Copyright: Pixaby
Recently, Allée had the pleasure of working with the nonprofit organization Social Media Shepherds on a pro bono branding project. Originator Greg Swan, social media champion, who was recently named one of Metromix.com’s “Top Tweeps of the Twin Cities,” started Social Media Shepherds about two years ago. Currently, there are about 100 people in the group, primarily in the Twin Cities, with fans as far out as Austin, TX and Las Vegas, NV. Social Media Shepherds meets monthly in churches, coffee shops and other locations around the Twin Cities.
So who are they and what do they do?
Social Media Shepherds is made up of marketers and communication professionals involved in their churches who are willing to share their knowledge and learn from others, and who want to use social media as a way to spread the gospel.
Allée worked with Social Media Shepherds to create a visual brand that would reflect their unique niche. We chose a shepherds crook to communicate guidance with colors that reflect stability, order, spirituality, trust and guidance. And with the base of the organization in social media, the logo was created in a few variations: to be used in full, or separated as an avatar for social media sites.
Social Media Shepherds’ Greg Swan took some time last week to tell me a little bit more about the group. Check it out in his interview, below:
Tell us a little bit about your background in marketing and when you first “discovered” social media was here to stay/had a huge impact on organizations.
I’ve been working in marketing for a little over a decade. I fell in love with digital and the opportunity for two-way conversation that comes from social media and have enjoyed helping organizations join the conversation. As I bridge my personal and work life, I’ve felt called to think about how Christians can and should be using social media to connect with others, connect with their church community and promote the gospel. It’s been an honor to connect with others with a similar passion.
What was your impetus for starting Social Media Shepherds? When was the group started? Can you provide some background information on the initial phases of the group?
Churches and ministry organizations have the same opportunities and barriers to entry in social media as corporate industry. This includes allocation staffing and time to new technologies and trends that have undefined ROI but can pay dividends with intentional effort. Getting started is often the hardest – and scariest – part.
Social Media Shepherds is made up of individuals with backgrounds in ministry, marketing, media, as well as those who just enjoy social media personally. This group is energized about removing the fear of getting started and love the opportunity to share new trends and best practices with each other. Whether meeting through informal networking events or specific formal programs, the ultimate goal of the group is to empower individuals and ministries to utilize these new tools to share the gospel with others.
Who are your sheep? Who do you strive to lead?
Social Media Shepherds welcomes any followers of Christ to come, share, learn and enjoy fellowship with each other. Specifically, passionate users of social media or those involved in church or ministry organization communications may highly benefit from joining the group.
Can you give us examples of topics covered at your events?
Topics this year have included: Rubbing Elbows: A Look at Faith and Online Community, An Open Door to Christ at Work, and Digital Community Building in a Social World. We also try to book informal networking events where the group can just hang out, meet each other and have an open dialog.
When is your next event and how can other attend?
Our next meet-up will be an informal networking coffee event at the conference room at Caribou Coffee at Hwy 36 and Snelling on July 22, 8 a.m. You can RSVP for this meeting here. You can also follow Social Media Shepherds on Facebook and Twitter
Leave a Reply