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7 building blocks for church social media success
Mark MacDonald Religious CommunityIt’s difficult to believe we've had social media for almost two decades. We once wondered if it would have staying power — and now we question if we use it too much! It’s become the "normal" way we keep in touch and the best way to build a following outside of our physical world. You do want to stay in touch with your congregation, don’t you? They're on social media platforms. Your posts can help extend ministry-reach throughout the week (not just on Sunday). But I hope your church is also trying to build a relevant and needed brand following, too! Here are seven building blocks for social media success.
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An overlooked project management skill: Chief communicator
Deborah Ike CommunicationsWith all of the work involved in managing a project, it’s easy to focus on the details of tasks, risks, budget, and timelines. However, one issue that can quickly derail a project is a breakdown in communication. Many times, one group or department doesn’t understand another or doesn’t know who else needs to know about a particular issue. As the one person with both a 30,000-foot view and access to the detailed tasks, part of your role as the project manager is to bridge these communication gaps. Here are a few ways you can fill that communication role.
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The one factor that holds leaders back
Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementI do a lot of executive coaching, and when I ask clients to tell me about their core strengths, they’ll say things like, "I have solid communication skills." Or, "My team enjoys working with me." I’ll then ask their direct reports the same question about my clients. Their responses are usually a stark contrast to what the leader has told me. I’m often left wondering if we’re talking about the same person here! Here’s the reality. No matter how good (or bad) someone is, all that matters is perception.
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Is your logo sending the right message?
Lisa Mulcahy MarketingYour company probably created a logo years ago and kept it ever since, believing that familiarity breeds brand loyalty. That can indeed be true if a logo truly serves its products' purpose. But is your logo sending the right message about your brand's specific attributes and benefits? Does it target your audience as effectively as possible? If not, a tweak or complete redesign could be in order to boost your visibility and sales. How can you analyze your logo's messaging strengths and weaknesses? Use these science-based strategies.
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How to recognize employees when summer Fridays aren’t practical
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementSummer Fridays refer to the practice that employees get to leave early or work remotely on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. While this can be a fantastic benefit for office workers, it can be extremely impractical to implement outside of standard 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. offices and cost-prohibitive to offer to nonexempt employees. This does not mean our hands are tied as leaders when it comes to giving employees a break during the summer months. Here are some other options to consider when summer Fridays are not practical.
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5 mobile content tips backed by statistics
Vince Nero MarketingMobile trumps desktop. Content marketers must understand the parameters of different smartphones, social media platforms, and email applications in order to effectively reach their audience in today’s mobile environment. Here is a list of five content marketing tips we believe will elevate your mobile marketing campaigns. This resource is, of course, mobile-friendly and can help you identify marketing opportunities for your company.
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How to maintain a bold approach
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementBold is a word frequently used in news headlines. Seldom does bold describe the outcomes of board meetings and strategic plans. Directors tend to stay in comfort zones. Long-term thinking and taking risks by volunteers can be uncomfortable. Bold can be described as an action or decision that demonstrates an ability to take risks with confidence and courage. An example would be a state association creating and copyrighting a course that is licensed to 49 state counterparts, generating new income.
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Where to reach customers on social
Emma Fitzpatrick MarketingEver since the iPhone launched in 2007, people have spent more and more time on their phones than ever. That led to people spending much more time with media every day and every year. At the same time, more and more people were jumping on the smartphone train. While it seemed like the upward trajectory would continue forever, it showed signs of slowing last year. Of course, the daily time spent is still significant — clocking in at 75 minutes per day on social. Where do users spend those 75 minutes, and how can your business ensure you’re reaching them?
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The needless struggles of struggling readers: Tutoring
Howard Margolis EducationFor reading instruction to effectively capitalize on struggling readers’ (SRs) abilities to remediate their academic and social-emotional difficulties, schools must fully and accurately identify their abilities and difficulties. Doing so is often far easier said than done. It requires updated knowledge about the complexity of reading and writing as well as the research on effective interventions. Knowledge, however, is not enough. It also requires the ability to successfully put such research into practice.
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6 excuses executives give when they can’t find talent
Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIs it just me or is anyone else tired of the excuses executives give when they can’t find talent? This article includes six of my favorites. For example, one I hear is, "there are no people out there." Really? Then explain to me why your competitor has people lining up outside her door waiting to work for her? There are plenty of people who are willing and ready to work. You have to be worthy of having them. Are you? If not, what can you do to change this?
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