Previously it was presented that in the present, a huge tectonic plate is shifting the landscape of communication. With the advent of the internet alongside developments integrated into it, we find our world getting smaller by the minute. It may not be noticeable at first, but the advancement accomplished presently will be fossils in the next few years. Looking at it closely, to cope with change is to grow.
Probably the biggest development that has rocked the core of every known society in the world, was the rise of social media. The capacity it gave to connect people no matter how far they were opened a whole new frontier in communication! You could do away with the anxiety of thinking whether or not your letters have been mailed and the capability to chat in real-time was just some of the reasons why billions instantly jumped to this new platform.
And the word “platform” is used very purposefully as you read along. And just like how papyrus was used as a platform for communication, today we have social media. In the context and setting of the Philippines, the most popular platform for social media is, and has always been Facebook. Now, in developing a growth mindset when it comes to this context, starts with how you perceive social media, in this case, Facebook.
A popular perception on social media is “Our church have a Facebook Page, so that’s good enough”. Yes, needless to explain why it is important for your church to have a presence on Facebook and-! The key to a growth mindset is how we can grow our perception in order to make improvements to the Page that we have presently.
An important thing to keep in mind is that your Facebook Page is more than just a bulletin board for announcements. It is an engagement tool. This is where you tell the story of your church. When you get people interested in your story, this is what would most likely lead them to the door’s of your church and from there, it is an opening for that individual to receive the Gospel.
Engaging in a growth mindset is changing this perception of your Church’s page. Below are a few points of improvement you can do to your church’s Facebook page:
- On the Cover Image:
- The recommended dimensions for a cover image is 851 px (pixels) x 315 px.
- Why is this important? The cover image is the first thing people will see when they visit your page.
- The standard size ensures optimal visual quality of the selected banner
- On the Profile Picture
- Because the Profile Picture is small, it is better to use little text.
- If you should use text, make sure that it is readable despite the size
- On Content:
- A good thing to keep in mind is that the attention span on social media passes by in a heartbeat. Regardless if it’s a regular wall post or a caption for pictures and videos, the best route is short and sweet. Make your story direct to the point.
- For content such as Praise reports and testimonies, a video than a long read is usually better.
- Should you find the need to post longer content, do it purposefully and frame it in a way that it is worth going through the whole content.
- New content daily
- Content types in the context of interaction are ranked accordingly:
- Videos – Highest interaction and reach
- Pictures – High interaction but the reach is more limited
- Links to websites – May have higher reach than pictures but is not as engaging
- Status Post – again, best if it’s short and sweet
- Other Points of Improvement:
- When inviting people to an Event on Facebook, it’s best to just reach out to people who are actually interested in going and not just spamming your whole contact list.
- Make sure that the location of your church is present on the page
- Website URL must be present on the left-hand side
Each church has a story to tell, and fixing this platform ensures that our church is keeping up with the fast-paced changed of the world. A healthy church is one that grows with change.
