Does your church social? - Part 1: What is Social Media?

You've probably heard of websites such as MySpace, Facebook and YouTube and May also be aware, and social bookmarking sites like Digg Delicious, but the church is your dealing with these social media as part of their online marketing? What is exactly how the social media and your church can be the social media as part of the strategy for online marketing?

The winds of change

In recent years, the Internet has in processed form. There was a time in the "website" has been on the fringes of the Internet, but in recent years was to change. Well, things like blogs, websites, videos, social networking and Social Bookmarking are the hot spots. This is in many circles as "Web 2.0" means that the change in the way people use the Internet has been so dramatic as a new version of the site.

Now there are companies, organizations and churches that do not even have a web site, but its online presence is a network of social media:

• You have a MySpace and Facebook or on the side of the information.
• Sermon you download videos on YouTube or GodTube.
• Items are listed in a blog.
• Photos from the last chance pot dinner downloaded on the Web sites for sharing photos like Flickr.

What's The Big Deal?

The basic idea behind Web 2.0 is the exchange and discussion of ideas and information with others. This is an opportunity for people to online interaction and a means of disseminating information to the masses. Both the opportunity to interact, and the chance to be heard for the very popular social media, particularly the younger generation. For the first time in history, anyone can break a story, a million more fun than looking to make itself known as an expert in their field, or drag the image breathe and show people from around the world in a virtual gallery. Social Media has never been of people and ideas.

Access to all these people and be able to distribute the news around the world is a great opportunity for the churches. Is the idea that your church is able to reach millions of people for Christ, his call? I hope, of course. But you wonder:

• How has your church with the social media in church marketing, for the floor?
• How has your church with these online tools for people with the Gospel and the growth of your church?

I take a look at some ways your church can be the social media in the next article.

One last remark, I want to emphasize is that these options of social media has become very popular, the "old" site is not lost importance. Sites with a good search engine marketing still big opportunities for the churches and other organizations to provide information and people. In addition, many sites now cover the elements of social media like blogs and forums. Then not only the cancellation of your site, but not to look at how your ministry, with the media together with social partners or on your website.