Everyone has jumped on the social media bandwagon and are running full throttle. Well, almost everyone – there are certain sectors that are lagging behind.

The nonprofit sector, especially churches, have yet to really grasp it and make a digital imprint like they could. Outside of pastor and New York Times bestselling author, Joel Osteen, most churches are not ranking up in Google.  Joel Osteen’s podcasts, by the way, is the second most downloaded podcast in the world according to Religion News Service.

So, should churches and Christian authors be focusing on using the “world wide web” to market their message?

According to Zondervan’s director of publicity, Karen Campbell, “Publishers should build on their authors’ networks, including social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blog and Web Sites) and personal contacts to help enhance their brands.”

Zondervan, the world’s leading Christian publisher based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has great success with “matching the Christian message with technology” for Inspired By…The Bible Experience, BibleGateway.com and recently, Glo.

To increase lagging readership of Christian books or increase church attendance especially among men and youth, technology and social media strategies are needed.

But competent use of technology, according David Murrow, author of “Why Men Hate Going to Church,” can be a helpful start for churches aiming to make men feel comfortable.

“A church that uses the latest technology to teach and encourage,” Murrow writes in his book, “will be sending a strong message to men and young adults: We speak your language.”

Most churches realizes that they should use social media to “draw people to Christ” but don’t know how or where to start.

Here are some steps to get going:

1. Set up a Facebook Fan page and ask members or readers to join it
2. Set up a twitter account and connect to your Facebook. Learn how to “tweet” using your mobile phone device.
3. Create a blog so that you can have members or readers comment. Blog your sermon notes or if  you’re a Christian author, blog your book! Set your blog to post to your Facebook account and set up a “NetworkedBlog” so people can follow your blog on Facebook.  Creating a community online is critical. Don’t talk at people – engage them.
4. Post videos on YouTube. Everyone loves to watch short videos. But don’t post anything too heavy. Keep it inspirational and short. Under five minutes. Post it and load it to Twitter – which would post to Facebook.
5. Set up a Cinchcast.com account. This is like leaving a voice message on the internet. Again, make is short (under 2 minutes) and post out into your accounts – people love hearing “real” messages.

Approximately 60% of people under 30 in the US say that they get their news online.

Social media is a great way to reach young people – who are the ones that will grow you ministry and be like “evangelists” spreading the word.  Keep them excited.  Show you’re on the cutting-edge.  Make them proud be associated with a church that has tons of “fans” on Facebook or a ministry that Tweets.

The internet and digital media is going to continue to grow and become more and more commonplace.

Social media marketing is the way to fulfill the Great Commission that says Christians must “Go Ye into the World to spread the Gospel.”  If you aren’t utilizing the world wide web to reach the world, you need to get started right away!  The best part about social media is that it is free.

Ministry marketing pioneer, Social Media Expert and PR Coach Pam Perry helps African American Christian authors garner publicity and leverage online strategies. As a 20-year PR veteran, she is also the co-author of  “Synergy Energy: How to Use the Power of Partnerships to Market Your Book, Grow Your Business and Brand Your Ministry.”

See http://www.socialmediapr.eventbrite.com too for one-on-one help.

For a free MP3 of “What Every Author Should Know,” go to http://www.PamPerryPR.com She offers free help at her blogsite: http://www.MinistryMarketingSolutionsblog.com with her monthly Ezine and teleclasses.

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Boldness – Feel it? by Kimberly Benjamin, author

“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the

faith of him.”

- Ephesians 3:12

Are you courageous and daring, not hesitant, or not fearful in the face of possible or present danger? Well, if you answered “Yes” then you are a person that can demonstrate boldness during your job search.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”        (2 Timothy 1:7). There will be times in your job search when you will have to demonstrate the character quality of “boldness.”  You may need to call 100 companies to see if they are hiring.  You may need to “hit the pavement,” and actually visit companies to fill out employment applications. You may need to “follow-up” with past companies and resources that you’ve used to apply for open positions. Whatever the case, looking for a job requires that you operate in “Boldness.”

I know that initiating contact with companies may be a little uncomfortable, but what other choice do you have?  Initiating the first contact with an employer is critical because not all open jobs are advertised.  Many career consulting experts in the field call this process “tapping into the hidden job market.”  According to studies by a major foundation and the Federal Employment Services in California, over 85 percent of job vacancies are not available through traditional resources like newspaper ads, civil service notices, federal or state employment agencies, private agencies or search firms.  This tells us that job seekers must feel comfortable in initiating contact with the potential employer and find out about job openings before they are advertised.

As an experienced human resource professional, I have heard many complaints about positions being filled by family members, friends, and other preferred candidates before the position “officially” became available.  Even though this process seems unfair, it is very true.  I am not saying that the majority of companies have family members and friends working in the same organization, but that a large number of open positions were filled by “preferred candidates” that have submitted their résumé early in the job search process.

Many of the candidates have networked with key decision makers before the job posting was advertised to the general public.  Millions of job hunters shop the local classifieds weekly without realizing that each ad for most openings draws hundreds of applicants.  Also, jobs advertised in papers today only account for less than 3 percent of the jobs out there.

As you can see, it is very important that you send your cover letter and résumé to everyone that you come in contact with, such as recruiters, company vice presidents, executives, friends, and family members, early in the job search process. Applying for jobs that are ONLY advertised (ex: Sunday newspaper Classified Section, Internet job postings, and employment publications) limits your opportunities for God to provide resources to you.

Personal Assignments:

1.      How can you demonstrate boldness this week?

2.      Identify 20 companies that you will call this week to inquire about open positions within the organization.

3.      Identify 15 companies that you will call this week to schedule interviews.

4.      Send your résumé to 15 local temporary or employment agencies.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You for boldness as I go through my job search.  I will

be comfortable in speaking with friends, family members, recruiters

and potential employers about my employment needs.  Thank You for

giving me the words to say as I network with others.  I am strong and

confident because of You, and I thank You for letting the recruiters

see it in me throughout my job search. Amen.

Kimberly A. Benjamin, PHR is a licensed and certified human resource professional with  over 17 years of HR experience working for Fortune 500 Companies such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, ITT Industries, Wal-mart, Toys-R-Us, Kelsey Hayes and Cornerstone Schools. She is a professional resume writer and highly sought after Career and Entrepreneur Coach. Kimberly is currently a professor at Concordia University and Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD). Ms. Kimberly Benjamin is also the Author of How to Be Highly Favored and Empowered to Prosper in Your Job Search Book and Workbook, Producer of Has God Given You a Business Idea Workshop 28-Part DVD Series and Executive Producer of Pursuing Your Business Idea Television Show.

This excerpt came out of  How to Be Highly Favored and Empowered to Prosper in Your Job Search Book  by Kimberly Benjamin.

To order a copy of this book visit www.BeBlessedCareerConsulting.com or www.HasGodGivenYouABusinessIdea.com.  You may also call 1.877.635.7464 for more information.

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