User Adoption Strategy: The Art of Getting People to Use What You Make

Posted on 14. Jan, 2011 by Aaron Marshall in Social Media

I was invited to speak at BibleTech 2011. The topics and speaker lineup are pure awesome. These guys are chasing Gutenberg opportunities, and I am excited to meet them.

Here is a quick description of the conference:

Join us, March 25-26 for BibleTech:2011 and explore the intersection of Bible study and technology. This two-day conference is designed for publishers, programmers, webmasters, educators, bloggers and anyone interested in using technology to improve Bible study. BibleTech 2011 is an opportunity to meet others who share your interests and hear from industry leaders.

Here is a description of the talk I’ll be sharing:

If you build anything, inevitably you experience the pain that comes from discovering people are not using it as much as you had hoped. Sometimes it means what you built sucks, but often you’ve simply neglected to have a User Adoption Strategy.

Here is what this talk will cover:

• The pitfalls of introducing people to something new.
• Simple steps for planning a successful roll out.
• Targeting late adopters. Win them. Win the war.
• Designing simple & sophisticated.
• The art of creating quick & effective How To’s.
• Ensuring you have the key ingredients: persuasion, empathy & analytics.

Aaron has helped many leaders, ministries and businesses successfully adopt new technologies and services. Learn practical techniques and wisdom to make sure your latest creations get adopted.

Who’s coming?

The New Gutenberg: Social Media is Powerful, Dangerous and Necessary

Posted on 03. Dec, 2009 by Aaron Marshall in Social Media

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How to Fundraise with YouTube – Revisited

Posted on 04. Feb, 2009 by Aaron Marshall in Social Media, Social Networking, Video

This was the original post that inspired me to start CHURCHSMO.com. Because it was my very first post, it did not get much attention. So here it is again. My wife and I used this method to raise support for our mission and it worked wonderfully.

My life long friend Tony Coulombe is in the process of founding a new missions organization called the Mustard Seed Global Fellowship. They are headed for Japan and have an awesome vision of building Christian communities there. Tony has a lot of money to raise to be able to accomplish the mission so to help him I devised a viral fund-raising strategy using YouTube.

Step 1 Record Highly personal and direct videos that speak directly to prospective supporters

• Record in different environments: Try the park, a busy street or somewhere that reminds you of the possible supporter (Tony plans to record videos in little Tokyo)
• Be active in your recordings: Don’t just sit in one place, give the video some movement by walking around.
• Show your passion for the mission: Be authentic, be excited and don’t be scared to ask for money.
• Get them Engaged: Explain how you will continually use online video and blogs to keep them updated and connected to the mission.
• Make Hundreds of videos: The time it takes will make up for itself in the stronger commitments you will receive. (Givers gain)
• Use a cheap camera: No need for High Definition professional equipment here! Most digital cameras these days come with movie mode, use it!
• Keep it short: Between 1-3 minutes.

Step 2 Upload the videos to YouTube

• Files need to be under 1024 megabytes: Another good reason for using a cheap digital camera.
• Don’t worry about people seeing videos you have created for others, it will only serve to support that you are dedicated.

Step 3 Setup an easy way for people to give, whether that be online giving or a simple way to receive information on how to give via mail.

• Realize how important this is: Your videos will deeply impact most people, give them a way to immediately respond.
• Google Checkout: Free for 5013c Non-Profits
• PayPal: Takes a commission so I am not a huge fan…
• See your Bank for possible methods or have a web developer get it done.

Step 4 Email videos to possible supporters

• Make it very clear: You want them to watch this video and they are accustomed to receiving spam so make sure they know it is a video from you made SPECIFICALLY for them.

Step 4.5 Submit the videos to various online social networks and Christian blogs creating a VIRAL reaction to a unique idea for raising support.

• Getting a Viral Response: This Idea is very young and unique. There is a window of probably a year that it will work virally to raise funds so GET ON IT!

Two Examples of My Family Fundraising with YouTube

Transferring Inspiration, Passion, and Vision has been Stifled to Impersonal Mass Mailings

Raising support is getting harder and harder today. People are increasingly more difficult to engage and inspire about any specific cause or mission. On first reaction we could blame it on the laziness and depravity of the culture, but actually it is the recent evolution in communications. Though the mission maybe a very mighty one, the way we are accustomed to transferring inspiration, passion, and vision has been stifled to impersonal mass mailings. Lets change that. Lets start using Social Media to its fullest potential for the Church!

How to Sync Facebook with Twitter

Posted on 20. Nov, 2008 by Aaron Marshall in Social Media

Every since my wife and I set this up for our facebook pages a lot has happened. We have saved time by not having to update in 2 places. People have sent teary eyed emails when my wife will post hard things we are trusting God for. Guys I work with will report increased discipline due to something posted that challenged them. Letting people know what we are doing, thinking, praying, hoping or whatever has been very rewarding and we love seeing what are friends family and acquaintances are into as well. So here is a tutorial to help you along the way!

Tutorial Video

Every since my wife and I set this up for our facebook pages a lot has happened. We have saved time by not having to update in 2 places. People have sent teary eyed emails when my wife will post hard things we are trusting God for. Guys I work with will report increased discipline due to something posted that challenged them. Letting people know what we are doing, thinking, praying, hoping or whatever has been very rewarding and we love seeing what are friends family and acquaintances are into as well. So here is a tutorial to help you along the way!

Tutorial Video

Occasionally Facebook will have technical issues and the twitter app won’t install properly. Just delete it and try again later.

I would really like to see some discussion for the following question. I have an answer but I want to hear some objections and some other peoples input first.

Why do I need Twitter if I am Updating my Facebook Status Already?

Occasionally Facebook will have technical issues and the twitter app won’t install properly. Just delete it and try again later.

I would really like to see some discussion for the following question. I have an answer but I want to hear some objections and some other peoples input first.

Why do I need Twitter if I am Updating my Facebook Status Already?

Social Media 101 2.0

Posted on 17. Nov, 2008 by Aaron Marshall in Social Media

RSVP on Facebook if you plan to attend.

I have been asked to speak to seminary students from the SBTS about social media. I will be live streaming the presentation using USTREAM. Follow me on Twitter if you would like a reminder.

Here is what I will be covering:

How to Use Social Media for Ministry WITHOUT Overloading, Burning Time, and Losing Your Religion

Social Media is said to be the biggest change in communications in the last 50 years. These social technologies are revolutionizing the way people are conversing, collaborating and connecting. If your goal is to reach people and bring glory to God than this is something you cannot ignore.

What you will learn:

• DIY Mass Communication: Increase Your Reach with Social Media

• Simple and Practical Tools for Getting Started

• Transformed and Transparent : The Significance of a Facebook Profile

• Keeping it Pure: How to Avoid and Block Distasteful Advertisements

• Avoid Info-Overload: How to Stay Up To Date without Staying Up All Night

• Status Updates: The Power of “What are you doing right now?”

• Build Authentic Relationships Online (Assuming you can do this offline)

Let me know in the comments that you will be watching and I will try and mention you in the presentation. Especially if you are in another country.