Christian Interactive

Boston area business owners! It's fourth quarter and time to ramp up advertising efforts, plus lock in great marketing opportunities for 2012!  If you are not already a Beantown Preferred or Beantown Preferidos advertiser, you are missing out on the most effective and affordable marketing opportunity in town!  As the holiday season heats up, consumers will be flocking to the Beantown Preferred and Beantown Preferidos website to be the winner of the $1000 prize package and get special offers from local Pittsburgh area merchants. 
  
Advertising and marketing consultants at Beantown Preferred and Beantown Preferidos are experts in radio marketing and big picture, turnkey interactive web agency strategies that are turnkey and extremely affordable - and best of all, available to you by simply making a call!  Call Pat Ryan at 617-328-0880 or patr@salemradioboston.com.  She will make sure one of his expert marketing and advertising consultants meets with you personally, explaining the power of the Beantown Preferred Marketing system that harnesses over 100 radio commercials, internet, e-mail, social, & mobile marketing. 

Beantown Preferred is offered exclusively by Salem radio stations WEZE 590 AM Life Changing Christian Radio and WBZS AM 550 Wall Street Business Network, WROL 950 AM The Spirit of Boston, and WWDJ 1150 AM Radio Luz.  The staff there are experts in radio marketing that will provide complimentary media purchasing guidance, as well as full service advertising opportunities.  There is no other broadcasting company in the Boston area that offers such a full service menu of marketing opportunities bundled together into one powerful marketing system, Beantown Preferred and Beantown Preferidos. 

About Radio Preferred: Radio Preferred is a division of Edge Media, a leading interactive advertising agency offering innovative and turnkey revenue solutions to broadcast companies including bulk SMS services and digital media company platforms.  Radio Preferred can be reached at info@radiopreferred.com, and Edge Media at info@edgemedia.biz

Pittsburgh area business owners! It's fourth quarter and time to ramp up advertising efforts, plus lock in great marketing opportunities for 2012!  If you are not already a Three Rivers Preferred advertiser, you are missing out on the most effective and affordable marketing opportunity in town!  As the holiday season heats up, consumers will be flocking to the Three Rivers website to be the winner of the $1000 prize package and get special offers from local Pittsburgh area merchants. 
  
Advertising and marketing consultants at Three Rivers Preferred are experts in radio marketing and big picture, turnkey interactive web agency strategies that are turnkey and extremely affordable - and best of all, available to you by simply making a call!  Call Mike Howard at 412-937-1500 or mhoward@wordfm.com.  He will make sure one of his expert marketing and advertising consultants meets with you personally, explaining the power of the Three Rivers Preferred Marketing system that harnesses over 100 radio commercials, internet, e-mail, social, & mobile marketing. 

Three Rivers Preferred is offered exclusively by Salem radio stations WPIT AM Life Changing Christian Radio and WORD FM Pittsburgh's Christian Talk.  The staff there are experts in radio marketing that will provide complimentary media purchasing guidance, as well as full service advertising opportunities.  There is no other broadcasting company in the Three Rivers area that offers such a full service menu of marketing opportunities bundled together into one powerful marketing system, Three Rivers Preferred. 

About Radio Preferred: Radio Preferred is a division of Edge Media, a leading interactive advertising agency offering innovative and turnkey revenue solutions to broadcast companies including bulk SMS services and digital media company platforms.  Radio Preferred can be reached at info@radiopreferred.com, and Edge Media at info@edgemedia.biz

   Twin Cities business owners! It's fourth quarter and time to ramp up advertising efforts, plus lock in great marketing opportunities for 2012!  If you are not already a Twin Cities Preferred advertiser, you are missing out on the most effective and affordable marketing opportunity in town!  As the holiday season heats up, consumers will be flocking to the Twin Cities website to be the winner of the $1000 prize package and get special offers from local Minneapolis and St. Paul merchants. 
  
Advertising and marketing consultants at Twin Cities Preferred are experts in radio marketing and big picture, turnkey interactive web agency strategies that are turnkey and extremely affordable - and best of all, available to you by simply making a call!  Call Nic Anderson at 651-289-4408  or nicanderson@salemtc.com.  He will make sure one of his expert marketing and advertising consultants meets with you personally, explaining the power of the Twin Cities Preferred Marketing system that harnesses over 100 radio commercials, internet, e-mail, social, & mobile marketing. 

Twin Cities Preferred is offered exclusively by Salem radio stations AM 1280 The Patriot Conservative News Talk Radio,  AM 980 Twin Cities Christian Talk and AM 1570 Wall Street Business Network, experts in radio marketing that will provide complimentary media purchasing guidance, as well as full service advertising opportunities.  There is no other broadcasting company in the Twin Cities that offers such a full service menu of marketing opportunities bundled together into one powerful marketing system, Twin Cities Preferred. 

About Radio Preferred: Radio Preferred is a division of Edge Media, a leading interactive advertising agency offering innovative and turnkey revenue solutions to broadcast companies including bulk SMS services and digital media company platforms.  Radio Preferred can be reached at info@radiopreferred.com, and Edge Media at info@edgemedia.biz

ChurchLink Communications is pleased to announce that Radio Preferred has launched nationally! Our first markets include Philadelphia and Minneapolis/St. Paul where we are partnering with Salem Broadcasting's radio stations in those markets. 

The partnership is a natural fit, as Salem Broadcasting owns the largest commercial Christian radio network in the United States, and ChurchLink Communications is a leading Christian interactive advertising agency.   We are confident that this model will continue to grow, benefitting Salem, ChurchLink, and advertisers on the Preferred marketing system.

For information on how to bring Radio Preferred to your area, or how to advertise on the Preferred Marketing Network, e-mail us at info@churchlinkcommunications.com.  Radio stations can review the program at www.preferredradio.com.   Also, be sure to visit us on Facebook!

About Radio Preferred: Radio Preferred is an affiliate of ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media. 

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink Communications is the Christian advertising agency division of Edge Media dedicated to serving Christian broadcast, ministries, and churches. As a Christian interactive agency, ChurchLink is committed to utilizing every technological tool available to deliver the Gospel to the ends of the earth.  Our Christian marketing company offers SMS marketing software, radio syndication, marketing research, social media, internet marketing, etc. as a full service Christian agency.

Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency with a decade of service for local and national clients.   Edge Media specializes in cutting edge, creative, innovative, and turnkey revenue solutions to broadcast clients.  With over 50 years of combined radio experience, we know what it takes to generate sales.  Our radio revenue solutions give our clients the edge over their market competitors with programs that create high consumer & advertiser demand, and can't be replicated by the competition.

We are excited about our next series of training resources for churches, ministries, and Christian broadcast!  Search engine optimization is critical to outreach, and should be a key component of every strategy to increase exposure and influence.   Why?  People use search engines 80% of the time when looking for something new.  Do you want folks who are looking for what you have to offer but don't know your name to find you?  That is where search engine optimization comes in! 

This new training series will provide some of the step by step strategies that you can incorporate into your marketing/outreach.   And, of course, if you don't want to try this at home, we are always here to do it for you!  As a leading interactive Christian advertising agency, we have helped our clients increase website traffic by as much as 400% in three months, while increasing income 70%!   It is all about identifying the interest and getting out in front of the traffic that already exists online, and then redirecting that traffic to your website.

The first step, which we will discuss briefly today, is to identify those keywords that define what you do.  For example, for ChurchLink Communications, several of our most important keywords are Christian marketing company, Christian interactive, Christian advertising agency, and Christian agency.   We want folks to find us who are looking for a Christian advertising agency but are not already familiar with the name ChurchLink Communications.  We always choose our name as a keyword, so other keywords are ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media.  The next set of keywords for us then revolve around our particular products, so mobile advertising agency is a keyword, reflecting the fact that we offer text message marketing and mobile marketing.  SMS software is another word, so that we get out in front of folks looking for text message marketing software.  We generally recommend choosing 25 keywords to start. 

It is also important in the keyword identification process to get out of your shoes and into the shoes of those who are looking for what you have to offer.  We measure our keywords against the volume of traffic that already exists, as well as how competitive those words are with other folks who offer similar services to us.  Folks inside our own organizations tend to lean towards the more technical terminology instead of the layman terminology that most of the search revolves around.  For example, for us, SMS marketing software is a bit technical, so the folks searching on that term already really know what they are looking for, as opposed to someone who searches for text message marketing or texting for business.

So, put on your thinking caps and identify your top 25 keywords.  If you need our services to help identify those terms and measure them for traffic volume and competition, we offer very reasonable search engine optimization services!   The next post will discuss the next step - what do you do with these 25 terms??   Stay tuned.  And be sure to post questions if you have something specific you would like addressed. 

We'd like to also invite you to join us on Facebook, Twitter, and our New Testament Bible Study on  Facebook for encouraging and educational interaction! Below are the links:

ChurchLink on Twitter: twitter.com/ChurchLink
ChurchLink on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/ChurchLink-Communications/246702415307
New Testament Bible Study on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/ChurchLink-Communications/246702415307#!/group.php

In the meantime, we pray that the Lord continues to bless you and strengthen you as you serve Him!

Blessings,

Vickie Isaac
President/ChurchLink Communications
info@churchlinkcommunications

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink Communication is a full service Christian advertising agency operating as a division of Edge Media LLC.  We are located in Phoenix, AZ and serve local and national churches, ministries, and Christian broadcast organizations.

Another ChurchLink Church Communications Strategy Webinar has been scheduled for Feb. 17th at 10AM MST.   To register, go to www.churchlinkcommunications.com/webinar

After great turnout at the last one, and a wonderful time visiting with pastors at the Pastor's Leadership Conference in Phoenix, it is apparent that this is something that the Church both needs and wants. 

As a Christian advertising agency, we are excite to be able to be a part of helping churches and ministries expand their outreach and increase their influence!   We will discuss ways to use existing technology and a few simple tools to dramatically increase the number of people who see and respond to your message. 

About ChurchLink: ChurchLink Communications is a Christian interactive agency that specializes in cutting edge technologies that create exceptional growth opportunities for our clients.   As a Christian agency, we are committed to serving local and national churches and ministries, and it is our mission to provide every tool possible to extend the impact of the Gospel.  We are unaware of any other Christian marketing company that offers the broad range of services and expertise in technology that we do.  Check out our client services page at: www.churchlinkcommunications.com/clientservices.html   ChurchLink is a division of Edge Media, with over a decade of experience in serving local and national clients.

Don't miss Church Communication Strategies for 2011 - learn how to increase outreach, influence, and interactivity using simple communications and technology tools.  Presented by Vickie Isaac, MEd., President/Owner of ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media, and adjunct professor. 

The webinar will cover online communications strategies including blogging, social media, search engine optimization, and text message marketing.  Find out why organizations like Family Research Council and Focus on the Family use our technology to expand their outreach, as well as churches, radio stations, and ministries around the country.    To register, click here:  www.churchlinkcommunications.com/webinar

ChurchLink Communications is a leading Christian advertising agency committed to equipping the Church with every available tool to effectively communicate the Gospel. 

Complimentary Church Communications Strategy Webinar Does Your Communications Strategy Keep Up in 2011? Tues. January 25th, 10 am CST. Presented by Vickie Isaac, M.Ed, President/Owner & Adjunct Professor ChurchLink Communications & Edge Media   As a leading Christian interactive agency, we have over 35 years of experience serving Christian ministries and churches around the country, including ministries like Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council.    The ChurchLink Communications mission is to empower the Church to extend the outreach of the Gospel and strengthen Church impact using every available and appropriate communication strategy and technology available.  Topics Include: Outreach: Did you know thousands of people are searching for a church in your city using search engines? Are you maximizing your outreach opportunities with your website?    Ministry: Thousands search online in your city for information about Jesus and Christianity. Are you using the internet as a publishing platform for your message? Are you making the most of the opportunity for outreach?   Connection: Social Media - How to use it correctly to build relationships and why it is important to increase influence. <  Cutting Through the Clutter - Did you know text messaging now exceeds calling for adults 18-54?  Learn how to use it for prayer, security, sermon interaction, events, & more!     ChurchLink Communications, a Christian advertising agency, is a division of Edge Media www.churchlinkcommunications.com iinfo@churchlinkcommunications.com        602-943-2030

Be sure to register for the complimentary webinar on January 25th - Church Communications Strategy for 2011!  We will illustrate how effective communications strategy can impact the effectiveness of your message and increase your outreach.  Presented by Vickie Isaac, M.Ed., President and Owner of Edge Media and ChurchLink Communications.  The webinar will include topics like using social media effectively, increasing traffic to your church or ministry website, effective use of blog tools, and text messaging for churches.    Find out why organizations like Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council use our services to increase the impact and outreach of their messages.  To register, click below:


The event is sponsored by ChurchLink Communications, a leading Christian interactive advertising agency.  It is the mission of ChurchLink Communications to equip the Church with every available and appropriate communications tool.  With over three decades of Christian marketing company experience, ChurchLink Communications has helped churches and ministries around the world. ChurchLink Communications specializes in Christian interactive strategies that utilize cutting edge technologies like SMS marketing software,  while creating easy to use communications systems for our clients.  ChurchLink Communications, a Christian agency, is a division of Edge Media, an advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ serving local and national clients also specializing in cutting edge technologies including mobile advertising agency solutions like SMS software, mobile apps, and mobile pages.  We deliver results for our clients!

Lots of online growth experts will encourage blogging for name awareness, thought leadership, and oh yeah... lead generation...  How do you grow influence with blogging?  And... what in the world do you write about time after time to accomplish that purpose?

Great questions!  ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media we use keyword optimized blogging to do all of the above.  Properly connected, a keyword optimized blog is a lead generating engine that gives you top natural search rankings while positioning you as a thought leader in your field IF you have something relevant to say.

This brings us to the primary topic of this blog - CONTENT.  The first cardinal rule is that a credible blog is NOT a sales pitch.  Just as you get tired of people who always talk about themselves and how wonderful they are, an organization that does the same thing will not win friends or influence people....   :-)     What do you have to offer in that fills a legitimate need for your target audience?  At ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media, we believe that there are lots of ministries and churches out there who don't have the budget for expensive advertising agencies, yet genuinely need to know how to use the internet for outreach in order to grow.  As a leading Christian interactive agency, we understand how rapidly technology has changed, including the internet, social media, mobile advertising, etc., and we can provide some "how to" help in these arenas, as well as offer low cost solutions.  With this strategy, we connect the dots - thought leadership, valuable content, lead generation, and increase in position with the search engines.  

It is important to include keywords and phrases that people generally use when searching for your business.  The idea is to have new customers find you, not just customers who know your name.  So, you'll notice I've integrated terms like leading Christian interactive agency, Christian marketing company, and Christian agency, etc, that are all key search terms for us.  Integrating these key terms at appropriate densities increases the likelihood of search engines ranking your relevant, keyword enriched content.   I do recommend the keyword optimized system that we offer at ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media, as our software system tells us when we have integrated keywords at appropriate densities, and then notifies the search engines that new content is published.  It really is our fastest search engine optimization tool. 

     We have some low cost plans that include local search engine optimization, social media strategy, and blogging if you are interested.  If you don't have the budget for it, there are free blogsites like WordPress and Blogger that you can start with to get up and running, they just don't have the search engine optimization muscle that our software does. If you are interested in any of our small business toolkits, just e-mail us at info@churchlinkcommunications.com! 

Most online activity begins with online search. Keyword optimized blogging is a critical tool for search engine ranking success. The introduction to the ChurchLink Communications series on blogging referred to the necessary research to identify important keywords and phrases that are important to the organization, have significant search traffic, and ideally are not highly competitive terms that everyone else is trying to rank with the search engines.

After identifying at least twenty-five keywords, it is time to start blogging.  As mentioned in the introductory blog, as a leading Christian interactive advertising agency we recommend what is called compended blogging using software to optimize your effort.  It is inexpensive and our most effective search engine optimization tool.   It is possible to create keyword rich, relevant content without the software, but it is more difficult.  If you want more info on the software, contact ChurchLink at info@churchlinkcommunications.com

After the keywords are identified through solid research, it is time to create content.  Thought leadership is important in today's marketing landscape, therefore content is critical to the brand and success of the organization.  One of the first steps to consider in creating relevant content is to get out of your shoes and into the shoes of those you want to read your blog.  The key question is 1) Who is your target audience?   Having identified the target audience, the next question is 2) What do they need/want that I can give them and still accomplish my business goals?   A good example of this is why ChurchLink provides "how to" blogs.   As an Christian interactive web agency, we obviously want people to use our services to handle their social media, their keyword optimized blogs, let our marketing and advertising consultants walk them through the marketing process, etc.  So why would we give away the "how to's"?   One of the primary reasons is credibility.  Both businesses and consumers today are informed, sophisticated shoppers and they demand quality and value.  We must prove our expertise, not just tell people that we are a leading interactive agency or that our mobile advertising agency has sophisticated SMS software.  We have to prove it.  We provide thought leadership in cutting edge marketing technologies, and that is why we provide "how to's" in our blogs.

The above two questions provide direction for content, and then it becomes necessary to match expertise with content.  We will discuss content specifics in our next blog.

About ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media:  ChurchLink Communications is a division of Edge Media, a leading Christian interactive advertising agency Phoenix AZ that delivers exceptional return on our clients' advertising dollars.  We specialize in cutting edge interactive web agency strategies, plus mobile marketing, mobile websites, and mobile applications.  For more info, contact one of our advertising and marketing consultants for a complimentary review of your marketing needs. 

Many online marketing experts say that content is king when it comes to online influence.  How do you get content onto the web that attracts visitors and positively impacts website visitors and ultimately your bottom line?  There are a number of steps to take that can accomplish this goal.  This next educational series will tackle the steps to take to become a publisher of online content that has an impact.

At Edge Media and ChurchLink Communications, our FASTEST and most EFFICIENT tool is called keyword optimized blogging.  We use software to accomplish this and it is inexpensive and highly effective. You can do this without this software, it just won't be as effective or easy... Contact us for more info on this, as the software is as low as $360.00 per month.

The steps outlined are the same whether using software or not, so we will outline the steps here.  As a leading interactive agency, one of our first steps is ALWAYS to identify the keywords and phrases that are most important to our clients' products and services.  We then analyze them and choose keywords that we can WIN on, measuring competition and traffic on each keyword/phrase.  Once the keywords are chosen, interactive web agency strategy always includes integrating  keywords into content at appropriate densities on the primary website and into meta/data tags on the site to impact search engine results.

The next step is to set up the blog.  At Edge Media and ChurchLink Communications, we set up the design and install keyword optimized blogs for our clients.  If you are not using a keyword optimized blog, you can set up blogs on places like Blogger and WordPress.  The design should mirror the website as closely as possible, and also have links to/from the website.  It can also be added to primary navigation in the website.

After the blog is set up, it is time to craft the content.  We will take up content generation on the next blog, as there are important strategies in that regard.

About Edge Media and ChurchLink Communications: ChurchLink Communications is a leading Christian interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ serving local and national clients for over a decade.  As an Christian interactive agency, we specialize in cutting edge technologies that deliver exceptional results for our clients, the mobile web, mobile apps, social media, text messaging, and keyword optimized blogging. We also produce and buy radio and television as a Christian marketing company.

If you have been following this blog and taking the steps I have outlined, you have put some significant social media tools in your marketing toolbox.  It's time to optimize your communications impact.   

Every account you have created is valuable and every visitor to every account is valuable. Maximize the opportunity created by the visit. Solicit visitor reviews, and make it easy for them to post their reviews. Remember:   A consumer survey by the JC Williams Group ranked consumer content as the #1 aid to a buying decision, cited by 91% of respondents (JC Williams Group, 2006). 

Reward visitors for giving you their time and support with special offers, then create incentives for visitors to tell their friends so that their influence regarding your ministry grows.

Also use your social media accounts to LISTEN.  Ask questions, find out what matters most to the folks who take the time to visit your sites.  Be responsive and proactive to any comments posted.  Never be afraid of negative comments, let the way you handle a complaint say something positive about your commitment to serving people.

Make sure content is fresh and relevant.  Next week we will discuss simple, easy ways to update content and also impact search engine results so be sure to check back!

About Edge Media:  Edge Media is a full service agency located in Phoenix AZ serving local and national clients. 

About ChurchLink Communications: ChurchLink Communications is an affiliate of Edge Media that specializes in innovative marketing strategies for ministries and churches, using cutting edge technology to deliver exceptional results for our clients.  ChurchLink Communications is a full service  Christian interactive advertising agency with mobile app development capability and SMS marketing software systems.  ChurchLink strategies harness the power of multiple marketing channels together to deliver greater results than any single stand alone marketing channel for our Christian agency clients.  For more info, visit us at http://churchlinkcommunications.com and info@churchlinkcommunications.com.  Don't forget to take advantage of our complimentary marketing consultation offer with one of our experienced marketing consultants!

Ministries & churches should have pages and groups, not profiles.  It is necessary to have a profile to set up a page, and profiles are individuals who administer the pages.  Just because someone can see your page or group does not mean they can see your profile.  Nevertheless, it is important to note that anything you post online that is questionable can hypothetically be found and come back to haunt you.  Use the "Mom" test - if my mom saw this, what would she say?

Set up your profile, then set up your page.  Upload your logo, contact info, and always link back to your  website.  Use your identified keywords in the descriptions to help impact your search results.

Once the account is set up, you need to implement strategy.  What is the goal of social media usage for your business?  Is it exposure?  Interaction?  Traffic generation for your website?   As I have said many times, tweeting to hear yourself chirp does not grow your business.  Our advertising and marketing consultants at ChurchLink Communications actually design a social media roadmap, which details goals, steps to achieve the goals, and how to measure the goals.  As a leading Christian interactive advertising agency, we believe that efforts must generate results for the clients we serve.

Consider some of these strategies that could help accomplish your goals:

• Give something of value.  Why should someone visit your page, group, or website again?  
• Offer something unique: audio clips, video clips, e-cards, downloads, forums, etc.  It needs to be something that they can’t get anywhere else.  
• Create engaging content, and encourage interactivity.  You want folks to be engaged and take ownership.
• Ask questions, solicit opinions, and make it easy for supporters to post their info.   Reward them for giving you their time and support.  Remember that one of the keys to social media is that listening is important.  We are way past the time when simply pushing out information is effective.
• Remember to provide CONTENT VALUE.  A consumer survey by the JC Williams Group ranked consumer content as the #1 aid to a buying decision, cited by 91% of respondents (JC Williams Group, 2006).

Next week we will tackle the benefits of blogging.  In the meantime, craft your strategy or call one of our marketing and advertising consultants!

About ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media: ChurchLink Communications is a division of Edge Media committed to equipping the Church with every available and effective communications tool. Edge Media is a Christian interactive agency located in Phoenix AZ specializing in cutting edge solutions and technologies that give our clients significant return on their advertising investment.  Our Christian interactive goals and strategies are innovative, rapidly increasing traffic to our clients' websites, and then converting from leads to sales as a result ofour Christian marketing company expertise in the online arena.  We are a full service Christian advertising agency serving local and national clients and delivering exceptional results.

Social media, mobile media, donations by text, search engine optimization - there is so much you can do to connect with people who want to know about your ministry!  Figuring out how to use these emerging technologies is often quite confusing and time consuming.  We want to be a part of the solution!

The mission of ChurchLink Communications is to equip the Church with every available communications tool!   Please join our ongoing discussions on our Facebook page in the discussion forum!  If you have a "how to" or "why should we" question, this is the perfect forum to ask those questions.  Additionally, weekly we add content that will give you practical information on how to increase communications effectiveness using these platforms.   Here is the link - please join!

www.facebook.com/pages/#!/pages/ChurchLink-Communications/246702415307

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink is a division of Edge Media.  ChurchLink Communications is a full service Christian interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix, AZ serving local and national churches, ministries, and Christian broadcast.  Our mission as a Christian agency is to equip the Church with every communications tool possible to effectively communicate the Gospel.  Our technology includes cutting edge internet and mobile solutions, radio, television, and much more!

Most ministries and non-profit organizations are familiar with social media, and many have made forays into the communications platform.  Recent research indicates that an understanding of "we should do this" exists, but understanding appropriate social media goals and how to achieve those goals still eludes most NPO's today.

One of the most difficult tasks is to step outside of the actual day to day tasks of ministry and into the shoes of those that they communicate with.  Additionally, the people that ministries serve are not always the same group of people that ministries communicate with to raise the funds that facilitate ministry.  In short, communications have to be crafted towards the target audience by understanding who they are and what is important to them.  This is where social media is most important because it is a dialogue communications platform, not a broadcast channel.  Interaction and listening should occur regularly in this communications channel to understand priorities, needs, and concerns.

The next important fact to consider is the impact that social media can have from a viral perspective.  Consider the following statistics:

• Online social network users were three times more likely to trust peers’ opinions over advertising when making purchase decisions (Jupiter Research).
• According to a global Nielsen survey of 26,486 Internet users in 47 markets, consumer recommendations are the most credible form of advertising among 78% of the study’s respondents.
• Consumers trust friends above experts when it comes to product recommendations (65% trust friends, 27% trust experts, 8% trust celebrities) (Yankelovich).

Interaction on social media platforms creates a relationship, and the viral power of that relationship is tremendous.  Strategy, content, interaction, and viral outreach should all be pillars of social media for non-profit organizations.

As we interact with our Christian ministry and non-profit clients, we find that many do not have the time or staff to manage this type of outreach.  ChurchLink Communications, our Christian advertising agency, can step in and create the publishing platforms for our clients and then train them in how to efficiently manage these platforms, or we can manage them for our clients. 

Our next blog will discuss ways to get started in social media, or if already involved, how to correct potential errors that may have been made to date, and then to launch with realistic goals and effective strategies.

About ChurchLink Communications: The mission of ChurchLink is to empower Christian organizations to utilize every technological tool to proclaim the message of the Gospel.  As a leading Christian interactive agency, we are confident that we can put all of the pieces together to deliver exceptional results for our clients, including broadcast television and radio, search engine optimization, social media, internet marketing, and more.  We truly are unaware of any other Christian marketing company providing all of these resources in one place with the level of expertise we bring to the table.  Our Christian agency has over sixty years of combined experience in broadcast, internet, and mobile marketing. 

Part Two in growing outreach online is the process of local linking.  This is a powerful strategy even if you are a national organization.  "Winning" on a local level is easier and faster than winning in natural search  on a national level.  If you are a national or international organization, maximizing your local presence in numerous markets will significantly impact your national results.   For example Edge Media and Church Link Communications do business locally, nationally, and international.  One of our keywords is interactive Christian advertising agency (national & international) where we hold the number one and two Google search positions.  Another keyword is Christian advertising agency Phoenix AZ where we win locally with the number one and two positions for this term. Below are the steps to get this done:


1) As discussed in the first blog, from your research, define the keywords that people use to find your organization.  You can get keyword ideas from Google Adwords.  Make sure these keywords are in the content of your website.

2) Build accounts in local sites like AOL Local, Google Local,Yahoo Local, Bing Local, Live Search Maps, Kudzu, Merchant Circle, etc.

3) Always link back to your website, and use your defined keywords in your descriptions.

Each account should include your business logo, a description that is keyword optimized, and where possible, encourage existing customers/supporters to write reviews for you.  Reviews are considered the most credible form of marketing.  This will take some time to accomplish, but you will see the fruit of your efforts.  Numerous local sites like Merchant Circle also allow for updates, offers, blogging, etc., so take advantage of these as you are able.

The next discussion will be the inclusion of social media in your online search strategy so be sure to check back!

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink Communications is a Christian advertising agency operating as a division of Edge Media offering all of the expertise and full service that Edge Media has gained in over a decade of serving clients.  As a Christian agency, the goal of ChurchLink Communications is to equip the Church with every available communications tool to effectively preach the Gospel.   Christian interactive agencies are critical to the expansion of ministry, as the internet and the mobile web have exploded. As a Christian agency, we bring all of these tools to the table for our clients, including search engine optimization, social media, text message marketing, mobile web, mobile apps, and so much more!

At our recent Navigating the New Business Economy Seminar, I presented a strong case for growing outreach through natural search and social media.  I also offered some very practical "how to" tips for the attendees.  I will outline those tips in a series of blog posts to help those new to online strategies get started.

First, let's start with the compelling evidence for why you MUST recognize the power of online marketing and why you SHOULD take advantage of it to grow your business...

So... Why Start Online?

• 80 - 90% of consumers use a search engine prior to purchase  (ComScore).

• Showing up on page one of search listings gets your organization in front of people who already know they need your product/service so you start with a warm lead, as compared to many other media channels.

• A click through to your website should be just as welcoming as walking through the doors of your brick and mortar business.

Other Reasons to Start Online...

• You need to OWN your industry’s online space (It’s better for you to get the web traffic than your competitor).

• You need to CONTROL your reputation (Your reputation is important, it is the perceived value of your organization).

• You need MORE website traffic to GROW your organization.

• You need to talk to your supporters.   Interactive marketing is very effective.

Right now, you need to go do your homework.   Go to Google Adwords and let it analyze your site to suggest keywords for the next steps we will take.  Stay tuned for next steps in the next blog titled Local Linking.

About Edge Media - Edge Media is a leading interactive advertising agency located in Phoenix AZ and specializing in cutting edge technologies that produce exceptional results for our clients.  As a mobile advertising agency we offer mobile websites, mobile apps, and SMS marketing software for our clients.  As an interactive web agency, we offer integrated strategic solutions to grow traffic using optimized blogging, social media, and linking strategies.

About ChurchLink Communications - ChurchLink is a division of Edge Media dedicated to serving the needs of ministries, non-profits, and churches.  As a full service Christian advertising agency, ChurchLink offers all of the expertise that Edge Media offers.  Our Christian interactive agency offers SMS marketing software so that churches, ministries, and non-profits can use our SMS marketing software (bulk text message services) for fundraising, action alerts, devotionals, and more!  The focus of our Christian agency is to equip our clients with every technological tool possible to effectively communicate the message of the Gospel!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Vickie Isaac
ChurchLink Communications/Edge Media
602-943-2030 x 1
info@churchlinkcommunications.com
http://www.churchlinkcommunications.com


Phoenix, AZ September 16, 2010  Phoenix, AZ  





70% of Teenagers Walk Away From Their Faith Between High School and College;
Shepherding Your Teen Conference Addresses Parents to Discuss Causes and Solutions

 
Shepherding Your Teen is a practical and biblical parenting conference presented by the Youth Transition Network and the organization’s president, Jeff Schadt, MBL. The event will be held Friday October 8st from 6pm to 9 pm and continued on Saturday October 9th from 9am until 12 noon at Heights Church located at 2121 Larry Caldwell Dr. in Prescott, AZ.   Tickets can be purchased online at www.shepherdingyourteen.com or at the door the day of the event, with discounts available for advance purchase and groups of ten or more.
 
Parents of teenagers are invited to attend to find out why teenagers leave their faith during the transition between high school and college, and receive practical advice on how to strengthen the relationship with their teen, increase parental influence with their teen, fully prepare their teen for college/adult life, and monumentally increase the likelihood of their teen staying in Christian fellowship. Parent testimonials are strong evidence of the effectiveness of the seminar, including one from Val Norbye, mother of a teenager that attended the seminar, “The content of Shepherding Your Teen impacted me greatly.  Every parent who wants to see their teen succeed socially, academically, and spiritually...should attend Shepherding Your Teen.”

Mr. Schadt holds his Masters’ Degree in Biblical Leadership, and is an author who recently released “Going, Going, Gone” through NavPress.  The book includes a very strong endorsement from noted author and teen expert Josh McDowell, who stated, “Going, Going, Gone will help you assess your approach to your teenagers and help establish a course that will build a relationship and foundation that will set your student up to succeed, just as Jesus set up His disciples to succeed as He prepared to exit their lives.

For more information about the upcoming seminar, visit www.shepherdingyourteen.com or call 970-259-6518.

About the Youth Transition Network: The Youth Transition Network (YTN) is an organization committed to helping parents and churches address the loss of youth by conducting research, executing training, providing resources, and helping connect high school teenagers to Christian ministries before they leave home.  YTN is reachable online at www.ytn.org and 970-259-6518.



About ChurchLink Communications and Edge Media: ChurchLink Communications is the Christian interactive advertising agency operating as a division of Edge Media,  specializing in cutting edge technology and innovative marketing strategies that deliver exceptional results.  ChurchLink Communications, a Christian agency,  and Edge Media, have offices in Phoenix, AZ and are reachable online at http://www.churchlinkcommunications.com and  http://www.edgemedia.biz and 602-943-2030.

Technology is changing at a dizzying pace.  So rapidly in fact, that some days I don't want to read about the next technological breakthrough that has been adopted by marketers as a communications tool.  It is quite frankly just hard to keep up sometimes, and the rapid mobile evolution some days makes me feel like rearranged pond scum.  Other days I'm pretty excited about it, like today, where I recognize the incredible potential for using technology to preach the Gospel, because I, for one, really know the truth - that the Creator brings much more order and creativity than evolution and pond scum ever could.  But I digress...

As messengers of the Gospel, relevant communication methods are critical.  80% of Americans have mobile phones, and 50% will have smartphones by Q3 2011, continuing the rapid evolution in communication and media consumption. Mobile is way more than text message marketing.  Mobile channels include mobile websites, mobile social media,  apps, mobile listening and viewing, mobile advertising, mobile giving,  and more. 

Many ministries, broadcasters, and churches are aware of changes in technology and wondering what to use and how to use it, but concerned about costs and manpower.  It is very understandable, as the focus of Christian ministry should be on communicating the Gospel, and the processes of communication should not be the focus.  Therefore, the channels must be effective, efficient, and affordable.  How do you move from being overwhelmed to updated communications that work?

As a Christian advertising agency, we believe that it starts by understanding each different mobile channel, its individual value, and then the value of the sum of the parts working together, as well as an understanding of how they can work together in order to evaluate effectiveness of various channels, and effectively integrate mobile media into communications strategies.  ChurchLink Communications's  focus is to link the parts together so that as a Christian interactive advertising agency we are able to create connected communications systems so that our clients can quickly and  easily update information that flows across a variety of platforms, including mobile websites, blog sites, social media, and more.  Our system also creates the interactivity between text messaging and the mobile web, so we can instantaneously send out alerts, prayer requests, action items, and more from the touch of a mobile phone.   It is really exciting!

In my last ChurchLink Communications blog, I shared a social media tip.  Today, the tip is about the mobile web. For example, Google reports its mobile search volume has increased FIVE FOLD over the last two years!  When ESPN launched their mobile site, their overall visitors increased over 30%.  The plain truth is that more people are on the web on their web-enabled phones, and it is important to have a mobile website to make your site easier to view on the much smaller screens of a phone.  So, the mobile tip is to secure the .mobi (short for mobile) of your domain name - for example: www.churchlinkcommunications.mobi instead of .com.   There are free tools out there to convert a standard website to a mobile site without programming help.  Here is a link to a helpful site: http://www.tothepc.com/archives/5-ways-to-create-or-convert-into-mobile-phone-website/
I encourage you to mobilize your website to take advantage of the search volume of folks who are browsing using their mobile phone, but who won't stay on your site long if it it is hard to navigate.   More on mobile channels in the next blog!

About ChurchLink Communications:  ChurchLink Communications is a division of Edge Media, a full service interactive advertising agency.  ChurchLink Communication's mission is to equip the Church with every technological tool available to effectively communicate the Gospel message.   Send us an e-mail at info@churchlinkcommunications.com or call the offices at 602-943-2030.  Also, be sure to follow us: