Increase Your ‘Net Worth: Everywoman’s Guide

Yesterday at a conference for women in leadership, I led a workshop titled, “Increase Your ‘Net Worth—Communicating in a Virtual World.”

When the sponsors asked me to speak on the subject, I told them that—while I do have a web site, a blog, and two social networking accounts—I do not do Twitter and don’t plan to tweet anytime soon. I don’t own a Kindle. And I don’t even do HTML code or know how to design a web site. They said that was okay. They wanted someone who uses technology but isn’t a “techie” and doesn’t follow every trend.

So here’s what I shared.

On the one hand, showing up in person is huge. Nothing will replace the beauty of the church gathered in person to worship the One who tabernacled among us. Yet through web technology, if we know English and have a Sunday School knowledge of the Bible, we have adequate resources at our disposal to potentially influence 2 billion people, including those in closed countries, without ever leaving our comfy chair. Technology presents us with an enormous opportunity to multiply “talents.”  Instead of ministering only in person, we can minister all over the world, even while we sleep.

So if you want to create an individual, group, or organizational website/blog/Facebook fan page, how do you begin?  I suggest starting with six or seven hours set aside to do some praying, brainstorming, investigating, and having a decent casual—not a studio—picture made.

If you, like me, know zip about website design and cannot afford a custom creation, consider paying fifty to a hundred dollars for a professional-looking web template.  I bought mine from Allwebco. For blogging, use one of the free sites. I use Blogger, but most of my techie friends tell me they prefer WordPress.

Ask an HTML-literate friend to help you get your new photo on the home page or blog screen so people see your face when they pull up your site. A human smile and kind expression are your best assets for welcoming people.

Next come up with your slogan. My friend Mary’s is “Turning Trials to Triumph.” Christian suspense novelist Brandilyn Collins came up with “Don’t Forget to Breathe.“  What captures who you are? It’s harder to come up with a fitting slogan than you might think. That’s why I said to give yourself a block of time. Once you think you have a line that captures your “brand,” run it by a few friends. Does it accurately represent what you plan to provide? Is it too broad? Too narrow? Or just right?

Next, and this is most important, offer free stuff.

On your web site, give away content. My agent offers two sample book proposals for writers. Mary gives away seven different freebies, including a tutorial on how to write an article query letter and  conversation-starters for families.

On your blog, provide commentary, reviews, and interviews. If you can’t post at least twice a week, consider creating a joint blog—like we do here at Tapestry—where new content appears daily but each contributor posts something only weekly or every other week.

Whatever you do, give your reader a reason to show up repeatedly and invite his or her  friends. Focus on that reader’s needs rather than trying to sell something. Do the same if you join a social media site such as Facebook.

Thomas Nelson’s director of non-fiction marketing  says, “Social media is about building community. If you engage in social media with a marketing mindset, you are going to be sniffed out by the online community and do more damage than good.” In other words people can sniff a marketing pitch a continent away. That’s true with your web site and blog as well as social media sites. So the key here is, “It’s better to give than receive.”

When it comes to content, notice the top three traffic-producing articles here at Tapestry: Living Christainly in a post-modern culture; racism; and the environment. People love to read others’ thoughts about the issues affecting us all. So offer them your thoughts.

My Japanese friend who ministers in an American Chinese church gave me an added piece of advice to pass along: If you keep the word “Christ/ian” out of your site titles and posts, you can often avoid being censored by governments in closed countries. So go with The Master, the Bread of Life, the Living Water. We have many metaphorical options for referring to Him.

The implication: We no longer have to smuggle Bibles to penetrate closed countries with the Truth. The Lord can use our time invested in ministry even while we’re sleeping. So what are we waiting for?