Why Social Media for Churches Is So Vital
While some were slow to adopt it, church social media has changed the way congregants communicate and connect with the churches they support. It’s no longer a question of “if” your church should be on social media, but how to go about it.
Taking the initial first step and getting onto social media is a big deal for any church, but once you’re there, realize that “being” on social media isn’t enough. Aside from having a social media profile for your church, you need to be actively planning content and sharing on that profile in order for it to make any difference for your church and its supporters.
Of course, it’s natural for anyone to be uneasy when it comes to adopting a new medium of communication, especially if they aren’t big users of social media themselves. Whether you’re trying to dispel your own doubts or convince your church members, these reasons are sure to gain backing for the move to social media at your church.
#1 Social media is the first point of contact.
Gone are the days when a new resident would ask their neighbors about the area’s churches. If someone is looking for a church to attend, they’re going online. Having a website and directory listings is important, but they won’t necessarily show up in searches. Instead, your congregant may go straight to Facebook or another social platform, type in “church” and see what shows up nearby.
Among church planters, nearly half believe that social media is the single most effective means of outreach for modern churches. Once you let this sink in, you’ll begin to realize how powerful these platforms are at helping you find new attendees and engage your existing supporters. Today’s church plants see a larger return on investment for social media than any other thing they put time into.
Your website is crucial, but it’s not necessarily the first or last point of contact for someone looking for a church online. An active social media presence is necessary for engaging your congregants. Social media channels, when used correctly, help bring awareness to your ministry and, when appropriate, directs them to your site for more information. If you add a Facebook pixel to your site and take advantage of other retargeting capabilities, you can then enjoy the side benefit of being able to track how congregants interact with your church all over the web.
#2 You can spread awareness.
While you may have events like “bring a friend” day and other strategies to try to increase attendance, social media is the single best way to reach your attendees’ network of friends and family. Social media is all about being social, and every time someone likes or shares the updates of your church, your content ends up on their feed, visible to their friends and family.
When you post content that encourages interactions and discussions, it’s a highly effective form of outreach. You can build an entire strategy around your church’s culture and sharing it with those who may be open to learning more. Getting attendees to interact with and share that content acts as a form of “word-of-mouth” marketing for your church because their friends on social media will take notice.
Church groups building community
#3 You can run better events online.
Does your church keep trying to do more with the community? Do you consistently feel under-funded or like there’s a lack of participation? If so, social media events are enviable. With the right software, your church can set up a full-on digital community.
Facebook, for instance, allows for video live streams and so much interaction with your followers. You can even create Facebook Groups for your ministries or studies, making for a free and easy way to encourage engagement and get everyone interacting with each other. In this sense, social media can greatly complement the events and activities your church is already running.
Some churches even use Facebook events as standalone occasions. This allows them to enable and encourage interaction between people who wouldn’t be able to attend in person. Live services, especially on holidays, are an excellent example, but your church can get as creative as you want. The best part is, virtual attendees can easily invite friends to join them.
Is Your Church Doing Enough with Social Media?
Maybe you’re just getting started when it comes to the world of social media. Then again, perhaps you’ve already spent months (or even years) trying to work it into your church’s strategy. Regardless, gaining recognition for the power of social media within the church is critical.
The Lord used the printing press to spread the Bible and the radio to broadcast His message. Similarly, he uses social media. It’s the latest tool to help get His love and word out to the masses. Your church plays an important role in making that happen. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to take a lot of resources, either.
With a plan in place, your church can recruit the talent within its congregation and volunteer groups to help take its social media strategy to the next level. Set goals and work to achieve them. With the help of the gifts of your people, your church will be able to continue its mission. You’ll also grow attendance, increase awareness, and ultimately, grow its impact in the community.
Boost Engagement with The Right Tools
If you haven’t already gotten your ministries and church members on board, now is a great time. Take time to explore the power and opportunity that social media represents. For those interested in learning more about using social media to grow their church, DonorWerx can help.
Donorwerx coaches church leaders every day to help them succeed in the digital space. If you want to learn more about our software and coaching, reach out to the team. Schedule a free, 30-minute Discovery Call and we’ll help you come up with a handful of strategies to increase your donations, boost engagement, and get your church moving into the modern era of worship.
