The digital communication landscape is changing and churches should be aware that the old ways of communicating are needing updating in order to keep up with our audience. Just like Gutenburg’s press changed the world with a new or modified production method, social media and e-mail has changed the world of communication. Still, things continue to change. Here are some examples of how things are shifting once again. E-mail is still vital but there is a shift to social networks not only for posting your latest outing, but for communicating. Churches and businesses can learn from this!
“…people [who] are using traditional communication sites and services think webmail, IM, and discussion groups less and less and choosing to use Facebook and other social networks instead.”
via Facebook Eats Away at Email Usage on Today’s Web.
Generation Y hates e-mail…right?
There are a number of news stories out there saying that Gen Y and Z, don’t use email. “Email is unfashionable and outdated,” claims a recent ZDNet headline pointing to a recent story about Boston College’s decision to stop handing out email addresses to incoming students. The perception is that younger generations are using social networks for their communication more and more and using email less and less.
However, other stories indicate that while Gen Y is moving to social media for communication, they are still using their email…but more as a collection bin for things that aren’t personal. In fact, it seems to be Gen Y which is most likely to opt-in for email marketing messages.
Don’t settle for gathering email addresses, find ways to connect with your audience on Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets and keep things up to date or you’ll lose them again!
