Playing the Social Media “Like” Game
If You Want People to Like You
Give Them Something to Like
Looking for the “Like” is part of the Social Media game. It is seen as social proof.
It doesn’t really mean anything, but doesn’t it feel good?
Most churches aren’t very good at the “like” game because they have trouble breaking out of the “look at us” mode. The “like” becomes the social proof of a mutual admiration society.
Social Media in the hands of the Church remains, for the most part, a parish club. The evangelical power of the internet is lost. Really, who else would spend more than a few seconds on an “aren’t we great” site much less press a “like” button?
If the Church hopes to embrace the power of Social Media, it must address the community—not the present church community but the community in which the church exists in order to serve—you know—like Jesus did.
This is a big shift. We are used to addressing the people who come to us—the ones who make it to the pew. We’re almost out of existence in that regard, but we keep at it. Faithful to failure.
It’s our turn to go out into the world.
It’s never been easier, more possible, or less expensive. No excuses!
The first week of the new year, we will explore some strategies for Social Media.
We’ll look at Facebook first.
But here’s the gist of Social Media: If you want people to “like” you. Give them something worth “liking.”
Happy New Year!