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

• 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

What are your thoughts on sharing the Gospel via social networking channels?

My favorites from their list are:

WorshipHouse Media- 12 Days of Christmas.- Visit their site on the days marked with a bow on their calendar and unwrap your free gift.

Igniter Media-  Giving away a free Holly Branch Loop

Muddy River Media- All their stuff is free. They’ve got Christmas Trivia slides, music videos and more!

My additions:

Amazon.com- 25 Days of free Holiday Music- visit this site each day for a new Christmas song.

CreativeNerds.co.uk- Give your website a splash of holiday with these Social Media Christmas Icons

I’m always excited to hear that churches I work with are experimenting with live streaming because, while this is often times a financial step of faith, it indicates a desire to reach people where they are.

Last week, I visited a church website that had just added live streaming to their site. Since it was a Monday, the live stream page obviously didn’t have a service playing. Instead, it was their church logo.  Because of the free streaming service they use, an advertisement played.

The first word out of the actor’s mouth in this ad said the “B” word.  I was totally taken back. I know this church has no control over the advertisements.  They may even be embarrassed to hear about it.

When our church launched the website back in January, we experienced something similar. To ensure that our site had multimedia on every page, we embedded a few YouTube videos.  It was a cute stop-motion video of a little toy pig on the Children’s Ministry page.

Following the completion of the video on the page, the list of “related videos” displayed on the page. What, you ask, did it advertise? None other than a documentary of the dissection of a pig. It was grotesque and disgusting. Most of us have had to do something like this in our middle school or high school years, but we would never want to scare a kiddo, you know?  It took us all of 5 minutes to take the video off the website.

With the church always looking to be good stewards of its funds, where do we draw the line?  Is free worth it?  Do you see a problem with ads like this being displayed on your church website? While we are trying to reach a generation in the midst of their culture, where is the boundary of remaining above reproach?

I really believe it could be argued either way!  Let’s see if we can get a general consensus here… Vote below.  Does it matter what is advertised on your website following a free streaming occurrence? Yes or No?  Explanations welcomed.

Photo By: jking89

pic by webtreats

Today, Greg gives some tips on how to set up and communicate guidelines for your staff & leaders when using Social networks such as Twitter & Facebook.

pic by Anne Helmond

Today, Greg talks about many of the mistakes churches make in their welcome videos. If not planned properly, a welcome video can turn prospective visitors away from our churches. By planning ahead and loosening up, we can greatly increase the chance for making a successful welcome video.

pic by falln_angel

Greg talks about why not all websites fit on all monitors.

pic by totalAldo

Here are a few ideas that you can use to help tell your churches story online.

1. Have a good story to tell – if you aren’t doing anything as a church why are you in existence ? Find out why you exist and do something !
2. Welcome video from your pastor – people connect
3. Testimony videos from people that go to your church – this is amazing !
4. Update your website with pictures and videos from the outreaches you are apart of
5. Tweet praise reports and prayer requests throughout the day
6. Create videos – like the one above – that serve as memorials to what God did over a certain season in the life of your church
7. Give people in your church “permission” to tell your story and ask them to come up with creative ideas todo so

What are some other ways you can tell your story well online ?