Highlights from around the web – 3/30/2010

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 | What I've Been Reading | No Comments

What I've been readingHere are the latest things that caught my eye from around the web in the past few days. I subscribe to dozens of blogs and news sources via my Google Reader and share them. You can keep up with them by following me on Twitter or even subscribing directly. I will also post them here in my blog from time to time.

Evolution of social media integration

Monday, March 29th, 2010 | Internet Ministry, What I've Been Reading | 2 Comments

As you know, I regularly share posts I read via my Google Reader shared items. This weekend, however, I read a post that I thought should be highlighted in my blog.  One of the blogs I follow is Jeremiah Owyan’s “Web Strategy”. Yesterday, he posted an entry entitled “Matrix: Evolution of Social Media Integration and Corporate Websites”. In this post, he includes a matrix that shows an evolution of how and organization can evolve their social media strategy, starting with with “do nothing” and ending with “full integration”. But how do you get from nothing to everything? That’s the best part of this matrix: it gives you the baby steps in-between.

I am reproducing the matrix below, but I encourage you to go and read the entire post to get the full scope of how to use it.  Though it is written for businesses, ministries and non-profits can also benefit from it.

Sophistication Example Benefit Challenge
1) Do nothing, no social integration Corporate websites that have no integration with social tools at all. Cheap. Ignorance is bliss, at least in the short term Your corporate website is irrelevant.
2) Link directly away without a strategy Corporate homepages that have chickelts that say “Follow us on Twitter/Facebook/YouTube” sending traffic away, seesharethis, add this andtweetmeme Encourages growth of social channels Sending traffic away, without having a strategy
3) Link away, but encourage them to share with a pre-populated message A chicklet that encourages new Twitter followers to Tweet at their friends “I’m no following X brand” Triggers a social alert as a form of endorsement Better than the above, it may not have a followup or call to action
4) Brand experience is integrated in social channels Extending the brand to social channels, so the corporate experience is somewhat mirrored on social channels Regardless of wherever users go, they are still experiencing the brand Social channels sometimes serve better as a conversational area –not for traditional branding campaigns
5) Aggregating the discussion on your site Aggregating select conversations from Tweets like the skittles homepage did, top discussions in communities or blogs, see Disqus and Echo. Centralizes the discussion on your site, making it a resource to first look at. Low cost content Lack of control over which content can be created, still links off site
6) Social login systems that allow users to stay on site Using FB connect, or Twitter connect allow users to use their existing logins to access site, see how JanRain andGigya (client) helps May increase sign ups, widening marketing funnel, chances are content is more accurate than a sign up form May not have access to email addresses, as users passthrough using social logins.
7) Social login systems that allow users to stay on site, but triggers viral loop In addition to the above, there’s an actual social or interactive experience on the corporate site that triggers them to share with their friends Users stay on site, interact with brand or peers, yet recruit other members in social networks Requires planning, a campaign, and extensive resources.
8. Complete integration between corporate site and social sites Other than URLs there’s no difference between a corporate site and a social site, the experiences are seamless Customers, prospects, and employees mix together, churning on new members and viral activity It doesn’t exist, yet.

Tags: , ,

Highlights from around the web – 3/26/2010

Friday, March 26th, 2010 | What I've Been Reading | 1 Comment

What I've been readingHere are the latest things that caught my eye from around the web in the past few days. I subscribe to dozens of blogs and news sources via my Google Reader and share them. You can keep up with them by following me on Twitter or even subscribing directly. I will also post them here in my blog from time to time.

You always knew the deal was sacrifice

Thursday, March 25th, 2010 | Off Topic | No Comments

This is a re-post from last year…

I’m taking a break from my usual posting on Internet ministry topics to post about what I believe is the best song ever written for Easter.  Now this is not a song you can sing along with (at least not during a worship service, maybe in the car, real loud…), but every time I hear it, it brings the reality of what Jesus did for us 2000 years ago to life. During this Easter season, we need to say it loud and clear: Jesus Christ (God in human form) was born of a virgin and lived on this earth. He lived a perfect life, suffered and died as a sacrifice for our sins. After three days, He rose from the dead, conquering death, ascended to Heaven and will return again. By believing this and accepting this gift from God and not by what we can do ourselves, we will be restored into a relationship with God.

The song? “The Twist” by the Swirling Eddies.

hang on, believe
there’s nothing up my sleeve
i’ve got no magic tricks to save the day
put down the gun
you’re not helping anyone
and i’m not about to run or back away

don’t walk the fence
then come to my defense
i don’t need fair weather kinds of friends around
so watch and pray
as a traitor’s kiss betrays
and rest your feet of clay on shaky ground

and look me in the face, at least what’s left of it
tell me you still love me just a little bit
or nail me down, break the skin
hard enough to do me in
but don’t leave me hanging
dying and dangling
twisting in the wind

here, touch my side
let doubt be crucified
nailed with your wounded pride
to love’s grim altar
here, taste my flesh
my bloody humanness
i am no phantom guest
no skinless martyr

so taste and feel
there’s nothing to conceal
you always knew the deal
as sacrifice
stand up, be strong
when all you’ve got is gone
i left the light turned on in paradise

and when the walls cave in
and the curtain’s torn asunder
you’ll know we’re near the end
you’ll hear me in the thunder
and when the sun grows dim
this will be your sign and wonder
that soon we’ll meet again
just like we did last summer

Tags: , , ,

Creating a Facebook page for your ministry

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 | Internet Ministry | No Comments

Just wanted to point you to a great article (beginning of a series actually) that ChurchCrunch is posting on how to create a Facebook page for your church or ministry.  This is a very detailed posting that describes the different options and gives you ideas for your page. Read through the comments for more great info!

Also – on a related note – I’ve finally got a real “username” for my Lessons From Babel Facebook page: http://facebook.com/lessonsfrombabel.  Check it out – and if you’re not a fan, what are you waiting for?

Tags: ,

Highlights from around the web – 3/23/2010

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 | What I've Been Reading | No Comments

What I've been reading

Here are the latest things that caught my eye from around the web in the past few days. I subscribe to dozens of blogs and news sources via my Google Reader and share them. You can keep up with them by following me on Twitter or even subscribing directly. I will also post them here in my blog from time to time.

Internet Evangelism Day is coming April 25

Monday, March 22nd, 2010 | Internet Ministry | No Comments

Do you want to get your ministry’s online efforts going but don’t have any momentum? Or are you trying to finish up a web site refresh or Facebook campaign – or get one started? Why not use Internet Evangelism Day, this year scheduled for April 25th, as a day to rally the troops and get some momentum going?  One thing you can do right now: become a fan of their Facebook page.

Here is the press release from the Internet Evangelism coalition on this year’s IE Day:

Internet Evangelism Day is an annual focus day for churches. This year, it is scheduled for Sunday April 25. It’s an opportunity for any church to explore with its members the exciting opportunities for sharing the good news online. Ready-made free downloads – PowerPoint, video clips, handouts, drama scripts and music can be easily built into a presentation of five minutes or 50.

2010′s focus day will be the sixth to be used by churches around the world since the initiative’s launch in 2005. Over this period, digital media have developed dramatically, with the advent of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and the growing use of mobile phones to access online services.

IE Day’s website is also a one-stop resource covering many subjects including: how to build a church website that is ‘outsider friendly’, using Twitter inevangelism, and ideas for effective blogging.

Perhaps surprisingly, you do not need to be technical to share your faith online. And you can volunteer to be an email mentor to inquirers with several large online outreach ministries.

Internet Evangelism Day is an initiative of the Internet Evangelism Coalition, based at the Billy Graham Center, Wheaton. It is supported by a wide range of Christian leaders and groups. “I am glad to commend Internet Evangelism Day,” says John Stott.

More information: http://www.InternetEvangelismDay.com

Highlights from around the web – 3/19/2010

Friday, March 19th, 2010 | What I've Been Reading | No Comments

What I've been readingHere are the latest things that caught my eye from around the web in the past few days. I subscribe to dozens of blogs and news sources via my Google Reader and share them. You can keep up with them by following me on Twitter or even subscribing directly. I will also post them here in my blog from time to time.

Insights into paid search from Jesus.net

Thursday, March 18th, 2010 | Internet Ministry | No Comments

When I was at the TIEN 2010 conference in Turkey, I had a chance to hear from David Nolent, who is currently listed as a webmaster and team leader for Knowing God.  The Jesus.net ministry is a network of evangelistic and discipleship sites, including GodRev, TopChretien, and LookingForGod.

At the conference, David’s focus was on the use of Google AdWords and Facebook ads as a ministry tool.  Jesus.net is one of the biggest Google AdWords users and has had tremendous success.  In this post, I just wanted to summarize some of what he shared with us. Remember, this advice is for those looking to pay for ads via the Google or Facebook networks, not necessarily general SEO advice:

  • All ads should be in line with your ministry’s focus and budget. They should be strategic!
  • 94% of Google searches use multiple word phrases, not single words. If you are going to buy ads, focus on multiple word searches.
  • You should take advantage of negative keywords as well, so you can better target your audience without being too general.
  • Use all the tools provided, including: Google Insights for Search (http://google.com/insights), Google Keyword Tool (http://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal).
  • Customize your ads by location and by ministry, if applicable.
  • Facebook advertising is a bit more expensive than Google, but it is much easier to target your ads.
  • Facebook requires an image with their ad: make it relevant!
  • Facebook is relationship-based, so your ads should draw people into a relationship. Link to a fan page or something else within Facebook that the user can interact with.
  • When doing these types of ads (Google/Facebook paid ads), you should plan on doing a lot of testing first to see what works!

What is your advice for AdWords or Facebook ads? What has worked for you?

Tags: , , ,

Mobile: the right place at the right time

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 | book review | No Comments

As you know, I am now on a “half-sabbatical” for the next two semesters here at Biola, with one of the outcomes being a book on using the Internet and social media for ministry. As part of this process, I am spending some time reviewing some different materials for possible inclusion in the book and/or my online course this summer.  As I complete my review of these materials, I will post a summary to this blog. To see all my reviews, click here.

Last month I posted a review of Persuasive Technology by BJ Fogg. This book, which I highly recommend for those who are interested in understanding how to make their web presence more credible, details just how technology can be used to persuade people to your point of view.   While I was on my trip to Turkey earlier this month, I finished the follow-up book: Mobile Persuasion.

Unlike its predecessor, Mobile Persuasion is a compilation of essays written by leaders in the field of mobile technologies and captology (the study of computers as persuasive technology). Each essay focuses on a different aspect of how mobile devices can be used to persuade. While I did not find this book as compelling overall as the first, there are several nuggets of insight that are valuable to ministries and churches looking to understand and utilize the power of mobile devices.

I firmly believe (as does Google, by the way), that we are now moving quickly to the point where mobile devices will be the primary way people interact with the Internet and with each other.  With this in mind, here are some of my key takeaways from this book:

  • the mobile-human relationship is one of the most personal, intensive, and lasting of all relationships. Just think of how you feel about your iPhone…
  • because mobile devices are always with us and always on, they are positioned perfectly to provide persuasive prompts at the right place and the right time.
  • a mobile service must be integrated into a user’s behavior pattern in order to succeed. I can see a church mobile “app” which reminds users of upcoming services, study suggestions, and registers their attendance each Sunday morning.
  • developing a mobile “experience” is fundamentally different from a web experience. The experience is not only “smaller”, but  should also be “smarter”.
  • users who know their activities are being monitored (voluntarily) are more likely to repeat the behaviors that we want them to.
  • mobile devices can be treated as extensions of the way the user sees the world.
  • mobile applications should be dependable, consistently solve user’s problems, and do so effortlessly.
  • mobile devices are personal, so the programs run on them should be able to be personalized.
  • if the mobile app is social, it can better persuade – we use the actions of others to decide on proper behavior for ourselves.
  • being mobile is much less about technology, and much more about culture, connectedness, and fundamental human needs.

The book ends with a look at the future of persuasion through mobile devices. One interesting conclusion from this chapter (written by Dean Eckles, who is part of the Persuasive Technology Lab at Stanford) is that individual messages will become less useful as a way to persuade. Instead, “it will be replaced by contextual information that comes to people based on their goals, their location, their activity, and – possibly- their state of mind.” This is then summed up by Dr. BJ Fogg, director of the lab, as follows:

By knowing a user’s goals, routine, current location, and current task, mobile systems of the future will be able to determine when the user would be most open to persuasion in the form of a reminder, suggestion, or simulated experience.

I have said before, the future is mobile and social, and we need to understand how to become a part of it.

Overall, I recommend Mobile Persuasion, though I would highly recommend reading Persuasive Technology first. The only real criticism I have about this book is that it was written too early. Specifically, it was written before the advent of the iPhone, which changed the mobile game completely. I would love to see an update to this book, taking all the latest technologies into account. However, the principles still apply and are worth reviewing.

Tags: , ,

« Previous Entries Next Entries »
 Get this blog in a reader or your email

Search

Welcome to the Lessons From Babel blog

This blog is where I share the latest thoughts on the world of technology and faith. Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment. To find out more about me, my company, and this web site, or to see what resources are available on this site, click on the images right below this.

- Dave Bourgeois

About
About Dave Bourgeois
Resources
Internet ministry resources
Lessons From Babel on Facebook
My Google Reader Shared Items

Follow me on Twitter…