Even if you’re a journalism or English major, chances are, you’re still going to make mistakes when you write.

Editing doesn’t mean just checking for grammar or punctuation errors, it goes much deeper. True editing looks more at the content.  Below are three “C’s” to start editing content. Think in terms of user friendliness. Who’s going to be reading your content? Who do you want to read your content?

1. Clarity- Does each sentence make a complete thought? Does each paragraph pertain to the entire piece that you’re writing? Or page of content, if you’re writing for your website.
2. Conciseness- Is each sentence to the point and does each paragraph only contain useful information pertinent to getting your point across? If it’s filled with needless jargon and repetitive thoughts, you might want to consider re-writing.
3. Conformity- You have to understand your reader and what they’re looking for. You don’t want to use a bunch of “Christian” lingo that someone who is interested in visiting your site won’t understand. Use normal language and get to the point…quickly.

However, the whole idea of “checking in,” especially on Facebook, weirds me out. I highly dislike to be “checked in” by my friends. (HINT HINT)

I don’t think I’m the only one who feels this way.

There’s a difference in using a location based service to get real-time information and checking into a business.   Location based services include getting directions or searching for nearby restaurants. Check in is used to specific the location of an individual. Some businesses use check in services to offer

In a recent report done by Pew Internet & American Life Project, 74 percent of smartphone owners use real-time location based apps to get information, whereas only 18 percent of people use a geosocial service to “check in” to specific locations.

The number of smartphone owners are up 35 percent since last year. Almost half of Americans own a smartphone, now.

What does this mean for you?

Well, nothing if you dismiss it. But you could use “check in” services to have church members check in to your church on Sunday morning. Of course, only if they’re comfortable with it.

It’s never been easier to record a vlog. Most computers now have built in webcams. Or if you have a smartphone, most likely you’re able to record videos quickly and upload them to your computer.  It’s probably faster than typing out a blog, now!

If you’re toying around with the idea of starting a vlog but not sure you’re ready, here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Don’t be shy- I hate cameras and seeing myself on a video. However, if you’re going to be a vlogger, you’ve got to get past that. Pretend the camera is a friend and talk to it like you’d talk to a friend.
2. Keep your camera still. Try to avoid moving the camera as much as possible.
3. Keep it short-  Outline your thoughts before you start recording, so you don’t ramble on and on and on and on…
4. Edit your video with a simple editing tool like Windows Movie Maker- You don’t have to edit a ton, maybe include subtitles or a link to your website or other important things you want your viewers to remember.
5. Give some Vlog love- Do short videos of other vloggers you like and follow. Hopefully, they’ll do one in return for you.

Is it ironic that I typed out a post about vlogging instead of recording it?

*photo by fensterbme

As always, the quality of your audio recording is key to successfully capturing your sermons.  This can be accomplished by using a digital recording device.  Here are a few devices that I would recommend for recording audio:

• Tascam DR-05 Portable Digital Recorder
• Tascam DR2D Portable Digital Recorder
• Sony ICD-AX412 Digital Flash Memory Voice Recorder

These devices range in price from $65.00 to $185.00 on amazon.com and are sufficient to do everything a church would need in the area of audio recording.  These work best when they are linked into a channel on your sound board.

The other thing that will really help enhance your production of the audio recording is good editing software.  Churches definitely are not required to edit the sermons before going on the web, and I definitely don’t think that churches should spend hours on end to edit them. Some churches will want to add a tag to the beginning or end.  This is particularly useful if the church is podcasting.  Here are a few software solutions I would recommend:

• Garage Band (mac)
• Adobe Audition CS6
• Adobe Soundbooth CS5
• Magix Music Maker MX
• WavePad Master’s Edition

I hope these recommendations help your church take your audio recording to the next level.  What is your church currently using to record your sermons and edit them?

Photo By: visual.dichotomy

If you Google: “Internet Evangelism” you’ll see quite a large number of results. There are coalitions, groups, blogs, studies, news, pictures, websites…etc. all talking about this term “internet evangelism.”

In fact, there’s even a day dedicated to internet evangelism. You can read all about it at: http://www.internetevangelismday.com/   or you can “like” them on Facebook.

Internet Evangelism Day was created to have one day focused on communicating the potential the Internet can have on the Church. It was created to share tools, ideas and information on all things that can be used for digital evangelism.

This year, Internet Evangelism Day falls on April 29^th…it’s coming up! It’s a great time to think about how you’re using the internet to reach out to people.

What ways has your church used the internet to reach out or build relationships with people? Have you seen results you would like to share?

Maybe it’s more convenient and easier to download an e-book.

Some other interesting stats:

-    41% of tablet owners say they spend more time reading, now

-    35% of e-reading device owners say they spend more time reading, now

-    35% of those who owned either device for less than six months say they are reading more

-    Men under age 50 who own e-reading devices say they are more likely to read more with an e-book reader

-    Printed books still dominate the world of e-book readers

-    72% of American adults have read a printed book in the past year

-    There are four times more people reading e-books on a typical day now than 2 years ago

What do these stats mean?

Are we getting smarter because people are reading more? Or is it that we’ve always had a desire to learn, but now it’s easier to download a book than it is to go to the library or bookstore?

I imagine within the very near future textbooks will all be available on e-book readers and more and more libraries will start investing in e-books  than in printed books.

* photo by PiAir (Old Skool)

• The church should be somewhere in the neighborhood of at least 400 people in attendance.  The reason for this is simple.  Most churches that are not in that range probably do not have the resources to pull off a quality production of the video recording.  When a church is not able to put out quality videos of their services it is better for them to not video at all.  Audio of the sermon is sufficient in most cases.
• Make sure you have the right equipment to make a quality video recording.  A good video camera for recording services will cost you in the neighborhood of $2000 – $3000 dollars. This does not include the need for two to three cameras for multi angle shots, switchers and the sound equipment that is needed.
• Make sure you have the people resources in place to make a quality recording.  Unlike audio that takes very few people to pull off a recording, video recording takes multiple people to do it right.  You need camera people who know what they are doing and who are committed to being there.

Other than these there is one other thing I would say a church needs to consider.  A church needs to consider how big their online audience will be before delving into live streaming.  The reason is quite simple.  Live streaming done the right way can use up valuable resources.  Churches that are able to have a sizeable audience for their live stream can benefit immensely from it, but churches who are live streaming and reach a small audience are using up valuable resources that could be used in another area of outreach.

Does your church live stream services?  I am hoping if you do that you are putting a quality product out there and using it to advance the Kingdom.  Next week I will write about some of the best hardware to use for audio and video recording services.

Photo By: jgoge

1. 10 Tips for Having a Great Church Blog
2. Audio and Video Recording in Worship Services- Part 1
3. Creating a Winning Team from Dysfunctional Members
4. How to Get Guests to Give you Their Information
5. Social Media Demographics

Let’s take First Christian Church, an imaginary church, as an example of what I am talking about.  First Christian Church spends $10,000 a year on marketing and outreach.  They are seeing somewhere around 5-6 first time guests every Sunday.  This is really good for a church that is running 200 on Sunday mornings.  These numbers mean that FCC is seeing 250-300 first time guests every year.  Those are strong numbers that seem to indicate that FCC is really effective in their marketing and outreach efforts.  The problem comes in when you look at FCC’s average attendance 12 months ago.  Twelve months ago FCC was averaging 190 on Sundays.  Most churches would see the average increasing by 10 over a year as a win, but they fail to see all of the first time guests that have come and gone in that year.  In this scenario, FCC has grown their average attendance by 10, but they have missed out on 240-290 people they could have retained and assimilated into the body.  What would happen if FCC could keep just 4 extra people (an average family) every month for the next 12 months?  It would mean instead of growing by 10, FCC would have an average attendance of somewhere around 260.

This is how IgniteCRM helps churches.  IgniteCRM helps churches keep more of those first time guests by streamlining the follow up process and allowing visitors to get connected into the life of the church.  I have seen IgniteCRM help church after church to make their retention and assimilation process better as they have tried to keep more of the first time guests that walk through the doors.  How is your church doing with retention?  With assimilation?  I would love to walk you through a church health analysis and show you what IgniteCRM can do for your church.

Photo By: silent shot

Granted, once I saw the QR Code, I lost track of the talk going on. I pulled out my phone to use my scanner and see what information it pulled up. I was hoping I could register for the conference right there on my phone!

OUCH! I was thoroughly disappointed when the scan pulled up the event’s full website. It wasn’t mobile friendly and I couldn’t read it on my phone. L Sad…I closed it and realized I would have to register later. (which I still haven’t done…)

Sure! QR codes look cool, but if not used effectively, it can just be a frustrating piece of marketing.

Below are some things to consider if you’re going to use a QR code to promote an event:

1. Make sure the landing page is mobile friendly. Don’t have the QR Code go directly to the main website. It will cause the phone user to download a ton of unnecessary data and not be able to complete the call to action you want them to complete: REGISTER.
2. Have the QR code go directly to the registration page. – You can use a QR Code generator to have the QR code go directly to a specific page within your website.
3. Check out: http://www.qrstuff.com/ – They can produce QR codes with several data types: phone numbers, paypal buy now links, emails, event details, contact details…etc.

Other ways to use QR Codes at the actual event:

1. Provide information on breakout sessions (where to go)
2. Link to the schedule of the event
3. Provide a discount coupon for merchandise (if merchandise is being sold)
4. Provide a link to a free download…song, devotional, ebook…etc.