Social Media Sites That Serve Our Audiences
These past few weeks, I have been writing in some detail my answer to the question “how to convince ministry leadership to use social media”. “Getting on social media” cannot be the main goal. Our goal is bigger than that. Our goal is to share our good news with the audiences we serve using every means at our disposal. Today social media is one of those means.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Many people who use social media, use more than one platform. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat and YouTube are the most popular. In general, younger people use four or more of these social media sites while older people stick to one or two.
- Social media continues to evolve as do the interests of our audiences. We need to use what works for our audiences today and be ready to adapt when things change.
- The point of social media is to network, engage, and relate to our audiences.
- Different platforms require different content and style.
Sixty-eight percent of Americans are on Facebook. Approximately three quarters of them visit it daily. It is used across all demographics with the least use by those over 65 (32% according to a recent Gallup Poll). Check out these facts from the Pew Research Center
Facebook is a must for social media ministry. It has the potential to reach the most people.
Thirty-five percent of U.S. Adults use Instagram. Sixty-four percent of those 18-29 use and frequent Instagram. Instagram is owned by Facebook and similar to Facebook, you can have a personal account and up to 5 business (ministry) accounts.
Instagram is a mobile device app that connects people through shared images, photos or videos.
Instagram is about being unique and creative—taking and sharing photos or videos that tell the story or make the point without long explanations. The images are the conversation starters. The hashtags (such as #love, #friendship, #beauty, #rain, #church for example) are very important on Instagram. Use as many as you like. People can find your photo using these hashtags.
Twenty-four percent of U.S. adults use Twitter. Forty percent of those between 18 and 29 use Twitter. Twitter is an online news and social networking site where members post “tweets” (comments) using 280 characters or less. Anyone can read tweets, but only those who join Twitter can tweet, reply to and retweet what they read. Many Catholic organizations, dioceses, bishops are on Twitter.
For a more detailed breakdown of Twitter demographics click here.
FYI: Pope Francis is on both Twitter and Instagram.
Let’s Hear From You
Which social media platform(s) do you use for ministry and who are you trying to reach?
