Posts tagged technology
How to Build a Catholic Web Site
Mar 15th
Rome Sweet Rome
There are many articles and tutorials concerning web design, strategy, and marketing, but very few focus on the niche of Catholic evangelization. In this post, I am going to outline the strategy I used (and use) to develop, publish, market, and analyze content for CatholicTools. With using these simple techniques I have built a large Catholic blog in 3 months that attracts readers from across the country (and even the world).
As with all CatholicTools articles, this will give a good outline; however, feel free to customize each step for yourself. I am going to use resources from other websites that I find very helpful. Take note: “Don’t get overwhelmed.” Read the article, bookmark it, and come back.
Develop an Idea
Ask your self 3 questions:
- Why do I want to use the Internet to evangelize?
- What unique niche or field could I develop or write about?
- What are my goals?
Get a piece of paper and start brainstorming. For CatholicTools, I originally wanted to test if I could develop something to be at the top of Google’s search results. Well, I did that. Now my unique niche is tools that help Catholic Parishes. Specifically Catholic youth and young adult ministry. I enjoy writing about my own past experiences and sharing ideas that could help spread the Gospel.
Try to think what keeps my readers up at night? Why should a reader take the time to read my article?
More Resources
How to Choose a Niche Topic for Your Blog
Write Exciting Content
Love
But, Jason I want to buy a domain name. Before a site can be launched it needs content. Content that will be worth reading. Now, I am a horrible speller, so I try and make up for it by writing awesome Catholic content.
- Keep article length to 300-500 words (yes you can bend the rules)
- Paragraphs should be no more than 3-5 sentences. Short is GOOD!
- Use beautiful pictures (make sure they are optimized) How to Optimize a Picture for the Internet
- Make the content personal and meaningful.
- Develop 10 articles/post and write 10 more that are scheduled to publish once a week for the next 10 weeks.
- Use headings, bullets, numbers, bold, italics, and underline.
- Find someone to guest post and write some content for your site.
- Follow simple Search Engine Optimization Techniques.
- Don’t even dare worry about making money. It will distract you.
- Read other blogs/sites and mimic their style.
When I was first starting out I subscribed for 4 weeks to Copyblogger’s daily RSS feeds and Problogger. They filled my inbox with quality articles, but over time I unsubscribed because I didn’t need them anymore. However, I would suggest subscribing for the first 4-6 weeks.
5 years ago I did some work for a popular Catholic author. I suggested he give his stuff away on his blog so his blog would be the hub of information regarding this Catholic topic. The strategy worked extremely well. Many people came to read his articles, hear talks, and see pictures from events. People would leave comment, after comment on all postings. Because of this strategey he further achieved the rank of guru of his field.
This technique is call Content Marketing or becoming the Authority in your field. This is the way you should write. Give away your tips, advice, and good thoughts. Here is an excellent article on the subject. Content Marketing 101
More Resources
Learn How to Copywrite – Great Articles!
WordPress Your Publishing Platform
Mary
WordPress is a free platform that runs on a web server (we will cover later), which publishes content to the internet. Content is edited through a web browser.
I like WordPress.Org to publish my content into a website because it is free, accessible anywhere, and expandable. This tutorial is designed to show you how to set up your own web site on your own server; however you could use WordPress.Com or Blogger.
A little Homework
It is important to read the documentation if you want to learn how to use it…Or you need to hire someone to install, setup, and teach you how. It is very easy once running, but it will require a little work.
Why is it important to learn about WordPress? It’s like reading the owners manual on your new car.
Buying a Domain Name
Share a Comment
In the past I would buy .com .org .net and Dot everything else for any project I was working on. Now I just buy what I need. However, at only 10 bucks each you can easily secure yourself.
I buy domain names at GoDaddy.com. I don’t like their advertising, but they are cheap, reliable, and easy to work with.
- Always use a promo code. Google “Godaddy promo code.”
- Never buy anything else they are selling. “Just say No.”
- Ask for help and be patient.
Hosting Company
Adoration
Now you need a home for your WordPress install and domain name. Where to go? I like www.site5.com. I have used them for over 6 years and only once had a problem (which they fixed). They answer your emails, plenty of space, and low cost.
Finding a Beautiful WordPress Theme
Now the search begins for an awesome site theme. Since you probably read the documentation on WordPress you realize it’s pretty easy to add a new design to your site.
I use Mystique (I have customized my installation). Preview Here Download Here
More Themes
Search Engine Optimization
Rome is Home
Go to Google Adwords Search and search the word “Catholic” or any word pertaining to your Catholic faith. The numbers are HUGE and give a solid example of why Catholics must be on the internet.
- Register your website with Google Webmaster Tools.
- Read about Search Engine Optimization
- Track How People Find Your Content using Google Analytics.
- Install the Google Sitemap Plugin.
- Keep writing Content regularly.
These steps actually work. If what you write is worthless and nobody reads it, your ministry isn’t working. It needs to be improved. In addition it takes time. Yes, weeks, months, sometimes years.
RSS and Email Newsletters
An RSS feed is automatically generated from your site with your current publications and either emailed or downloaded to the person’s computer. It is so your audience can receive your new updates with out always checking your site.
This is important to grow, because it ensures a regular audience of readers. If you look around CatholicTools you can find strategically placed links asking readers to “Sign Up”
FeedBurner is the company that manages this service for free.
Another retention tools is an Email Newsletter. The company I like the best is iContact.com.
More on Emailing
Email Newsletters for Catholic Parishes
Examples
As you look around CatholicTools.com take notice of all the listed practices in place. Everything is place for a purpose. Copy it (don’t copy my content and paste it on your site, but copy it’s style).
A few more good examples of sites practicing these techniques:
Spirit Daily – Great content and Great niche
Popularity: 23% [?]
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Loading ...Why Using Short Films Makes Your Life Easier
Mar 3rd
Vatican
Ever begin planning a talk for your Catholic parish school, but quickly stop because it’s too hard? Those talks with so many facts, theories, and well language that’s hard to even pronounce?
Here’s the Remedy
Turn your talk into a short 3-7 minute length DVD. Young people are trained to glue themselves to the projection. Yes, a quite room attentively listening to your presentation. All the plans and preparation are done prior to the presentation. The best part is…you can go from classroom to classroom giving the same talk.
How to Make the Video
More resources are below (this is just the plan). These steps are for a movie using photos, youtube, and voice. It’s simple!
- Brainstorm and collect ideas/facts. PRAY to JESUS.
- Begin using google image search to collect photos
- Using iMovie (Yea I love Macs!) start placing the pictures together (Don’t forget about Transitions)
- Write Your Script
- Record Your Audio – Make it Sharp, Clean, Fast. Added Bonus: Dramatic Voice
- Now place the audio and video together.
- Fix the pictures/video to go along with the audio
- Leave a 15 second intro and exit
- Place music in background, and fade it turning your audio
- Add Transitions
- Burn your semi-professional DVD
But your missing so many little steps. Well, part of the fun is experimenting…and praying to the Holy Spirit.
Also make sure your movie is at a good fast pace. Nobody likes distorted slow transitions or lousy voice-overs.
Resources Needed to Make Video
- Digital Camera or Camcorder – I like to use one with a firewire cable if I am importing video
- Google Image Search
- Audacity Audio Recorder
- iMovie This site includes “How To” videos
- How to take video off of YouTube for Mac and How to Convert it from FLV to MOV for iMovie use
- How to Turn it into a DVD – Mac
How to Present Your Movie
- Open with a Prayer
- Give an introduction to the topic, maybe a quick story and things to watch for in the movie.
- Play Movie
- Give a little followup and answer any questions
- End with a Prayer
Yea, its that simple. This is an excellent way to teach and evangelize if you are nervous on a topic or make your life easier. In addition, many Catholic topics are hard to explain without a picture. It’s a lot easier to show a picture of a Eucharistic miracle, than to just talk about it.
More Articles on Technology
Video Conferencing for the Catholic Church
Email Newsletters for Catholic Parishes
10 Internet Tools Priest Should Use
The Hour of Power – Listening to the Holy Spirit
Social Networking Success for the Catholic Parish
How to Quickly Increase Donations at a Homeless Shelter
Popularity: 18% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...10 Catholic Blogs by Priest
Mar 2nd
Gospel of LIfe
Priest and Blogs. Who would have thought that spreading the Gospel would take place on the internet.
The following blogs are good examples (some better than others) or priest/deacons using blogger to sow the seed of faith.
If you are planning on starting your on blog/website for evangelization, take a glance through all of them to spark your creativity. These are not your spiritdaily sites, but they are still Catholic.
My only criticism is Blogger. When a WordPress blog is so easy to install and run, why not use a better platform to promote Jesus Christ. (Don’t worry there will be a follow up article on WordPress.)
The Hermeneutic of …
What is so funny is that so many of these blogs are written by very traditional priest?
Father Check’s Blog
From old school to new school. Father Check offers much advice on prayer.
Father Hamill’s Blog
A good example of a simple blog used to promote information about the parish
What does the prayer really say
From the Wander to the Internet. Father Z’s site is worth the trip to check the meaning of all those prayers.
The Deacon’s Bench
Ok, so he’s not a priest, but he did have an ordination. This deacon has a sense of humor and is a good example for other men involved in technology and the faith.
Standing on My Head
Though the site loads slow, he has done a great job on his design for blogger. This priest is tough, and should not be messed with.
Mary, Our Mother
Yes, I know another Deacon, but it’s good. And he used our Lady in the title.
Traditional Latin Mass
What’s up with the traditional guys using so much internet. Anyone think…The Degree on Social Communication?
Adam’s Ale
I think this may be the best example of priest blogging.
Clerical Reform
Tough name, easy to digest content. More academic than Adam’s Ale. This is an example of a priest not using his name for his blog.
Popularity: 23% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Video Conferencing for the Catholic Church
Feb 15th
Evangelization
I recently heard a story about a Bishop in Alaska who uses Skype to talk with his priest and youth ministry groups. What an innovative idea! How could Skype help your Catholic Parish?
What is Skype
Skype is a free program for both mac and pc that allows you to make phone calls to landlines for a small fee. In addition you can make free video and phone calls to other Skype users. It has awesome video quality, simple to use, and it’s free.
How Can a Catholic Parish Use Skype
- Teach a Class on Scripture to a small group.
- Host meetings with DREs, Youth Ministers, Teachers
- Call the rectory from the school using video
- Integrate a Voice over IP phone Systems for less
- Integrate it into the Catholic School room
- Host an evening with your Cardinal or Bishop over Skype
- Project famous Catholic authors and speakers over Skype
- Integrate home schooling families
- Set up virtual teaching classrooms
- Stay in contact with Marriage Prep couples who live far away
Here is a cool article on 50 ways to use Skype in the classroom.
How can Skype help you?
Popularity: 6% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Email Newsletters for Catholic Parishes
Feb 8th
Email Newsletters
With rising cost and hard to reach parishioners, email newsletters are a great way of contacting parishioners.
Before the closing prayer has always been the normal slot for announcements, but with so many important activities to engage the parish community that is not enough time. With email newsletters and announcements you can reach the parish community through the medium they check most regularly.
Who doesn’t check their email daily?
The traditional parish bulletin is essential to outreach, but often that’s not enough. With an additional weekly blast the parish can engage on multiple fronts and encourage parish participation.
Benefits of Email Newsletters
- Save Money on Printing
- Save Time by Reusing Announcements
- Track who opens emails
- No limit to length of information
- Easily Add in Video, Color Pictures, Polls, and Additional Web Sites
- People Read Emails
Additional Ways to Use Email Newsletters
- Insert Catechism lessons.
- Teach a course
- Capture responses automatically
- Track what people are interested in
- Manage from any computer, in any office, in any part of the world
Which Company to Use
I have personally used iContact.com and have been very happy with the price and service. With it’s ease of use and, low cost, and good customer service, it has proved itself to be CatholicTool of choice. I have used multiple competitors and been unsatisfied.
Techniques for Email Newsletters
These are a few article I read to ensure I produce the best email newsletters for the Catholic parishes I have worked with
Best Practices For Bullet Proof Emails
Design and Build Email Newsletters without Loosing Your Mind
Useful Web Design Email Newsletters – These are good to subscribe to if you are interested in design
Let me know how these work for you! If you have questions leave a reply.
Popularity: 5% [?]
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