This is a guest post by Jenny Han. Read more about how you can guest post on Christian Web Trends here.
There are so many social media platforms out there, and they all offer a lot to churches who want to spread the news of what they do. Instagram is fast becoming one of the best platforms to use, so what can you expect when you set up an account? Here’s how to get started, and get the most from Instagram.
Your Church And Instagram
Why would you want to pick Instagram as a social media platform for your church in the first place? While all platforms can offer some benefits, Instagram is unique as it can help you reach a younger demographic. The latest statistics show that 59% of their users are over 30, so that gives you the chance to reach younger people that you couldn’t reach elsewhere.
When you’re using Instagram regularly, you’ll be building a relationship with your congregation outside of the typical weekend services. That’s a great way to bring them closer together, and showcase to others the culture of your church.
How To Make Your Account
Sound good to you? Then you’ll need to get started by making an Instagram account. “It’s very easy to get an account up and running” says Jenny Stiles, a writer at Boom Essays and Paper Fellows. “It’ll only take a few minutes and then you’re ready to go.”
As a church, you’ll need a business account on Instagram. To get one, you’ll first need one on Facebook, which you likely already have. On the Instagram homepage, you should be able to link your Facebook page to Instagram and follow the steps to set up your account.
If you already have an Instagram account, you can simply switch it to a business account through your account settings.
Customize Your Account
Now you have the Instagram account, you’ll want to customize it so any users who come across it will instantly know it’s you.
User name: Pick a user name that’s instantly recognizable as your church. If possible, you’ll want to be using the same user name across all platforms that you use.
Profile picture: The best profile picture to use would be one of your church’s logo. Instagram allows for profile pictures that are 110px and circular, so keep that in mind.
Update the bio: Your bio will give any users who come across your profile a snapshot of who you are. As such, you want to ensure you’re including the relevant details. Your mission statement, service times, website URL, and location can all go here.
Start Posting
Your account is all set up and ready to go, so you’ll need to start posting. Never posted to Instagram before? It’s very simple, and you’ll soon be posting with ease.
In the app, you can click the ‘+’ button, and select a photo or video that you want to post. You can also take a picture directly through the app if you want. Once you’ve got your picture, you can use the in app editing tools to make it look its best.
Ensure you use hashtags, so the right audience will find you. For example, your location, related tags, and any branding you use would work. For example, under a shot of your church exterior you may use #stpaulschurch #coloradosprings #church #faith.
“It’s a good idea to stick to only three or four hashtags per post” says social media blogger Adrian Kingsley, from Ox Essays and UK Top Writers. “Any more than that can appear to be spamming by users.”
What should you be posting? On Instagram, it’s all about telling a story to the user. You want to tell the story of your church and the people within it. As such, there are all kinds of ideas for posts that you could make.
For example, you could show the people who make up your church, show behind the scenes events planning, promote events that are coming up, and more.
This is a very quick overview of how you can use Instagram as a church. When you get set up and start posting, you’ll be able to reach out to others and show them how your church welcomes them into the fold. Get started now and you’ll see how well it works.
