Pro Church Podcast With Brady Shearer

Today we’ll be unveiling our ultimate guide to social media for smaller churches. We’ve got eleven principles to share with you and these rules encompass everything we know about social media. And whether your church is just starting to take social media seriously or you’ve been at it for a while but need a bit of fine-tuning, this episode is for you. So let’s get started.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/the-11-rules-of-social-media-for-smaller-churches-ultimate-guide/   LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE to the audio podcast version of The Pro Church Tools Show here: http://prochurchpodcast.com   SHOW NOTES:   Rule #1: Attention is the most valuable commodity on social media (03:55)   Rule #2: Stop the scroll (06:55)   Rule #3: Repeat = Defeat (07:30)   Rule #4: The ‘1-in-5’ Rule (14:10)   Rule #5: Start meaningful conversations (19:00)   Rule #6: Provoke spiritual practice (30:00)   Rule #7: Deep then wide (35:40)   Rule #8: Sunday snowball (39:30)   Rule #9:

Today we’ll be sharing with you a real-life TikTok success story. Alex Wilson has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers as a Christian creator on TikTok in just a few months even though he started with zero following. And in this episode, we’ll interview Alex as he shares everything he’s learned about organic growth on TikTok.     ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/how-to-go-from-zero-to-500k-followers-on-tiktok-in-6-months/     LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE to the audio podcast version of The Pro Church Tools Show here: http://prochurchpodcast.com     SHOW NOTES:   Who is Alex Dion Wilson? (01:34) The “before TikTok” grind. (02:50) What are you doing that is so different from others? (08:45) What is the average length for your TikTok videos? (12:00) Incorporating sounds and music on TikTok? (15:00) Alex Wilson’s camera gear?  (18:45) Stopping the scroll on TikTok. (19:10) Mistakes to avoid on TikTok. (24:35) How his TikTok followers are responding. (34:45) TOP 5 (42:55) Q&A (58:45)

There's a new social platform emerging right now called TikTok. And the big question that many churches are asking themselves right now is - "Is this platform safe?" So, let's talk about it.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/is-tiktok-safe-for-your-church/

Today we’re going to outline the case for why your church needs a better church slogan. Because your slogan isn’t just a set of arbitrary words. It’s meant to inform your leadership’s decision making and help bring your faith community closer together. So in this episode, we’ll contrast good church slogans versus less-than-good church slogans and give you the actionable tools you need to craft a better slogan for your church.     ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/why-your-church-slogan-isnt-good-enough/     LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE to the audio podcast version of The Pro Church Tools Show here: http://prochurchpodcast.com     SHOW NOTES:   What is a slogan? (4:30) Why is it important? (10:20) How to craft a great slogan? (13:45) How we apply these same principles to Nucleus? (25:50) BIG ANNOUNCEMENT (40:05) TOP 5 (49:45) Q&A (1:07:35)

Today we’re going to break down the communication techniques of Steven Furtick. Furtick is one of the most listened-to preachers in the world and that’s because he is an extremely talented communicator. So let’s talk about the specifics - the frameworks, devices, and constructs Furtick uses in his messages.     ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/the-anatomy-of-a-steven-furtick-sermon-elevation-church-breakdown/       LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE to the audio podcast version of The Pro Church Tools Show here: http://prochurchpodcast.com   SHOW NOTES: Part 1:  The vision of Elevation Church (12:45)   Part 2: The 5-part opening framework (18:40)   Prayer Example (27:10)   Part 3: The Preacher’s Paradox (30:20)   TOP 5 (45:50)   Q&A (1:00:45)  

Today on The Pro Church Tools Show you’ll learn exactly how the TikTok algorithm works. And when we say *exactly* we mean it. Because our friends at Life.Church called us up after they met with a TikTok engineer and they spilled the beans on how videos get ranked on TikTok. And by the end of this episode, your church will know what it needs to do to get started with TikTok on the right foot - and how to improve the chances of your videos going viral.     ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/how-does-the-tiktok-algorithm-work-5-secrets-you-need-to-know/     SHOW NOTES:     #1: It’s unusual to get this type of insight into a social media algorithm (2:30)   #2: What about those who say you shouldn’t be on TikTok because it’s not safe for kids? (4:00)   #3: TikTok starts with algorithms instead of friends (6:40)   #4: Each video gets pushed out to a small batch of users and then based on the results, it moves the medium batch test, gets a video integrity rating, large batch goes for about four

In my experience, the most overlooked and misunderstood digital communication platform that churches use is email. That’s right. Not Instagram or Facebook - email. So in this episode, you’ll learn everything you need to know about crafting an email strategy at your church that works and spurs on more next steps and life change across your entire church.     ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE:   https://prochurchtools.com/7-proven-church-newsletter-ideas-that-really-work/     SHOW NOTES:     #1: Amplify your best social content (5:10)   #2: Amplify your most listened to sermon (8:00)   #3: Amplify your most important next step (14:40)   #4: Plain text emails (18:00)   #5: Add a P.S. (20:30)   #6: Subject line is everything (21:20)   #7: Consistency with time and day (22:00)  

For the last several months, I’ve been seeing the signs. Instagram organic reach is dropping and the decline is considerable. It’s happening in the feed, but it’s even happening on IG Stories as well. So in this episode, we’ll take a closer look at this Instagram decline and what it means for your church going forward.     ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/5-troubling-signs-that-instagram-is-declining-2/     SHOW NOTES:   #1: Instagram engagement rates are down considerably (1:10)   #2: IG Stories engagement down considerably (5:50)   #3: No major new features in last 30-60 days; Aug-Sep 2019 (8:40)   #4: Manicured aesthetic is done (9:40)   #5: IG working on a TikTok copy called ‘Clips' (14:15)   What should you do? (17:05)  

In my home office, every wall is painted with chalkboard paint. And on one of those office walls is a series of five different leadership quotes written in chalk. For me, these are the five biggest lessons I’m trying to learn currently when it comes to leading my team and so I like to look at them regularly. But I also want to share them with you - not as virtues I’ve fully internalized - but as the principles I’m aiming for. So in this episode, I’ll take you inside my home office and into my own leadership journey as I share with you what each of these five leadership objectives are.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/5-leadership-reminders-i-have-written-on-my-wall/   SHOW NOTES:   #1: “This is a small problem compared to the bigger problems I hope to face." (4:45)   #2: “Everyone wants to be KNOWN and NEEDED." (7:15)   #3: “Talk to yourself more than you listen to yourself." (10:10)   #4: “Wherever I am is the big time." (12:00)   #5: “Stay sweet." (15:20)  

A challenge for every single church and every single church leader is that Sunday is only a few days away - which means another sermon. Another gathering. Another moment where we as church leaders need to speak in front of others. And if you don’t have a framework to fall-back on for this, you’ll likely struggle to come up with new ideas. So in this episode, you’ll learn three public speaking mechanisms to keep your church’s attention - said differently, you’ll learn how to talk and never be boring.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/3-public-speaking-mechanisms-to-keep-your-audiences-attention/   Show Notes:   One of my biggest struggles as a content creator is shared by many church leaders as well... (0:40)   We need a framework for how to put together our talks (2:20)   Story/Stats/Steps (4:10)   Make it personal; make it provable; make it practical (4:45)    

Because of Christmas bonuses, tax deadlines, and general holiday generosity, a huge portion of church giving comes in the final months of each year. But just because folks are willing to give, doesn’t mean they’ll automatically follow-through. It’s still incumbent upon your church to provide every opportunity for generosity and to inspire your church to these next steps. So follow along, and by the end of this episode, you’ll have a framework that your church can follow to maximize year-end giving.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/7-ways-to-maximize-year-end-giving-at-church-in-2019/   Show Notes:     #1. End-of-year giving is considerable (00:50)   #2. Don’t simply rely on your church’s willingness to give (1:35)   #3. Focus on the big four end-of-year dates (4:00)   #4. Inspire giving with campaigns (4:55)   #5. Setup custom giving trigger links for the easiest giving experience (9:35)   #6. Put a card on the homepage (13:35)   #7. Go all-in on the final t

TikTok is the newest emerging social platform and like all social media evolutions: it’s weird, it’s unfamiliar, and young people love it. So in this episode, we’ll be giving you a primer on everything you need to know about TikTok so you can begin exploring it with your church and student ministry.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/tiktok-13-things-your-church-needs-to-know/   Show Notes:   If IG Stories and Vine had a baby (1:40)   Most videos are 15-60 seconds in length (4:30)   Sound autoplays (6:20)   The content creation tools are mind boggling (7:00)   It’s unfamiliar and disorienting (7:56)   It’s repetitive (11:35)   Virality is probable (14:56)   Machine learning (18:00)   How often should you post? (20:00)   The demo is young now, so people will disparage it (20:10)   TikTok is prime real estate (22:20)   TikTok is driving the music charts (25:50)   Theforyoupage.com (27:50)    

Every subculture has its own set of insider language and jargon - and the Christian subculture is no exception. We lovingly call our insider language Christianese (see how self-aware we are?). And in this video, we’re going to present to you our power rankings of the best Christianese words and phrases.      ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/the-ultimate-christianese-power-rankings-top-7-christian-phrases/     Show Notes:   What is Christianese? (0:35)   Bootstrapping, MVP, Ramen profitable (1:55)   #7. Narthex, lobby, foyer (4:20)   #6. Partake (7:00)   #5. Baby Christian (8:10)   #4. The Anthropomorphics (10:00)   #3. Love offering (11:35)   #2. Fellowship (13:15)   Honorable mention (16:20)   #1. Problematic Prepositions (20:10)  

When you’re serving in a church, you inevitably find yourself in situations where you need to speak in front of others. Maybe it’s a prayer, maybe it’s announcements, or maybe you were asked to preach! Whatever it is, for most of us in church, public speaking is a necessity in some capacity. So in this video, you’re going to learn my best tips on how to become a confident and comfortable speaker.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/how-to-become-a-confident-comfortable-speaker/   What's In This Session?        #1. Listen and watch yourself (0:40)   #2. Use stories as your cheat code (5:00)   #3. Pace and pitch (7:20)   #4. Smile (9:50)   #5. Find your style (11:35)  

Today, you’re going to learn what option is best for your church when it comes to announcements - video or live? There are pros and cons to each of course, but my final answer on this may surprise you. So let’s dive right in.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/church-video-announcements-vs-live-whats-best-for-your-church/   What's In This Session?      Pros of video announcements (4:35)   Cons of video announcements (7:00)   Pros of live announcements (9:00)   The goal of announcements (10:15)   Cons of live announcements (12:25)      

Today, you’re going to learn the absolute easiest social media strategy for churches. Even better? You don’t need to create any graphics or produce any videos - you don’t even need to post every single day! Yet, despite how easy this strategy is, the best part is that it gets results. So follow along, and by the end of this episode, you’ll have everything you need to start using this strategy right away at your church.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/the-easiest-social-media-strategy-for-churches-ever/   What's In This Session?      Step 1: Using the text tool on Facebook (5:00)   Examples (6:15)   Step 2: Respond to every single comment/interaction that you get (10:35)  

I get questions all the time asking about animation and motion design - particularly in the context of social media. So in this video, we’ll speak directly with one of our motion designers that brings our social program to life through animation - as we give you a behind the scenes look into our complete workflow.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/the-beginners-guide-to-motion-design-animation-for-social-media/   What's In This Session?      How do you approach bringing a static design to life - particularly in the context of social? (9:00)   How we use motion to tell a story. (12:50)   What were some of the challenges when we first started working together? (15:30)   What is the best way to get into motion design? (26:20)   Why use designs that are not apart of your brand on social? (30:45)   

If you’re a church or leader in a church - young or old - you’re confronting new challenges in ministry right now that couldn’t have even existed ten years ago. And my belief is that these new challenges require a particular mindset to successfully navigate them. And so in this episode, I’ll explain this “bias for action” mindset - and why it’s critical for you as a church leader.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/how-a-bias-for-action-mindset-is-critical-for-every-church-leader/   Show Notes:   From a position of humility (10:40)   Failure isn’t something I’m concerned with (11:45)   Everything can be redeemed (12:25)   Recognize this approach is contrarian (14:00)   Buy into the principle for its merit, not material results (16:15)   Change the narrative (18:30)     Featured Resource & Additional Links:     Pro Church Tools Products https://prochurchtools.com/products/   The Church Announcements Scripts Bundle https://prochurchtools.com/akwh   CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS FORMULA https:

  One of the easiest ways to boost engagement on social media is to ask your followers questions. But…you need to ask the right questions. So today, you’ll get 39 different questions made specifically for churches like yours to use on social media. The best part? These questions have already been proven to boost engagement and we’re giving them away freely to you! So let’s get started.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/39-copy-n-paste-question-posts-for-churches-on-social-media/   What's In This Session?      We’ve been doing the social program for a year now - What we’ve learned and created. (0:30)        An easy to follow strategy. (3:10)        Why these questions are so helpful. (21:30)    Show Notes & Resources Mentioned:      Pro Church Tools Products -  https://prochurchtools.com/products/        CENTRAL HUB STRATEGY: Boost Church Signups 53% -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtsAWLZoC7c         

The Central Hub is a strategy churches use to boost engagement - it exists to see your congregation take more next steps. And this is important because we don’t want churches filled with passive spectators, but rather, active participants. So in this video, we’ll share with you eight different central hub lobby setups from real churches to get you inspired - and to show you that whether your church is big, small, portable, young, old - whatever - The Central Hub can work in your context.   ***VISIT THE FULL POST HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/8-inspiring-central-hub-lobby-setups-real-church-examples/   What's In This Session?      Rule #1: The Central Hub must be accessible be 24/7 (4:40)      Rule #2: The Central Hub must be accessible from any device (5:35)      Rule #3: The Central Hub must be able to capture, store, and distribute information (6:05)      Example #1: Big blue wall (8:30)      Example #2: In the sanctuary (11:15)      Example #3: iPad stand (12:00)      Example #4: Pop-up signs (13:20)