I’m excited to announce that I’ve just finished an incredible piece (along with a bunch of help from my team at work) for a really cool event my church is hosting on Palm Sunday. The event is called “The Ransom” – a Performing Arts Production that includes dance, drama, video, live music, comedy and a relevant message about Christ and how to make Him Lord of your life. Events like this give me a great feeling of hope for the future of the church. It’s cool and entertaining, all while glorifying God without being cheesy or “churchy” and yet it ends with a message of truth from the word. In later posts I’ll talk more about the event itself, but for now I want to tell you about – The TEASE.
In the video below you’ll see there is very little info about what the event is, yet it leaves you wanting to go looking for answers. You are MORE interested in this event after watching, it becomes a mystery you’d like to solve! Thats the power of the TEASE. The old saying “less is more” is very true. Sometimes giving too much info will turn people away. They start assuming that they know what a “Church Production” is like – but (hopefully) your production isn’t like those productions they’re thinking about. Your production is BETTER! So by allowing there to be a sense of mystery you move those preconceived notions out of their heads and replace it with – “I HAVE TO LEARN MORE!” and that my friends, is a very powerful emotion.
However for the tease to work, you have to make more information available through another source – but not ALL of it (via a website, phone number, Twitter, etc). Give them just enough to get them in the doors. Then that mystery transforms into EXCITEMENT at the event. It’s an incredible tactic.
So the next time you’re promoting an event or program, ask yourself “How much info do they need and how much should I give them to make them crave more?”
Even though I’ve become a HUGE fan of using social media as a main tool for marketing and promotions, we can’t simply ignore some of the classics. That being said, Here is a great collection of invite card designs that just may cause a creative spark in your design process! You can’t deny the power of a tangible marketing piece so why not use it to your advantage! And if you’ve got a cool piece that you’d like featured – email me today at thechristiancreative@gmail.com
Maybe it’s just me, but I curse the day that Microsoft released that seemingly innocent piece of software known as “Powerpoint”. Originally it was meant to be used as a tool to help presenters add convenient visual aids to their presentations. But then, it took a turn for the worst. Powerpoint became the new note card and slide projector for this generation. What was supposed to be a tool, became a crutch for unprepared (or sometimes, untalented) speakers. Content was overlooked and the time originally dedicated to it, was instead allocated to flying words, sound effects and creepy corporate clip art.
But here’s where the real tragedy arose. Out of no where Pastor and church leaders caught on to Powerpoint and it’s magical tools of distraction as well, and next thing you know, those flying bullet points became flying scriptures. This was VERY interesting… for about a month, then the gimmick wore off. Yet many are still using this tool as a crutch for their teaching.
My question is, why not go back to our roots? Yes, Jesus Himself used visual aids. The fig tree, the mustard seed, the loaves and fishes. But they didn’t distract from His message. Visual aids, videos, and powerpoint shouldn’t be a part of the service just to “fill time” or to “do something cool” or to “be relevant”. They should be a memorable item that helps people better understand or remember the message you are teaching. So I encourage all of the Pastors, Ministers, or speakers of any kind. Develop your speaking gift. Become such a great orator that the people hang on your every word. Rediscover the art of storytelling (or as Jesus called it -Parables) learn to captivate using the words God has given you. Revelation 12:1 says that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the WORD of our testimony. The Power is in the WORDS you speak, not the technology that you use, so develop that first and then add the visual aids later. And remember, Jesus healed the lame – you don’t need those crutches anymore.
On a lighter note – here’s a funny video on how NOT to use Powerpoint. ENJOY!
I’ve been a fan of “OK GO” since before they started making all of their incredible music videos that have catapulted them to even greater success. But as a video producer and a creative, they have gone to a whole new level in my book with their numerous viral music videos. (I mean, who hasn’t seen the treadmill dance at least once?)
You see, the real genius in this is their bands marketing. OK GO added value to their product (Music) using a creative outlet (Video) that highlighted that product and got people talking (Marketing and Promotions). Don’t get me wrong, I’m still AMAZED by the creativity of the video itself, but I believe the results are far more powerful then the artistic effect.
So how can you add value to your product? (Your Church, Ministry, Company, Music, etc) What is something you could do to stand out from the crowd and get people talking (in person and online) about what you are doing?
Here’s what OK GO did… what are you going to do?
>>> UPDATE <<<
Apparently this was the 2ND video idea from OK GO. The video below is their first concept. Lesson number 2 from OK GO: If the first idea doesn’t get the job done – don’t be afraid to start over and try something new!
A funny thing happened to me the other day. I was out to lunch with my family and two twenty-something girls that my mom had recently reconnected with after she taught them back in the 2nd grade years earlier. I was so excited that these two girls had recently made the decision to live their lives for Jesus, however while we were talking with them about this big news one of the girls overheard my brother make a comment about someone “getting saved“. With a puzzled look she asked “what’s that?”
And it dawned on me, people who don’t go to church don’t understand us! The Christian culture has created it’s language that the people they SHOULD be reaching don’t get! Think about it, if outsiders don’t understand the phrase “saved” how are they going to get the real doozies like “rhema word”, “spirit-lead”, “the annointing” and songs that have them sing “Im covered by His blood” – it sounds like a horror movie out of context.
Now I’m not saying we should remove these terms from our vocabulary. My suggestion is two fold: first, keep in mind the person you’re talking to. Ask yourself “Are the words I’m speaking making it easier or harder for this person to understand Jesus?” Secondly, not everyone is going to get the first part of this, so pick up the slack and do some damage control. If you see a puzzled nonbeliever or new Christian who just got an earful of confusing “Christianeese” – go in and translate for them. Explain to them what “praying in the Holy Ghost” is – and if you don’t understand it either, then be real and say so. It’ll show them that we don’t all have every answer, it says that we’re not perfect but a work in progress being made better each day by God.
Also, keep this in mind in your ministry as well. If you’re creating an ad, TV program, or outreach – think about the people you’re trying to draw. Would John the agnostic understand or be drawn to a sign reading “Experience the pressence of the Almighty!” probably not. But what about a flier that said “In good times or bad. Our church cares about you.” or “You can find hope at (insert church name here)”
Our words are powerful, so let’s use them to draw people closer to God, rather than allowing our language to build a barrier between us.
I’ve just added a cool new books section in order to bring you quality resources to help you grow. Check it out and invest in yourself as well as your future! (Books)
Have any suggestions for a title I should add? Leave a comment and I just might add it to the list!
