The holiday season is in full swing and we know you’ve got a lot on your plate. Here are some reminders and resources to help you get your church’s social media platforms through December!
Things to remember
Scheduling can save you a lot of time. The built-in Planner within Facebook allows you to schedule Facebook and Instagram content if your Instagram page is attached to your Facebook page.
Planner is in the left-side menu when logging into Meta Business Suite. Use this tool to schedule posts, stories, reels, etc. (you’ll see the options in the top right-hand side). Just remember, engagement is important. Even when you’ve scheduled your content, you should return to respond and comment as people engage with it.
Frequency is key when it comes to marketing and events. Make sure that you post reminders about any holiday events and services. Remember that because of the algorithms used, not everyone who follows you will see everything you post, so the more times you post it, the better your chances are of more people seeing it.
Engagement is just as essential as always, and the holidays present a significant opportunity to connect. Make sure you ask questions and provide an opportunity for conversation. Asking followers to share photos of their Christmas decorations, favorite ornaments, Nativity, etc. can help generate the engagement your social media pages need.
Remember to talk with your community and not to your community. Keep in mind that there will be some people this holiday season who cannot physically come to your church, so opening this door to engagement on social media can go a long way in providing community to everyone equally.
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Consider these resources and ideas
From recipes to Christmas carols, the United Methodist Videos YouTube page has a playlist with content you can share. (Tip: If you post a recipe, ask your followers to share a photo of their outcome!)
These Christmas sharables will help with content, but don’t forget to add prompts for engagement. For example, if you share one with a Bible verse, ask your community what their favorite Advent Bible verses are.
Have you used a Facebook Group to house an online Bible study? This time of year, people need community even more. The United Methodist Publishing House and the Upper Room have produced books and resources to help churches and individuals prepare for Advent in a spirit of hope during this unprecedented time of uncertainty and anxiety.
The Minnesota Annual Conference suggests sending out instructions for making an Advent wreath or providing at-home hanging-of-the-greens kits, along with weekly prayers or readings for lighting candles throughout the season. Perhaps you can connect people who live alone via Zoom so they can do it together.
Host online hot cocoa/coffee devotional meetings leading up to Christmas. Use Facebook or Instagram Live, or provide a Zoom link on all of your social media platforms. If you have money in your budget, consider purchasing hot chocolate supplies that people can pick up at church on Sunday and use for the meet-up.
The Upper Room has made available some wonderful devotions.
We hope you’ve found these reminders and resources helpful. The holidays can be stressful, but if you plan ahead and utilize resources, you can get ahead of the game and enjoy quality time and conversations with your community in the social media space.