Brian E. Boyd Sr.'s Blog, page 15

6 Tips on Social Media for the Christian Parent

As a Christian parent in a world of easily accessible technology, there’s always the hard task of deciding what to allow into your child’s life. You want to raise your child to be “in the world but not of it”, so how do you discern how much of the world your child should be exposed to?

Social media has opened up a door into the media world that we’ve never seen before. We have unlimited access to information all over the world, right at our fingertips.  It’s truly amazing, but with every good comes some bad.

According to TopTenReviews.com: 73% of teens are on at least one social network. And as much as we want to protect our kids from everything out there, it is much better to equip your children to handle networking in a responsible manner.

So, here are 6 tips on social media for the Christian parent:

Choose an appropriate “social media age” (and stick to it!). As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. Choose an appropriate age for your child to join social media platforms that you’ve reviewed. Talk to your child about the platforms they’ll be able to use at this desired age.  This way, they’ll understand why you made an age limit and will have something to look forward to.
Build a relationship with your child. Nurture an open and honest relationship with your child based on trust. With this, it will be easier for your child to happily let you on their Facebook page or any other social platforms. As a child with parents on social media, they are more likely to be careful what they post.
Be open about the dangers. Set boundaries. Sit your children down and tell them why they should act responsibly online. Tell them not to talk to people they don’t know and not to click on links if they aren’t certain where they lead to.
Limit time allowed on social media. Set time limits. Don’t let your children stare at a screen for hours on end.  Remind them that there is a whole world outside with people they can speak to face-to-face. A big problem observed with younger generations is that it’s hard for them to communicate outside of an online context. Encourage your kids to join church groups, youth groups, and healthy social scenes.
Use the privacy/safety tools provided. Did you know most social networks have privacy settings and age restrictions? And for good reason! These should be set up by a parent. Make sure that your children know not to put any personal information on ANY social site – this is very important. As a parent, you can also look up tools to help block ads and popups which often have suggestive content in them.
Throw a “godly” spin on social media. Remind your children how a child of God should act – no matter if it’s at school, home, or on the computer. Encourage them (especially teens) to post appropriate posts, be nice to their peers, post modest pictures (remember, a picture says a 1,000 words), and not be associated with ungodly behavior online.

We may not be of this world but we are certainly stuck in it! Help your children make the most of the advantages of social media while still keeping their godly values and morals at the center of it all.

Keys To Fundraising Using Social Media Tools

Did you know? Using social media increases fundraising totals by up to 40%. That’s right, four-zero. Do I have your attention now? I thought so.

Since you have nothing to lose and everything to gain (40%, to be exact), here are some tips for leveraging social media for your fundraising efforts:

1. Set goals – but make them realistic.

Figure out how much you hope to raise and in how much time.
Make your suggested “minimum” donation the ideal amount you’d like to receive from donors – most people instinctively donate the minimum amount.

2. Determine who your target audience is, and find out what social media networks they prefer. Meet them on their level.

3. Tailor your messaging to each social media platform. Make it targeted, powerful, and easy to understand.

Generate awareness by including a “Tweet” or “Share” button for people on the fundraiser page.
Take advantage of the new “Donate now!” button on Facebook for non-profits.

4. Tell a compelling story. Social media is all about creating relationships; make your target audience care about your cause as much as you do.

5. Take advantage of your social media network and other existing resources! Don’t be afraid to find creative ways to ask your own social media community to donate.

Show the impact of the donations – Give donors a first hand look of where their donations are going, who they are helping, how they are making a difference.
Empower your social network! Use your current community as brand ambassadors.  Ask them to help the cause by sharing the news.

6. Most importantly – Don’t forget a CALL TO ACTION! Some times people will not take the extra step unless they’re told you. Include key action words like “Donate now”, “Support the cause today,” “Spread the word,” “Contribute here.”

7 Things You Should be Doing in Social Media

This post was written by Matt Gregory. Matt is the VP of Engagement at Media Connect Partners.

It is undeniable that social media can be a very effective platform for building brand recognition, increasing sales, and engaging with and targeting specific consumer demographics. Creating and executing an effective social media strategy is crucial to find the level of success required in today’s engaged culture. People have come to expect a robust social media presence from companies and organizations, and when we fail to deliver, our business often suffers.

There are seven factors that, when interwoven into a social media campaign, will help contribute to success. These seven factors are guidelines—without all of them, your social media marketing will suffer.

Discipline

Discipline to develop and follow best practices will separate a mediocre social media presence from a truly great one. This includes discipline to only send content that is on message, and valuable to your audience. Discipline also includes adhering to a consistent brand, look and feel, and message narrative.
The Right People

Social media is a very “hands-on” method of marketing. Truly engaging with people and making them feel valued is one component of a great campaign. MCP uses a team of analysts on each project to get a variety of ideas and expertise.
Tact

Being able to react quickly in the social environment is critical to success. As customers continue to post their experiences on social media, they expect brands to respond. The quicker the response, the better. Brands must adapt to this new breed of customer to remain relevant in a crowded marketplace.
Spotlight on Supporters

Making a concerted and deliberate effort to keep the spotlight on supports and stakeholders. MCP targets, at a minimum, a 70/30 mix of others/us messaging.  No one enjoys listening to someone that just talks about themselves all day!
Content is King

Social media requires a lot of content and we recommend a serious and intensive focus on it. Content will make up the core of how people perceive the Reset Movement and drive them to learn more about it and its companies.
Authenticity

Nothing is more important than authenticity. People can see through organizations trying to be something they aren’t. You need to clearly define messaging that reflects your organizations’ values and matches the voice of the leadership team.
Data-Driven Culture

More so than any other time on the web, social media marketing is a data-driven function. Analytics will help refine messaging, increase engagement, and convert visitors to partners. The choice to rely on data instead of assumptions makes decision-making simpler and success a lot more predictable.

Spice up your Social Media Strategy

This post was written by Eileen Perez. Eileen is a Social Media Analyst with Media Connect Partners.

Just like any relationship, sometimes the connection between your brand and its fans needs a little rekindling to remind them why they followed you in the first place. Was it your brand’s dashing look and feel? Or was it the playfulness and humor associated with your brand’s personality that attracted them?

Spice up your social media strategy with these five tips:

Make them Laugh

Being serious all the time can get boring, especially when you’ve already started to reuse content. What better way is there to brighten someone’s day than making them laugh? Try finding or creating funny images that still relate to your brand. Even a funny story of unconventional ways to look at your brand or use your product could promote interactions.


Reward Exclusivity

Being a fan or follower on Facebook and Twitter should mean more than just subscribing to posts. Give your fans something tangible, like exclusive image downloads. Encourage your fans to get their own branded cover photo or avatar.
Let them go Behind-the-Scenes

One of the coolest things about following celebrities is that they’re constantly sharing pictures of their day-to-day. On big award-show nights, newsfeeds can get flooded with celebrities waiting for their name to be called from backstage. Just because you’re not a celebrity, doesn’t mean you can’t give your fans an inside scoop. Showcase your team, and give some insight on what they do for fun, or give sneak peeks of a big project you might be working on.
Make them Relate

How many times have you liked a post that made you think, “Yeah, that’s happened to me”? Take the opportunity to connect with your fans by saying “We’ve been there too.” Provide a simple image or quote that allows people to share how they can relate to your brand, providing a sense of community and humanizing your image.


Thank them

Every now and then, take the time to thank your fans for following you. You could wait until you reach a milestone, like reaching 10,000 followers, or just because you want to. Sometimes it’s a good idea to say how much you appreciate them, and that without them, your brand wouldn’t be where it is today.

Never miss out on a chance to say “I love you” to the people who mean the most to you. For your brand, that means your fans and followers. What are you doing to keep your relationship alive?

The Geeks Guide to the Gift Giving Galaxy

This post was written by Kirstin Venn. Kirstin is a Social Media Analyst with Media Connect Partners.

It’s a tough life dating a geek…

They just aren’t satisfied with the normal roses, chocolates, date night and a movie approach to Valentine’s Day. They don’t want flowers unless they’re origami roses… they don’t want chocolate unless it’s in the shape of the Star Ship Enterprise… and they don’t want jewelry unless you had to delve into the caves of the Misty Mountains to find it.

So what do you get for your geeky, social media addicted, yet romantic partner? #HelpIsOnTheWay

10 Geeky Gifts for Valentine’s Day

An online subscription…

to their favorite blogging platform such as: Rackspace, WordPress or Pro Blogger
An Instagram throw pillow / tote bag!

Your camera happy partner will go crazy for a pillow of all their friends faces smiling up at them… what better way to show you love someone than that you support their Instagram addiction. Check them out at Stitchtagram.com.
Pixelated / themed jewelry! This 8 bit heart necklace will have your geek chained to your side out of gratitude.

Let her know that you “Love her with every atom of your being.”Tell her how ‘precious’ she is to you.

Nerd shirts!

It’s a pity girlfriends can’t be coded into thin air but if you are fortunate to have found one in real life, maybe she’ll be sweet enough to buy you one of these.

Do you think she “likes” you?

Gaming/Geek Cards

There is no better way to say “I love you” than with a cheesy, geeky card.

8 bit cards, roses, jewelry, ties, 8 bit anything really!

But I don’t want to be tied down so young! Trust us, buying an 8bit card is a lot easier than trying to draw one.


Social Media Mug.

I didn’t pin you as the Pinterest type but hey… we all have our preferences.


Facebook follower counter.

Are you dating one of those people who check their followers every day? Help them keep count.
Geeky flash drives.

They’ll love you in a flash… pop a virtual card onto this drive and say it in style!
Gaming dating guides.

The ultimate nerd couple gift!A Geek’s Guide to Dating: 

aaaaand… A Girl’s Guide to Dating a Geek: 

So now that you know all of your options… run… run for the hills! Geek chic is not a “thing” and these presents can get expensive! Happy Valentine’s present hunting everyone!

MCP: Faith Launches at 2014 National Religious Broadcasters Convention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brian Boyd                                                                                                                                                                  800.MCP.1265

646.515.4363

         info@mediaconnectpartners.com

                                                                                                                                                         

“Since hiring MCP, our company has seen tremendous growth in recognition, sales, and marketing. Their professional attitude and “out-of-the-box” thinking really set them apart from other social media organizations. MCP is a core part of our company’s success.”

—Amy Calvert, General Manager, GEB America

POMPANO BEACH, FL—February 11, 2014—Media Connect Partners, LLC (MCP) announces the launch of their new faith-based division MCP: Faith. Created to come alongside faith-based schools, non-profits, publishers, authors, churches, etc., MCP brings their cutting-edge experience and technology team into the Christian marketplace to assist these important voices in effectively utilizing the ever-changing maze of social media.

Led by CEO and founder Brian Boyd, the team of MCP: Faith creates comprehensive tailor-made social-media plans that produce results. This new division helps bridge the gap in the faith-based community as organizations seek expert advice on how to launch their messages by utilizing the tool of social media. MCP: Faith currently handles over one billion impressions per month in the faith-based social media space and have assisted clients such as Joel Osteen Ministries, Stormie Omartian, Faith Words Publishing, Thomas Nelson Publishers, OneHope, and others.

Of the new-division launch, Boyd states, “I’m excited about this expansion of MCP. We have built this company on Christian principles. We understand social media, but we also understand faith. We can now combine these two strengths with the goal of uniting ministry and social media in a much-needed marriage by which we can help any organization that desires to effectively share its message.”

For additional information on MCP and MCP: Faith go to:

Website: http://MCPFaith.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MCPFaith

Twitter: @MCPFaith

 

#   #   #

ABOUT : Media Connect Partners is a full-service social-media agency with offices in the United States and around the world. Founded in 2007, MCP has risen as a leader in the social-media industry and is recognized for its creativity, expertise, and integrity, which has produced results utilizing the combined tools of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, SEO, branding, etc. Their clients include a wide range of industries including Fortune 500 companies, publishers, celebrities, non-profits, and more.

A new site for a new time

I’m excited to see MCP’s new site launch today.  For a long time we had difficulty putting ‘into words’ what we do as a social media agency.  I really commend the team at MCP and our contractors for working to clearly explain who we are, what we do, and our successful track record — right here.

In addition, this site has been developed to launch our new divisions – MCP: Faith, and MCP: Publishing.  These two divisions of MCP are incredibly focused on their verticals, Faith and Publishing.  In some cases our clients cross both simultaneously.

Thank you to the team at MCP for your hard work.  Thank you to our clients and friends who’ve made this possible.

Thank you!

– Brian Boyd

CEO/Founder

@BrianBoyd

Get Connected: Social Media for your Congregation

The age of flyers, memos, and written invitations is over, and the age of digital information and invitations has begun!

What does this mean for your church? It means that you can connect with your church community at the touch of a button. Now don’t let this alarm you, rather embrace it and utilize it to your benefit, and believe me there are lots of benefits!

The two best platforms to begin with are the most common: Facebook and Twitter. Let us run you through the fastest and easiest way to connect with your congregation.

Twitter

We often take Twitter for granted because honestly, how much can you really say in 140 characters? How much of an impact can you make? The answer… a ton!

You can use Twitter to connect with your church community by:

tweeting Scripture regularly;
making Twitter as a prayer request platform where you can DM (Direct Message) prayers back to people or organize a prayer community at your church to pray for people;
reaching out to communities. Grow your church population by tweeting church service times, themes, and courses offered and encourage people in the church to retweet to their followers.
connecting with organizations and charities that your church is affiliated with;
advertising events and news on for the members of your church.

Facebook

Facebook pages and groups are the perfect platform to connect your community. But remember, there is a difference between a page and a group.

Facebook Page:

This is ideal for your church page because it is automatically open to the public, anyone can “like” this page and they will receive your status updates, posts, pictures, and news. This is a great way to get a mass message out, to advertise new church events, and to get more people aware of your church. You can also target specific content at a certain age group or gender.

Facebook Group:

This is perfect for smaller groups within your church like the men’s prayer group, knitters for Jesus, home small groups, and especially your Youth Group! You can make your group open to the public or by invitation only.  Groups can be used to update members on times for meeting, dates, venues, events, and even to set up invitations to events with a RSVP option so you can keep record of how many people will be attending.

Food for thought:

Social Media platforms can be used to promote the areas of your church ministry that aren’t well known such as prayer groups, small groups, and charities.

You could even do a social charity drive. For example: “If we reach $5,000 in donations for the elderly home we support, Pastor John will shave his hair off and post it on Facebook.”

Church is all about community, fellowship, and spreading the Word of God, roughly 25% of people on Earth use some form of social media. Use this as a ministry tool and get connected!

Social Media Is 24/7. Are You?

When we want something, we want it now.  We live in a world of instant gratification when even our instant gratification conveniences don’t happen quickly enough.  Instant weather, instant news, instant conversation, instant… well, you get the idea.  So what happens when a member of your congregation needs prayer, encouragement, or guidance and the church doors aren’t open for Sunday service?   Is your organization available online for the instant gratification life we’ve come accustomed to?

According to MarketingCharts.com, Americans using social media spend over 3 hours each day doing so.  That presents a lot of opportunity for people to reach out online in time of need and equally affords Christian organizations the time to influence with the word of God.

As the world of social media continues to tick 24 hours a day, here are 5 ways your ministry can utilize this amazing conversation tool to offer ministry around the clock:

Make your ministry available. Build a Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blog or Google+ presence so people are able to reach your ministry at any time.  There’s no need to be on every social media platform if your organization doesn’t have the ability to maintain them.  Just find the ones that are right for you.
Monitor around the clock. Thankfully, this doesn’t mean you have to have eyeballs on your social media profiles 24/7, but there are settings and tools that will do that for you.  Utilize alerts that are sent automatically to your mobile device when someone posts to one of your social pages.
Schedule encouraging posts at varying times. Schedule posts to distribute at varying times of the day and night.  It can be prayers, Scripture, words of encouragement, or lyrics to a favorite Christian song.  People are looking for encouragement at every hour, even when you’re not online yourself.
Host Online Ministry Events. Hold scheduled social media events such as a Twitter Chat or Google Hangouts to continue offering salvation and spread the gospel.  Building an online community offers even more support for those in need.
Establish Prayer Watches. Use this time to monitor social media profiles for people looking for a little encouragement, guidance, or more serious help.  Sending a prayer, offers of salvation or a related piece of scripture can make all the difference in their situation.

No longer are the days when a Pastor or church leadership have to be at the church for someone to speak or connect with them.  With social media’s 24 hour nature, there’s always an opportunity to connect, teach and engage – even when the church doors are closed.

Did I just get Unfollowed?

This was written by Jordan Moran. Jordan is a Social Media Analyst with Media Connect Partners.

Do you ever wonder who unfollows you?  Several tools have been released that tell who no longer follows your social media accounts, but none of them answers the question, “why?”

We’ve put some thought to this and have come up with few reasons why some people have clicked “unfollow”.

Disagreement

We’ve all had a status here and there that got tons of interactions. (Likes, comments, shares, retweets, etc.) It had people liking and commenting that you haven’t heard from in YEARS!



Although it feels like you’ve heard from all of your followers after that post went live, there is a chance that some people may not have agreed with it. Instead of commenting or giving their 2 cents, they may have just quietly unfollowed you.
Accidental Follow

Social media can be confusing. With platforms constantly updating and improving, we can’t expect for everyone to always understand what’s happening. Some of your recent unlikes, may be because audience members didn’t realize that they had liked your page to begin with. To those people who unlike your page for this reason, you have to just say “thanks for stopping by” and move on.
Frequency

It’s fair to say that sometimes we get into things without knowing what to expect. On social media, sometimes your content can be overwhelming for your audience. Take a look at your current posting schedule, and the gaps between posts. Your audience may also be tuning you out. Be sure to share content at an appropriate frequency depending on which platform you’re using.

Have you recently been unfollowed? Hopefully this insight will help you come to terms.