I know I do.

Nevertheless, I can’t think of a more important and vital time to get your voice out there – your story – and make a difference in the world through the amazing, and sometimes complex, internet-driven world.

But how? How do you even make a splash out there?

I’d like to suggest four ways you can share your story.

1. Take the first step. Honestly, this may be the hardest part. Sometimes you just have to take the
plunge and get out there. Start a blog. Open a Twitter account. Start a website or newsletter. Use Facebook as a way to minister to people rather than just having friends.

Now is the best time to start. You have a voice. You have a story. But you need to take the first step or no one will hear.

2. People need inspiration. All we have to do is turn on the news or read the headlines in the
paper to know what sells: drama and tragedy. Most of the top stories are about tragedy, violence or scandals. But people are starving for inspiration. To hear a story of hope. To learn about how someone overcame impossible odds.

It’s the fuel people need to keep going.  The internet is a great way to spread hope. You have the opportunity to speak into the darkness all around you with the hope of Christ.

3. People are listening. You may think – as I have – “who will actually read this?” “There are so many more important people out there than me.” But you are the only you on the planet. And because of that, you have a unique perspective. You have a story.

What I think people are looking for on the internet more than anything is not quick fixes or even success stories (as inspirational as those can be). No. What people are really longing for is authenticity.

They want to know is this person real. Do they struggle? Do they fail?

A few months ago, I wrote a very difficult blog post about one of the hardest time of my life, of the time I almost called it quits. I poured my heart out. And you know what? People responded. They thanked me for sharing and being vulnerable. I know God used it. (You can read that post, entitled “A Year in the Shadows… And the Lessons I Learned” here.)

4. We are called to proclaim. As Christians, we are called to proclaim the good news of Jesus. Back in the day, people used stand on barrels and preach on the streets to share Christ. Now we have the internet… and radio, satellite, and many, many other avenues. The point is we are called to proclaim the gospel.

I can’t think of a better way to share Christ than through your story. It takes intentionality and, at times, creativity. But people long for stories. We are story-telling and story-hearing people. That’s how God created us.
And we have the opportunity to be a part of the greatest Story in history.

Questions: What is a story you could share on the internet or through social media? Can you think of any other way we can share our stories on the web? Would love to hear.

davearnold

I’ve been involved in pastoral ministry and church planting for the last fourteen years. Currently, I lead Reflections From The Alley, an organization that seeks to help the church reach out to the broken, the poor, and refugees. I am also a blogger and writer. My first book, “Pilgrims of the Alley: Living Out Faith in Displacement” comes out in the Winter or Spring of 2013.

www.reflectionsfromthealley.org

The post Tell Your Story appeared first on Christian Web Trends Blog: Church Websites, Design, SEO.

As a Christian, I use to struggle with the whole idea of marketing. I believed that marketing was a deceptive tool to persuade people to buy a product or join a cause.

We’ve all seen those people in the mall or downtown or wherever with clip-boards in hand. And what do we usually do when they come toward us? Turn the other way or ignore them.

However, marketing in and of itself is not a bad thing. It all depends on the motives behind it. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to promote your voice – your product, blog, book, podcast, art, or sermon-series.

The key is: What is your motive?

I believe the secret to effectiveness in marketing is found in one word:

Generosity.

Michael Hyatt, a devout Christian and former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, says, “Tribe-building is the new marketing. Marketing is no longer about shouting in a crowded marketplace; it is about participating in a dialogue with fellow travelers… it is about serving those who share your passion” (from the book, Platform).

This is the principle Jesus taught: It’s better to give then to receive (Acts 20:35).

Because of social media, it’s not only a great time to promote your business, ministry, or dream; it’s also a great time to practice the biblical principle of generosity.

How do you do this? Consider this:

• Give stuff away. If you are writing a book or devotional or trying to sell a product, give something away. It could be a chapter, an eBook, a free trial of your product, etc. Social media experts say one of the best ways to grow your “tribe” is to give stuff away. Let people see your generosity and they’ll be more likely to promote you.

• Ask the question: “How can I help you?” or “How can I bless you?” If you use Twitter, for example, a great way to grow your followers is by asking how you can enhance them. You can do this with Facebook, too or through your website.

• Send an encouraging message to one person per day. You could do this through writing a comment on a blog you follow, or on Facebook or Twitter. An example of this is an email I get periodically. All it says is, “Thanks for your ministry.” I’ve never met this person, nor do I know what he looks like. But every time I get his email, I’m so encouraged.

The principle behind these suggestions is the idea of promoting others more than yourselves. “In humility consider others better than yourselves,” Paul says (Philippians 2:3).

What people are looking for is authenticity. They want a relationship, not just a product. One of the best ways to share your “voice” is through generosity and learning to serve.

Social media is a great tool in which we can do this! So let’s use this tool to enhance other people and let our light shine before all men (Matthew 5:16).

In what ways do you use social media to bless others? What is one thing you can do this week to practice generosity in your networks?

davearnold

I’ve been involved in pastoral ministry and church planting for the last fourteen years. Currently, I lead Reflections From The Alley, an organization that seeks to help the church reach out to the broken, the poor, and refugees. I am also a blogger and writer. My first book, “Pilgrims of the Alley: Living Out Faith in Displacement” comes out in the Winter or Spring of 2013.

www.reflectionsfromthealley.org

The post The Secret to Effectiveness in Marketing appeared first on Christian Web Trends Blog: Church Websites, Design, SEO.