Information Easy as PIE

One of the most frustrating challenges churches face is how to assimilate so much information in a way that the congregation will remember it and become engaged. Just getting the vast amounts of information out to the church members is challenging enough. The other side of the coin is how to present it in a way that they will remember it. One church I served on staff at, came up with over 15 ways to present information to the congregants from verbal announcements to live video streams to 4 page bulletins with inserts included. It can be frustrating to assimilate information simply because most people get overloaded daily with information wherever they go. 

People typically retain only 10% of what they read. You can only put so much information in the church bulletin and then hope people even read it at best, much less retain the information they read. Stand up announcements by staff or volunteers became popular in churches and it did help streamline the process and make it more interesting. People typically retain 20% of what they hear.

One method I have seen that works very well is using the church web site for presenting information about events and calendars. But you have to be careful how you present it there also. A static web site with text only will get you the same results as the bulletin did. So, add in some graphics and video and sound and people  along with your information and you have better retention. People typically retain 50% of what they see and hear. 

Routing your members to the church web site has great potential for greater retention. First of all, that is the first place people go for information about everything. They are already used to surfing the web for information. Second, if used right, can be more stimulating and captivating with graphics, sound, links, and clicks. Thirdly, your space is unlimited unlike the printed material used that can only fit so much information.

If you are going to send people to your web site, try using the PIE method. 

• Make sure that your web information is PRECISE. A down side of web information is the time people spend on a page. It can be very short if the information is not presently right. So, be precise and to the point and get your message across quickly. 

• Make sure your web information is INFORMATIVE. Keep your web information clean and uncluttered. Only present pertinent information for that particular event or announcement that people will need to know to participate and engage. Give details that will get them all the way from interest in the event to how to sign up and get there.

• Make sure your web information is EASY to locate. After too many clicks to find the details, people will give up and go to another page or log off. Organize your web with easy to follow menus and labels. If you are verbally announcing an event in church, then use the exact same words in your web information. Example: You announce information verbally about Wednesday Night Programs but on the web you call it "First Church" University or Academy , people may not associate those two together and find it. The bottom line is make your web information easy as PIE.

Your comments! Suggestions!

Avoiding Cyber Fraud

That's a big topic today being there is so much of that happening in the cyber world of on-line everything. What is amazing is the fact that with so much fraud in the system, we keep moving further and deeper into internet life. I have to admit I am one of those! I find my self enjoying the ease of Amazon one-click ordering from my cell phone and using debit cards more and more. However, I am moving in the direction of this cyber mentality with greater fear every day as we here reports of internet hacking. Just this week Target Retail announced their system was hacked and thousands of credit card holders info was stolen. So, what are we supposed to do? here are a few ways you can avoid fraud. Note the word choice of my word "avoid" and not eliminate!

1. Never let go of your debit / credit card. I mean when you shop and use plastic do not let it leave your sight. This will be especially hard when eating at a restaurant. I'll cover that a little later in this article. What could happen when your card leaves your sight? Some are taking pictures with a cell phone of the front and back of the card and then using that for making fake cards or just having your info to use or selling the info. Your 3 digit code, name, and card number is someones hands now. Some are using the cards in their hands for purchasing on the spot from their cell phone. The fact is when the card is not in your sight, you do not know how its being used.

2. Don't use credit cards anymore. I know that sounds crazy but Dave Ramsey says only use cash or debit. In response to the restaurant question above, I always pay with cash so I don't have to allow my debit card to leave my sight when eating out. Using cash eliminates the chance of fraud at restaurants. It also helps you budget and not overspend.

3. Only use a couple cards. Yes that's right, I do not have or use credit cards. the fact is, the more of those you have the increased chance of fraud may happen. You are just giving the hackers more to hack by having multiple credit cards. I use two debit cards. One for daily use like at the gas station and the grocery store; places I know and trust. The other one I use for on-line ordering. I keep a small balance in that account so if hacked, the lose is less. That's it! Just two chances of my plastic being stolen.

Ok! There is plenty more ways to avoid fraud but these are quick and easy steps you can take now. If you feel your cards have been used all over the internet too much, then call and cancel your card and request a new one. then protect the new one and use the 3 steps described here.

Comments? Discussion? Ways you avoid fraud?

Luijarick