Kem Meyer's Blog, page 20

When your communications budget is slim to none…

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If a church's communications are currently limited to a weekly bulletin and monthly newsletter, what advice would you give for maximizing the impact of the media they can currently afford?

A small budget is NOT a hurdle to progress. It does NOT prevent you from wowing your guests and it does NOT restrict you from adding value. Whether you have a church of ten or a church of 10,000, there are things you can do right now to improve your church communications with no money.

Coach people to stop thinking brochures and start thinking about objectives and customer service.
Create a simple style guide so things are cohesive.
Identify your specific audience. (You need to know who you're talking to before you know how to say it!)
Implement an official proofing team and process. Have a group of volunteers review everything for accuracy and context before it's printed or distributed.
Ramp up social media.

One of the biggest things is to develop an overall strategy. Determine what gets communicated, in what priority, using what vehicles. In other words, every bit of news for each ministry is not appropriate for all church consumption. (Yep. I just said that.) Every ministry is important, but you can't say everything at once. Announcements from the platform should be used to reinforce and promote core values and macro steps (80/20), not individual events or teams (20/80). For example, announce a major volunteer opportunity or urging people to join small groups and classes, but not the men's hunting trip or the scrapbooking retreat.

Then, reinforce everywhere (from the platform, the bulletin, mailings, etc.) the one place where people can find everything. For us, it's our web site. For you, it might be an information counter or the weekly newsletter. Whatever you choose, stick with that one place and drive everyone back to it. When you talk about big, all-church steps like volunteering, joining a group, etc., that one place is where people can find the specific opportunities that appeal to them with all the details—dates, times, directions, registration, etc.

(Excerpt from Ministry Matters Interview | 2 in series of 6)

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How I describe my role as Communications Director…

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A few weeks ago my friend Jessica Kelley asked if I'd take a few minutes to answer some questions. We exchanged some emails and the result of that interview was posted in an article on Ministry Matters.

I'm reposting questions from the full article in a series of posts here. Hope it helps.

Here's the first one: How would you describe your role as Communications Director at Granger?

My job is to seek and find the things in our church that attract people to the message and remove the things that don't. Primarily this involves advocating strategies that eliminate information obesity and simplify complexity. That may include weighing in on series packaging, a web page, or a back office system. It all counts, because—at the end of the day—everything communicates.

(1 in series of 6)

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What numbers are enough and not too much…

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You blogged earlier this year about using numbers to creatively communicate a message. I've heard others advise against focusing too much on numbers in a stewardship campaign, but you seem to have used them so effectively on the website for The New Normal campaign. (I especially love how it shows what can be done when certain fundraising milestones are met along the way!)  What are your tips for striking the right balance?

Just like anything, the solution isn't all or nothing—although, under pressure, either end of the spectrum is where we naturally tend to land. It takes intentionality, and a little extra work, to roll up our sleeves and manage the tension.

Good numbers can provide the verifiable foundation to our story—this is the reality we're all rallying around; not one person's opinion or propaganda. We are being transparent.  We've done our research. These are the basic, most important facts. We have nothing to hide.

At the same time, data alone removes the human element and can kill the story. A list of numbers isn't an experience for people to connect with, it's a report.

A blend is the answer for better communication. Making numbers part of the story—visually displaying data with simple elements of design or personal captions—provides necessary human context to make complex messages easy to comprehend. One of my favorite quotes says, "If you tell me, it's an essay. If you show me, it's a story." —Barbara Greene. That about sums it up.

(Excerpt from Ministry Matters Interview | 3 in series of 6)

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New communications coaching group starts in March…

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Our Fall 2011 Communications Coaching Network is meeting for the last time in December. It's been a great learning experience bringing these leaders together from churches in Mexico, Iowa, California, Virginia, Illinois, Tennessee, Florida, Kansas and Indiana. Next month, they'll join the alumni network–a ongoing channel for resources and support.

While one season comes to an end, a new one is beginning. The Spring 2012 Communications Coaching Network starts in March. There are only 12 10 spots left and the deadline for application is February 1.

Wondering if a coaching network is for you? This might help.

Bobby Gilles, coaching network alumni, shares his review here.
And, interviews me with some FAQs here.

 

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Hey communication leaders challenging others… do you want to be challenged?

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Chicago Conclave Sessions

October 26 & 27, 2011

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Who are the outspoken voices about how the church communicates?

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Apparently, there are a few of us. Lucky for you, we all got together and published a book… Outspoken!

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No topic was left untouched. No table left unturned. And, most importantly…

no unnecessary words were used in the making of this publication.

That being said, we do cover a lot of ground around the topic of communication: leadership, branding, design, stories, technology, creativity and personal growth.

Get in on this. This link is your backstage pass.

 

 

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How I remember 9/11…

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[Repost from 9-11-08] This morning I woke up with this uncontrollable urge to purge junk out of my home office. So, that's what I did. I went and started cleaning out file cabinets and drawers. In 10 minutes I had filled an industrial size trash bag. And, then I ran across something I did not throw out. It was a folder of documents from my former place of employment; headquartered kitty corner from the World Trade Center. Ironic I would find the folder today. I haven't looked at it in seven years. [Continue reading...]

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UNTITLED: candid notes, thoughts & reflections on the creative process…

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Darn you, Blaine Hogan. DARN YOU.

Here I am, in the middle of a frantic day—trying to meet deadline—every minute is spoken for. I get an email from you with a draft of your new book, UNTITLED. I didn't have time, but curiosity got to me and I opened your PDF anyway, just to take a look. Read the whole thing in an hour–it was like therapy. AMAZING.

Thanks for writing this. It's candid. Refreshing. Provoking. Empowering. Funny. Awkward. Needed. Loved it. Well done.

A few of the excerpts I scratched down as I read:

Yes, I was a theatre kid. Deal with it.
You must always have something more for them to see. Always. Always. Always.
With numerous blog posts and countless Text Edit files open (and after some helpful
 coaching from my lovely wife), I closed my computer and just wrote the thing out by 
hand.
Instead of adding more words, or images, or lines, or verses to clear things up, we 
should be thinking about what can we remove.
Full creative freedom is not really what we need. To create meaningful work the artist must have constraints.
 Whether itʼs budgets, deadlines, or resource limitations, if not for these boundaries your
 work will never see the light of day. Without constraints, I wonʼt finish anything and what I do complete probably wonʼt be very good.
The thing about big projects is that they tend to be less like one, giant to-do list, and
more like landing planes – lots of planes – jet liners, twin prop Cessnas, helicopters -
that just keep coming. With large projects there are always things flying through the air that you must carefully
 place on the ground. Some planes need to be coordinated one at time, and others come at you all at once. Some come down nice and easy, and some have turbulent landings. 
The thing about landing planes, however, is that you never really feel "finished" in the same way you do after checking everything off your to-do list, because you know 
there is always another plane on the horizon.
Instead of holding my breath until "things are done,"
Iʼm starting to breathe while Iʼm "doing the things."
I used to whine. A lot.
 So much so that as a kid, when I was in my rarest of forms, my dad would exclaim,
"Well look who it is…Blainer The Complainer!" 
I wish I could say Iʼve changed.
I still whine. 
Not as much as when I was a kid, but more than Iʼd care to admit.
The best ideas must move you before they can move someone else. 
And so you must begin at your core.
"If people skimp on their inner work, their outer work will suffer as well."
- PARKER PALMER
The only way you can achieve this kind of maturity as an artist is by entering your own 
story and doing inner work.
 
What do I mean by "inner work?" 
I mostly mean some kind of psychological therapy combined with some form of prayer 
life.
(I can already hear the outcry)
Psychology without spirituality is arid and ultimately meaningless, while spirituality 
without grounding in psychological work leads to vanity and illusions. Both have informed my work and both are integral.
 You cannot have one without the other. 
In fact, if weʼre really interested in what Parker Palmer has to say, all our work should be
moving towards integration.
 Psychology with spirituality. Spirituality with art.
If the aim of your art is to invite people into their own hearts and stories…
…well then…
…you must be willing to enter yours first.
 As my good friend, Dan Allender always says, 
"You have absolutely no business taking us to places youʼre unwilling 
to go yourself."
I love all things awkward.
 Awkward conversations, awkward introductions – you name it. 
If itʼs awkward, Iʼm in.
Against the advice of many in the acting world, I went. 
I had to confront the awkwardness. I had to go to seminary.
 Which, while weʼre on it, is one of the most awkward places you can think of.
YOUR ART IS YOUR CONFESSION. Yes, confession means to confess what youʼve done wrong, but it also means to
 confess what you believe to be true.
Iʼm all for fringe exploration. Iʼm all for rebellion. Iʼm all for slashing through the empire.
 But not if it costs me my center.
Eventually the product is going to fail. 
When your art is only in your product and not also in your process,
things will always end this way. 
You must understand that your art is not just what you make but how you make it.
 Your art isnʼt just the "what" of the end result, but also "how" you got there.
Think of the companies, causes, and organizations you believe in. 
We donʼt believe in these things simply because of their products or because of what 
they sell. We believe in them because the stories they tell give meaning to our lives.
The person who doesnʼt make mistakes, is unlikely to make anything.
- Paul Arden
Failure is painful but it cannot be personal. When you donʼt take your failures personally you open them up to becoming 
experiences that can transform you.
Is it any wonder Harvard psychologists have concluded the following: 
"We are already the most over-informed, under-reflective people in the history of
 civilization." - ROBERT KEGAN & LISA LEHEY

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2 days, high learning environment, something for every member of your team…

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I scooped the new format news a couple of weeks ago and new details are unfolding almost every day as we formalize logistics for The AND Conference on September 22 & 23. I'll drop up-to-the-minute news on you here as it hits. The working list of electives was just posted. Thought you'd want to know.

 

 

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Customize your line-up, take 2 days & experience the genius of the AND.

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Nearly every church in America focuses on one method or the other—"come to us" or "go to them"— but few focus on both at the same time. Last year, we kicked off a high-stakes conversation about the genius of the AND: the power of an attractional AND missional strategy together. Over 600 people came to the popular vacation destination of Granger, Indiana (at least it's popular during Notre Dame football season) to wrestle the concept to the ground.

For two days, we immersed ourselves in the tension around doing the best we can to connect people with Jesus through weekend services AND finding new ways to take church to people who may never relate to any message series delivered from any platform. It was not only foundational for our own future, but for others as well. The trends speak for themselves, a smaller percentage of the population is connecting with the same methods that made an impact in the past. Yes, it's time for a change, but that doesn't mean throwing everything you're doing out the window.

In 2010, we opened the can and launched the conversation. In 2011, we're going to share the process—what we've done over the past 10 months. How does a team bend the AND around the facility, systems, staffing, philosophy and programs they've built over the past 25 years? We're going to go there on September 22-23. And, here's how.

You're the cruise director-it's your adventure. You'll be the boss of your experience, crafting the schedule you want, weighting the topics you need, hearing from the speakers you choose.
The schedule promotes healthy circulation for hearts, brains and rears. All sessions will be 60 minutes or less. Even the Keynotes.
There is no one-size fits all. Each session will be matched to the format that amplifies the topic and the presenter style best. You'll know exactly what you're walking into ahead of time: loaded lecture, practical workshop, leader panel, peer discussion, green room pass or polished keynote. But, regardless of the format, there will always be room for Q&A.
Diverse contextualization is guaranteed. Yes, there will be international thought leaders and authors here to stimulate our thought processes. But, the majority of the line-up will be Granger practitioners—from every staff role and vantage point—deconstructing big ideas from the trenches. Every speaker in every session—no matter the style or topic—will speak to recent examples how the AND has changed what they do (and how they do it).
It's a high-learning environment. There will be loads of electives to choose from. And, when I say loads. I mean no less than 70 covering a wide range of topics. The schedule and speaker list will be posted online early next week, but here's a sneak peek of the types topics you'll be seeing:

Interactive media—web, social and video
Media relations—credibility, crisis and building rapport
Growing your team—ramping up the new guy
Healthy staff cultures—unconventional systems
Communications–clearing the clutterMake meaningful first impressions—creating wow experiences
Volunteers—finding and keeping them
The New Normal Project—writing, communicating and getting buy-in for a new vision
Rocket science—leading change
On the verge—a journey into the apostolic future of the Church
The tangible kingdom—creating incarnational community
Reactivating discipleship—what we're learning
Pop culture—meet people in the real world
Artsy fartsy—creative and performing arts
Mission–getting people out of their seats and into God's story
Family ministry—strengthening kids, students and parents
Multi-site complexity—franchise, planting or branch
Worship—stylistic, practical and emotional considerations
Counseling—care, crisis and systems
Finance – principles, rhythms, landmines
Online Church—helping offline people connect online and helping online people connect offline
Graphic Design—concepts, teams and timelines
Photography—art and function
Database—strategy, buy-in and usability
Facilities—maximizing, maintaining and staffing
VolunTOUR—creating on-ramps
Promotions—brainstorming, planning and executing
Writing and editing—teams and processes
Two for one—navigating the dynamics of staff spouses
Storytelling—finding, celebrating and sharing the narrative
Leadership—getting results with less control and more influence

Heads up! if you're coming and are looking for a particular breakout, leave me a comment. Cool?

I'm amped up about this event on so many levels and am ready to roll up my sleeves. I hope you are, too. Early bird discounts expire August 24—get on it.

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