Social Networking Success for the Catholic Parish

Social Networking, Catholic Style

This is a subject that scares everyone except the youth themselves.  As St. Ignatius says, “You must enter through their door and leave through Christ’s.”  I often hear how youth events are not well attended.  Poor to nothing usually.  Why commit so much hard work to something and have no one benefit?

When I asked Matthew Pinto what he thought a youth minister should do he said, “Be a Marketing Guru.”  Go out and bring the youth in.  Every successful salesmen knows the key to lasting sales is networking.  They go to dinners, golfing, seminars, etc.  How do you network with youth?  They are online.  Go online just like you would go golfing.

Sensitive subject
Many times I say social networking and people get scared or ancey.  Yes there are problems, but with simple steps you can decrease them and reap the benefits.  A little education goes a long way.

Here is what I do and have found works.

1.  Investigate what the youth are using.  (I have a sister in high school.  I just ask her friends and watch her).  Today they are using Facebook, Instant Messaging, Texting, and limited email.
2.  Join in strategically.  With Facebook all my friends can see what I post and I can notify them when I am doing something.  They are forced to see my updates.  So I put updates like, “Youth Group Tonight 7pm” “iTunes Gift Certificates Tonight Only at Youth Group.”
3.  Tell them to text their friends as soon as they get to youth group.  Make sure to text your leaders to remind them about youth group.  Create an IM logon and your teens as friends.  When you are away for Youth Group set your away message as “At Youth Group…See you There.”

Don’t be sacred, be educated

Staying up to date on technology is important because it can help you become more effective.  I have seen the positive results with my own eyes.  Do the research for yourself on sites like www.digg.com, www.facebook.com, www.zoho.com, www.ning.com, www.google.com/docs, www.cnet.com  These are just to name a few they frequent almost ever other day.

What are you best ways of attracting youth to youth group?

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