Kem Meyer on Social Media

by Tim Schraeder on 09/25/2009 in Church Communications, Innovate 2009, Notes, Social Media with 1 Comment
  • There’s people on every end of the spectrum when it comes to social media.
  • Mastering social media involves developing a strategy.
  • You cannot be a guru, you have to be a student and a learner when it comes to social media, web, and communications.
  • People using social media, texting, Facebook and Twitter is not a small percentage of people anymore. 4 out of 5 US adults online use social media at least once a month.
  • Most rapid growth of use is 35 and older.
  • Established companies and startups are scrambling to develop online services, etc.
  • Social media has potential to create connection and relationship.
  • Web Squared – if you want something to happen fast, social media can help you.
  • Social media is not the problem, the person using it is.
  • You need to know what your guard rails need to be.
  • Social media is not a fad, for teenagers or for extroverts.
  • The whole notion for community is the desire to associate, affiliate, belong… it’s always had an appeal to the human condition.
  • We relate better to smaller institution ad subsets of society much better than we relate to large entities
  • Emerging technology has revolutionized the definition of community.
  • It has the tendency to make inhibitions melt away, which is good and bad.
  • Don’t focus on the small percentage of “gutter” it can go to.
  • It does not replace face-to-face communication but enhances it.
  • Social media does not give you a voice.
  • The purpose of social media is for you to develop relational collateral.
  • You make time to listen; look for ways to add value; and learn about other people.
  • Social media is a conversation.
  • Virtual communities are real communities.
  • At Granger, they focus on 2 or 3 social media outlets that have critical mass.
  • Last year, they focused on Facebook, blogging and YouTube.
  • This year, they’ve added Vimeo and Twitter.
  • There’s a critical mass growing in that area which is why they are engaging there.
  • They invest their time learning, listening, watching and looking for opportunities to engage.
  • Social media defined:

  • Social networking helps you see connections that are hidden in the real world.
  • Your network has hidden opportunities.

How Social Media Can Benefit You on a Personal Level

  • When you are looking for help or inspiration, social media provides a great outlet.
  • It can help you be better connected to people you know in real-time.
  • Social media can enhance your personal and family relationships.
  • Social media can build into your team and staff relationships and create better connection to them.
  • “I block and ignore 100% of applications that are sent to me on Facebook…”
  • Best way I can describe Twitter: It’s like a little FoxNews new ticker telling me what’s going on with my friends.
  • Text is 1 to 1; Twitter is 1 to many.
  • “Twitter is the Good Samaritan…”
  • Social media can enhance your church and professional relationships.
  • Social media cuts out the middleman, detours around corporate speak.
  • Social media gives you direct access to people you could have never had direct access to before.
  • They can help you critique, test out new ideas, give feedback, etc.
  • Social media creates micro leads to macro information.

Social Media Practices for Ministry

  • It’s risky… but it’s risker not to engage.
  • The risk of not engaging is greater than not.
  • The biggest challenge is for us to stop creating content – we need to create less.
  • We need to let people talk.
  • We need to drive conversation to where the conversation is already happening.
  • People want the raw, real content… not the polished, professional speak.

Getting Started

  • Decide who your audience is.
  • Who do you want to open up to?
  • Dedicate what you want to do.
  • It’s an extension of your personality; you don’t want to look like someone else.
  • Your church website does not have personality… social media gives expression.
  • You have to meet people where they are. Your purpose should be to connect with people.
  • Just do one thing at a time. It will expand.
  • It’s something you experience and unique and personal to each individual.
  • Start slow… don’t talk at first, just watch.
  • Watch and follow.
  • Avoid putting out too much information.
  • Keep it simple.
  • Keep the content in one place.
  • Drive everyone (through Facebook, Twitter, etc) to one place.
  • You can have have multiple entrances but drive people to one location.
  • If you don’t do it, someone will.


Tim Schraeder
Tim Schraeder is passionately committed to helping churches effectively communicate the timeless message of the Gospel in a way that’s relevant to our ever-changing culture. He presently serves as the co-director of the Center for Church Communication and is the creator and general editor of Outspoken: Conversations on Church Communication, a field guide for church communication leaders. Tim lives in Chicago where he can be found in any neighborhood coffee shop that has free wifi. Subscribe via RSS | Subscribe via Email | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Sign Up for My Newsletter
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  • http://www.globalevangelists.com/ Jeremy Young

    I hate to use the same old line but this is a great post.
    With all of the stats and percentages surrounding social media and the web these days why does it seem the church in general are so slow in taking up the mantle of online ministry.

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