Catholic new media strategy

Sep 28, 2012 by

Guest Author: Marcel LeJeune

Developing and implementing an effective new media strategy takes a lot of time and effort. But the question is: is it worth it?

Absolutely!

To put it bluntly, if your organization doesn’t have a good new media presence, then you don’t exist for a lot of people.

"If the Church is not on their mobile device, it doesn’t exist."

US Conference of Catholic Bishops

Below are a few short and simple strategies, based on success we have had at St. Mary’s Catholic Center at Texas A&M University, that will hopefully serve as a roadmap to using new media successfully.

Start small

You don’t have to do everything at once. Just do one thing. And do it well. Then do something else. We didn’t start out with a website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, Flocknote, podcasts, etc. But, we use them all now (and much more) and they are all valuable tools for us.

Pictures matter

The images you use communicate as much about the message you are trying to portray as the words do - if not more. Don’t show merely empty church buildings. Show joyful people!

Remember your audience

Design your content for your first-time guests. If you don’t have a design that is welcoming, easy to navigate, and attractive, then you won’t get second-time visitors.

"Avoid church speak. Some phrases create barriers to communications."

Sr. Mary Ann Walsh | The Gospel and Social Media

Update frequently

Your online presence will only grow if your information, images, and other content are constantly fresh. Update often.

Use Facebook

Post events, pictures and quotes AND engage in conversation. 66% of all adults online use Facebook - and it's FREE!

Research first

If you decide to use an unfamiliar kind of new media (e.g. Twitter, Flocknote, Google+, Podcasting, Videos, etc), then do your homework first. There are great resources to help you get started on the right foot and set yourself up for success in each one of these areas. Start with a plan. Quality does matter.

Think like your audience

We serve college students first. When I write a blog post, the only thing I am thinking about is “Will this help, engage, or challenge my students?” If not, then I don’t post it.

Remember the WHY

Know why people are engaging with you and your media. If they are looking for answers to questions, then let them find the answers easily. If they want to know who and what you are all about, then make that a priority.

Of course, we all need to be reminded once in a while that the big picture matters most. We do these things in order to help others come closer to Christ and His Church. The Gospel is a universal message that should be shouted from the mountaintops and the internet might just be the biggest megaphone mankind has ever had the opportunity to use. The world needs Catholics to turn the volume up a bit.

Marcel LeJeune is the Assistant Director of Campus Ministry at the largest campus ministry in the country - St. Mary's Catholic Center at Texas A&M University. Marcel is also a national speaker, popular blogger, and author of Set Free to Love: Lives Changed by the Theology of the Body. He is a regular guest on national radio and has been featured on EWTN TV. Marcel and is wife, Kristy, have 5 children. You can find out more at MarcelLeJeune.com. Marcel was named one of the top 100 Catholic speakers in the country by Support a Catholic Speaker Month.

Statue photo by Andy Castro. Used with Creative Commons License.