Ask Twitter: How To Build Your Follower Base

If you desire to build your Twitter follower base let me give you a few tips on how I built mine.

I've actually twittered since November of 2007. As of July of 2008 I had around 200 followers. I ended 2008 with right at 1,000 followers and in exactly 41 days into 2008 I added almost another 800.

I write that not to brag but to show you that it can be done. You don't have to be a superstar, famous, or major personality to build a follower base. All you need is a little hard work and some help.

Here are four of my tips:

1. Work - Plain and simple...I am not a fan of someone who did it by any other mean...no bots here baby. To build my follower base I did it by working it. I will go out and follow a lot of people in my area of work and in other areas that I'm interested in. In exchange many of them follow me back. After a week or so I will then un-follow those that didn't follow back and begin that process again. Create a rule...follow everyone that follows you. And also if people take the initiate to follow you follow them back.
   
2. Ask -New Years Eve of '08 was a fun night. I was at 857 followers. I thought it would be cool to make it to 900 by the end of the night...so I asked those that follow me to recommend me...and recommend me they did. Within about an hour of asking I hit 900 and then everyone started pushing to get me to 1,000. In the end I was about 10 short of 1,000 when the clock struck but by the next morning I was sitting well over 1,000. Disclaimer - I would not do this to your network often. In fact, I don't think I would ask my network ever again. This is probably a one time shot for a special number.
   
3. Connect - Send lots of @ replies. An @ reply is taking someone's Twitter name and putting the @ sign directly in front of it in one of your tweets or 140 character post. Ex. "@turnedout so pumped about your vision for launching a church" Connect with others is one of the x-factors of Twitter. In fact, Twitter has become one big communication tool. I've also noticed that as you connect with others many will recommend you to their network.
   
4. Be An Expert - Well, that might be hard to just pull off if you aren't already one...but you can begin to establish a niche for yourself. Choose an area...learn all you can and pass along what you learn. People will follow someone that they believe will add value to their lives.

Now if you weren't turned off by the title and you weeded through the how...let me give you the main reason or the why to all this follow madness. I want to be a leader...I want to set the pace.

I also believe that opportunities are created in connections. With all those people that follow me I understand that someone out there could hold the key to an opportunity.

Third...why would you want to speak to an empty auditorium. If you believe that what you say or write is helpful...why not get it out to as many as possible.

How have you built your follower base? Leave me a comment here with your twitter address. As you know I always give a follow back.

Catch up with the rest of our Twitter Series:

• What Is Twitter
• How Many Tweets
  
• Favorite Twitter Tools
• How Many Followers Is Too Many
  
• How To Build Your Follower Base
  
• *Bonus* Why Should Your Church Twitter?
  

You can follow my tweets at twitter.com/jasoncurlee

Ask Twitter: How Many Should You Follow?

Here is what Guy Kawasaki wrote in a recent post on twitter about followers:

And, truth be told, there are only two kinds of Twitter users: those that want more followers and those that lie. You can follow me here.

The reason you want more followers is the law of big numbers: the more followers, the more people talking about what you do, the more you can reach the tipping point.

How many people should you follow? And why would you want to follow all of them anyway?

Obviously there are different philosophies about this...NUTSHELL - I follow everyone who follows me and unfollow anyone who unfollows me. I willingly follow a lot to get a lot of follow back. Since I follow a lot, 1,593 at time of this post, people often ask how I keep up.

Truth is...there is no possible way. What I do is set up a group in TweetDeck in which I filter out specific people I do follow. I mainly really follow people who talk and connect with me on Twitter. I really follow people who I want to see how their mind works throughout the day. I really follow people in my "industry". I follow people who are adding to the conversation.

But I mainly follow so many because there is a mutual follow back....1,600 at time of post...and I have met so many new friends because of it. And that is about connection...life is all about connections. That next person you are following could be the key to an opportunity you are about to experience.

This week I learned the power of the follow when I had so many people tell us they were praying for our family through a health situation.

I also want to be a pacesetter...one who is out on the edge trying new things and hopefully setting trends. And if you want to lead you have to put yourself out in front.

Of course this being our theme this week...I pitched it to my twitter friends. How Many Should You Follow?

1. @rafaelmarquez as many as you can pay attention to
2. @sassy007 as many as you actually converse with.
3. @JohanCyprich Follow everyone. Everyone has something useful to contribute and say.
4. @VoteMikeJones 60 or less, I explain more here http://tinyurl.com/c7hk3p
5. @jcride442 at least as many that follows you, thats my motto.

Catch up with the rest of our Twitter Series:

• What Is Twitter
• How Many Tweets
  
• Favorite Twitter Tools
• How Many Followers Is Too Many
  
• How To Build Your Follower Base
  
• *Bonus* Why Should Your Church Twitter?
  

You can follow my tweets at twitter.com/jasoncurlee

Ask Twitter: Favorite Twitter Tools

If you are going to twitter and really be serious about it, then your gonna have to use a couple of tools. By tools I mean other websites or downloadable applications. There are twitter tools for PC's or MAC's,

These will allow you to do several things of which I'll breakdown as I talk about them. Here are my absolute top twitter tools:

1. TweetDeck.com - This is my number one tool. It is a downloadable application that takes your feed and helps you break it down into a manageable stream of information. You can set up certain groups of people so you don't miss any of thier tweets. You can add a certain search term that will search for certian topics. It will gather all your @ replies unlike the web version that only collects them if the @name starts the tweet. If you are going to twitter from your computer this is a highly recommended tool.
2. FriendOrFollow.com - This is a great web application that will show you people you follow that don't follow you back or vice versa...those that follow you but you don't follow. I personally use it to unfollow people that don't follow me back. (One of my twitter rules)
3. SocialToo.com -SocialToo allows me to auto-follow or auto-unfollow people as well as leave them a thank you direct message.
4. Twitterfeed - This application allows me to post the feed of my blog to my twitter so that when ever I post it sends a tweet to let everyone know.
   
5. TweepSearch.com - This site is a great place to search for people. Just type in a search term like "Pastor" or "innovation" and it will go to work.
   
6. Twitter.Grader.com - Come on...you can twitter and not know how your doing. Just type in your twitter name and it will grade your page. It will also show you the top twitter people in your city or even industry by hitting the search tab and entering a search term.
   
7. TwitterCounter.com - This will show you in graph form how many people follow you day to day and will predict where you will be at next month.
   
8. TweetStats.com -This site will give you a full breakdown of your tweets: tweets per hour, tweets per month, tweet timeline, reply statistics and much more. Just type in your twitter name and it will go to work.

Those are the one's I use, so, it being our theme, I asked my twitter friends what tools they use. Some didn't leave website addresses for their tools but if you google them you will surely find them:

1. @soverpeck tweetdeck.com, twellow.com, twitterfeed.com
2. @daveingland my favorite twitter tool is tweetdeck. second favorite is tweetlater.com
3. @hbuzzell PowerTwitter; TwitterFox and TwitterBar
4. @OnlineDisciples Twhirl http://www.twhirl.org
5. @NickHempsey Tweetdeck, Socialtoo.com and Tweetstats.com
6. @daniellesuzanne oops: twit this http://twitthis.com/
7. @gbrandonc I use twitterfox. I am not crazy about tweetdeck. http://www.usetrackthis.com/
8. @aaronjbates TweetDeck, Tweetholic.com, Spaz
9. @rajean I'm a newbie, but I use http://twitter.com/grader, http://usequitter.com/. I know it's only 2. Hope it helps. Rajean
10. @SloweThinking Stephen Lowe slowethinking.com - tweetdeck, twitterberry and twitterfeed
11. @tahitipearls tweetdeck and twitterfon for iPhone!
12. @ExistentialPunk twhirl and Twitter Search
13. @jdarnell Tweetdeck and Twitterberry & TinyTwitter on the Blackberry to manage two separate Twitter accts... grader and Mr. Tweet
14. @djchuang twitterfon and tweetdeck and twitterfox
15. @Johnwsnyder Tweetie and Tweetdeck
16. @Harrisongivens tweetdeck for the mac, tweetie for iPhone... Twitterfon is also
17. @tylersorrells my fave twitter tool is my cellphone. retro style here no blackberry or iphone here! lol
18. @dawnnicole Tweetdeck [desktop] Tweetie [iPhone] & Twitterberry
19. @shanenassiri I like the browser Flock. Not only is it a Twitter client, but it also handles Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, Digg, RSS Feeds, more
20. @BJHewitt Tweetie and Twitterfon on iPhone.... On computer Twhirl
21. @KevinLyons on iPhone Tweetie is #1 for me.
22. @LaurenceTom I use Tweetdeck & Twitterfox [desktop] + Twitterfone [iphone]

Do you have some twitter tools you like to use? Leave a comment and share with us.

Catch up with the rest of our Twitter Series:

• What Is Twitter
• How Many Tweets
  
• Favorite Twitter Tools
• How Many Followers Is Too Many
  
• How To Build Your Follower Base
  
• *Bonus* Why Should Your Church Twitter?
  

You can follow my tweets at twitter.com/jasoncurlee

Ask Twitter: How Many Tweets?

All this week I'm asking my twitter friends questions about using twitter. The question for this post is: How many tweets from one person in one day are too many?

Now to get a little understanding...the definition of a tweet is when you enter in one line of up to 140 text characters and enter it into the twitter stream. It is also called an update.

What is my take on how often should one person update?

Actually it doesn't matter to me how often someone updates as long as they are participating and not spam marketing. Since I use another tool to read all the updates of those I follow it simplifies what and who I'm reading. I actually swing the other way...I think you can tweet to little. BUT...to each his or her own...so in my book go ahead and update as much as you want.

Here are what some of the people I follow said:

1. @josephrueter Depends on the tweets usefulness!
2. @oharaville num. per day doesn't bother me, but consecutive tweets that take up the deck in a matter of a minute or two can be annoying.
3. @jdellis1 I think more than eight to ten a day can be a little bit annoyin
4. @thelastepic i think it should depend more on the quality and not the quantity
5. @joecase I think if they're spread out over a day, around 10 is ok. Some need to learn the fine art of Direct Messaging on Twitter
6. @mikeforjesus What's too many tweets? When it start affecting your work, marriage, being a father, etc
7. @cameyg depends upon what they've got to say 4 me!
8. @andrew_statezny 7
9. @GodsMac I'd say anything over 5 per day is extreme, not including @ replies.
10. @moviepastor there are never too many tweets if they are funny, informative, or encouraging
11. @samluce General tweets or @replys or DM. General Tweets 30 in one day is to much Over 5 @replys or DM's just email me
12. @e3Partners Multiple posts daily are fine. Unless they are consistently meaningless. No one really cares what someone eats for lunch. ;-)
13. @spiritualtramp re: # of tweets I really think that depends on the tweets. Ten is probably getting there not counting @'s
14. @texasaggie1 here's what I think about it... twittequette http://randybryan.com/?p=409
15. @mburleson i say to do what you want to do. If I can't stand it, I'll unfollow. I struggle at times cause I do tweet alot, but be you.
16. @mikekell 5 a day that aren't replies. Replies don't count against you... But after 2 or 3 replies, switch to text messaging
17. @decart whatever @rick_smith sends out, cut in half. Lol.
18. @jreighley That depends on weather they are interesting. If they are conversational, good, Self promoting will get you axed.
19. @iThinkMedia # of tweets not issue for me, what irks me is tweetfeed, 4-9 tweets one after another clogging the feed
20. @littletechgirl I can't put a number on it. I will just say that we do not all need to know EVERYTHING that the person is doing all day long
21. @technologytwit definitely depends on who's doing the tweeting and what they are tweeting about.
22. @chuckazooloo i would say "one" if they don't have anything relevant to say to you. if relevant, i'm cool with as many as you want to post!
23. @mxbx five of the same tweet is beyond too many.
24. @pastrbrf more than 7 is too many. Over 7 then you have too much time on your hands.
25. @laurapalmero I don't think it's necessarily the quantity that's the problem, but it's about the spacing of the tweets.

And there you have it....stay tuned tomorrow for another edition of Ask Twitter as we are discussing twitter this week.

Catch up with the rest of our Twitter Series:

• What Is Twitter
• How Many Tweets
  
• Favorite Twitter Tools
• How Many Followers Is Too Many
  
• How To Build Your Follower Base
  
• *Bonus* Why Should Your Church Twitter?
  

You can follow my tweets at twitter.com/jasoncurlee

Ask Twitter: What Is Twitter

To get up to speed on what Twitter is, watch this short video:



Why do I twitter and what is it to me?

• I mainly twitter to connect with other leaders across the country. Which is why I follow so many people. Whether it is in the church world or business world I think there are some valuable things I can learn from others. There are many leaders that I have now connected to that I probably wouldn't know had it not been for twitter.
• I also use it pretty much as my primary communication tool. It's a combination of email/text message/instant message. I have built some pretty good friendships through twitter.
• I use it to let others know what I'm doing and thinking. Sometimes that's pretty random. It could be on what I'm doing at the moment, to a UFC fight, to a church conference like innovation3 (where I put out over 300 tweets in 3 days...sorry about that), to completely random thoughts that go through my head.
• I want to keep up with the same from many of my friends across the country.
  

Here are some of the topics I'm going to cover this week:

• What Is Twitter (Which is what we are covering today)
• How Many Tweets (What in the world is a tweet anyway?)
• Favorite Twitter Tools (There is a whole Twitter world out there)
• How Many Followers Is Too Many (Can you ever have too many?)
• How To Build Your Follower Base (Again...can you ever have too many?)
• *Bonus* Why Should Your Church Twitter? (Many churches are missing out on some valuable connection)

Now all through this series this week I'm going to Ask Twitter, well, that is, my twitter followers questions about their use of twitter. To kick it off I asked them "What Twitter is to them?" Here are a few of the responses I got back:

1. @VoteMikeJones Twitter is how I connect with people I would normally never get to connect with (like you)
2. @tylersorrells twittering's connected me to people i would've never otherwise met
3. @pastortrav to cause a ruckus
4. @Rick_Smith I enjoy connecting with so many different people and getting to learn from so many people! Helps me to build bridges!
5. @Pokinatcha To me it's been a great way to meet other Third Day Gomers & learn some interesting internet stuff.
6. @Pokinatcha and exposure to Christian artists that are out there that I wouldn't otherwise have known about!
7. @vinceparker twitter another way to connect and meet people that I otherwise would have never connected with.
8. @coltmelrose I twitter because it keeps me connected and allow for new connections in a much easier workflow than other social apps.
9. @benwiles Twitter is "doing life together."
10. @jasonmaxwell a FREE opportunity to connect/brainstorm w/ a multi-cultural group nationwide
11. @jasonmaxwell scratch that..worldwide
12. @juliebonnheath I twitter to be a resource to other peeps, get an occasional question answered myself and to build my networking opportunities
13. @NickHempsey connect with other christian leaders. And as of recent, keep my volunteers up to date on the happenings in our ministry.
14. @pookiedmb fun fun
15. @josh_silva twitter is open to the public autobiography that happen in 140 characters or less
16. @thejmo because I can. also, because most of my closest friends are on it (bonus answer for ya... a twofer)
17. @artgood Twitter is my way as a small church pastor to connect with other leaders I might never know otherwise.
18. @cameyg it is a part of life's moments for me. encouraging, being encouraged, interacting, connecting, praying, and noticing others.
19. @joecase Twitter is a communication & networking tool. My dream is to have a church full of Twitterers so all "fellowship" continually.
20. @Dougrea I twitter because that where people are. "Real time" access to people. Sounds like something Jesus would do.
21. @CPKIII Connecting with people I may never meet otherwise. I twitter what ever pops into my head when I am typing.
22. @GodsMac Twitter is a place for the unsocial to show their true colors. Updates and those you follow speak for themselves.
23. @gibbsg i twitter because my pastor @jasoncurlee told me to
    
24. @davetravis I do the reading thing, conversations thing and then I pre program some micro blog comments
25. @Hetty4Christ great place 4 those who luv 2 help others thru Christ-but physically can't due 2 illness (epilepsy)ability 2 still do so @ home
26. @nanpalmero twitter helps me get great answers that Google doesn't have.
27. @dawnnicole I twitter to connect & learn from others, resource clients & spot trends
28. @chrisreeder Blogging on crack!

You can also follow all my tweets at twitter.com/jasoncurlee

The Tokbox Experiment

Well, I've actually be checking out tokbox for a week or two...I got me a profile and looked at myself on my webcam but really hadn't tried it out.

UNTIL....tonight.

I read Todd Rhoades post today on his http://churchstaffbreakroom.com and so I thought "why not". How totally awesome of a time I had connecting with guys and ladies I've been twittering with and reading blogs. Not only that but got to meet some pastors in other states and hear their story. It was so awesome to hear others who were launching churches and I even got to tell our Bay Area Fellowship Multi-Site story a couple of times.

Talk about potential with this little tool. Of course I got to get Mr. Atkinson hooked up now...he is gonna love using it too connect...

So many ways to use this. I've already got a campus pastor that wants to set up a network with me using it. I could also see a prayer room, small groups, staff meetings, leadership training.

In one of my next posts I'll let you in on the details of it and how best to use it.

Tools I'm Using

Some tools I've been using for a while:

• Google Doc, Google Calendar, Google Reader...shoot....everything Google
• Blogger
• Twitter
• Youtube

Some new tools I'm trying:

• Tokbox
• Mogulus

Some I rarely use:

• Myspace
• Facebook

Some I tried but didn't catch on with me:

• Ustream
• Utterz - Isn't even around any more.
• Jotz - Can't seem to find it.

I love using just about anything techie...I'm in front of my computer way to much and if you could jack the internet straight into your body like in "The Matrix" I'd probably be there. Seriously...I love using tools that can connect with others and build community.

Mogulus Site

Started a Mogulus Video site for our 5 Points Campus...address is http://www.mogulus.com/bayarea5points

I only just got it up and right now have about 30 minutes of different videos that are running on it. I have some ideas of what I want to do with it: Training, Prayer, Small Group, etc...

Some of that is going to wait until I'm full-time. I see this as another great way for people to connect with what we are doing.

Twitter

How do you Twitter?

Seems like there are many ways and if you ask someone you get a different answer.....SO....I'm asking you.

How do you Twitter?

Here is how I do it:

• First, I follow lots of people. In fact, my main policy is to follow you if you follow me.
• Second, if you don't follow me I don't follow back.
• Third, if you quit following me I quit following you. I use a program called http://useqwitter.com
• Fourth, I tweet and start conversations as I get on about anything or with anyone that seems interesting.
• Fifth, I tweet back to those that @reply me
• Sixth, I go to the twitter sites of friends and people to read what went on in their day. An easy way to do that is create some bookmarks in your browser.

That's pretty much it. To follow my tweets go to http://www.twitter.com/jasoncurlee

So how do you twitter?

Twitter

Do you twitter? Should you twitter? Interested in twittering?

Check out this video to help you get started.



You can also follow all my tweets at twitter.com/jasoncurlee

What's Your Twitter Grade

Just looked up my twitter grade today and I scored an 80. Man would I love to hit a 90+. I always hated making below a 90 on my grades.

Do you twitter???? I do. You can follow me at www.twitter.com/jasoncurlee

Google - Your Leadership Development Fetcher

I thought it would be great to give you one of my tips that I use for part of my personal development.

Really it can be summed up almost in one word - GOOGLE

Well Google Alerts is actually what I use...hmmm...that's two words.

With Google Alerts you can define exactly a term that you want google to search for and it will "alert" you, through email daily, weekly, or when it is published. With the alert you an have it search web content, blogs, news, video, groups or even comprehensive covering it all.

Right now I have an alert set with the term "church leadership" which searches daily through blogs. I will scan through the content on anything that looks interesting and read. Again any term you want, you can create your alert for.

I also used this to keep up with the Evolve and C3 Conferences.

To not miss any of our helpful posts - make sure you subscribe to our feed.

A Social Ministry Internet Presence

If a church or a youth ministry wants to launch a social ministry presence there are some things that you can and should do to make it more successful.

Whether it is through myspace, facebook, beebo, virb or any other social website, having a social internet ministry can enhance what you do as a church. Doing it with the right motivation and following through with it can be a way to keep people connected as well as break outside the walls of your church.

Here are a couple of principles you can put in place to make it more successful:

Assign A Leader - Having someone lead this, just as someone would lead a physical ministry within your church, is key. This is something you just can't throw up. If all you are going to do is start a myspace page or facebook page and leave it...DON'T. Do it by having someone lead it. This person could also become your internet pastor. Remember, the internet has quickly shrunk the world. Don't let your presence be just another site.

Listen - One of the purposes is creating conversations with those within and outside of the church. This means a two-way communication. Remember you are creating relationships it's not all about you.

Respond - When the tough questions come don't shy away...respond. Respond in a way that communicates care and God's grace.

Open the Dialog - It is said that America is the loneliest place to live. Many people want to belong. A social internet presence can be a great entry place for someone. Initiate the conversation. Ask a question.

Encourage - There are plenty of people that are hurting and need the encouragement that they can make it. Be that to them.

Acknowledge - Be aware of what is going on in the world of your community. When someone is hurting acknowledge and care. When someone is doing great...celebrate. Add something to their world.

Stay Transparent - Don't be more than your not. It's often easy to hide behind the anonimity of the internet. Be real as a leader and as a church.

Listen - Once again...we live in a world that is hurting. Make sure you are listening.

Want A Free ipod?

Don't excuse this just yet make sure you read it all!!!

I’ve been wanting to get my wife an ipod for a long time. Problem is: BUDGET.

After following a good friend of mine and his new acquisitions (a xbox 360 and an ipod touch), I am giving this a plunge.

So, I decided to give YouriPodTouch4free.com a try. Basically, you sign up for a service, fulfill a requirement and get a couple other people to do the same thing and they thank you with a free ipod touch.

I’m the most skeptical of these kinds of giveaways because there always seems to be a catch hidden in the Terms of Service that makes the whole thing either illegitimate or totally not worth my time, but I now have a friend who has received not one but two items doing this. This is the real deal. All I need are a couple other people who want an ipod touch for free, too!

HOW IT WORKS

It’s pretty easy to do. It probably takes about 10 minutes to setup. Click on the link below, register, pick an account type (referral is the easiest) and complete just 1 offer. This is not like other sites where you need to complete one offer on 2 or 3 different pages. And a lot of these offers are free trials with nothing else to buy and no commitments!

There are plenty of cool offers to choose from, such as Blockbuster online, Stamp.com, Netflix and Gamefly, services you might regularly sign up for anyway. I've used Netflix before and resigned up for it since it was only $14. There’s basically no long term commitment or obligation, so after a month or two I can cancel after receiving credit. Another good offer is renting DVDs through Blockbuster online (it’ll cost ya $9.95 to try it).

After signing up and completing your one offer, simply refer 5-8 people (depending on the free prize you choose - you can even get $350 cash) to do the same under your link. Then they will ship your ipod touch or your selected item for free.

Here’s how you can get a FREE iPod Touch:

1. Click this link: http://www.YouriPodTouch4free.com/index.php?ref=4467574
2. Sign up and choose an account type (Referral is the easiest).
3. Complete just 1 offer (like Blockbuster, Netflix or Stamps.com) and then refer up to 8 people to do the same under your referral link. (The 8GB iPod needs only 5 referrals, the 16GB requires 8 referrals.)
4. Receive your iPod Touch for FREE!

It honestly isn’t any more difficult than that.

A little tip:
If you click an offer and don’t sign up for it on that visit, make sure you clear your browser’s cookies before going back to it again from your YouriPodTouch4Free.com account. Otherwise the tracking cookie might not register that you signed up for their service from YouriPodTouch4Free.com and you’ll have to request a manual credit, which can take several weeks.

Here’s a news report and also another one on YouTube that explain how all this works and proves that it is indeed legit.

Thanks Tim For Being The Originator For Me.

Anyone wanna help me and work towards their own free ipod touch?

Internet Ministry 2.0

The internet has made a small world especially when it comes to ministry opportunities.

This weekend I talked to a buddy of mine in Nebraska and in Iowa about doing some ministry round tables. Tyler and I brainstormed how we thought we could get it done and...bamm...inspiration came in the form of the internet.

We are going to start with a book study and then work our way into some possible round tables where we bounce ideas off each other.

To start with we are going to utilize Google Docs which is a great tool where we can create a document where we can all link in and add our major take-aways.

We have looked into oovoo to be able to do some face to face video conferencing with up to six people at once. Hopefully we will be able to add other tools as we go along in the project.

If you are interested feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email. We are starting with only six people of which we already have four in.

The iPhone

In case anyone is wondering...I'm not buying an iPhone. Nope, not doing it...that doesn't mean I won't eventually get one, MAYBE.

But at this moment I don't see the rush as everyone else has. I don't see that it will revolutionize my life. I don't see that it will speed up life for me or save me time.

I don't see that it will up my status any. I just really am not seeing it. Maybe the hype hasn't gotten me yet.

I don't think that means I'm not innovative or on the cutting edge. Having the latest technological advancement as soon as it hits the shelf doesn't mean I'm cutting edge.

I just don't see the purpose of it just yet.

Oh yeah I'm already an A T & T/Cingular customer so unlike some of you other wannabes out there I don't have to drop my service for this latest gadget.

Using Google In Ministry

Google is a fantastic tool to use in ministry.

I've seen the future...and it is google-icious. I know what it's like when change comes. You resist. You fear the unknown.

But it's time. It's time to give in and switch to google.

Why you say??? Why Not, I say.

There are so many resources you can use. First of course is gmail, then documents and spreadsheets, picasa, blogger, oh did I tell you they have their own Free 411 information phone line, and the lists go on and on and on.

Right now I am testing some of these features with our staff by linking us together on some documents. We are putting a series synopsis together and I have them all linked up to it in Google Documents.

igoogle, ugoogle, but why don't wiigoogle

Technology For Ministry

I recently started a series of posts on using technology in ministry. If you didn't get to read any of them go ahead and check them out.

Technology and Ministry
Ways to Use Video In Ministry
Ways to Use Myspace In Ministry
Using Graphic Design in Ministry
Using Blogging in Ministry Part 1
Using Blogging in Ministry Part 2

Using Blogging In Ministry Part 2

In part one of this two part topic we talked about the five different types of people who will read your blog. After blogging now for over one year I thought it would be useful to give four practical tips for those who want to start blogging.

• Know who you are going to write for and why. I would suggest write down what you want the purpose of your blog to be and then stay within that. I have made the mistake of writing about so many things. As you narrow down your focus it will help in the direction of your blogging.
• It is important that you begin to find your voice in blogging. It is much like communicating in general. Many first time communicators emulate a style of preacher or teacher whom they like. Blogging is very similar. Many people write in a style that is similar to someone they follow. Find your voice. Of those people who will read your blog who are you going to write to? And above all things…just be you.
• With the different types of people that will read a blog, my suggestion is stay short. Many people, especially from the outside of your church, probably subscribe to more than one blog. In doing so they can’t spend a lot of time reading a blog that is long. For me, those posts that are really long I just skim through and if they are consistently long I drop from my subscriptions. One good way to keep my attention throughout the blog is to give me your goods in your first sentence if you’re going to be long. That will drive me to read for the details or go on. Many time those that look long I will bail even before the first sentence.
• Use tools that will help your blogging. Google has many tools that a blogger can use that will help you be successful. Google analytics, a free resource will help you know the statistics of your blog. Blogger is a great and easy blogging platform for someone beginning. Another resource you need to use is feedburner. Church Communications Pro has a great series called Blogging For Pastors 101 which is great for pastors or anyone who is beginning blogging.

Using Blogging In Ministry Part 1

As we continue to look at technology in ministry, blogging is one great tool that can help you in many ways. We will focus on some of the beginning basics of utilizing this tool.

When it comes to blogging, there are several types of people who view your blog. With the variety of blogs there are, people will fit into about every one of these categories. I do try to stay out of the last one though.

• Those people from inside your church and who are tied in to what you are doing.
• Those outside your church that want to know more about you.
• Church leaders and people across the country who want to know the in’s and out’s of what you are doing and be inspired by what you write.
• Family and or friends who want to keep up with you.
• Those that will read with the intent to criticize.

In Part 2 we will look at some beginning tips for bloggers.