This video makes me chuckle every time.  I love books, technology, the Medieval time period,…  and I also have a Norwegian heritage, so this video really resonates with me!

Many of us, myself included, have first encounters just like this when we’re introduced to new technology. You’re not alone if you feel overwhelmed or lost.  I hope this eQuipping for eMinistry (e4e) blog will help you be more comfortable with new-to-you skills and tools available for your ministry.

Sus Schmitt’s Consulting Services

UPDATED: 01/13/2021

My strongest capabilities are with blogging, social media, MailChimp, office skills, and productivity tools. I use these tools for Ministry Partner Development (MPD), personal evangelism and discipleship. I have a heart for Cru staff to understand how to use these tools easily and effectively. I try to be aware of ministry and outreach strategies that I pass along to eQuipping for eMinistry readers.

Potential Outcomes from Consultation (or Reading the e4e Blog)

Of course, you want to send regular information, prayer requests, and updates to your friends. I want to help you write well and help your content be seen.

I’d love to assist you with either of the following strategies. I strive to write in an easily-understood manner even for very technical topics.

Your Communication Strategy

The following is an ideal plan for MPD or online ministry.

• You should have something online in case someone is searching for you or your message. At minimum, for MPD, that would be an up-to-date give.cru.org site for Cru staff.
• If possible, maintain one central database with contact information. If you can, synchronize other apps with the main database.
• Communicate through social media, texting, phone calls, email, and written communication.
• Use personalized email effectively to encourage conversations. Know the right way to send newsletters through email.
• If you have an online website or blog, sync it with MailChimp and social media to send automatic updates.

Your Blogging and Social Media Ministry Strategy

eQuipping for eMinistry (e4e) helps Cru staff (and others) learn specific tech skills and keep up-to-date on technology trends and issues that could concern them. In addition to elements of the communication strategy, this includes:

• Use of photos (sizes, linking, copyrights, and more)
• Layout and navigation for a blog
• Optimizing content to be read on mobile devices
• Learning to use an email service like MailChimp
• The right day of the week, and time of the day, to send an email or post on social media
• How to increase visibility for evangelistic and other ministry blogs
• The proper use of tags and categories for blogs
• Security concerns
• Copyrights and best practices for linking content
• Trends in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to increase visibility for blogs

Ask Me about These Tools

Many of the following tools would fit in both categories. I also don’t necessarily use these separately, but together.

Blogging-related

• WordPress and blogging in general
• Using a blog as a website
• Some HTML (web-design language)
• Photo editing and best uses
• MailChimp newsletters & feeds
• Search Engine Optimization
  • Using Pinterest for SEO
• Syncing with social media
• Finding photos
• Linking to other sites
• Videos in blog posts and then through MailChimp
• SquareSpace

Internet-related

• Facebook
• Pinterest
• Social media in general
• eBook publication
• Canva
• Grammarly
• Hemingway

Cru-related

• Give.cru.org
• Staff Web
  • Cru brand
  • Cru Stock photo library
• Workplace

Office-related

• All Microsoft Office products
  • Outlook synced with Gmail and Google Calendar
  • Excel
  • Word
• Google apps
  • Drive
  • Docs
  • Calendar
  • Tasks synced with Google Calendar
  • Tripit synced with Google Calendar

Productivity Tools

• Evernote
• PushBullet
• Trello

Hardware

• PCs
• Android smartphone
• Kindle Fire

I’m Re-learning or Digging Deeper

• Audacity
• Yeti microphone
• Hootsuite
• YouTube

Check in with Others about These Tools

I can’t handle everything or know everything. I also don’t need to duplicate effort when others have already supplied extensive resources.

• Cru staff: contact help at cru dot org for many of your tech needs.
• There’s a lot to know about blogging. WP Beginner is a free resource to get you started. My content is the icing on the cake.
• I do write about digital ministry, but encourage you to check out more resources. Cru offers lots of help for digital ministry. Start with this resource page on Cru.org.
• MPDX has plenty of resources for you.
• I have limited use and knowledge of Apple products.