Browsing all posts in Emerging Media.

Please Don’t Kick Me: Taking social media & ministry seriously

“The only job Lauren does is play on the organization’s Facebook page.” That’s what they said. They were speaking in ignorance, clearly. But I have to admit. It still hurt. A lot. It was like a good swift kick to the gut that catches you off-guard. Your gasping for air, wondering if you’ll ever breathe again, and when you recover you’re surprised how quickly you crumbled.

Throw in the Towel: Give Social Media a Chance

Earlier this year, we got this amazing automatic hand dryer in the bathrooms at work. I LOVE it. It dries hands in 16 seconds flat (I timed it). And by “dry,” I don’t mean “slightly damp.” We’re talking “unafraid-to-touch your iPhone” dry. Truly amazing technology my friends. Imagine my surprise when I learned only three people in the building are using it. Everyone else opted for the paper towels. Huh?

FourSquare and the Church: What’s the Point?

I hear it at every conference and from every pastor and from myself: What’s the point of FourSquare? Even Social Media guru Leah Jones made the comment “I don’t see the point yet, but I’m sticking with it [FourSquare] because I know it’s coming.” Well, it’s here.

If I Never Sleep, I Can Do it All Before I’m 30…

I’ve been trying to find the best way to accomplish everything I want to before I’m 30, and after much thought I think i have the answer: If I never sleep, I can get it all done.

Yoast, how I Love thee: Let me Count the Ways

Joost de Valk whenever your email newsletters appear in my inbox my heart fills with delight. What new Wordpress features will you reveal today I wonder. I’m never disappointed.

Too Much Love: Coginitive Dissonance 2.0

I was at a Starbucks meeting with the amazing Earl Grey. He’s the Pastor of Connections (how great is that title?) for a church in the area. After much complaining (by me) that I need to do a better job updating my blog, he made a profound comment: “We always find time to do the things we love. If you’re not doing it, you probably don’t love it.” Wow. Wait. Wow. But I LOVE emerging media…

Compete.com: How does your site measure up?

Ever wonder how well your site compares to another? Ladies and Gents I give you Compete.com! Ok, so I’m going a little over the top, but only because I think Compete is a really cool (and best of all, FREE) web application.

Chris Anderson’s “Free” is FREE (for now)

Check out Chris Anderson’s new book “Free” for free (1 month only) on Scribd and Google Books or at Audible.com (as an audio book of course). Chris Anderson is the Long Tail guy (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, you need to get yourself over to the Long Tail and learn about it now because this concept, my friends, is what new media is all about).

iPhone 3Gs Love Song by Julian Smith

Julian Smith is, hands down, my favorite online video director. Every Friday, my husband and I gather around the tiny computer screen (well that’s not true, we hook it up to our flat screen but it sounds more dramatic that way doesn’t it?) and watch his latest video. A few weeks ago he released “Got my Mac on with iPhone3GS (Official Music Video).” This video struck a chord. The lyrics are so moving. The connection so pure. I can’t wait to get my Mac on with 3Gs…

Twitter Part II: Return of the Search and Hashtags

Another great video in Plain English. Lee LeFever does a great job explaining the concept that makes Twitter search and hashtags so important. Understanding the importance of these two features is key for organizations wishing to harness the Twitter Force and for you if you want to become a Twitter Jedi (sorry I attended a Star Wars marathon last weekend).