Harnessing the power of new media in your ministry

By Lisa Hendey & Matthew Warner

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@MatthewWarnermatt@flockNote.com

Lisa M. Hendey• Lisa Hendey = “CatholicMom.com”

• Twitter.com/LisaHendey

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“New horizons are now open that were until recently unimaginable; they stir our wonder at the possibilities offered by these new media and, at the same time, urgently demand a serious reflection on the significance of communication in the digital age.- 45th World Communications Day

• Truth

• Proclamation

• Authenticity of Life

45th World COMMUNICATIONS DAY

• Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization

• Value of silent reflection

• Necessity of finding quiet in an increasingly busy world

46th World COMMUNICATIONS DAY

Vatican Blogger MeetingVatican Blogger Meeting

Current Trends – “Reality”• 80% of Americans use social media

• 79% of all adults use the internet (95% of young adults)

• 80% of Americans use email

• 68% of churchgoers want to connect with their Church via social media

Current Trends – “Reality”• 71% of online Americans use video-sharing sites

• The average teenager sends out 50 txt msgs / day

• 85% of adults use cell phones & 35% use smartphones

• e-Readership doubled in 6 months - to 12% in May 2011 (tablets = 8%)

Pew Internet Data

Pew Internet June 2011

Stickiness: SNS Frequency of Use

Current Trends – Millennial Catholics• 22% have read diocesan newspaper (only 4%

online)• 70% have no awareness of print Catholic magazines

& newspapers• 43% self report as “Catholic” on social networking

sites• 8% read religious or spiritual blogs

Catholic Media Use in the US, CARA 8/11

5 New Media Rules of Ministry Communication

Rule #1 The parishioner

is in control

Respect their time & attention

Make it easy for them to connect

Speak to people in the ways

they want to listen…which means using new media.

Listen more than you talk.

Rule #2 Your website

matters

Your website matters• Leaves lasting first impression of your parish

• Avoid committing “deadly sins”

• Website is your New Media home base

– Information resource

– Connection to community

Your website matters• Invest in a great website presence

• Have multiple authors involved

• Observe USCCB guidelines

• Offer online registration & tithing

• Tell your parish story

• Reach out to inquirers & fallen-away

What parishioners want• Bulletin online early

• Mobile version

• Online Forms and registration

• Active Facebook presence for wired parishioners and teens

• Online stewardship

• Ride sharing resources

• Priestly presence

• Ministry schedule information

• Homilies available online

• Q & A with Pastor

• Photos, photos, photos

• Religious education resources

• Opt-in text reminders

Rule #3 Reach people where

they already are

Being present is not enough

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Social Network

WEB 2.0Broadcasting ->

Monologue ->Talking AT ->Informing ->

EngagingDialogueTalking WITHListening and

Relating

How?How NOT to...

$$$

followerstraffic

“friend” counts

sharesklout likes

visitors

hitsfans

comments

views

PEOPLEPEOPLE

If you shoot for quantity at the expense of quality,

you’ll end up with neither.

Build your social network upon

meaningful relationships

Social Network =Connection + Content

ConnectionHow the conversation happens

The occasion for the conversationContent

5 Quick Tips for Building Connections

#1 Use other social networks

#2 Don’t forget email

Examples:Feedburner.com & Aweber.com (for blogs)Constant Contact & Mailchimp (email marketing)flockNote.com (Catholic parishes, dioceses, orgs)

#3 Use text messaging

#4 Encourage social commenting

#5 Use multimedia

Rule #4 Don’t give up

Don’t give up

• “Be not afraid”

• Tap into local and diocesan talent & resources

• Explore affordable cloud-based solutions: Wordpress, Drupal, Google

Rule #5 Engage their hearts first

3 Reasons for lack of participation

• People aren’t inspired

• We’re in maintenance mode

• Parishioners don’t trust us

Technology is not going to bring people back to the church. You are. People are. And through

building meaningful relationships.

blog.flockNote.com

Questions?

Best Practices Panel• Craig Berry – The Catholic Spirit • Emily Klinker – Guardian Angels Chaska • Caren Hansen – BSM Jr. / Sr. High School• Sue Kerr – Carondolet Grade School• Adrian Flores – Net Ministries• Stephanie Veatch – Basilica of St. Mary

Questions?

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