(ThyBlackMan.com)
Be Relevant:
People want to see content that they are interested in. We are accustomed to scrolling through content very quickly, be it looking through our feeds on Facebook, reading tweets on Twitter or looking at Instagram, it is important that your posts have titles to generate interests and are relevant to what your readers are looking for.
Use Relevant Photos and Graphics:
Photos and graphics catch the attention of the readers. The proper use of graphics brings in the readers because graphics that are catchy and interesting are just as important as a catchy and interesting title. The effective use of graphics, photos and clipart come from practice and trial and error. They should be connected to the ministry of the Church of Christ.
Caution when Integrating Scripture :
There are various interpretations when referencing scriptures to make a point, build a relationship or provide a teaching point. Caution should be taken because of referencing a particular scripture to make sure Book, Chapter, Verse and other information is clear and concise. Just posting a scripture with no explanation or meaning causes confusion and hurts more than helps. People are looking for different things when they read scripture, the most important 
element is understanding then secondly application to real world situations. When you can apply a scripture to your situation you have reach a point beyond the milk stage and moving towards meat.
1 Corinthians 3:2 English Standard Version
“I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it.
And even now you are not yet ready.”
Using Hashtags with Twitter when Microblogging:
Microblogging with Twitter has constraints with characters of 140 or less. The beauty of hashtags are they can be used on Twitter, Facebook and if blogging with WordPress and other platforms. Hashtags lead to about 21% more engagement with your followers. A good rule of thumb is to not have too many hashtags in a single tweet, but in WordPress multiple Hashtags can be used.
#ChurchofChrist #ChurchesofChrist #WestsideChurchofChrist
#WestsideCoCJax
Using Hashtags builds a following and helps to repost Tweets and content
Customer Service through Ministry:
Even though working within a ministry, there is a level of customer service and professionalism that should be displayed. The saying about customer service is “the customer is king” and quality customer service is an attribute every company/ministry should offer. Social Media helps to monitor customer service and provides a buffer for good and bad service feedback. Ministries application is to keep the customer informed, engaged, in protocol and access to information and resources that they can apply as spiritual and related to gospel.
Customer service helps build relationships which can be seen by Brands that have success for decades. The Church of Christ brand is related to Jesus Christ and the works he does for his father and ours. “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). The Church of Christ is about “Saving Souls and Keeping Souls Saved,” and the very business of Christians is to be about our fathers business to complete the work he has for us.
Analyze, analyze, analyze:
Using Social Media in the Church of Christ there needs to be a consistent level of engagement, so there are platforms, tools, resources and multimedia elements to stay connected to followers. Analyze your data, stats, levels of engagement and quality of your content. Relationships are important so keep in mind that it is important to interpret and apply Social Media data and apply it correctly to build and strengthen relationships. The worth of technology only matters if it can help establish relationships that build a connection to scripture and then to the “Plan of Salvation” that leads to baptism.
Monitoring customer behavior:
Helps to generate targeted marketing within the ministry and helps with outreach to the community and fellowship. If questions are asked about a certain topic consistently that means there should be a Bible Study, Study Group or activity to address it outside of Social Media, in person. Social Media is not a disconnected application, but a way to connect the congregation with the correct person to pray, minister, teach, study or offer help and assistance. Connecting with the community on mobile devices expands the relationship and influence of the Church of Christ.
The Brand of “Saving Souls and Keeping Souls Saved”:
Social media is a wonderful platform and tool for branding, marketing and positioning for building a community based on shared interests and relationships. When blogging for the Lord, bloggers, vbloggers, microbloggers, podcasters and writers need to remember that our craft is not to edify us, but the Lord and to share our Christian experiences.
Sometimes it is hard to keep that in mind when the questions are coming, when people ask you to pray for them and when you feel so empowered. The humility comes in that our power is from God and not anything that we have done. We must allow him to work through us, to diminish ourselves and lift up God to allow him to make his presence known and seen. Using Social Media to Market and build relationships based on Christ is not as hard as thought. The Brand is “Saving Souls and Keeping Souls Saved,” using all the platforms and tool we have the share a relationship with God that will bring eternal life or if refused eternal damnation.
John 3: 1-21 American Standard Bible
“The New Birth”
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.
