The Future Of Your Audience

There is an interesting read titled “Where is Everyone?” from Baekdal. It covers a brief history of how people got information in the past, and provides some projections on the future. Includes some nice information graphics. What’s surprising to me is the amount of weight they give social networks from now moving forward…it will surpass web sites (if it hasn’t already) and eventually be replaced by what is referred to as “Social News”. Here is an excerpt:

In the next 5-10 years, the world of information will change quite a bit. All the traditional forms of information are essentially dead. The traditional printed newspapers no longer exists, television in the form of preset channels is replaced by single shows that you can watch whenever you like. Radio shows is replaced podcasts and vodcasts.

I don’t know that I agree with every projection in the article, (TV gone by 2020, the networks won’t have it) but what I do agree with  is the fact that the way people will get their information is going to change. Some of the statistics from the CCV web site have recently agreed with this post. Facebook has been the top external referrer for over 2 months now in overall site traffic.

CCV has been trying to connect with our audience on the recent surge of Social Networks, next move…why not let them connect with us. Give them the ability to report back, real-time on events, services & random thoughts about their church. (Oh, guess what, they already have it!) I can hear the whispers now…“what’s that you say? Give our members the ability to post pictures & video on our site/page?….but, but, what if they post something they shouldn’t! What if they are wearing a t-shirt with Darwin’s head on their chest? What if they post a picture and description of their favorite drink? <gasp> What if they talk bad about us?”

Well…what if? I think we need to start being comfortable with the uncomfortable. If there are people affiliated with, fans of or members of your organization, and you don’t like their stance on something, then address it. Using a church example, if one of your members posts something inappropriate on the church Facebook page, use it as a teaching device in service. Make it a point to respond to the crowd where the crowd is. Stop trying to protect your image, and start defining it.