Registration open for upcoming communications workshop

Workshop will help participants understand social media analytics

by Gail Strange | Presbyterian News Service

Contributed photo illustration

LOUISVILLE — Registration is now open for the first quarterly Presbyterian Communicators Network (PCN) communications workshop for 2022.

At 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 29, the PCN will host “Understanding Social Media Analytics,” a workshop designed to teach individuals to identify patterns and trends on various social media platforms, gain insights that will help optimize the content that best resonates with their social media followers, increase engagement rates and find out which platforms are best for their congregation and community. Register for the workshop here.

An open mic panel discussion will take place at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on April 5. The panel discussion will allow workshop participants and others an opportunity to ask panel members questions related not to the workshop topic. They will also have a chance to ask other communications-related questions not covered in the workshop but of interest to participants.

The open mic events will be held on the Presbyterian Communicators Network Facebook page. Individuals need to join the PCN Facebook group to participate.

In addition to the aforementioned topics, those who register for the workshop will also learn how to measure and analyze earned and owned social media data as well as how to create automated reports showing how well your social media platforms are performing.

The workshop presenter will be Victoria Shircliffe, Social Media Specialist for the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

The workshops have been successful in helping church communicators understand the need for planning their communications efforts and how best to do that. In addition to the quarterly workshops, the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s communication ministry will develop a customized workshop to meet specific needs of churches. Individuals may schedule a workshop online by clicking here.

The network’s goals include encouraging communicators to receive and distribute information about news, events, and resources within PC(USA); fostering camaraderie and continuing education among Presbyterian communicators; and providing hands-on workshops to mid councils and churches. Workshops are available on core themes such as strategic communications planning, media relations, social media, and website development, with other topics available upon request.

Membership to the network is open to anyone in a synod, presbytery or congregation — paid staff or volunteer — who has communications responsibilities. Individuals serving on a communications committee or those responsible for newsletters, websites, social media or any other form of communications are welcome to join and reap the benefits of membership.

Some of the benefits Presbyterian Communicators Network members enjoy include:

• Access to all Presbyterian News Service stories for reprint in church newsletters. Members automatically receive a weekly copy of all news stories via email
• Live webinars
• Access to a closed Facebook group that regularly schedules live broadcasts relating to communications strategies and topics
• Permission to post questions or queries about communications issues on a blog
• Communications research and statistics
• Logos and artwork to use with newsletters and websites
• A listing of all job openings available through the PC(USA) national office.

To join the network, complete the online form, email Gail Strange at gail.strange@pcusa.org or call 800-728-7228, ext. 5340.