Despite the growing number of people with a GPS, sometimes you still need paper to navigate.
Here's a link that helps you navigate the various social media available.
It was produced by a company that specializes in helping organizations use this growing media option.
Have a blessed New Year and an exciting and innovative 2009!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Burdens and potential
The great cartoonist and philosopher Charles Schultz of "Peanuts" fame made an insightful statement through his character Charlie Brown. It's one I have never forgotten because it rings so true: "There is no heavier burden than a great potential."
Over the Christmas break my wife, two mid-twenties sons and I have engaged in some fascinating conversations about social media -- Facebook, Twitter, Digg, MySpace etc. I've also read blogs, online reports and research about the fundamental change that we face with the new media.
I even discovered a blog dedicated to following the demise of newspapers! (Something of great interest to me as an editor of a magazine!)
The potential in the new media climate is enormous. The trick is getting a handle on it before it morphs into something else! That is the burden.
When it came to the printing press, the Church engaged it quickly. With radio there was a quick understanding of its ability to reach a mass audience. TV was a bit different because it took more technology and money.
The Internet and social networking are presenting an entirely new challenge. At the same time, television is undergoing huge change; much of radio is now locked into inpenetrable formats, and newspapers are fighting for their lives as those who want the latest information simply go online or have it delivered by Twitter to their iPhones or Blackberries. The old reliable comfort zones for communication are being stretched.
"Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape."
Over the Christmas break my wife, two mid-twenties sons and I have engaged in some fascinating conversations about social media -- Facebook, Twitter, Digg, MySpace etc. I've also read blogs, online reports and research about the fundamental change that we face with the new media.
I even discovered a blog dedicated to following the demise of newspapers! (Something of great interest to me as an editor of a magazine!)
The potential in the new media climate is enormous. The trick is getting a handle on it before it morphs into something else! That is the burden.
When it came to the printing press, the Church engaged it quickly. With radio there was a quick understanding of its ability to reach a mass audience. TV was a bit different because it took more technology and money.
The Internet and social networking are presenting an entirely new challenge. At the same time, television is undergoing huge change; much of radio is now locked into inpenetrable formats, and newspapers are fighting for their lives as those who want the latest information simply go online or have it delivered by Twitter to their iPhones or Blackberries. The old reliable comfort zones for communication are being stretched.
"Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape."
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Creating clicks
Beginning December 15, we launched a page on the LCC website that invited people to "Light a Candle this Christmas" http://www.lutheranchurch.ca/lightacandle.php and then provided a list of congregations who conducted candlelight services. We advertised the site on Facebook with the phrase "Discover where to light a candle this Christmas because the world needs more light." The ad was seen more than 1.5 million times and created 262 clicks to the website. In addition, we asked the districts to put the link on their websites and we put it on the front page of www.lutheranchurch.ca. Overall, 330 people visited the candlelight page and 50 percent continued to the congregational listings. When congregations let us know the times of their services, we added a red candle to their listing (http://www.lutheranchurch.ca/congregations.php?location=AB)
Our experience shows that .02 percent of those who view the Facebook ad will click on the link.
We're going to try the same approach for Holy Week services and see how it goes.
The cool thing about Facebook ads is you can make them local to your city so they are only seen by those who live there. You don't have to do a national or regional campaign. You can also target age groups and gender.
We'll keep experimenting and let you know what happens.
Our experience shows that .02 percent of those who view the Facebook ad will click on the link.
We're going to try the same approach for Holy Week services and see how it goes.
The cool thing about Facebook ads is you can make them local to your city so they are only seen by those who live there. You don't have to do a national or regional campaign. You can also target age groups and gender.
We'll keep experimenting and let you know what happens.
Monday, December 22, 2008
A lesson from SPAM
Being on line has its drawbacks. One of them is SPAM. (Remember when that was a luncheon meat?) We recently changed our e-service because a new provider we began using couldn't effectively control the amount of junk mail cluttering our mailboxes.
However, one piece of SPAM arrived today and the subject caught my eye: Instant Fisherman.
I didn't click on the link, but read the sparse advertising copy about a portable fishing device.
Jesus told fishermen/disciples Peter, James and John they would be fishers of men. And so His disciples today are also fishers of men (and women and children).
When I read Instant Fisherman I immediately saw a parallel. When we use today's digital communications to share the good news of the Gospel, we are Instant Fisherman. A text message, Twitter post or e-mail arrive at their destinations almost instantly.
Right now it's far too cold for fishing–even ice fishing. But instant fishing is not climate dependent!
However, one piece of SPAM arrived today and the subject caught my eye: Instant Fisherman.
I didn't click on the link, but read the sparse advertising copy about a portable fishing device.
Jesus told fishermen/disciples Peter, James and John they would be fishers of men. And so His disciples today are also fishers of men (and women and children).
When I read Instant Fisherman I immediately saw a parallel. When we use today's digital communications to share the good news of the Gospel, we are Instant Fisherman. A text message, Twitter post or e-mail arrive at their destinations almost instantly.
Right now it's far too cold for fishing–even ice fishing. But instant fishing is not climate dependent!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
And so this is Christmas
Yesterday, I ate lunch at Subway. I walked in the door and I was immediately transported back more years than I care to remember. The local junior high school had ended the last day of the semester at noon and it looked like everyone decided to eat lunch together. The Subway resembled a school cafeteria! Animated conversation, good humour and laughter created a lively atmosphere.
As I sat eating my sandwich I watched. One young man sat with his iPod earphones in his ears while engaged in animated conversation. At another table, a couple had their cellphones in hand, fingers flying on the keypad texting (maybe each other!!).
I wondered how many of these young teens would attach any spiritual meaning to Christmas. Did they ever go to Sunday school? Would they attend any kind of Christmas service? Maybe 30 percent at most would belong to families who go to church once a month. Do they attend with mom and dad?
This generation are the children of parents who, for the most part, have abandoned the church. They don't watch much TV or listen to much radio. Their "mass media" is online and their music on their iPods. They choose their music, video and online communities.
Where at one time the church could touch lives through broadcasting - reaching thousands, maybe millions in a single radio or television program, that era is waning.
Jesus and the apostles were known for meeting people on their own turf with simple, relevant messages. The turf is there, how do we connect with a relevant message?
As I sat eating my sandwich I watched. One young man sat with his iPod earphones in his ears while engaged in animated conversation. At another table, a couple had their cellphones in hand, fingers flying on the keypad texting (maybe each other!!).
I wondered how many of these young teens would attach any spiritual meaning to Christmas. Did they ever go to Sunday school? Would they attend any kind of Christmas service? Maybe 30 percent at most would belong to families who go to church once a month. Do they attend with mom and dad?
This generation are the children of parents who, for the most part, have abandoned the church. They don't watch much TV or listen to much radio. Their "mass media" is online and their music on their iPods. They choose their music, video and online communities.
Where at one time the church could touch lives through broadcasting - reaching thousands, maybe millions in a single radio or television program, that era is waning.
Jesus and the apostles were known for meeting people on their own turf with simple, relevant messages. The turf is there, how do we connect with a relevant message?
Friday, December 19, 2008
First not only
If you are like me, you tend to focus on what's new and expend a lot of energy exploring and find out how it works. The danger is becoming so focused on the "new" that you ignore the "old."
That's why I think digital "first", not "only".
Communicators know that understanding the people you want to receive the message is key to anything sticking with them. It's safe to assume that anyone under 40 (although that may be a stretch) is comfortable with digital communication. Those over that age likely have some interaction with e-mail and probably kids who are digital natives. As the age increases there is less likelihood of a digital first mindset until the immigration process begins taking hold.
We can't ignore the fact that a large proportion of those with whom we communicate are still comfortable with an analog message. But that doesn't mean we should ignore the digital because we are unfamiliar with it or challenged by it.
It's also safe to say that many retired people are beginning the digital immigration. My parents began their immigration when my father was 78. He invested in a new computer when he was 85. It's an interesting story. My siblings and I had given them some money for their 50th wedding anniversary, suggesting they take a trip back to England. Instead, they invested in a computer. As a result, my dad began genealogical research and discovered long-lost cousins. He bookmarked news sources so he could keep up-to-date with this interests and also began e-mailing relatives in England and Australia! While he is still going through the digital immigration process, the decision to begin using the computer brought about much more than would have ever happened if they had travelled overseas for two or three weeks.
Seniors are going online. Boomers are cautiously exploring; some actively embracing, but comfort levels still rest with "traditional" media. That's why we have to use the media that best communicates with specific age-groups, tailoring the message to engage the recipient no matter if its digital or analog.
That's why I think digital "first", not "only".
Communicators know that understanding the people you want to receive the message is key to anything sticking with them. It's safe to assume that anyone under 40 (although that may be a stretch) is comfortable with digital communication. Those over that age likely have some interaction with e-mail and probably kids who are digital natives. As the age increases there is less likelihood of a digital first mindset until the immigration process begins taking hold.
We can't ignore the fact that a large proportion of those with whom we communicate are still comfortable with an analog message. But that doesn't mean we should ignore the digital because we are unfamiliar with it or challenged by it.
It's also safe to say that many retired people are beginning the digital immigration. My parents began their immigration when my father was 78. He invested in a new computer when he was 85. It's an interesting story. My siblings and I had given them some money for their 50th wedding anniversary, suggesting they take a trip back to England. Instead, they invested in a computer. As a result, my dad began genealogical research and discovered long-lost cousins. He bookmarked news sources so he could keep up-to-date with this interests and also began e-mailing relatives in England and Australia! While he is still going through the digital immigration process, the decision to begin using the computer brought about much more than would have ever happened if they had travelled overseas for two or three weeks.
Seniors are going online. Boomers are cautiously exploring; some actively embracing, but comfort levels still rest with "traditional" media. That's why we have to use the media that best communicates with specific age-groups, tailoring the message to engage the recipient no matter if its digital or analog.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thinking digitally
Digital media is exploding. As someone educated in the use of analog media (videotape, audiotape, vinyl records, etc) and used to handling paper, I have had to make a conscious effort to view communications digitally. In addition, working for a church whose founding relied so heavily on the newly-invented printing press to help spread its Reformation message throughout Europe, thinking digitally does not come easily. But we really have no choice.
I love the analogy I once heard about those of us who had to learn about compters and the Internet after our formative years being labelled as "digital immigrants" and those who grew up with computers and Internet as "digital natives."
When immigrants arrive in a new country they face the challenge of learning a new language, local customs, social mores and etiquette. It's the same with digital immigrants. If we are to navigate the dynamic digital communication environment we have to learn the ins and outs of the new digital world — Facebook, Twitter, Google (in all its incarnations), messaging, Youtube. All these are part of the language and nothing is more embarrassing than using a wrong word or term in any "new world" situation.
Immigrants also learn how to "go native" from the natives. The best way to find out what's going on in the digital world is to go there, surf around, read blogs, join Facebook subscribe to Twitter.
And when it comes to making decisions about any communication "think digital first." Those of us in the print oriented world always look for solutions using the media with which we grew up. That doesn't cut it anymore. If we want to keep talking to ourselves, then stick with paper. But you are cutting off a lot of a new audience.
That's the point of this blog. We need to think digital first, not as a second thought or something supplementary. To relate to our world, digital has to be top of mind, not bottom of list.
I love the analogy I once heard about those of us who had to learn about compters and the Internet after our formative years being labelled as "digital immigrants" and those who grew up with computers and Internet as "digital natives."
When immigrants arrive in a new country they face the challenge of learning a new language, local customs, social mores and etiquette. It's the same with digital immigrants. If we are to navigate the dynamic digital communication environment we have to learn the ins and outs of the new digital world — Facebook, Twitter, Google (in all its incarnations), messaging, Youtube. All these are part of the language and nothing is more embarrassing than using a wrong word or term in any "new world" situation.
Immigrants also learn how to "go native" from the natives. The best way to find out what's going on in the digital world is to go there, surf around, read blogs, join Facebook subscribe to Twitter.
And when it comes to making decisions about any communication "think digital first." Those of us in the print oriented world always look for solutions using the media with which we grew up. That doesn't cut it anymore. If we want to keep talking to ourselves, then stick with paper. But you are cutting off a lot of a new audience.
That's the point of this blog. We need to think digital first, not as a second thought or something supplementary. To relate to our world, digital has to be top of mind, not bottom of list.
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