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Posts Tagged ‘church startup’
Top 15 Social Media Network Tips for Churches
Friday, March 16th, 2012Top 15 Social Media Network Tips for Churches;
Help your Messages Help the World!
By Thomas R. Reich
Social media network tips for churches can help you help the world. How can your messages be more effective and reach more people in the social media network? We researched and found some tips you may have heard of, but we believe this list will present tips that work for churches in a unique way.
1) Follow the 70-20-10 rule:
A) 70% of the time it’s important to share content that adds value to the community as a whole.
B) 20% of the time engage your immediate church community and your cause with questions and advice.
C) 10% of the time blatantly self-promote your cause.
2) Set goals and keep to strategies:
A) Set aside time to manage your social media tools for churches, post at set times of the day and week and keep to that schedule
B) Create a content calendar, decide what your over all message is and when it will be most effective and keep to that schedule
C) Reach out to others in your church community by commenting, sharing and re-Tweeting, then ask them to do the same for your church and your social media network.
D) Build awareness by encouraging relationships with the classic media, actively engage with them, and even feature their content at times.
3) Your churches Social Media Networks can be an integral influence in your marketing strategy if you use those resources as they were intended, play by church social media rules. Church social media networks can raise awareness, build loyalty, increase credibility, impact reputation, inform audiences, address concerns, influence media interest and strengthen relationships with supporters. However, church social media networks do not work well as direct sales or direct donation request vehicles.
4) Research others with a similar cause to yours; see what similar organizations are doing to get ideas for your organization.
5) Get help – Find a professional organization you can trust that can help you with church social media network, often re-inventing the wheel is more expensive than simply asking for a little help!
6) Use the church social media tools that most benefit your church organization, we recommend:
A) Facebook
B) LinkedIn
C) Twitter
D) YouTube
E) Website
F) Blog
7) Encourage your staff, volunteers and supporters to join each and every one of your church social media network 
nodes. If they do not have, for instance, a Twitter account, hold a class on how to set up their own Twitter account. This way your social media network is expanded to all your associates social media networks, and their friends become part of your church social media network.
8) Reach out to Influencers – Start conversations with bloggers that support a similar cause to yours, see if they will include mention of your charity or your activities in their blog, offer to do the same for them. Also, exchange information, follow each other, and add them to your church social media network.
9) Provide relevant content – Only send tweets and messages that fit your cause, your church social media network should be exclusive to your cause, do not use your social media as a personal site. Engage with content that will attract and retain fans, followers and supporters.
10) Evolve – Change your strategy as social media and your organization changes. Chat about the latest trends in your cause, your latest drive, something one of your volunteers has done that deserves mention. Always be on the lookout for new 
trends and tips that can increase your social media network exposure.
11) Be helpful – if a supporter or a new face asks a question or comments, respond quickly, and give thought to the answer. Remember for everyone who sends a question, 100 probably thought about asking, and did not reply, they will read the answer carefully! When people take the time to reach out and share, return the favor with a helpful and thoughtful response!
12) Provide value – From the links and content you share, to the questions you ask of followers, always ask yourself “would this be something your supporters would find of value”.
13) Don’t forget donations either – From time to time at appropriate junctures, like when others mention your good works, you may remind them of the need for donations and always provide a link to your donations page in your website and links to all of your church social media network nodes as well!
14) Drive traffic to your official website – Helpful links placed in appropriate locations within blog posts, and occasionally in Tweets can drive quality potential donors to your official website where you can encourage donations more stringently.
15) Use discussions and questions to learn more about your supporters, volunteers and donors – Remember, the more you know about your most supportive people the more they can help you to your goals and to build your church social media network and in so doing move closer to engaging in your cause!
Does having a better nonprofit social media network seem like it may help you? We think it can, at ChurchNet USA we are here to help you help others! We have a FREE Wednesday webinar this coming Wednesday March 21. 2012. We will cover how to Get Maximum Publicity from your social Media Network. I think you will enjoy this event and we invite you to attend, as always, FREE of charge!
Join us for a FREE Webinar on Wednesday March 21, 2012 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST online from CharityNetUSA
Space is limited. Join Tom Reich for a fun free webinar and workshop on the most overlooked nonprofit tool in your arsenal of free tools, social media. We will view the basics of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn and how they can help your nonprofit efforts in any number of ways. We will also go over some fun tips and tricks that will really maximize your social media marketing program.. All of this information and much more is yours in this FREE webinar! If you have any additional questions, feel free to email us at info@churchnetusa.com or call us at (407) 857-9002 |
Here at ChurchNet USA, we have helped over 12,000 people work with the modern tools of business and we can help with Nonprofit Social Media Network as well. If you would like to talk about marketing your nonprofit, or any area of your day to day operations, please give us a call at 407.857.9002 or email us at info@bizcentralusa.com.
LinkedIn for Churches; The Lists for Action!
Monday, March 5th, 2012LinkedIn for Churches; the Lists for Action Now!
Tips and Tricks: how to use Social Media for Nonprofits:
By: Thomas R. Reich
LinkedIn for churches is a vital link to donors and volunteers in today’s digital society. We will assume you have set up your basic profile, and most important that you uploaded a professional looking head shot,not a logo, this is a must on LinkedIn. We will assume that your profile is filled out and completed 100%! This is the basis for getting value from LinkedIn for Churches.
Let’s take a look at your profile updates, some interesting things happen when you input a status update:
1) You can update your status any time you like on LinkedIn for Churches
2) Your latest status update gets displayed right at the top of your page, right under your Professional looking photo and your name.
3) That is valuable real-estate; anyone visiting your LinkedIn page will see this update first thing.
4) It is a great place for announcements regarding your nonprofit or activities you have upcoming.
5) You can include a live link to either a YouTube video or a PDF file.
6) “Here are the 5 biggest reasons to Volunteer” linked to a video of a nice presentation of why they should volunteer for your organization.
7) “Here is a 14 page PDF report with the 25 most effective ways to help others in 2012” with a link
8) Take advantage of that short status update line use links to point to more in-depth information when using LinkedIn for Churches.
9) Once a week your followers get “Updates from people you know” in an email, so use this status update once a week, and get maximum exposure from LinkedIn for Churches
You have access to start a page, much like a Facebook page, this is a mini web site and is the place for logos and company/Foundation information. We suggest you put recommendations here sponsored partners, any contests or drives you have going and possibly your Twitter and Facebook links.
You also have access to LinkedIn for nonprofits advanced search service. Let’s say you want to know the name of the CFO of every company involved in the construction industry, so you could approach them for a donation to your habitat for humanity drive. You set up the parameters and it not only gives you a complete list, but it updates you every week on new additions.
One of the best ways to network and gain prospects on LinkedIn for nonprofits is through the group network. Click on groups and you will see hundreds of groups you can join locally or nationally that are full of people with the same goals and similar interests. You may find a national 
support group of nonprofits doing exactly what you do in your area, can you imagine the ideas you might be exposed to!
The main way to gain credibility and network most effectively is to actually start a group, and actively solicit members to your cause. Yes if your organization is big enough to have 40 volunteers you can have a group named after your Church and gain new members right out of LinkedIn for Churches, listed and advertised within their own system for free! How many companies in this day and age offer you a value like that, totally FREE? The group comes with internal communications, auto notifications, and group email, all free!
Now when you start to invite people to join your LinkedIn for Churches network do your homework:
1) Do you know them personally, if you do label as a friend
2) If you know of them or work with them in the same industry, label then college.
3) Personalize your request to have them in your LinkedIn for Churches network, DO NOT send the standard message.
4) Make the massage relevant and personalized to the person you are requesting the connection with, why should they be in your network?
5) Be honest, sincere and above all…
6) Do not try to sell or solicit anything in this request!
What you should do consistently to nurture your LinkedIn for Churches network:
1) Post a status update weekly
2) Check and answer any questions sent you at least once a day
3) Invite interesting people to connect, a few a day not all at once
4) Join groups that fit your mission and interests
5) Found and nurture a group, relevant to your mission and goals
6) Answer any group questions promptly, have monthly events
7) Share articles or interesting blog postings (like this one) with your group or network of friends on a regular basis to hold interest
Your mantra on LinkedIn for Churches should be NOT BE: “Buy my stuff” it will get you a bad rep in no time.
Instead try “Let me suggest something” or “Have you tried this” then call me and we can discuss further. The soft sell on LinkedIn for Churches works best.
APPROACH, TRANSPARINCY and ETHICS
Build relationships- Add value
- Share Information
- Keep it Relevant
- Promote Others
- Connect People to Opportunity
- Always say Thank You for any connect or group join
A Final List of things to do to be Successful in LinkedIn for Churches
- Clearly define your target audience
- Participate where they do, join the groups they are in
- Be a consistent person
- Cultivate your network carefully
- Be visible and add value to the discussion
- Demonstrate credibility
- Plan, Execute and succeed with LinkedIn for Churches
“IF you try to sell to everyone, you are selling to no one”
At CharityNetUSA we have been helping nonprofits, just like you for almost a decade, over 12,000 clients have come to call us home. Join us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook and we can help start you network. Join us on LinkedIn, (which is Efrain Rodriguez, remember no logo’s on LinkedIn) We are always available to talk about ideas or assist in planning any number of Nonprofit for Churches needs, form bookkeeping and marketing to Social Networking and SEO help.
We have a great FREE Webinar this Wednesday, March 7, 2012 titled “Successful Grant Development”, With special guest Host Melanie Swift. Space is still available so CLICK HERE to sign up now
If you would like more information on the full range of services offered to set up and service a Charity, Nonprofit or Foundation please contact CharityNetUSA by visiting CharityNetUSA or by calling, toll FREE 1.877.857.9002. Please follow us on Twitter and Like us on Face Book to receive free daily tips and tricks as well as notification of our FREE Award Winning Webinar series!
Business Law; Top 10 Pitfalls Church’s Should Avoid
Friday, February 10th, 2012Church Law; Top 10 Pitfalls Churches Should Avoid
Be Prepared with Business and Church Law in 2012
By Thomas R. Reich
1) Lack of or Poor Organizational Documents! You must create and maintain the right organizational documents, to prepare your nonprofit business for Church Law. You must first determine what type of structure you want your nonprofit business to operate under. Church Law it does not stop there; there are annual filing requirements and documents that must be maintained. Don’t be a casualty, do your paperwork!
2) Lack of Proper Corporate Records! If you say “we are a small nonprofit, Ill remember the records and do them later” you will fail. Keeping up with records is a must to be prepared in Church law and takes little time if you make it an ongoing process!
3) Accepting Money from Investors Without Understanding Nonprofit Securities and Church Laws! There are ways to accept investment, endowments and donations in your new nonprofit, that are legal and this is the only way they should be accepted. Consult a lawyer first if you are unsure of Nonprofit Business Law. This is the rule of thumb; make sure you and your investors are protected before you get yourself in hot water.
4) Failing to have Founders and Employees Non-Compete Agreements! If you or your new employees have come from a similar business and are now competing with an old employer, make sure there is not aNon-Compete agreement enforce. By the same token protect
Church Law can have important differences
yourself if what you are doing is of a unique nature.
5) Weak or Non-Existent Vendor/Client Written Agreements. If you go into your new nonprofit on a handshake agreement to provide services or products to a friend or acquaintance, this is very risky. Having a simple contract, one with terms and a time period assures that your demand will still be there when you take the plunge and open your doors. Without a written agreement, one using practical Business Law, you may find the endowment does not materialize and you have no legal recourse.
6) Litigation! Pure and simple, many new nonprofit owners feel they are in the cat bird seat now and they “Aren’t going to take this anymore!” You must avoid all litigation if possible, work out problems without filing suit. Litigation is very expensive and at the small Church level, it can bankrupt a company from the preparation of just one law suit, this is Business and Church Law fact!. Collections are another matter, but there are professionals for that,STAY AWAY FROM LITIGATION IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN!
7) Collections! Collections can be a problem in many nonprofits, and it is tempting to take things personally. First work directly with the donor, sometimes a personal call and request for payment of promised funds does the trick. Never threaten or harass the donor, you could cross a line that puts them in the driver’s seat legally. When the account can’t be salvaged with sugar, find good collections groups that work on a percentage and let them sow the vinegar, they are much more likely to be an expert in Nonprofit Business and Church Law, and much more likely to collect!
8) Non-Performance Alleged Against your Nonprofit! It is most advisable that you do you level best to go overboard and fix non-performance allegations against you. As a new Church, you do not want negative statements on services like “Rip off Report” or the BBB. Offer a refund or the bend over backwards to fix the problem. Defending against a law suit is both unproductive and expensive, avoid if you can, this is the case with all Business or Church Law, avoid litigation if you can.
9) Non-Performance of Other Service Providers to Your Small Business! Same rules apply; avoid Litigation if you possibly can. A call from your CEO or Director may do the trick, be cool calm and consolatory. Remember they do not want negative reports on “Rip off Report” or the BBB either. Again, Litigation is very expensive, so do you level best to work out difference civilly, but calmly and reserve the right to do what is necessary to receive services or products you have paid for. Remember how you handled the other side of this issue, and use that experience to look at the other company’s point of view. Never loose site of your rights under Nonprofit Business and Church Law, but keep your eyes clearly on Public relations and you image in the community!.
10) No Internal Controls, Guidelines, Manuals, etc! It is important to have written rules and regulations to govern your Church on a daily basis. Internal Controls, Guidelines and Manuals are welcome by your employees, it lets them know exactly where they stand. You will find that if rules are in place, you employees will not only follow what is expected of them but be thankful for knowing how to operate within guidelines. You will be secure in the knowledge that you have done what you can to prepare your nonprofit under Business and Church Law.
If you would like more information on the full range of services offered to set up and service a charity, foundation, church or any nonprofit please contact CharityNetUSA by visiting CharityNetUSA or by calling, toll FREE 1.877.857.9002. Please follow us on Twitter and Like us on Face Book to receive free daily tips and tricks as well as notification of our FREE Award Winning Webinar series!
Developing an effective mission statement
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010As the leader of a church startup, many pastors or ministers find that during their church startup and growth phases, many responsibilities automatically fall upon their shoulders. There are many different topics to discuss such as where to hold church meetings, what type of church outreach programs to launch, selecting board members, acquiring funding, etc. During these beginning phases, it is crucial to lead your congregation with purpose and vision. As your congregations begin to grow and define the church purpose, there are some helpful steps that should be considered.
Including your congregation can be both beneficial and impending on the final decision for a mission statement. If you have a congregation of more than thirty people, the use of a selection committee should be considered. If you choose to build a committee, make sure that all demographics of your church congregation are represented.
Once you have selected the committee of people that are going to assist in the process of creating a mission statement, present the committee with four key questions. The first question to consider is,
One-Stop Web Portal for FaithBased Organizations
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010ChurchNet USA, a full-service resource center for churches and faith-based organizations, is excited to announce their newly designed website, intricately tailored to meet the revolving needs of start-up churches and faith-based organizations.
Want to start a 501c3? Church or Religious Startup?
Friday, April 30th, 2010So you would like to start a 501c3 organization but are unsure whether you are a church startup or a religious startup organization?
The terms
Why Your Church should be 501c3 Tax Exempt
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010If you are in the process of starting a church, you may be wondering what should be done to make sure you stay compliant with the IRS. As a church startup, you have a few options:
Churches are not required to file a 501c3 application (IRS Form 1023) with the IRS to qualify as tax-exempt. Under the Internal Revenue Code, certain categories of non profit organizations – including “churches” – are exempt from the requirement to file an application with the IRS to be recognized as tax-exempt public charities under