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Communicating Your Message in a Noisy World
E3 WorkshopJanuary 24, 2009
Presenter: Jill WilsonCommunications Coordinator
Providence Presbytery
Church Communications
Who is your audience?Church MembersVisitorsNon-churched/De-churchedAgeGenderTechnological/Equipment Demographics
Technological demographics can change as much as every 6 months
formal or informal surveys determine where your congregation is technologically
Economic/Education Demographics
Know your messageWhat are you attempting to communicate
about your church?Message packaging is important.What are you saying VISUALLY?What are you saying in your TECHNOLOGY
ADOPTION?Are you communicating “TO” or “WITH”
your audience? (Web 2.0)
How we communicateVerbally
Worship announcementsWord of MouthLeaders engaging individual members
How we communicatePrint
Bulletin and InsertsPosters/Bulletin BoardsFlyers/BrochuresNewsletters
How we communicateElectronically
WebsiteBlogsFacebookTwitterPodcastsVideo Production
What other ways are you communicating with your congregation?
Communication Plan: Things to ConsiderTechnological Savvy of audience
Do they go online: facebook: twitter? listen to podcasts?
Bandwidth of Internet ConnectionDSL or Dialup?
Will they check email regularly?Do they want to receive texts?Do they READ “snail mail” pieces?
Print CommunicationDiscounted Software for Non-profits
(www.techsoup.com) (www.ccvsoftware.com)(http://www.1computerbargains.com)
These Software Publishers offer DEEP discounts on software to non-profits
Software is Discounted sometimes as much as 80% (Publisher retail $149 –Discounted price from $7 to $24)
Limited quantitiesRestricted to 501-3-c Nonprofits
Desktop Publishing Software MS Publisher
Easy and functional WYSIWIG with templatesDrag and Drop
Adobe CSS 4.0More Powerful and integrated for wider range of graphic
designs (Print and Web)More difficult to useLike Pagemaker or Quark Express Created for Graphic Designers
Constant Contact (www.constantcontact.com)Contact management and newsletter designPriced on “email list quantity”Newsletter Templates : Easy to add content and publishThey send the emailNot much flexibility on layoutPrimarily for email newsletter
Tips on Images with ImpactEyes Grab Attention: Make sure you have
at least one set of eyes looking at your camera.
Grab opportunities to take pix at events with groups having fun
Does this pic make me wish I was there?Show action! Real people helping people.
Images with ImpactUnexpected and Bold images also grab
attentionStock Photos are often eye catchingRoyalty Free doesn’t mean “free”
RF just means you do not have to pay a fee for each piece you print
Truly FREE stock photo download siteshttp://sxc.hu/www.Dreamstime.comwww.aarinfreephoto.comwww.Everystockphoto.comwww.flickr.com – photo blogging site
TypographyUse Display fonts sparingly!Typography creates subliminal emotion. If a
creative font does not support your message—don’t use it.
Message in clean serifed or san-serifed fontPoint size guidelines
Kindergarten-2nd grade --24 point3rd – 5th --14 point6th-Adult –12 pointOver 40—14 point16-18 point is considered “Large Print”
Website ContentChurch Website is a Color Brochure for your
ChurchContent
Worship TimesChurch LocationWays to Connect with others in your
congregation (small groups)Calendar Contact InformationLink to Your Church’s Facebook pageMessage from pastor (sermon or video msg)
WebsitesBlog --www.Wordpress.com
Not so functionalGet quick and easy website presenceGet domain name (around $15 per year)or free
at http://yourname.wordpress.com Service Providers (www.e-zekiel.com)
(www.churchaddress.com)Content Management Software (CMS)Updating interface is like word processorNo additional software requiredHosting per month cost with small setup feeTemplatesSelf-customized from menu of choices
WebsitesCustom Web Designers (www.cloversites.com)
Choose template and they customize for youYou maintain with CMS interfaceHosting per month cost with significant setup fee. More flexibility and customization to needs
Purchase Template and Customize using HTML Editor www.dreamweaver-templates.net One-time cost $29-$160 Requires someone comfortable with html to edit and
maintain.Design own site using HTML Editor
Adobe DreamweaverMicrosoft Expression WebTop 6 Web Design Software
2008--http://www.consumersearch.com/web-design-software
Video and Podcasting TipsGood Sound is CRITICAL
Video can be grainy—but people won’t stay with you if the sound is not good
Video Podcasts no longer than 5 minutes in length.
Audio casts can be 2 hours or longer. They are like talk radio and b/c they allow for
multitasking, people will tolerate much longer shows during commutes, workouts, etc.
Web 2.0 means InteractivityBlogging, Twittering, Facebook
These Web 2.0 elements allow for two way communication
How can you use these in your ministry?Blogs with RSS www.wordpress.com
Pastor SermonsDiscussion Topics
Twittering is like texting www.twitter.comWhat are you doing now?Message Character Limits
Facebook www.facebook.comFacebook Page fosters communityCreate groups to communicate with group members
(This is the new “message board”)
Contact MePresentation Available online at
www.provhereshow.wordpress.com
I’ll be glad to help you with your website, or print communications
Presbytery Office 803-328-6269
