1. Communicating Your Message in a Noisy World E 3 Workshop January 24, 2009 Presenter: Jill Wilson Communications Coordinator Providence Presbytery Church Communications

2. Who is your audience? Church Members Visitors Non-churched/De-churched Age Gender Technological/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

3. Know your message What 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)

4. How we communicate Verbally Worship announcements Word of Mouth Leaders engaging individual members

5. How we communicate Print Bulletin and Inserts Posters/Bulletin Boards Flyers/Brochures Newsletters

6. How we communicate Electronically Website Blogs Facebook Twitter Podcasts Video Production What other ways are you communicating with your congregation?

7. Communication Plan: Things to Consider Technological Savvy of audience Do they go online: facebook: twitter? listen to podcasts? Bandwidth of Internet Connection DSL or Dialup? Will they check email regularly? Do they want to receive texts? Do they READ “snail mail” pieces?

8. Print Communication Discounted Software for Non-profits (www.techsoup.com)www.techsoup.com (www.ccvsoftware.com)www.ccvsoftware.com (http://www.1computerbargains.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 quantities Restricted to 501-3-c Nonprofits

9. Desktop Publishing Software MS Publisher Easy and functional WYSIWIG with templates Drag and Drop Adobe CSS 4.0 More Powerful and integrated for wider range of graphic designs (Print and Web) More difficult to use Like Pagemaker or Quark Express Created for Graphic Designers Constant Contact (www.constantcontact.com)www.constantcontact.com Contact management and newsletter design Priced on “email list quantity” Newsletter Templates : Easy to add content and publish They send the email Not much flexibility on layout Primarily for email newsletter

10. Tips on Images with Impact Eyes 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.

11. Images with Impact Unexpected and Bold images also grab attention Stock Photos are often eye catching Royalty 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 sites http://sxc.hu/ www.Dreamstime.com www.aarinfreephoto.com www.Everystockphoto.com www.flickr.com – photo blogging site www.flickr.com

12. Typography Use 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 font Point size guidelines Kindergarten-2 nd grade --24 point 3 rd – 5 th --14 point 6 th -Adult –12 point Over 40—14 point 16-18 point is considered “Large Print”

13. Website Content Church Website is a Color Brochure for your Church Content Worship Times Church Location Ways to Connect with others in your congregation (small groups) Calendar Contact Information Link to Your Church’s Facebook page Message from pastor (sermon or video msg)

14. Websites Blog --www.Wordpress.com Not so functional Get quick and easy website presence Get domain name (around $15 per year)or free at http://yourname.wordpress.com Service Providers (www.e-zekiel.com) (www.churchaddress.com)www.e-zekiel.comwww.churchaddress.com Content Management Software (CMS) Updating interface is like word processor No additional software required Hosting per month cost with small setup fee Templates Self-customized from menu of choices

15. Websites Custom Web Designers (www.cloversites.com)www.cloversites.com Choose template and they customize for you You maintain with CMS interface Hosting per month cost with significant setup fee. More flexibility and customization to needs Purchase Template and Customize using HTML Editor www.dreamweaver-templates.net 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 Dreamweaver Microsoft Expression Web Top 6 Web Design Software 2008-- http://www.consumersearch.com/web-design-software http://www.consumersearch.com/web-design-software

16. Video and Podcasting Tips Good 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.

17. Web 2.0 means Interactivity Blogging, 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.comwww.wordpress.com Pastor Sermons Discussion Topics Twittering is like texting www.twitter.comwww.twitter.com What are you doing now? Message Character Limits Facebook www.facebook.comwww.facebook.com Facebook Page fosters community Create groups to communicate with group members (This is the new “message board”)

18. Contact Me Presentation Available online at www.provhereshow.wordpress.com www.provhereshow.wordpress.com jill@providencepres.org I’ll be glad to help you with your website, or print communications Presbytery Office 803-328-6269