1-2-1 Labs Start at Lake Hart

We’ll be having computer labs (called “1-2-1 at Lake Hart”) during the lunch hour on the first Tuesday of each month at headquarters.  A dozen staff have volunteered to be available to answer questions on topics ranging from Macs, social networks, mobile devices, eMail, blogging, TntMPD, MailChimp, and more.  Twenty-eight staff came to our “trial run” lab in February.  I asked them what they thought of the lab:

“This was very helpful!!!  I like the informal setting where we can ask questions.  It is very difficult to grasp the tools we have available.  What is very basic for one of your experts, is very complicated for some people.  We need more bridge builders like you!!!  Sign me up to come again.”  ~ Tim C.

“I am interested in coming again. I actually really liked the free open ended way the lab was handled… I really wasn’t sure what I was going to ask [Mike] but as I sat there and fiddled with my MAC I really had a lot of questions. Thank you. I’ll be there next month.” ~ Lori D.

“Thanks again for all your work in putting the lab together.  I found it extremely helpful.  I appreciated Mike doing the one thing I asked him to help me with my tablet efficiently and quickly.  We were done in less then 5 minutes!  Monica … gave me some great tracks to run on [with Blogspot].  Once I am done implementing what she suggested, I am sure I could use further help with the next step.” ~ Gordana S.

“I am so happy that I went to the lab last week! It was extremely helpful to me on many levels and I definitely plan to attend next month. Andi gave me some very practical “next steps” for our StoryTapestry web presence.  I am looking forward to running some questions by the Tnt Mpd guys in the future, too.  I am so grateful for all the mentors for giving of their time…I know they are all very busy!  I hope to be able to pick your brain some more as well during future labs!“ ~ Brenda M.

“Yes, it was VERY helpful. As I told Troy and Bob, I have had this problem with tntmpd for months and have tried to research it on my own and even got consultation from Troy over email, but I still could not resolve it on my own (it does not help that I am NOT a techno-guru in the least). However, sitting down with Troy for less than 5 minutes got me on the right road and I was then able to take steps (with his in-person consultation) to resolve the problem within 10 minutes (that counts downloading and installing a third-party software (drop-box)).  Thank you for helping me resolve what was a big problem I was having with tntmpd.

“I would be very interested in coming again if I run into problems/barriers on any level, especially where technology is concerned, that I could not break through myself after trying. Or, it could also be very useful to get a consultation on the work-related systems I have employed and get an opinion and consultation on if there is a better or more effective way of building the mouse-trap.” ~ John C.

I liked Tim’s term: “bridge builders” to describe what we were trying to do during the lab to help staff know how they can use technology for ministry.  I try to build bridges with eQuipping for eMinistry as well.  Please recommend e4e to your friends.  Thanks!

Click here for a slide show of the lab.

Managing Social Media Networks

This is the last in a series of three posts about the great day at Lake Hart we had with our guest, Steve Raquel, on Tuesday (see the first point in the notes below with important information about obtaining the PowerPoints and videos).

Managing Social Media Networks

In helping us understand how to manage social media, Steve suggested using a social media communications dashboard (like HootSuite and Seesmic).  He also described the internet as flowing like a river.  We need to find the best times to be at the river’s edge with our content and then be patient—it takes time to grow a following.  He mentioned how important it is to include Tweets and Facebook sharing and comments on our websites.

You’ll learn more from the video on social media and websites, including:

• Using OfferPop for promotions within Facebook and Twitter
• Why having a fan page is a good option to consider
• The importance of boilerplates
• Considering using FourSquare for events
• Capturing data with bit.ly and Google Analytics
• Finding aggregators to spread your Tweets
• And more

Please comment if you attended this session and would like to share your take-aways from Steve.  (I already did an action point from this talk by adding Facebook comments to our hosted blog.) 

You might want to check out the first two sessions.

<<  First  <  Prev

NOTES:

•  Subscribe to e4e and request eMail notifications for future training opportunities and for information how to obtain the link to the videos and PowerPoints for this session (explained in more detail in the first post) .
• If you want to have a blog and/or website as part of your social media MPD plan, you’ll want to visit the first two sessions.
• See photos from our sessions at Lake Hart.
• Steve’s blog is a good resource for understanding and using social media.
• Steve’s Tweets

Using Social Media with Your Donor Team

This is the second in a series of three posts about the great day at Lake Hart we had with our guest, Steve Raquel, on Tuesday (see the intro in the first post with important information about obtaining the PowerPoints and videos).

Using Social Media with Your Donor Team

Steve touched on the concept of integrating several elements: a website, a blog, Facebook, Twitter, prayer letters, and/or an eMail service.  He had a unique perspective both as a social networking professional and as a donor to several of our staff families.

I asked Elaine of Priority Associates what she thought of the meeting:

First I have to say it was a little overwhelming but that is because I am so illiterate regarding all of the social media.  But I’m very glad that I went.  It helped in the learning process for me.

I became more acquainted with social media that I haven’t used.  It also helped to learn how they can work together.  It was nice to hear an expert say that he didn’t use all of them regularly.  It was good to get a broad picture of what is happening in the world of social media…

It gave me a lot of food for thought to think how to use it with my donors, letting them know more quickly of prayer needs and how their prayers have been answered in the lives of people.  I know about setting boundaries on who comes to my Facebook profile, but I learned much more about using groups.

So, I loved getting a bigger picture and have figured out some baby steps I can take to use social media more effectively.  Thanks.

See the second point in the notes to learn how to view the video on social media for websites, which includes the following:

• Using Tumblr for micro-blogging from your phone
• The importance of using photos and videos in Facebook
• A suggestion to check the chat window in the right sidebar of Facebook to see which of your donors are online
• And more

Please comment if you attended this session and would like to share your take-aways from Steve.  (Because of Steve’s talk, I’m hoping to find ways to encourage staff to learn and use manageable portions of this strategy.  It doesn’t have to be overwhelming!) 

Come back tomorrow for notes from the next session on managing your social networks.  (Steve will mention using a social media communications dashboard and other topics.)

<  First  Last >

NOTES:

• See photos from our sessions at Lake Hart.
• In a week or so, we’ll have the PowerPoints and videos from the sessions available.  I’ll let you know at that time how you can view them.  These will only be available on a secure site for CCC staff.  If you’re interested in these videos, simply subscribe to e4e and request to receive eMails about training.  You’ll also learn of other future training opportunities , such as helping staff build these different elements for using social media effectively.
• Steve’s blog is a good resource for understanding and using social media.
• Steve’s Tweets
• You might be interested in sharing MPD ideas with other staff on this Facebook group (ask me for an invitation).

4 Things Your Website Needs from Social Media

This is the first in a series of three posts about the great day at Lake Hart we had with our guest, Steve Raquel, on Tuesday. (The link goes to Steve’s official bio, but I’d like to add that he and his wife, Stephanie, are also involved with the Cru metro and FamilyLife ministries in Chicago.  They were involved as students with Cru and invest in several of our staff members.)

Steve graciously spent time consulting with some individuals and also spoke at three sessions.   I’ll be posting three days consecutively for these sessions and hope to send an eMail out next week about how to view the videos.  The sessions were:

• Social Media and Websites
• Using Social Media with Your Donor Team
• Managing Social Media Networks

Because these materials need to be secure (see the third point in the notes), I won’t be posting how to obtain the videos and Power Points here; however, I thought I’d pass along some of my notes.

Social Media and Websites

Do you use social media to make entertainment choices or before purchasing something? (I know I go straight to “reviews” on Amazon.com when I’m considering buying something.) Subtly, our entire way of making decisions and being informed has changed.  Steve pointed out that people will likely go through their social networks to find our CCC websites.  Therefore, our websites need:

1. A community*
2. Content which needs to:
   • change 5 times per month*
   • be concise
   • be of good quality
   • be engaging
   • include user-generated content
   • load fast: in 3 to 4 seconds
3. A social media person to:
   • respond quickly to comments, eMails, and Tweets
   • be aware of Google ranking and “bad press,” responding appropriately
4. Links to other Campus Crusade for Christ websites

You’ll learn more from the video on social media and websites, including:

• An explanation of keywords and how they’re changing
• Why Siri is a game changer
• The importance of the time-of-day for your posts
• And more

Please comment if you attended this session and would like to share your take-aways from Steve.  (Because of Steve’s talk, I’m hoping to encourage our staff bloggers to link to each other’s blogs.)  Come back tomorrow for notes from the MPD session.

Next  >  Last >>

NOTES:

• *Facebook and Twitter feeds help refresh your content and provide a community.
• See photos from our sessions at Lake Hart.
• In a week or so, we’ll have the PowerPoints and videos from the sessions available.  I’ll let you know at that time how you can view them.  These will only be available on a secure site for CCC staff.  If you’re interested in these videos, simply subscribe to e4e and request to receive eMails about training.  You’ll also learn of other future training opportunities.
• Steve’s blog is a good resource for understanding and using social media.
• Steve’s Tweets

The First Annual Christmas Blog Tour

I plan to add Christmas posts daily to a blog tour for the rest of December.  (I need some more entries!)

If you’re affiliated with Campus Crusade for Christ, then submit your post to me, Sus Schmitt, at my ccci.org address ASAP.  If you don’t know my address, send your post to sus dot schmitt at gmail dot com.  Blog posts should be Christmas-themed. Please include a sentence summarizing your blog post’s content.

Best of Tour

• The Sovereign ~ C. S. Lewis on Xmas ~ featured 12-31-2011
• MomLife Today ~ Global Giving ~ featured 12-30-2011
• A Snapshot of Motherhood  ~ Seeking Jesus… By Mistake ~ featured 12-29-2011
• Crocker Chronicle ~ Our God Is with Us  ~ featured 12-28-2011
• Capturing This Lifesong ~ Treasured in Her Heart~ featured 12-27-2011
• MomLife Today ~ Finding Mom in Christmas ~ featured 12-26-2011
• Leaha’s Pen ~ The Welcome ~ featured 12-25-2011
• Infinite Queso ~ MIXTAPE: Mistletoe Medley (a playlist for your Christmas party) ~ featured 12-24-2011
• Live with Flair ~ 3 Ways to Be a Christmas Blessing ~ featured 12-23-1011
• Infinite Queso ~ To Santa Or Not to Santa ~ featured 12-22-2011
• Team Kollar ~ My Christmas Wish List ~ featured 12-21-2011
• Judy’s Kindling blog ~ What Do You Give Your Children?~ featured 12-20-2011
• Hope for Hurting Parents ~ A Hurting Parent’s Christmas Wish List ~ featured 12-19-2011
• Team Kollar ~ Jesus in My Pocket (a little toy speaks a gentle message to Misty’s heart) ~ featured 12-18-2011
• eQuipping for eMinistry ~ Holiday Cards (manage your cards with TntMPD) ~ featured 12-18-2011
• Second Cup of Coffee ~ Room to Spare (a spiritual life-lesson from a Christmas tree)  ~ featured 12-17-2011
• Cindi Ferrini ~ Last Minute Guest COULD Spoil Dinner – So Could Hostess ~ featured 12-16-2011
• Kindling ~ Advent series (Judy’s been posting a new thought each day for Advent on Facebook and Twitter.  She has all  her comments on these posts: 1, 2, and 3) ~ featured 12-15-2011
• Life Everlasting ~ Thank you, God, for becoming man (a lesson from God’s creation) ~ featured 12-14-2011
• MikeAndSus.org ~ Joel and Miriam (sharing the Christmas story with our Jewish neighbors) ~ featured 12-13-2011
• Live with Flair ~ How to Write a Great Holiday Letter ~ featured 12-12-2011

Upcoming Stops

The tour is over, but the annual spring tour will be coming in a few months.

More Christmas help on e4e

Find more Christmas posts on e4e: fun YouTube videos, keeping track of correspondence, and tech gift ideas.

Previous Tours

• Social-Share Blog Tour 2012
• International Blog Tour 2011
• Inaugural Blog Tour 2010
• Out of This World Tour~ CCC staff as guest authors on other blogs and web sites

SIGN UP: Receive a weekly eMail with the links to the most recent posts for the rest of this tour by checking the last box on this subscription form.

CCC staff, so we can better serve you, please subscribe here to receive weekly emails of e4e posts, notifications of training, and more.