performance and suggest improvement areas.

AI technology can help create automated content, target messages to specific audiences, and optimize content performance for increased reach and engagement. 

***

And, now from MII and FaithTech…  Like any other tool, AI-driven content generators are only as good as the hands of the designer using them. Basic inputs are going to generate basic results. 

When using tools like https://chat.openai.com/ consider using inputs like, “create 10 variations of the following ad” to maximize your time and productivity. Your team will still have to develop good ad copy in the first place, but AI will multiply that good work quickly when asked to do so. 

We asked the AI one final question before signing off. “How can I be saved from my sins?” The response was surprisingly good. 

Salvation from sins can be achieved through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, according to Christian belief. This involves acknowledging one's wrongdoing and asking for forgiveness, and striving to live a life in accordance with Christian principles. The Bible teaches that salvation is a gift from God, freely given to all who believe in Jesus and confess their sins to Him.

Maybe this tool isn’t so bad after all! 

***
FaithTech.com helps us understand how to leverage AI technology to produce more effective content and expand our reach.  Check the article at this link -  https://faithtech.com/product/artificial-intelligence/