If the leaders of the Catholic church are advocating social media use for Catholic outreach, shouldn't we evangelical Christians who are passionate about spreading solid Gospel truth (Christ, grace and faith alone) be engaged in a social media strategy for our ministries? 


Several years ago, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged Catholics to use the web and social media to reach others. In a video released by the Vatican on YouTube, he says in part, “So that the Church and its message continue to be present in the great “Mars Hill” of social communications as defined by John Paul II and so that it is not a stranger to those spaces where … people search for answers and meaning in their lives, you must find new ways to spread voices and images of hope through the ever-evolving communications system that surrounds our planet.”  Pope Francis has recently said much the same as recorded in this article from the National Journal. 

Due to this from the Pope, the Vatican added a YouTube account, a personal Facebook page for Pope Benedict then, and for Pope Francis now, an iPhone app, and a Facebook app. Outside of the Vatican, many of those in the Church have heard the "call" from the Pope and started blogging and creating other online resources like Open Source Catholic. 

If the Catholics have aggressively pursued the use of social media, smartphone apps, mobile internet access, and so on, shouldn't we be doing the same in order to reach people "where they are" with Biblical Gospel truth?

Too many of us have continued to only use old outreach options such as “door to door”, newspaper ads, radio spots, phone calling, or postcards. Not that these are wrong, but if they are effective, they are also expensive, require a lot of effort and/or often annoy as many people or more than they reach. 

Why should we use social media and the internet to help people find our church, school, ministry, and the Truth itself?  Well, because that is where people look for information – the information highway. 


People are on the internet and specifically on social media - throughout the day, everyday. We can reach them in their homes, waiting rooms, buses, airports, taxis, etc. with the true Gospel message of salvation through Christ faith and grace alone.

Is your ministry involved in this outreach medium? Is your ministry part of the conversation in social media. Can those who are using social media to find answers, truth, and local help find you? If not, don’t miss the opportunity. Get involved today. Put a strategy together and use this mostly FREE and highly highly utilized communication channel to expand your reach.

If you need help or advice, don’t hesitate to contact us at PurposeLaunch Marketing. Our purpose is launching yours.

Click Here to use the Church website evaluation tool on our site.

Click here to read today's edition of "The Fuel Tank." A regular dose of articles from across the web to help you with your social media and online promotion strategies.  You can have it delivered to your inbox if you'd like. 

Check out a recent project for a Christian school at www.DiscoverTri-City.com . 

Have you ever thought of using PowerPoint to promote your business? PowerPoint has become one of the most used tools to market a business, yet many people have neglected to use it. Many still think of it as only for stand up live presentations. Often it is associated with a boring lecture but it can be used for so much more. You can make videos, post to Facebook, SlideShare, Twitter and more.  

So, you may have answered that first question with a "Yes, I use PowerPoint all the time for my business in presentations." But are you using it effectively for other venues too? PowerPoint can be a great tool to promote, but it can also be a waste of time if you are not using it effectively. Here are 5 great tips to make your PowerPoint presentations across all media channels - AWESOME! And I don't mean awesome, I mean AWESOME! 


1. Use High Quality Pictures as the Background to Your Slides.

Sure everyone knows to put pictures in your slide show, but many people choose to use low quality pictures on their slides because they are easy to get. This baffles me! I can tell you from being in many presentations the less quality of a picture the less the message means to me. The higher the quality the more it means to me. If all you have to work with is low quality pictures, then use them sparingly and take the time to find some high quality pictures. Let me show you some examples.  

2. Keep Each Slide Simple

I cannot tell you how many times a slide show has been full of text and I zone out. People in today's society have developed a habit of getting off task. Just think about all of the times you are reading a blog called Marketing 101, and after 35 minutes you are watching a video on Youtube about a laughing squirrel that flies. There are just so many things that can distract people. When I see a slide with lots of words I begin to read it perfectly fine, and after 3 sentences I start to skip every other word. By the end of the slide I am reading in super sonic speeds like Charlie Brown's parents talk. Keep your slides very short, so the person watching has to pay attention for the next slide. Here are some examples of what to do and what not to do: 

Looking for even more information on how to make your PowerPoint presentations AWESOME. I came across a very in depth article that you can check out here. 

For even more helpful info check out the links below and accept our free gift of 3 PowerPoint templates that rock!

Get "The Fuel Tank" in your inbox everyday. A daily roundup from across the web of articles & tools for digital marketers and ministry-minded promoters of Bible Truth.  Click Here for today's copy and sign up. 

Austin Glanzer is a young entrepreneur and avid marketing idea enthusiast. He is currently working for PurposeLaunch Marketing developing online promotional strategies and learning more and more every second. You can contact him at Austin.Glanzer@PurposeLaunch.com.


PART 2 Coming soon - Watch For IT.

Looking to have your website make a great first impression? First impressions are one of THE most important assets that a website can have. People choose to leave or stay on a webpage in literally seconds. You don't want your website showing up to a meeting with a grape jelly stain on its pants. Here are 8 websites that know their market and are staying trendy. Perhaps these will give you some ideas on how to update your site and make it POP.  What sites have you come across that you think really grab attention and draw you in?

Several years ago, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged Catholics to use the web and social media to reach others . In a video released by the vatican on YouTube , he says in part, “So that the Church and its message continue to be present in the great “Mars Hill” of social communications as defined by John Paul II and so that it is not a stranger to those spaces where … people search for answers and meaning in their lives, you must find new ways to spread voices and images of hope through the ever-evolving communications system that surrounds our planet.”  Pope Francis has recently said much the same as recorded in this article from the National Journal. 

Due to this from the Pope, the Vatican added a YouTube account, a personal Facebook page for Pope Benedict then,  and for Pope Francis now, an iPhone app and Facebook app. Outside of the Vatican, many of those in the Church have heard the call and startedblogging and creating other online resources like Open Source Catholic .

If the leaders of the Catholic church are advocating social media use for Catholic outreach, shouldn't we be engaged in a social media strategy for our ministires of solid Gospel truth? 

Most of us have used old outreach options such as “door to door” newspaper ads, radio spots, phone calling and post cards for years. Not that these are wrong, but if they are effective, they are also expensive, require a lot of effort and often annoy as many people or more than they reach. 

Why should we help people find truth? Well, because they are looking for it.

Why should we use social media and the internet to help them find truth? Well, because that is where people look for information – the information highway. 

Check out the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life , about 92% of Americans believe in a higher power, 28% have left the religion of their childhood and 16% don’t identify with a particular religion at all. This means that there are people who are unattached and searching within those who believe in a higher power, and many of these folks are actively searching for answers, especially when life is difficult and certainly as God leads and draws them.

Is your ministry involved in this outreach medium? Is your ministry part of the conversation in social media. Can those who are using social media to find answers, truth and local help find you? If not, don’t miss the opportunity. Get involved today. Put a strategy together and use this mostly FREE and highly highly utilized communication channel to expand your reach.

If you need help or advice, don’t hesitate to contact us at PurposeLaunch Ministries. Our purpose is launching yours.

Click on the offer below for more help and free resources.


- Mike Glanzer

 Social Media is huge right now! There is a lot of competiton for attention to your posts.

If you don't get their attention in just seconds in the news feed, you're toast. Here are 10 tips that might help give you some ideas. 
1.    The Army Sargent Headline- this headline commands your reader to do something. It’s like a do it now shout. 
E.g. Make a difference today.  Pray for Your Kids Right Now, Don''t Miss This Principle on Parenting.

2.    The Promise of Advice Headline- this promises to give your reader useful help by using words like secrets, tips (note how I used that in my headline!), laws, rules, steps etc

E.g. Top 10 Tips for Reaching the Hurting in Your Town, Steps to a More Inviting Service

3.    The User Review Headline- provides your reader with someone else’s review of your ministry. This works very well when you target your ad to a demographic that has the endorser in your readers’ Facebook profile interests.
E.g. Dr. "famous speaker" Enjoys Our Books or Senator Nelson Impressed With Our Students

4.    The Authentic Headline- uses authentic yet peculiar facts that provides honest and truthful copy that can be trusted
E.g. Children's Ministry Director Explains How to Teach Truth

5.    The "Are You Like Me" Headline- this asks your reader a question about a pre-existing desire compelling them to say “yes, me too” or “ yes, I do”
E.g. Who Wants to Enjoy Prayer More?, Who Hates Being Scared to Share the Gospel?;

6.    The Deal with Headline- works like a charm for problems of all kinds such as spiritual struggles, raising kids, dealing with tempations, etc

E.g. Deal with Discouragement, Deal with Kids Who are Afraid of the Dark

7.    The Quick Way Headline- offers your reader an easy and fast way to solve an irritating problem in their lives.

E.g. Quick Way to Engage Visitors, Quick Ways to Reach More Families.

8.    The Be Like Someone Headline- this headline tells your reader to be like someone they look up to.

E.g. Pray Like Spurgeon, Write Like C.S. Lewis, Preach Like John Piper

9.    The Finally Here it is Headline- shows readers how they can finally have an answer to a need or fulfill a dream they have had for a long time.

       E.g. Finally, Here it is. Understand How to Study Proverbs. Finally, Here it is. You can Memorize Scripture.

10.   The Have Something You Can Be Proud of Headline- this appeals to the readers sense of accomplishment.

         E.g. Have a Budget that Allows You to Give More to Others, Have a Youth Program That Develops Leaders.

Hope these 10 headline tips sky rocket your ad’s click-through rates. What are some other ideas that have worked for you?

- Mike Glanzer

• What if you could promote your ministry more effectively for less money? Even better what if you could reach people in your church with more truth every day of the week as well as the folks in your community or around the world ? You can!

• What if you could have short services and give people truth through video, written and spoken word, pictures and conversation and know that every day, every time the Word would be heard by 50-500 people or more? You can!

• What if this communication was free? It is!

• What if you could grow your ministry, whether a business that is involved in Christian Education, Christian Literature, Christian Camping, Christian music or as a local church with promotion that is cheaper and more direct than ever before? You can!

• If this were all true, would that excite you?

• Would you feel an obligation to rise to the occasion, meet the opportunity head on and deliver?

• Would you feel negligent with the Truth if you didn't have those services and communicate with those people or promote your ministry or church through this means?

If you answered with a resounding "YES," then welcome to the world of social media for ministry.  I know you've heard of Facebook and so on, but perhaps you've not considered how vital it is to be utilizing all of this strategically and consistently.

Many folks age 45+ in ministry think of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn as complicated or for teens or for big business or maybe even as a "time waster."  The truth is that social media is where 75% of the people in your church and community are spending a lot of their time.

They are on the social sites before they get out of bed in the morning and after they go to bed at night.  They are checking Facebook or Twitter in the elevators, on the sidewalks, in their living rooms, in waiting rooms and even in the bathroom.

Social media is a great way to connect with your people, the community and the world all week long almost 24/7. It is a great way to extend your ministry, promote your ministry and communicate Bible Truth. 


If you aren't using social media to communicate truth, Please consider it.

Click below to watch a short video about the power of promotion through social media, then download a FREE resource I put together with 10 Tips on being more strategic with Facebook in your ministry. 

- Mike Glanzer

In America a bit over one quarter of every hour is spent on social media. Will they see your ministry? What dialogue are you having with them? For more recent social media stats, click here to check out this info graphic from Marketing Pros.

- Mike Glanzer

Local churches and ministries agree that a majority of their people come from a fairly small geographical radius especially in a bigger city where there are other good options for them to find.

Did you know that you can create a Facebook Ad, reach that exact target market and have them join your email list? This article will show you just how to do that.Create a Facebook account and page
You can create a ministry page if you don’t have one already by clicking below to get started.                                               https://www.facebook.com/pages/create/
 
Create an Facebook Ad
The goal of the ad is to get people to your opt-in page which can be either on your business website or on your Facebook page. The basic steps to create an ad are:
enter your destination url-this is your website url or Facebook page url
upload a picture for your ad, create a headline and body text
specify your target market by location (country, state or city) , sex, age, education, likes and interests (think through your ideal people to help you target your ad well)
enter your bid price (the ad generator will help you know how much to spend to reach a specific amount)
 
Landing on your ministry website
If you chose your ministry website as the destination URL, everyone who clicks on your ad will land there. Make sure your sign up form is in a good position at the top of your home page. Your ad must specify you will require them to sign up. If you don’t, Facebook will not approve your ad. You’ll need to give them a good reason on your site for giving you their contact information. Typcially it is best to just ask for first name and an email address so folks feel comfortable sharing this information. You can try to get more as you add them to various email campaigns which are in line with your over-all communication plan.
 
Landing on your Facebook page
You can also set up various email programs such as MailChimp, Constant Contact or Aweber on your Facebook page and attempt to get information there, but that is for another post.
 
Remember that getting contact information is not easy. You’ll need to offer them a good reason for giving it to you, but with some creativity and the right target audience for your ad, you’ll be fine. If you need help, feel free to contact us at PurposeLaunch Ministries.

- Mike Glanzer

Apart from having a regular website, every local ministry or local church owner should consider getting a mobile optimized website for their ministry or local church for these key reasons:

1. Mobile technology use has grown like crazyover the past couple of years. It is estimated that 91% or 285 million Americans are mobile phone subscribers and are increasingly using the phone for text messaging and Mobile web access. Even in developing nations, people may not have running water or decent housing but they still own a mobile phone. Mobile phones are no longer the preserve of just the elite few, but have become a common place device that even kids own. To ignore the ministry or local church potential of reaching out to your members, parents or potential members through the mobile medium is akin to committing outreach suicide.

1. Mobile phone devices have developed from the simple cell phone that can make calls and send/receive text messages. As you know, smart phones are all the rage and they have such tremendous capabilities that they are like a phone, a computer, a TV and personal organizer all rolled into one. They aren’t just used by the young either. My parents who are …. Well above 60…. Are very able on their phones and mobile devices. They use their phones, like most younger folks to access the internet more than they do on a desktop or laptop computer. Not optimizing your site for mobile means will definitely lead to lost ministry or local church.

1. Like my parents, more people are using their phones to go online rather than using their personal computers. Especially for local information. Coupled with the proliferation of wireless hotspots in public areas, mobile phone users can access the internet from more places like shopping malls, restaurants and colleges. They find it more convenient and less of a hassle as they can use their mobile phones while on the go. It also provides them access to their favorite social media connections like Facebook and Twitter, helps them to get directions using the GPS applications and provides them with entertainment as they listen to music and play computer games. In other words, more and more people are choosing the mobile phone as the internet connection of choice.

Check your church or ministry website now on your mobile phone. Does your page look very very small and hard to read or does it perfectly fill your screen with menu options easily assessable?Check out www.purposelaunch.com on your device. We are optimized for mobile so you can see how a website should look. If you’re not optimized, ask your IT guys to help or contact us. We can help too.


- Mike Glanzer

 If you think a blog site is simply a platform for an individual's personal diary or theological rampage, think once again! Local church and ministry blogging is just one of the most recent, most popular methods to build your ministry, increase your enrollment or reach more people. 

Here are a few reasons why every local church and ministry should capitalize on blogging.

Blogging is Easy and Inexpensive

Blogging is one of the easiest ways to improve your Google page rank and get your ministry noticed. Essentially, when you have a good blog going, and you keep it updated, Google’s search engines will notice your ministry before other similar ministries in the area, especially if your entire website has been built with SEO in mind.

It is simple to have a blog built into your website, and it is easy to either maintain it yourself or have your SEO company’s writers craft updates that will keep people informed and get your blog noticed most easily. Blog entries are inexpensive – even if you hire someone else to do them, they often cost less than $10 apiece. One word of warning – do not outsource to a non-native English speaker to write blogs for you! Writers in countries like India and Pakistan, as well as the Philippines and other Asian countries will write content for pennies on the dollar, but the results are not normally useable and can even result in a lower page rank. In a nutshell, you get what you pay for.

Blogging Is Immediate

You can write a blog entry and publish it immediately, so it’s up on your website just as soon as you’ve hit the “publish” button. You don’t have to worry about page structure, coding, or establishing links – and you don’t have to wait for an IT person to work your new information into his or her schedule. Those days of needing professional IT guys to run your website are almost over and they ARE over in regard to blogging. You can basically keep people informed on an up-to-the minute basis, if you want!

Blogging Converts To Leads For Your Ministry

Considering the fact that more and more people conduct internet research on their own before coming to a Christian school for a visit or before visiting a church, ministries that have a great looking website that includes a blog filled with useful information that is both helpful and educational tend to see a great return on investment once they’ve got the site and blog optimized.

Contact an individual or company that specializes in SEO, or learn more about SEO online to find out more about how blogging can help increase your outreach.

- Mike Glanzer