When starting a social media ministry in small churches, the first place to start is keeping it small and basic.
This does not mean that you will have a small account or even a limited account. What it means is a smaller focus and a smaller number of platforms. I would recommend starting with a Facebook account because of Facebook’s wide use and reach. I would also recommend stopping there. At least as the account is small, I would avoid the temptation of getting into Twitter or Instagram.
I also recommend that the focus be kept small as well. This smaller focus will help the media be more social, more relevant, and be able to give the followers what they are looking for. A small focus would include directing attention to the worship services, Sunday School, and special events. This attention should not be merely announcements, but interactions with the followers and church members. These interactions could include photos of the events, photos of families, photos of Sunday School classes, and possibly skits from the youth group. Posting advertisements sparingly will still get the word out for upcoming events and would get more attention if the followers are already looking at the page for information on all aspects of the church. The social media account could become the hub of information for the small church.
By keeping a Facebook account or other platform account small, the smaller church can become very successful on social media simply by doing what the small church does best, being social.
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