If you are on Twitter or Facebook, you have, no doubt, come across the inevitable contest promising an iPad if you follow the right company or individual. In addition to a chance at the newest cool idea from Apple, you are also signing up for free updates from the contest holder. That is, you are reading updates from someone you had not previously followed. This is the new method of marketing using social networking sites and their members.
Just this week, I have begun following two (2) companies I had not previously heard about, let alone followed on Twitter. Was is just for a chance at a free iPad? No. I went to their websites and looked them over before choosing to both follow them and send the required tweet to participate in the contest. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it if I did not care enough to read their updates on a regular basis. Also, anyone who is reading my updates is going to read about the contest. They may decide I am becoming too involved in contests and decide to quit following me. On Twitter, this is tantamount to shouting into an empty room. No one is listening, even if they could hear you from the next room.
This new way of advertising products, websites, magazine, vegetables, etc., has implications for ministries. No, I don’t advocate asking the church council for $500 to buy an iPad and getting folks to follow the church twitter feed. That is not good stewardship, even for churches that can afford it. I would, instead, recommend, offering something else. For example, Easter is coming quickly. You can offer a place to join in an Easter egg hunt. Fat Tuesday was a few weeks ago, we had a pancake supper, free to anyone. Summer is almost here. How about free childcare for a week?
These are definitely non-standard prizes. But, the end result is a chance to meet new folks, tell them about Jesus Christ and maybe get them to come to church. I think its worth the effort to try and increase the kingdom and only look a little silly.
As an alternative, I have also received direct communication from parties selling items I mentioned in my online updates. I tweeted about having to look for stock photography for an upcoming church festival. Just a short time later, I got a message from a stock photography company with an accompanying $25 coupon for their website. Free, just like that. All I had to do was create an account with them and enter the coupon. Had I not already logged on the website where I already have an account and credits, I might have used the coupon. It’s pretty easy to see the implication for ministry here. If you are already on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, what does it hurt to send a message out to folks commenting on things related to your church or ministry? You just might end up with a new group of friends, even if they are only online.