Why your Church's Instagram Stories Flop

if you're like most churches you've if you're like most churches you've probably noticed lately that your probably noticed lately that your probably noticed lately that your Instagram story views have been Instagram story views have been Instagram story views have been declining and here's the good news we declining and here's the good news we declining and here's the good news we know why this is happening that's right know why this is happening that's right know why this is happening that's right it's not a mystery which means that we it's not a mystery which means that we it's not a mystery which means that we can fix it and we're going to show you can fix it and we're going to show you can fix it and we're going to show you how we've got eight items to discuss how we've got eight items to discuss how we've got eight items to discuss this is why your Church's Instagram this is why your Church's Instagram this is why your Church's Instagram stories flop let's stories flop let's stories flop let's diid well hey there and welcome to the diid well hey there and welcome to the diid well hey there and welcome to the pro Church tool show we're here to help pro Church tool show we're here to help pro Church tool show we're here to help you and your church navigate the biggest you and your church navigate the biggest you and your church navigate the biggest communication shift in 500 years I'm communication shift in 500 years I'm communication shift in 500 years I'm Brady sheer your host I'm joined as Brady sheer your host I'm joined as Brady sheer your host I'm joined as always by my co-host we call him the always by my co-host we call him the always by my co-host we call him the audio file Archbishop it's Alexander audio file Archbishop it's Alexander audio file Archbishop it's Alexander Mills hello hello and today we're Mills hello hello and today we're Mills hello hello and today we're exposing why most Church Instagram exposing why most Church Instagram exposing why most Church Instagram stories flop there are eight items we stories flop there are eight items we stories flop there are eight items we need to talk about Archbishop take us need to talk about Archbishop take us need to talk about Archbishop take us away with the first one well it should away with the first one well it should away with the first one well it should be said plainly the first thing we need be said plainly the first thing we need be said plainly the first thing we need to know is that Instagram actually has to know is that Instagram actually has to know is that Instagram actually has different algorithms right common different algorithms right common different algorithms right common misconception this came as a surprise to misconception this came as a surprise to misconception this came as a surprise to me when Instagram came out and said this me when Instagram came out and said this me when Instagram came out and said this publicly you can find this on publicly you can find this on publicly you can find this on instagram.com they have been public instagram.com they have been public instagram.com they have been public about this and we we really appreciate about this and we we really appreciate about this and we we really appreciate that because algorithms for social media that because algorithms for social media that because algorithms for social media history have often in this like black history have often in this like black history have often in this like black box of he said she said Whispers of I box of he said she said Whispers of I box of he said she said Whispers of I spoke to someone at Instagram and they spoke to someone at Instagram and they spoke to someone at Instagram and they said that if you publish before 9:00 said that if you publish before 9:00 said that if you publish before 9:00 a.m. 10x reach well probably not true a.m. 10x reach well probably not true a.m. 10x reach well probably not true here's what we do know is true because here's what we do know is true because here's what we do know is true because it comes direct from Instagram quote one it comes direct from Instagram quote one it comes direct from Instagram quote one of the main misconceptions we want to of the main misconceptions we want to of the main misconceptions we want to clear up is the existence of the quote clear up is the existence of the quote clear up is the existence of the quote unquote algorithm Instagram does not unquote algorithm Instagram does not unquote algorithm Instagram does not have one algorithm that oversees what have one algorithm that oversees what have one algorithm that oversees what people do and don't see on the app each people do and don't see on the app each people do and don't see on the app each part of the app feed explore reals uses part of the app feed explore reals uses part of the app feed explore reals uses its own algorithm tailored to how people its own algorithm tailored to how people its own algorithm tailored to how people use it people tend to look for their use it people tend to look for their use it people tend to look for their closest friends in

closest friends in closest friends in stories keep that away for later we rank stories keep that away for later we rank stories keep that away for later we rank things differently in different parts of things differently in different parts of things differently in different parts of the app based on how people use them if the app based on how people use them if the app based on how people use them if you remember the earliest days of social you remember the earliest days of social you remember the earliest days of social social platforms were known for the social platforms were known for the social platforms were known for the specific features that they offered and specific features that they offered and specific features that they offered and then as these social platforms kind of then as these social platforms kind of then as these social platforms kind of just acquired one another and became just acquired one another and became just acquired one another and became bigger and bigger they be now nowadays bigger and bigger they be now nowadays bigger and bigger they be now nowadays are known more for the audiences that are known more for the audiences that are known more for the audiences that are on them rather than the features are on them rather than the features are on them rather than the features that they offer for that reason that they offer for that reason that they offer for that reason it's really important that we kick this it's really important that we kick this it's really important that we kick this discussion off by saying you have to discussion off by saying you have to discussion off by saying you have to basically look at Instagram stories as a basically look at Instagram stories as a basically look at Instagram stories as a separate app Al together as the separate app Al together as the separate app Al together as the Instagram feed okay because it's Instagram feed okay because it's Instagram feed okay because it's different algorithms that are governing different algorithms that are governing different algorithms that are governing each of these parts of the product and each of these parts of the product and each of these parts of the product and yes it's all Instagram and yes yes it's all Instagram and yes yes it's all Instagram and yes potentially the same audience can be potentially the same audience can be potentially the same audience can be reached based on the people that follow reached based on the people that follow reached based on the people that follow you and people that use Instagram on a you and people that use Instagram on a you and people that use Instagram on a daily basis but I found it most helpful daily basis but I found it most helpful daily basis but I found it most helpful for me anyways to think about Instagram for me anyways to think about Instagram for me anyways to think about Instagram stories as its own thing okay I I open stories as its own thing okay I I open stories as its own thing okay I I open my phone and on the home page I open my phone and on the home page I open my phone and on the home page I open stories and yes the same followers stories and yes the same followers stories and yes the same followers potentially exist there but potentially exist there but potentially exist there but realistically don't exist there compared realistically don't exist there compared realistically don't exist there compared to the main Instagram feed algorithm but to the main Instagram feed algorithm but to the main Instagram feed algorithm but like keep it completely separate and like keep it completely separate and like keep it completely separate and that should give you at least like this that should give you at least like this that should give you at least like this fresh start and fresh perspective on how fresh start and fresh perspective on how fresh start and fresh perspective on how we should be using stories I saw this we should be using stories I saw this we should be using stories I saw this happen in real time uh just yesterday happen in real time uh just yesterday happen in real time uh just yesterday actually I was on threads which is actually I was on threads which is actually I was on threads which is actually a separate app actually a actually a separate app actually a actually a separate app actually a separate app but the meta version of a separate app but the meta version of a separate app but the meta version of a Twitter like you know text posting app Twitter like you know text posting app Twitter like you know text posting app and and in my explore feed somebody said and and in my explore feed somebody said and and in my explore feed somebody said she's a digital Creator she said hey

she's a digital Creator she said hey she's a digital Creator she said hey just let you know the algorithm the just let you know the algorithm the just let you know the algorithm the Instagram algorithm seems to be down Instagram algorithm seems to be down Instagram algorithm seems to be down right now I was like okay what are you right now I was like okay what are you right now I was like okay what are you trying to say what does that mean so I trying to say what does that mean so I trying to say what does that mean so I opened the thread and she was saying opened the thread and she was saying opened the thread and she was saying like I'm seeing all of these posts um like I'm seeing all of these posts um like I'm seeing all of these posts um from Big creators getting like literally from Big creators getting like literally from Big creators getting like literally no views in reals and so I went to my no views in reals and so I went to my no views in reals and so I went to my Instagram just to see because I had Instagram just to see because I had Instagram just to see because I had posted some stories that day and I went posted some stories that day and I went posted some stories that day and I went to my stories and I looked at the the to my stories and I looked at the the to my stories and I looked at the the views and everything seemed to be normal views and everything seemed to be normal views and everything seemed to be normal and I realized oh right they're and I realized oh right they're and I realized oh right they're literally different algorithm so I literally different algorithm so I literally different algorithm so I learned later that there was something learned later that there was something learned later that there was something broken in the feed algorithmically but broken in the feed algorithmically but broken in the feed algorithmically but in stories I was having no uh in stories I was having no uh in stories I was having no uh Interruption and that's because Interruption and that's because Interruption and that's because literally and we know this because it's literally and we know this because it's literally and we know this because it's come from Instagram there are two come from Instagram there are two come from Instagram there are two separate algorithms so yesterday they separate algorithms so yesterday they separate algorithms so yesterday they kind of did function as two different kind of did function as two different kind of did function as two different apps for me that's really insightful I apps for me that's really insightful I apps for me that's really insightful I did not see that I do love when creators did not see that I do love when creators did not see that I do love when creators come out and we actually did this a bit come out and we actually did this a bit come out and we actually did this a bit in our intro and said like does your in our intro and said like does your in our intro and said like does your post success suck today don't worry it's post success suck today don't worry it's post success suck today don't worry it's Instagram wide and you're like oh Instagram wide and you're like oh Instagram wide and you're like oh perfect yeah I can do no wrong this is perfect yeah I can do no wrong this is perfect yeah I can do no wrong this is Instagram's fault yes exactly so now Instagram's fault yes exactly so now Instagram's fault yes exactly so now that we know that stories has its own that we know that stories has its own that we know that stories has its own algorithm what do you think we should be algorithm what do you think we should be algorithm what do you think we should be prioritizing so this is not what I think prioritizing so this is not what I think prioritizing so this is not what I think we should be prioritizing this is what I we should be prioritizing this is what I we should be prioritizing this is what I know at least based on what Instagram know at least based on what Instagram know at least based on what Instagram has said this is what the stories has said this is what the stories has said this is what the stories specifically algorithm cares about specifically algorithm cares about specifically algorithm cares about number one viewing history how often a number one viewing history how often a number one viewing history how often a user has viewed and accounts Stories the user has viewed and accounts Stories the user has viewed and accounts Stories the more often they View and account Stories more often they View and account Stories more often they View and account Stories the more likely they are to appear first the more likely they are to appear first the more likely they are to appear first number two engagement history how often number two engagement history how often number two engagement history how often a you user engages with that account a you user engages with that account a you user engages with that account story such as sending a reaction or

story such as sending a reaction or story such as sending a reaction or response this is distinct from view response this is distinct from view response this is distinct from view history you can watch but then will you history you can watch but then will you history you can watch but then will you hit that like button will you respond hit that like button will you respond hit that like button will you respond will you engage with the piece of will you engage with the piece of will you engage with the piece of content itself if there's an engagement content itself if there's an engagement content itself if there's an engagement element tuck that away for later as well element tuck that away for later as well element tuck that away for later as well and then number three closeness the and then number three closeness the and then number three closeness the user's relationship with the author user's relationship with the author user's relationship with the author overall and here it is How likely they overall and here it is How likely they overall and here it is How likely they are to be friends or family so you have are to be friends or family so you have are to be friends or family so you have this online relationship does that this online relationship does that this online relationship does that online relationship also carry to online relationship also carry to online relationship also carry to offline and Instagram knows this offline and Instagram knows this offline and Instagram knows this by again algorithmically seeing Mutual by again algorithmically seeing Mutual by again algorithmically seeing Mutual connections seeing you know these two connections seeing you know these two connections seeing you know these two people follow each other but like do people follow each other but like do people follow each other but like do they live near each other do they have they live near each other do they have they live near each other do they have any other mutuals um but we know this to any other mutuals um but we know this to any other mutuals um but we know this to be true even just experientially be true even just experientially be true even just experientially anecdotally that when you post a story anecdotally that when you post a story anecdotally that when you post a story Brady Shear you will show up first in my Brady Shear you will show up first in my Brady Shear you will show up first in my feed because you and I have a long feed because you and I have a long feed because you and I have a long history online like a decade of me history online like a decade of me history online like a decade of me watching your story so viewed history watching your story so viewed history watching your story so viewed history like I watch all your stories because like I watch all your stories because like I watch all your stories because we're friends um but it it's compounding we're friends um but it it's compounding we're friends um but it it's compounding interest because now because I watch interest because now because I watch interest because now because I watch your stories you're going to be showed your stories you're going to be showed your stories you're going to be showed first in my story algorithm and so I'm first in my story algorithm and so I'm first in my story algorithm and so I'm going to when I click to watch stories going to when I click to watch stories going to when I click to watch stories you're the first person I'm going to you're the first person I'm going to you're the first person I'm going to watch um I do have a question for you watch um I do have a question for you watch um I do have a question for you though the reacting to stories is rather though the reacting to stories is rather though the reacting to stories is rather new like in the last couple years new to new like in the last couple years new to new like in the last couple years new to the app it's the little heart button the app it's the little heart button the app it's the little heart button down in the bottom right hand corner or down in the bottom right hand corner or down in the bottom right hand corner or you can react with different um emojis you can react with different um emojis you can react with different um emojis or reactions are you a reactor to or reactions are you a reactor to or reactions are you a reactor to stories stories stories uh rarely but I I I did it this past uh rarely but I I I did it this past uh rarely but I I I did it this past week I can't remember what it was for

week I can't remember what it was for week I can't remember what it was for but I made sure to hit the like button I but I made sure to hit the like button I but I made sure to hit the like button I think someone was traveling or like they think someone was traveling or like they think someone was traveling or like they had a picture of their kid or something had a picture of their kid or something had a picture of their kid or something it was it was the type of thing that I it was it was the type of thing that I it was it was the type of thing that I was like hey if they check their was like hey if they check their was like hey if they check their insights I want them to know that I insights I want them to know that I insights I want them to know that I support them I am not a reactor to support them I am not a reactor to support them I am not a reactor to stories at all but I do notice when I stories at all but I do notice when I stories at all but I do notice when I look at my insights that there are folks look at my insights that there are folks look at my insights that there are folks who are like serial reactors to my story who are like serial reactors to my story who are like serial reactors to my story so it seems that there are certain types so it seems that there are certain types so it seems that there are certain types of people there are reactors and of people there are reactors and of people there are reactors and nonreactors I am a nonre actor um I do nonreactors I am a nonre actor um I do nonreactors I am a nonre actor um I do like the ability to give a like that's like the ability to give a like that's like the ability to give a like that's private right yeah it's like this is private right yeah it's like this is private right yeah it's like this is just between you and me and usually it's just between you and me and usually it's just between you and me and usually it's only usually friends or family and it's only usually friends or family and it's only usually friends or family and it's more just like hey this is a nod to you more just like hey this is a nod to you more just like hey this is a nod to you yeah but also if you know how Instagram yeah but also if you know how Instagram yeah but also if you know how Instagram stories algorithm works as they've stories algorithm works as they've stories algorithm works as they've described it that's also going to adjust described it that's also going to adjust described it that's also going to adjust your feed and so you can be listening to your feed and so you can be listening to your feed and so you can be listening to today's episode and think about what the today's episode and think about what the today's episode and think about what the implications are for your church think implications are for your church think implications are for your church think about what the implications are for your about what the implications are for your about what the implications are for your own feed because our own kind of mental own feed because our own kind of mental own feed because our own kind of mental health and what we're consuming is health and what we're consuming is health and what we're consuming is influenc influenc influenc by the algorithm obviously we play a big by the algorithm obviously we play a big by the algorithm obviously we play a big role in that yeah like the bottom line role in that yeah like the bottom line role in that yeah like the bottom line is Instagram does not want to show you is Instagram does not want to show you is Instagram does not want to show you stuff that you do not like so either you stuff that you do not like so either you stuff that you do not like so either you say you don't like something but you say you don't like something but you say you don't like something but you actually do based on your behavior or actually do based on your behavior or actually do based on your behavior or you just don't know how to tailor your you just don't know how to tailor your you just don't know how to tailor your algorithm yet yeah or you're on x.com algorithm yet yeah or you're on x.com algorithm yet yeah or you're on x.com because that algorithm is so bad so bad because that algorithm is so bad so bad because that algorithm is so bad so bad my goodness the amount like still still my goodness the amount like still still my goodness the amount like still still like half of my algorithm not half a like half of my algorithm not half a like half of my algorithm not half a small percentage but a noticeable small percentage but a noticeable small percentage but a noticeable percentage is like still baseball cards percentage is like still baseball cards percentage is like still baseball cards or like cards I've never once had any or like cards I've never once had any or like cards I've never once had any interest in this like the amount of work

interest in this like the amount of work interest in this like the amount of work I have to do with Twitter being like no I have to do with Twitter being like no I have to do with Twitter being like no no no no and they're like when you say no no no and they're like when you say no no no and they're like when you say no you mean yes they really do miss a no you mean yes they really do miss a no you mean yes they really do miss a lot comparatively to to other algorithms lot comparatively to to other algorithms lot comparatively to to other algorithms like Tik Tok or even the reals where like Tik Tok or even the reals where like Tik Tok or even the reals where it's like they very rarely Miss X is it's like they very rarely Miss X is it's like they very rarely Miss X is missing a lot lately X is your friend missing a lot lately X is your friend missing a lot lately X is your friend that like tells the most obvious jokes that like tells the most obvious jokes that like tells the most obvious jokes and then nobody laughs and go do you and then nobody laughs and go do you and then nobody laughs and go do you understand why my joke is funny it's understand why my joke is funny it's understand why my joke is funny it's like yeah like can you read the room can like yeah like can you read the room can like yeah like can you read the room can you read the room Tik Tok and Instagram you read the room Tik Tok and Instagram you read the room Tik Tok and Instagram they they great High EQ high scores on they they great High EQ high scores on they they great High EQ high scores on the EQ like no no we get it you don't the EQ like no no we get it you don't the EQ like no no we get it you don't need to explicitly tell us we understand need to explicitly tell us we understand need to explicitly tell us we understand what you're saying X is like can you try what you're saying X is like can you try what you're saying X is like can you try it it it again okay now we know what the again okay now we know what the again okay now we know what the Instagram stories algorithm what it Instagram stories algorithm what it Instagram stories algorithm what it wants from us how does that affect our wants from us how does that affect our wants from us how does that affect our posting strategy which would be posting posting strategy which would be posting posting strategy which would be posting there yeah so let's break it down one by there yeah so let's break it down one by there yeah so let's break it down one by one we'll start with viewing history one we'll start with viewing history one we'll start with viewing history again this is how Instagram describes it again this is how Instagram describes it again this is how Instagram describes it how often a user has viewed and account how often a user has viewed and account how often a user has viewed and account stories simply put the more often they stories simply put the more often they stories simply put the more often they View and account Stories the more likely View and account Stories the more likely View and account Stories the more likely they are to appear first so why do your they are to appear first so why do your they are to appear first so why do your church Instagram stories flop number one church Instagram stories flop number one church Instagram stories flop number one because there are too many throwaway because there are too many throwaway because there are too many throwaway posts you know this is all about posts you know this is all about posts you know this is all about momentum you talked about how this works momentum you talked about how this works momentum you talked about how this works for us interpersonally and it's for us interpersonally and it's for us interpersonally and it's compounding interest you know you can compounding interest you know you can compounding interest you know you can think about the snowball to throw in the think about the snowball to throw in the think about the snowball to throw in the nice Canadian metaphor here in the nice Canadian metaphor here in the nice Canadian metaphor here in the depths of summer going down a hill the depths of summer going down a hill the depths of summer going down a hill the more that it goes the more it enlarg as more that it goes the more it enlarg as more that it goes the more it enlarg as itself it picks up more snow more and itself it picks up more snow more and itself it picks up more snow more and more compound interest so the momentum more compound interest so the momentum more compound interest so the momentum Works in both the positive and the Works in both the positive and the Works in both the positive and the negative if you do the right thing negative if you do the right thing negative if you do the right thing people will view your stories more people will view your stories more people will view your stories more consistently which makes the algorithm

consistently which makes the algorithm consistently which makes the algorithm more likely to recommend your stories more likely to recommend your stories more likely to recommend your stories earlier which means more people View and earlier which means more people View and earlier which means more people View and it becomes this self-fulfilling cycle it becomes this self-fulfilling cycle it becomes this self-fulfilling cycle inversely if you do the wrong things inversely if you do the wrong things inversely if you do the wrong things people drop off during your stories they people drop off during your stories they people drop off during your stories they then view less often Instagram goes then view less often Instagram goes then view less often Instagram goes probably should recommend these stories probably should recommend these stories probably should recommend these stories less often as well which means fewer less often as well which means fewer less often as well which means fewer people View and repeats like a snowball people View and repeats like a snowball people View and repeats like a snowball down a hill well that's where churches down a hill well that's where churches down a hill well that's where churches get into trouble they're so tempted they get into trouble they're so tempted they get into trouble they're so tempted they struggle to find what they post to their struggle to find what they post to their struggle to find what they post to their stories dur the week and then Sunday stories dur the week and then Sunday stories dur the week and then Sunday comes around it's like we get to post so comes around it's like we get to post so comes around it's like we get to post so much to the stories so they're posting much to the stories so they're posting much to the stories so they're posting 10 20 30 slides you see all the the the 10 20 30 slides you see all the the the 10 20 30 slides you see all the the the little bars just get smaller and smaller little bars just get smaller and smaller little bars just get smaller and smaller and small of rice yeah exactly and so and small of rice yeah exactly and so and small of rice yeah exactly and so folks are are dropping off and that folks are are dropping off and that folks are are dropping off and that sends a really valuable signal a sends a really valuable signal a sends a really valuable signal a negatively valuable but a valuable negatively valuable but a valuable negatively valuable but a valuable signal nonetheless to the algorithm to signal nonetheless to the algorithm to signal nonetheless to the algorithm to say like this content is not valuable say like this content is not valuable say like this content is not valuable and so that has negative effects in and so that has negative effects in and so that has negative effects in where your church is going to show up where your church is going to show up where your church is going to show up algorithmically in the story sequence algorithmically in the story sequence algorithmically in the story sequence there and this is why every post matters there and this is why every post matters there and this is why every post matters and you really do not and you really do not and you really do not want to post junk just because you need want to post junk just because you need want to post junk just because you need to hit a quota or just because to hit a quota or just because to hit a quota or just because especially an event needs quote unquote especially an event needs quote unquote especially an event needs quote unquote needs to be promoted and then what do we needs to be promoted and then what do we needs to be promoted and then what do we do you know let's just stick it in do you know let's just stick it in do you know let's just stick it in stories it's going to expire anyway it stories it's going to expire anyway it stories it's going to expire anyway it can have consequences right and we've can have consequences right and we've can have consequences right and we've got a comment here from a church person got a comment here from a church person got a comment here from a church person that works in church quote hey Brady I'm that works in church quote hey Brady I'm that works in church quote hey Brady I'm in the process of revamping the social in the process of revamping the social in the process of revamping the social media page for the church I recently met media page for the church I recently met media page for the church I recently met with a social media strategist who said with a social media strategist who said with a social media strategist who said I should aim for one story post a day I should aim for one story post a day I should aim for one story post a day and now I've fallen down the loop where and now I've fallen down the loop where and now I've fallen down the loop where the only stories I post are reposts of the only stories I post are reposts of the only stories I post are reposts of what's on the actual feed end so social what's on the actual feed end so social what's on the actual feed end so social media strategist God bless their heart media strategist God bless their heart media strategist God bless their heart said to the person hey ideally you be

said to the person hey ideally you be said to the person hey ideally you be posting one story per day at least can posting one story per day at least can posting one story per day at least can we disagree with that I no right like on we disagree with that I no right like on we disagree with that I no right like on its face I have no disagreements with its face I have no disagreements with its face I have no disagreements with that but I never put a hard line on like that but I never put a hard line on like that but I never put a hard line on like this is how many posts per day or per this is how many posts per day or per this is how many posts per day or per week a church should be publishing week a church should be publishing week a church should be publishing because this is what inevitably happens because this is what inevitably happens because this is what inevitably happens right that post number infects our brain right that post number infects our brain right that post number infects our brain it becomes our ultimate objective it becomes our ultimate objective it becomes our ultimate objective but the reality is quantity means but the reality is quantity means but the reality is quantity means nothing if quality is not sustained this nothing if quality is not sustained this nothing if quality is not sustained this is why we say no weeks off no weeks off is why we say no weeks off no weeks off is why we say no weeks off no weeks off that's not like post once per day it's that's not like post once per day it's that's not like post once per day it's scale that within what's sustainable for scale that within what's sustainable for scale that within what's sustainable for you you need to never take a week off so you you need to never take a week off so you you need to never take a week off so technically if you want to argue that technically if you want to argue that technically if you want to argue that would mean one post per week but the would mean one post per week but the would mean one post per week but the idea is if you can post every day great idea is if you can post every day great idea is if you can post every day great if that's not realistic for you scale it if that's not realistic for you scale it if that's not realistic for you scale it down to twice per week or even once per down to twice per week or even once per down to twice per week or even once per week if that's what it must be but the week if that's what it must be but the week if that's what it must be but the key should be no throwaway posts the key should be no throwaway posts the key should be no throwaway posts the social media algorithms are too social media algorithms are too social media algorithms are too intelligent they're too sophisticated intelligent they're too sophisticated intelligent they're too sophisticated and the users of social which are really and the users of social which are really and the users of social which are really like the algorithm is just a proxy for like the algorithm is just a proxy for like the algorithm is just a proxy for real people yes the algorithm we can real people yes the algorithm we can real people yes the algorithm we can kind of perceive it as this all knowing kind of perceive it as this all knowing kind of perceive it as this all knowing entity in the sky if you think about it entity in the sky if you think about it entity in the sky if you think about it as the proxy for what people find as the proxy for what people find as the proxy for what people find valuable it becomes a lot more like valuable it becomes a lot more like valuable it becomes a lot more like human it's like okay if you do these human it's like okay if you do these human it's like okay if you do these throwaway posts that people do not like throwaway posts that people do not like throwaway posts that people do not like they will not engage with your stuff and they will not engage with your stuff and they will not engage with your stuff and then when it's time to post something then when it's time to post something then when it's time to post something that truly is valuable that truly is valuable that truly is valuable uhoh now they're not seeing it and you uhoh now they're not seeing it and you uhoh now they're not seeing it and you might be thinking okay well you're might be thinking okay well you're might be thinking okay well you're talking about like this self-filling talking about like this self-filling talking about like this self-filling snowball building compound interest

snowball building compound interest snowball building compound interest gaining reality like my church is in the gaining reality like my church is in the gaining reality like my church is in the bad state so you're saying like we can't bad state so you're saying like we can't bad state so you're saying like we can't get out of it and we're going to talk get out of it and we're going to talk get out of it and we're going to talk about how to get out of it but the key about how to get out of it but the key about how to get out of it but the key is still set the parameters for that is still set the parameters for that is still set the parameters for that once you get out of it you don't get once you get out of it you don't get once you get out of it you don't get right back in there with these throwaway right back in there with these throwaway right back in there with these throwaway posts that are doing a ton of damage as posts that are doing a ton of damage as posts that are doing a ton of damage as a quick aside the Instagram algorithm a quick aside the Instagram algorithm a quick aside the Instagram algorithm the stories algorithm seems to be the stories algorithm seems to be the stories algorithm seems to be allergic to doing that thing which is allergic to doing that thing which is allergic to doing that thing which is posting sharing a post from your feed to posting sharing a post from your feed to posting sharing a post from your feed to the stories like Instagram has the the stories like Instagram has the the stories like Instagram has the feature baked in it's like you can share feature baked in it's like you can share feature baked in it's like you can share this to your own story but then you do this to your own story but then you do this to your own story but then you do it because you got a great you've got a it because you got a great you've got a it because you got a great you've got a great f post in the feed and you want great f post in the feed and you want great f post in the feed and you want more people to see it so you share it to more people to see it so you share it to more people to see it so you share it to the story because they'll let you and I the story because they'll let you and I the story because they'll let you and I have when I tell you this I have never have when I tell you this I have never have when I tell you this I have never had success um like uh metrically in had success um like uh metrically in had success um like uh metrically in doing that every time I share to my doing that every time I share to my doing that every time I share to my story The the watch uh the the The View story The the watch uh the the The View story The the watch uh the the The View count is abysmal it's like the Instagram count is abysmal it's like the Instagram count is abysmal it's like the Instagram stories algorithm is allergic to it I stories algorithm is allergic to it I stories algorithm is allergic to it I don't know why they give you the option don't know why they give you the option don't know why they give you the option in the app if they don't want you to do in the app if they don't want you to do in the app if they don't want you to do it well that's interesting why do they it well that's interesting why do they it well that's interesting why do they give you the option if they don't want give you the option if they don't want give you the option if they don't want you to do it and I read this on you to do it and I read this on you to do it and I read this on Instagram's uh blog post the other day Instagram's uh blog post the other day Instagram's uh blog post the other day this is fascinating there are a few this is fascinating there are a few this is fascinating there are a few cases this is Instagram where we try to cases this is Instagram where we try to cases this is Instagram where we try to take other considerations into account take other considerations into account take other considerations into account other considerations being ranking other considerations being ranking other considerations being ranking signals one example of this is where we signals one example of this is where we signals one example of this is where we try to avoid showing too many posts from try to avoid showing too many posts from try to avoid showing too many posts from the same person in a row but another the same person in a row but another the same person in a row but another example is stories that were re-shared example is stories that were re-shared example is stories that were re-shared from feed until from feed until from feed until recently these guys we valued these

recently these guys we valued these recently these guys we valued these stories stories stories less but because we've heard less but because we've heard less but because we've heard consistently that people are more consistently that people are more consistently that people are more interested in seeing Original Stories interested in seeing Original Stories interested in seeing Original Stories but from time to time we see a swell of but from time to time we see a swell of but from time to time we see a swell of re-shared posts in big moments re-shared posts in big moments re-shared posts in big moments everything from the World Cup to social everything from the World Cup to social everything from the World Cup to social unrest to hey we're recording this unrest to hey we're recording this unrest to hey we're recording this during the Olympics and in these moments during the Olympics and in these moments during the Olympics and in these moments people were expecting their stories to people were expecting their stories to people were expecting their stories to reach more people than they did so we reach more people than they did so we reach more people than they did so we stopped so even stopped so even stopped so even Instagram in a you know in a way that's Instagram in a you know in a way that's Instagram in a you know in a way that's a little bit just it's a little bit a little bit just it's a little bit a little bit just it's a little bit irritating is describing how there are irritating is describing how there are irritating is describing how there are parameters but there's no hard and fast parameters but there's no hard and fast parameters but there's no hard and fast rule because if there's a giant rule because if there's a giant rule because if there's a giant worldwide event happening and everyone's worldwide event happening and everyone's worldwide event happening and everyone's sharing posts from this well there's sharing posts from this well there's sharing posts from this well there's just a cultural moment and you expect to just a cultural moment and you expect to just a cultural moment and you expect to see that cultural moment over see that cultural moment over see that cultural moment over represented over represented in stories represented over represented in stories represented over represented in stories compared to maybe a normal cultural compared to maybe a normal cultural compared to maybe a normal cultural moment or a normal moment that's for moment or a normal moment that's for moment or a normal moment that's for your culture subculture but not for the your culture subculture but not for the your culture subculture but not for the greater culture overall and this is why greater culture overall and this is why greater culture overall and this is why it's really important to look at your it's really important to look at your it's really important to look at your own numbers so Alex has identified with own numbers so Alex has identified with own numbers so Alex has identified with his own publishing strategy sharing from his own publishing strategy sharing from his own publishing strategy sharing from feed it's just not it and that would be feed it's just not it and that would be feed it's just not it and that would be a throwaway post for him that's going to a throwaway post for him that's going to a throwaway post for him that's going to be detrimental to his good content so be detrimental to his good content so be detrimental to his good content so it's not worth doing but it's always it's not worth doing but it's always it's not worth doing but it's always worth mentioning that like outliers do worth mentioning that like outliers do worth mentioning that like outliers do exist so go with the data and go with exist so go with the data and go with exist so go with the data and go with you know understanding there is Nuance you know understanding there is Nuance you know understanding there is Nuance here there there is Nuance but but hey here there there is Nuance but but hey here there there is Nuance but but hey hey you know we talked about this in a hey you know we talked about this in a hey you know we talked about this in a recent YouTube video on the main Channel recent YouTube video on the main Channel recent YouTube video on the main Channel Brady sheer the three rules for church Brady sheer the three rules for church Brady sheer the three rules for church social media managers I kicked off that social media managers I kicked off that social media managers I kicked off that video by saying hey if you're tired of video by saying hey if you're tired of video by saying hey if you're tired of me on podcast like here's what works

me on podcast like here's what works me on podcast like here's what works here's what doesn't but sometimes it here's what doesn't but sometimes it here's what doesn't but sometimes it does uh you know just follow these three does uh you know just follow these three does uh you know just follow these three Simple Rules so if you want to you know Simple Rules so if you want to you know Simple Rules so if you want to you know go go watch that three rules and just go go watch that three rules and just go go watch that three rules and just ignore everything we're saying here I ignore everything we're saying here I ignore everything we're saying here I also say in that monologue at the also say in that monologue at the also say in that monologue at the beginning of that video if you want to beginning of that video if you want to beginning of that video if you want to dive deep hey we're here for that as dive deep hey we're here for that as dive deep hey we're here for that as well we're here to serve all Church well we're here to serve all Church well we're here to serve all Church social media managers Okay so we've social media managers Okay so we've social media managers Okay so we've talked about viewing history what about talked about viewing history what about talked about viewing history what about engagement history described by engagement history described by engagement history described by Instagram as how often a user engages Instagram as how often a user engages Instagram as how often a user engages with that account story such as sending with that account story such as sending with that account story such as sending a reaction or response why do your a reaction or response why do your a reaction or response why do your church Instagram stories flop because church Instagram stories flop because church Instagram stories flop because you're not using the tools that stories you're not using the tools that stories you're not using the tools that stories gives you to drive engagement tools like gives you to drive engagement tools like gives you to drive engagement tools like polls yes the questions box the Emoji polls yes the questions box the Emoji polls yes the questions box the Emoji slider those are the types of posts that slider those are the types of posts that slider those are the types of posts that are so useful in getting yourself out of are so useful in getting yourself out of are so useful in getting yourself out of that negative cycle so if you are in that negative cycle so if you are in that negative cycle so if you are in that place where you're like ah our that place where you're like ah our that place where you're like ah our stories are flopping and you're watching stories are flopping and you're watching stories are flopping and you're watching this video you're listening to this this video you're listening to this this video you're listening to this episode the best way to get out of that episode the best way to get out of that episode the best way to get out of that is to publish your next story as a poll is to publish your next story as a poll is to publish your next story as a poll yes with two options make it yes or no yes with two options make it yes or no yes with two options make it yes or no and make it low stakes do not go are you and make it low stakes do not go are you and make it low stakes do not go are you voting jeez for ex- candidate I might voting jeez for ex- candidate I might voting jeez for ex- candidate I might actually get a good actually get a good actually get a good response perhaps outrage will always response perhaps outrage will always response perhaps outrage will always drive engagement we're choosing not to drive engagement we're choosing not to drive engagement we're choosing not to be like that it doesn't align with the be like that it doesn't align with the be like that it doesn't align with the mission of our churches lines with your mission of our churches lines with your mission of our churches lines with your mission hey you know praise God for you mission hey you know praise God for you mission hey you know praise God for you uh low stakes so uh simple example it's uh low stakes so uh simple example it's uh low stakes so uh simple example it's summertime when we're filming this let's summertime when we're filming this let's summertime when we're filming this let's say you just did like a barbecue after say you just did like a barbecue after say you just did like a barbecue after service and you take a picture of you service and you take a picture of you service and you take a picture of you know someone little little establishing

know someone little little establishing know someone little little establishing shot of the barbecue at the park or the shot of the barbecue at the park or the shot of the barbecue at the park or the barbecue in the parking lot whatever it barbecue in the parking lot whatever it barbecue in the parking lot whatever it might be and then you put the pole over might be and then you put the pole over might be and then you put the pole over top great day at the church top great day at the church top great day at the church barbecue what kind of person are you barbecue what kind of person are you barbecue what kind of person are you hamburger or hot dog easy or if you want hamburger or hot dog easy or if you want hamburger or hot dog easy or if you want to go yes or no you putting mustard on to go yes or no you putting mustard on to go yes or no you putting mustard on your hot dog yes or no it's related to your hot dog yes or no it's related to your hot dog yes or no it's related to what went on in church life it's not what went on in church life it's not what went on in church life it's not just like completely unrelated though just like completely unrelated though just like completely unrelated though I'm actually fine with that as well and I'm actually fine with that as well and I'm actually fine with that as well and it's low stakes that will be your best it's low stakes that will be your best it's low stakes that will be your best performing story in the past month okay performing story in the past month okay performing story in the past month okay now you're starting to get out of now you're starting to get out of now you're starting to get out of Instagram stories algorithm jail which Instagram stories algorithm jail which Instagram stories algorithm jail which is not jail they have not shadowbanned is not jail they have not shadowbanned is not jail they have not shadowbanned you it's just that you've been doing a you it's just that you've been doing a you it's just that you've been doing a bad job and we're going to get out of it bad job and we're going to get out of it bad job and we're going to get out of it together we're in this together those together we're in this together those together we're in this together those features Emoji slider question but features Emoji slider question but features Emoji slider question but especially polls they elicit people especially polls they elicit people especially polls they elicit people responding if you just publish photos if responding if you just publish photos if responding if you just publish photos if you just publish videos if you just you just publish videos if you just you just publish videos if you just publish links we'll get to that people publish links we'll get to that people publish links we'll get to that people are not going to respond because they are not going to respond because they are not going to respond because they literally can't except with that little literally can't except with that little literally can't except with that little heart or by sending a DM whereas and you heart or by sending a DM whereas and you heart or by sending a DM whereas and you know what percentage of people are going know what percentage of people are going know what percentage of people are going to do that 1% maybe 10 20 30 upwards of to do that 1% maybe 10 20 30 upwards of to do that 1% maybe 10 20 30 upwards of 50 plus percent will hit that yes or no 50 plus percent will hit that yes or no 50 plus percent will hit that yes or no button the more irresistible you can button the more irresistible you can button the more irresistible you can make that poll the better we've talked make that poll the better we've talked make that poll the better we've talked about this uh you know a handful of about this uh you know a handful of about this uh you know a handful of times over the last couple years about times over the last couple years about times over the last couple years about how this strategy specifically the poll how this strategy specifically the poll how this strategy specifically the poll sticker on Instagram stories is an sticker on Instagram stories is an sticker on Instagram stories is an engagement Hack That Pays back like engagement Hack That Pays back like engagement Hack That Pays back like tfold so it works out this way for for tfold so it works out this way for for tfold so it works out this way for for me on social you know I'll post a me on social you know I'll post a me on social you know I'll post a regular a regular photo to my story just

regular a regular photo to my story just regular a regular photo to my story just like uh this the coffee I'm brewing this like uh this the coffee I'm brewing this like uh this the coffee I'm brewing this morning you know to get like a thousand morning you know to get like a thousand morning you know to get like a thousand views or views or views or something if I post a poll that is low something if I post a poll that is low something if I post a poll that is low stakes and it's easy for folks to stakes and it's easy for folks to stakes and it's easy for folks to respond to almost without fail regularly respond to almost without fail regularly respond to almost without fail regularly those post will double sometimes triple those post will double sometimes triple those post will double sometimes triple the the views and certainly the the the views and certainly the the the views and certainly the engagement so if I post that poll slide engagement so if I post that poll slide engagement so if I post that poll slide first in my stories that means that first in my stories that means that first in my stories that means that because of the engagement it's going to because of the engagement it's going to because of the engagement it's going to it's going to set up a green flag to the it's going to set up a green flag to the it's going to set up a green flag to the algorithm hey people are engaging with algorithm hey people are engaging with algorithm hey people are engaging with this post it must be good so now instead this post it must be good so now instead this post it must be good so now instead of a th people I'm going to get 3,000 of a th people I'm going to get 3,000 of a th people I'm going to get 3,000 people to watch it my next story that I people to watch it my next story that I people to watch it my next story that I post regardless of what it is is going post regardless of what it is is going post regardless of what it is is going to to to outperform anything else I would have outperform anything else I would have outperform anything else I would have posted previously because that first posted previously because that first posted previously because that first post the poll has has got a bunch of post the poll has has got a bunch of post the poll has has got a bunch of Engagement so Instagram is going to show Engagement so Instagram is going to show Engagement so Instagram is going to show my next story to a bunch of people my next story to a bunch of people my next story to a bunch of people because the first one did so well so because the first one did so well so because the first one did so well so this is like such a hack it's it's a this is like such a hack it's it's a this is like such a hack it's it's a great way to you know to revitalize uh great way to you know to revitalize uh great way to you know to revitalize uh an otherwise dormant a church account in an otherwise dormant a church account in an otherwise dormant a church account in the same way that I'm using memes on my the same way that I'm using memes on my the same way that I'm using memes on my Instagram to revitalize my account this Instagram to revitalize my account this Instagram to revitalize my account this is a great way to to to breathe some is a great way to to to breathe some is a great way to to to breathe some some fresh air some new life into your some fresh air some new life into your some fresh air some new life into your your Instagram stories performance to your Instagram stories performance to your Instagram stories performance to get you out of you know story algorithm get you out of you know story algorithm get you out of you know story algorithm jail and to actually use the story's jail and to actually use the story's jail and to actually use the story's functionality in the way it's designed functionality in the way it's designed functionality in the way it's designed to be which is like an interactive space to be which is like an interactive space to be which is like an interactive space uh another good way to do this which we uh another good way to do this which we uh another good way to do this which we haven't mentioned uh yet on this show haven't mentioned uh yet on this show haven't mentioned uh yet on this show this episode is like um using the quiz this episode is like um using the quiz this episode is like um using the quiz sticker you could do like Bible trivia sticker you could do like Bible trivia sticker you could do like Bible trivia have three or four slides of Bible

have three or four slides of Bible have three or four slides of Bible trivia so that's like people love that trivia so that's like people love that trivia so that's like people love that people want to know they're right yes people want to know they're right yes people want to know they're right yes it's irresistible yes and so again not it's irresistible yes and so again not it's irresistible yes and so again not like big um Galaxy brain theological like big um Galaxy brain theological like big um Galaxy brain theological questions just like low-level easy no questions just like low-level easy no questions just like low-level easy no Stakes Bible trivia so that's a little Stakes Bible trivia so that's a little Stakes Bible trivia so that's a little bit more like topical for your church um bit more like topical for your church um bit more like topical for your church um in in the in the sense of like uh you in in the in the sense of like uh you in in the in the sense of like uh you know it's not less topical than the know it's not less topical than the know it's not less topical than the church picnic but it's it's related to church picnic but it's it's related to church picnic but it's it's related to the mission of like yeah that we're we the mission of like yeah that we're we the mission of like yeah that we're we wrestle with the scriptures on Sundays wrestle with the scriptures on Sundays wrestle with the scriptures on Sundays and so let's do it on Tuesday Morning Do and so let's do it on Tuesday Morning Do and so let's do it on Tuesday Morning Do It Church trivia style exactly the It Church trivia style exactly the It Church trivia style exactly the history of our church yes um so the the history of our church yes um so the the history of our church yes um so the the quiz sticker can be can be fun uh for quiz sticker can be can be fun uh for quiz sticker can be can be fun uh for Bible trivia for churches as well the Bible trivia for churches as well the Bible trivia for churches as well the parameter here is Instagram wants you parameter here is Instagram wants you parameter here is Instagram wants you using their tools so I'd also recommend using their tools so I'd also recommend using their tools so I'd also recommend experimenting with taking a photo using experimenting with taking a photo using experimenting with taking a photo using the Instagram stories interface versus the Instagram stories interface versus the Instagram stories interface versus taking a photo using your phone and then taking a photo using your phone and then taking a photo using your phone and then uploading that photo from the camera uploading that photo from the camera uploading that photo from the camera role and just see how they perform role and just see how they perform role and just see how they perform differently it would not be surprising differently it would not be surprising differently it would not be surprising if taking that photo directly within if taking that photo directly within if taking that photo directly within Instagram outperforms in pretty dramatic Instagram outperforms in pretty dramatic Instagram outperforms in pretty dramatic ways the photo you previously took and ways the photo you previously took and ways the photo you previously took and uploaded I have a sense that's why I'm uploaded I have a sense that's why I'm uploaded I have a sense that's why I'm in Tik Tok jail right now uh because I in Tik Tok jail right now uh because I in Tik Tok jail right now uh because I don't use the Tik Tok Editor to edit don't use the Tik Tok Editor to edit don't use the Tik Tok Editor to edit videos I'm doing it in Instagram so I I videos I'm doing it in Instagram so I I videos I'm doing it in Instagram so I I have a sense that's why I'm in Tik Tok have a sense that's why I'm in Tik Tok have a sense that's why I'm in Tik Tok too too too again you know only one person to blame again you know only one person to blame again you know only one person to blame yeah yeah no it's me I'm the problem yeah yeah no it's me I'm the problem yeah yeah no it's me I'm the problem it's me okay so we talked about um it's me okay so we talked about um it's me okay so we talked about um viewing history and engagement history viewing history and engagement history viewing history and engagement history the third um ranking signal that the third um ranking signal that the third um ranking signal that Instagram talked about was closeness how Instagram talked about was closeness how Instagram talked about was closeness how do we make sense of closeness yeah so do we make sense of closeness yeah so do we make sense of closeness yeah so I'm really excited to talk about this we I'm really excited to talk about this we I'm really excited to talk about this we have some really fun ideas for you so

have some really fun ideas for you so have some really fun ideas for you so closeness the users relationship with closeness the users relationship with closeness the users relationship with the author overall and How likely they the author overall and How likely they the author overall and How likely they are to be friends or family why do your are to be friends or family why do your are to be friends or family why do your church Instagram stories flop because church Instagram stories flop because church Instagram stories flop because your church is not a person yeah it's an your church is not a person yeah it's an your church is not a person yeah it's an organization and are two implications organization and are two implications organization and are two implications here one all things being equal you can here one all things being equal you can here one all things being equal you can expect a pastor account to outrank a expect a pastor account to outrank a expect a pastor account to outrank a church account simply due to the fact church account simply due to the fact church account simply due to the fact that the pastor is a real human okay and that the pastor is a real human okay and that the pastor is a real human okay and the personal nature of the story's the personal nature of the story's the personal nature of the story's algorithm is always going to prefer that algorithm is always going to prefer that algorithm is always going to prefer that over an over an over an organization when we've talked about organization when we've talked about organization when we've talked about this in the past we've kind of left this in the past we've kind of left this in the past we've kind of left things there and been like hey maybe things there and been like hey maybe things there and been like hey maybe your pastor should post more and don't your pastor should post more and don't your pastor should post more and don't publish as much as a church and if not publish as much as a church and if not publish as much as a church and if not hey we get it not every church is going hey we get it not every church is going hey we get it not every church is going to have a pastor that's like yeah I'm to have a pastor that's like yeah I'm to have a pastor that's like yeah I'm ready to be really active on social ready to be really active on social ready to be really active on social and so hey these are the breaks good and so hey these are the breaks good and so hey these are the breaks good luck we have Alternatives now we have luck we have Alternatives now we have luck we have Alternatives now we have the techology here are some ideas for the techology here are some ideas for the techology here are some ideas for you first the close you first the close you first the close friends feature in Instagram for your friends feature in Instagram for your friends feature in Instagram for your church account so you you the church church account so you you the church church account so you you the church have let's say you know 200 followers have let's say you know 200 followers have let's say you know 200 followers well I'll tell you use my church as an well I'll tell you use my church as an well I'll tell you use my church as an example we have we have four over 400 example we have we have four over 400 example we have we have four over 400 I'll look it up right now 455 followers I'll look it up right now 455 followers I'll look it up right now 455 followers our church On Any Given Sunday is 60 65 our church On Any Given Sunday is 60 65 our church On Any Given Sunday is 60 65 people people people what number of those 455 would you say what number of those 455 would you say what number of those 455 would you say are in-person people I would say the the are in-person people I would say the the are in-person people I would say the the number of those 455 who have attended number of those 455 who have attended number of those 455 who have attended our church at some point is probably our church at some point is probably our church at some point is probably like between 100 and 150 okay could be like between 100 and 150 okay could be like between 100 and 150 okay could be less right yeah so what I would do is

less right yeah so what I would do is less right yeah so what I would do is Alex's Church goes in and they go Alex's Church goes in and they go Alex's Church goes in and they go through their follower list and they through their follower list and they through their follower list and they identify each one of the people that identify each one of the people that identify each one of the people that actually is an inperson person to their actually is an inperson person to their actually is an inperson person to their close friends list in stories right or close friends list in stories right or close friends list in stories right or in Instagram overall and then when you in Instagram overall and then when you in Instagram overall and then when you post to stories most of the time post to post to stories most of the time post to post to stories most of the time post to that close friends group what this will that close friends group what this will that close friends group what this will do is it will put this green ring around do is it will put this green ring around do is it will put this green ring around your new story instead of a purple ring your new story instead of a purple ring your new story instead of a purple ring mhm I don't know about you I cannot stop mhm I don't know about you I cannot stop mhm I don't know about you I cannot stop myself from clicking those green Rings myself from clicking those green Rings myself from clicking those green Rings it makes you feel so special I have been it makes you feel so special I have been it makes you feel so special I have been chosen and when you see it for the when chosen and when you see it for the when chosen and when you see it for the when you get added to a close friend's list you get added to a close friend's list you get added to a close friend's list like let's say I was to make a close like let's say I was to make a close like let's say I was to make a close friends list and I was going to add you friends list and I was going to add you friends list and I was going to add you it's not like you get notified no you it's not like you get notified no you it's not like you get notified no you learn of it for the first time when you learn of it for the first time when you learn of it for the first time when you see that green ring it's like oh this see that green ring it's like oh this see that green ring it's like oh this person at some point was thinking about person at some point was thinking about person at some point was thinking about me and they've chosen to to Loop me into me and they've chosen to to Loop me into me and they've chosen to to Loop me into to this close friends group oh I'm to this close friends group oh I'm to this close friends group oh I'm blessed and highly favored yeah it's a blessed and highly favored yeah it's a blessed and highly favored yeah it's a good feeling and so this would good feeling and so this would good feeling and so this would dramatically I think increase your views dramatically I think increase your views dramatically I think increase your views you don't need to adjust posting you don't need to adjust posting you don't need to adjust posting strategy all these things working strategy all these things working strategy all these things working together that's when you're really going together that's when you're really going together that's when you're really going to start seeing traction and momentum to start seeing traction and momentum to start seeing traction and momentum and you're going to change the game for and you're going to change the game for and you're going to change the game for your Church on Instagram stories but if your Church on Instagram stories but if your Church on Instagram stories but if you just wanted to try this and you just wanted to try this and you just wanted to try this and experiment with it for like a month I I experiment with it for like a month I I experiment with it for like a month I I I think that would be a big deal uh I think that would be a big deal uh I think that would be a big deal uh worth trying so that's what you as the worth trying so that's what you as the worth trying so that's what you as the church can do yeah there's also church can do yeah there's also church can do yeah there's also something that the people in your church something that the people in your church something that the people in your church the congregation can do in terms of the congregation can do in terms of the congregation can do in terms of their relationship with your church on their relationship with your church on their relationship with your church on Instagram and that is to add your church

Instagram and that is to add your church Instagram and that is to add your church to favorites so the way that you do this to favorites so the way that you do this to favorites so the way that you do this is you would have someone in your church is you would have someone in your church is you would have someone in your church go to your Church's account on Instagram go to your Church's account on Instagram go to your Church's account on Instagram presuming they're all already following presuming they're all already following presuming they're all already following click the following button which will click the following button which will click the following button which will then present them with a variety of then present them with a variety of then present them with a variety of options one of them is to add to options one of them is to add to options one of them is to add to favorites when a parisher does this to favorites when a parisher does this to favorites when a parisher does this to your Church's Instagram account it your Church's Instagram account it your Church's Instagram account it basically prioritizes your Church's basically prioritizes your Church's basically prioritizes your Church's content in stories but also in feed it's content in stories but also in feed it's content in stories but also in feed it's a way that they can basically say yes I a way that they can basically say yes I a way that they can basically say yes I know this is a church and not a human know this is a church and not a human know this is a church and not a human being I know between you and I Instagram being I know between you and I Instagram being I know between you and I Instagram they don't always follow best practices they don't always follow best practices they don't always follow best practices on this platform I get it but I want you on this platform I get it but I want you on this platform I get it but I want you to know despite all that I want to see to know despite all that I want to see to know despite all that I want to see their posts on Instagram to help with their posts on Instagram to help with their posts on Instagram to help with this I actually created a slide that you this I actually created a slide that you this I actually created a slide that you can use on the screen oh great in a can use on the screen oh great in a can use on the screen oh great in a dedicated announcement you can use it in dedicated announcement you can use it in dedicated announcement you can use it in the pre-service slides that are rotating the pre-service slides that are rotating the pre-service slides that are rotating before service begins it is linked in before service begins it is linked in before service begins it is linked in the description on YouTube and it's also the description on YouTube and it's also the description on YouTube and it's also linked in the description on the actual linked in the description on the actual linked in the description on the actual podcast episode if you're listening on podcast episode if you're listening on podcast episode if you're listening on Apple Spotify wherever it might be use Apple Spotify wherever it might be use Apple Spotify wherever it might be use it it shows like what it looks like to it it shows like what it looks like to it it shows like what it looks like to click and add to so that people can kind click and add to so that people can kind click and add to so that people can kind of see visually what they're looking for of see visually what they're looking for of see visually what they're looking for when they enter the Instagram I can tell when they enter the Instagram I can tell when they enter the Instagram I can tell you how powerful this has been because you how powerful this has been because you how powerful this has been because what I want my Instagram feed to be is a what I want my Instagram feed to be is a what I want my Instagram feed to be is a lot like boy Pinterest I don't have lot like boy Pinterest I don't have lot like boy Pinterest I don't have Pinterest but my Instagram feed is a lot Pinterest but my Instagram feed is a lot Pinterest but my Instagram feed is a lot of fashion and guess what every one of of fashion and guess what every one of of fashion and guess what every one of those fashion accounts is from a those fashion accounts is from a those fashion accounts is from a organization it is from a brand and so organization it is from a brand and so organization it is from a brand and so by Nature just like your church those

by Nature just like your church those by Nature just like your church those brands are not going to show up in my brands are not going to show up in my brands are not going to show up in my feed the same way that like a real human feed the same way that like a real human feed the same way that like a real human Creator would but I want my Instagram to Creator would but I want my Instagram to Creator would but I want my Instagram to show me them because a lot of these show me them because a lot of these show me them because a lot of these brands are like brands are like brands are like first glimpses of their newest stuff is first glimpses of their newest stuff is first glimpses of their newest stuff is on their Instagram so I want to see it on their Instagram so I want to see it on their Instagram so I want to see it so I've gone in and I've curated my feed so I've gone in and I've curated my feed so I've gone in and I've curated my feed I've tailored my feed to show me those I've tailored my feed to show me those I've tailored my feed to show me those things because that's what I want things because that's what I want things because that's what I want presumably the people in your church presumably the people in your church presumably the people in your church would want the same and so like take would want the same and so like take would want the same and so like take these two steps and you could see these two steps and you could see these two steps and you could see dramatic Improvement just in dramatic Improvement just in dramatic Improvement just in distribution of your content without distribution of your content without distribution of your content without changing actually what you're posting at changing actually what you're posting at changing actually what you're posting at all and you could you could you could all and you could you could you could all and you could you could you could like you could get a lot of folks to do like you could get a lot of folks to do like you could get a lot of folks to do this at once by just taking you know 120 this at once by just taking you know 120 this at once by just taking you know 120 seconds on a Sunday morning saying hey seconds on a Sunday morning saying hey seconds on a Sunday morning saying hey you know I know normally like this is you know I know normally like this is you know I know normally like this is from stage right before the sermon or from stage right before the sermon or from stage right before the sermon or whatever hey I know normally we ask you whatever hey I know normally we ask you whatever hey I know normally we ask you to like keep your phones in your pockets to like keep your phones in your pockets to like keep your phones in your pockets or whatever but right now I want or whatever but right now I want or whatever but right now I want everyone to take their phone out and everyone to take their phone out and everyone to take their phone out and open Instagram you like make a whole open Instagram you like make a whole open Instagram you like make a whole moment of it you get it you you do it moment of it you get it you you do it moment of it you get it you you do it all together you put the slide up on the all together you put the slide up on the all together you put the slide up on the screen so they can see what you're doing screen so they can see what you're doing screen so they can see what you're doing download the slide we did it for you download the slide we did it for you download the slide we did it for you yeah and so you get to walk your church yeah and so you get to walk your church yeah and so you get to walk your church through that in a fun moment then say through that in a fun moment then say through that in a fun moment then say now you know turn your phone off put now you know turn your phone off put now you know turn your phone off put them away throw them into the the throw them away throw them into the the throw them away throw them into the the throw them into sheal uh for the rest of our them into sheal uh for the rest of our them into sheal uh for the rest of our service okay uh I do want to talk about service okay uh I do want to talk about service okay uh I do want to talk about something else though the link feature something else though the link feature something else though the link feature in stories I'm sure you remember this in stories I'm sure you remember this in stories I'm sure you remember this because for those of us who are creators because for those of us who are creators because for those of us who are creators we all remember this when I was chosen we all remember this when I was chosen we all remember this when I was chosen in highly favor exactly when you finally in highly favor exactly when you finally in highly favor exactly when you finally earned your first 10,000 followers you earned your first 10,000 followers you earned your first 10,000 followers you crossed over that golden threshold and crossed over that golden threshold and crossed over that golden threshold and for the first time you were able to post for the first time you were able to post for the first time you were able to post a link in your story and for folks like a link in your story and for folks like a link in your story and for folks like you and I who are like trying to get you and I who are like trying to get you and I who are like trying to get people to do stuff online like sign up people to do stuff online like sign up people to do stuff online like sign up for mailing list or like buy stuff it for mailing list or like buy stuff it for mailing list or like buy stuff it was like there was a lot of incentive to was like there was a lot of incentive to was like there was a lot of incentive to build the 10,000 followers to get that

build the 10,000 followers to get that build the 10,000 followers to get that feature now I can send you to my website feature now I can send you to my website feature now I can send you to my website hope you like spam cuz I'm going crazy hope you like spam cuz I'm going crazy hope you like spam cuz I'm going crazy with this sticker it's crazy and then with this sticker it's crazy and then with this sticker it's crazy and then and for all the folks who didn't have and for all the folks who didn't have and for all the folks who didn't have 10,000 followers he was like oh man I 10,000 followers he was like oh man I 10,000 followers he was like oh man I just wish I could post a link well in just wish I could post a link well in just wish I could post a link well in the year of Our Lord 2024 anyone could the year of Our Lord 2024 anyone could the year of Our Lord 2024 anyone could post a link to your stories um and post a link to your stories um and post a link to your stories um and that's you know it's a that's a that's a that's you know it's a that's a that's a that's you know it's a that's a that's a that's can be Bittersweet and so that's can be Bittersweet and so that's can be Bittersweet and so churches this this man really said I churches this this man really said I churches this this man really said I enjoy being part of the upper class yeah enjoy being part of the upper class yeah enjoy being part of the upper class yeah I mean we worked hard for this now I mean we worked hard for this now I mean we worked hard for this now everyone's got it oh it's about hard everyone's got it oh it's about hard everyone's got it oh it's about hard work is it but listen work is it but listen work is it but listen churches churches we have a lot of churches churches we have a lot of churches churches we have a lot of things we want to promote uh and so we things we want to promote uh and so we things we want to promote uh and so we can be susceptible to AB using and can be susceptible to AB using and can be susceptible to AB using and abusing this uh this newfound power of abusing this uh this newfound power of abusing this uh this newfound power of the ability to post links so for the ability to post links so for the ability to post links so for churches what are best practices for churches what are best practices for churches what are best practices for using links and stories why do your using links and stories why do your using links and stories why do your church Instagram stories flop because church Instagram stories flop because church Instagram stories flop because you're overusing the link button and you're overusing the link button and you're overusing the link button and being too promotional uh Instagram the being too promotional uh Instagram the being too promotional uh Instagram the platform does not want people leaving platform does not want people leaving platform does not want people leaving Instagram that's right so that's an Instagram that's right so that's an Instagram that's right so that's an important parameter to understand important parameter to understand important parameter to understand equally it's unlikely that people equally it's unlikely that people equally it's unlikely that people watching your story want to leave watching your story want to leave watching your story want to leave Instagram especially for what a church Instagram especially for what a church Instagram especially for what a church usually is promoting whether that be a usually is promoting whether that be a usually is promoting whether that be a sign up or an event promotion yeah like sign up or an event promotion yeah like sign up or an event promotion yeah like oh I'm enjoying my time on Instagram TR oh I'm enjoying my time on Instagram TR oh I'm enjoying my time on Instagram TR la la oh this church wants me to sign up la la oh this church wants me to sign up la la oh this church wants me to sign up for something H I don't want to leave for something H I don't want to leave for something H I don't want to leave right now and I especially don't want to right now and I especially don't want to right now and I especially don't want to leave for like a hassle of a sign up and leave for like a hassle of a sign up and leave for like a hassle of a sign up and I'll just keep going yeah nobody clicks I'll just keep going yeah nobody clicks I'll just keep going yeah nobody clicks your link uhoh bad signal yes valuable

your link uhoh bad signal yes valuable your link uhoh bad signal yes valuable signal in the bad way so instead we signal in the bad way so instead we signal in the bad way so instead we would recommend sprinkle promotions would recommend sprinkle promotions would recommend sprinkle promotions here's how we're doing this with our Pro here's how we're doing this with our Pro here's how we're doing this with our Pro Church tools inc YouTube series what Church tools inc YouTube series what Church tools inc YouTube series what I'll do is I will take a one minute or I'll do is I will take a one minute or I'll do is I will take a one minute or less segment of the YouTube video and less segment of the YouTube video and less segment of the YouTube video and it'll be a concise contained one minute it'll be a concise contained one minute it'll be a concise contained one minute so it's not a preview it's like it is a so it's not a preview it's like it is a so it's not a preview it's like it is a moment that is funny educational moment that is funny educational moment that is funny educational entertaining I'll add captions and I'll entertaining I'll add captions and I'll entertaining I'll add captions and I'll reframe it so that it makes sense for a reframe it so that it makes sense for a reframe it so that it makes sense for a vertical canvas because it was vertical canvas because it was vertical canvas because it was originally made for a horizontal canvas originally made for a horizontal canvas originally made for a horizontal canvas I will play that as a first story and I will play that as a first story and I will play that as a first story and I'll publish it I'll publish it I'll publish it I'll then publish a still immediately I'll then publish a still immediately I'll then publish a still immediately after it with a link to watch the full after it with a link to watch the full after it with a link to watch the full episode and what this does is it's a episode and what this does is it's a episode and what this does is it's a Sprinkle promotion the preceding one Sprinkle promotion the preceding one Sprinkle promotion the preceding one minute or less video because now you can minute or less video because now you can minute or less video because now you can post stories up to a minute without post stories up to a minute without post stories up to a minute without breaking them up previously it was 15 breaking them up previously it was 15 breaking them up previously it was 15 seconds back in the day back when Alex seconds back in the day back when Alex seconds back in the day back when Alex was part of the upper class and looked was part of the upper class and looked was part of the upper class and looked down on everyone else uh that video is down on everyone else uh that video is down on everyone else uh that video is Awesome on its own and if you keep going Awesome on its own and if you keep going Awesome on its own and if you keep going that's fine you won't feel like this was that's fine you won't feel like this was that's fine you won't feel like this was just promotional you got something M but just promotional you got something M but just promotional you got something M but what it also does is it previews the what it also does is it previews the what it also does is it previews the content so if you liked it and then you content so if you liked it and then you content so if you liked it and then you get that link you might already be like get that link you might already be like get that link you might already be like sure not only is this not a sign up I'm sure not only is this not a sign up I'm sure not only is this not a sign up I'm actually okay leaving this app to actually okay leaving this app to actually okay leaving this app to another app because like I'm leaving an another app because like I'm leaving an another app because like I'm leaving an entertainment moment or an educational entertainment moment or an educational entertainment moment or an educational moment to enter into a similar moment to enter into a similar moment to enter into a similar entertainment or education moments entertainment or education moments entertainment or education moments you're keeping people in that same frame you're keeping people in that same frame you're keeping people in that same frame of mind we just have to be acknowledged of mind we just have to be acknowledged of mind we just have to be acknowledged uh we have to be honest and acknowledge

uh we have to be honest and acknowledge uh we have to be honest and acknowledge it's not easy to have someone in an it's not easy to have someone in an it's not easy to have someone in an entertainment fun happy like just Breezy entertainment fun happy like just Breezy entertainment fun happy like just Breezy mind and then you're like please enter mind and then you're like please enter mind and then you're like please enter your information to sign up for this your information to sign up for this your information to sign up for this thing yeah changing that behavior can be thing yeah changing that behavior can be thing yeah changing that behavior can be difficult if you can keep people in the difficult if you can keep people in the difficult if you can keep people in the same Act of behavior that can be helpful same Act of behavior that can be helpful same Act of behavior that can be helpful this is something you do on Instagram this is something you do on Instagram this is something you do on Instagram stories really well is that when you do stories really well is that when you do stories really well is that when you do use a link you're you you have a call to use a link you're you you have a call to use a link you're you you have a call to action like hey watch this YouTube video action like hey watch this YouTube video action like hey watch this YouTube video or download this free resource like it's or download this free resource like it's or download this free resource like it's not cold you don't come out with the not cold you don't come out with the not cold you don't come out with the first slide of your first story of the first slide of your first story of the first slide of your first story of the day with that link you kind of lead into day with that link you kind of lead into day with that link you kind of lead into it um and that's been my experience as it um and that's been my experience as it um and that's been my experience as well which is when when I have something well which is when when I have something well which is when when I have something a resource that I want to like direct a resource that I want to like direct a resource that I want to like direct folks to I want them to click this folks to I want them to click this folks to I want them to click this button and and that's the first slide of button and and that's the first slide of button and and that's the first slide of my stories they don't perform well um my stories they don't perform well um my stories they don't perform well um even if the button gets gets even if the even if the button gets gets even if the even if the button gets gets even if the link gets clicked a lot the story views link gets clicked a lot the story views link gets clicked a lot the story views don't perform well and so I'll I'll don't perform well and so I'll I'll don't perform well and so I'll I'll employ the strategy that you do which is employ the strategy that you do which is employ the strategy that you do which is I'll like I'll tell a story with my I'll like I'll tell a story with my I'll like I'll tell a story with my stories first so I'll start with a poll stories first so I'll start with a poll stories first so I'll start with a poll so I'm like mining for engagement and so I'm like mining for engagement and so I'm like mining for engagement and then the next story I'm adding a bit then the next story I'm adding a bit then the next story I'm adding a bit more context to the poll we're talking more context to the poll we're talking more context to the poll we're talking about the same thing and then the the about the same thing and then the the about the same thing and then the the third slide will be like okay if you third slide will be like okay if you third slide will be like okay if you want to learn more or if you want to want to learn more or if you want to want to learn more or if you want to download this thing you can do it here download this thing you can do it here download this thing you can do it here so you tell kind of an entire story in so you tell kind of an entire story in so you tell kind of an entire story in sequence and then lead them up to sequence and then lead them up to sequence and then lead them up to clicking the link at the end um that's clicking the link at the end um that's clicking the link at the end um that's been like the most uh effective strategy been like the most uh effective strategy been like the most uh effective strategy for me using links but using a link in for me using links but using a link in for me using links but using a link in the first story of the day has just the first story of the day has just the first story of the day has just proved to not be successful for me proved to not be successful for me proved to not be successful for me sprinkle promotion okay we're really sprinkle promotion okay we're really sprinkle promotion okay we're really getting into the deep end here um both getting into the deep end here um both getting into the deep end here um both into this episode and just like into into this episode and just like into into this episode and just like into social strategy um in general you know social strategy um in general you know social strategy um in general you know you've been talking about recently you

you've been talking about recently you you've been talking about recently you were talking about how the eras on were talking about how the eras on were talking about how the eras on social are are changing and and best social are are changing and and best social are are changing and and best practices have like flip-flop so what practices have like flip-flop so what practices have like flip-flop so what what was best practice in the previous what was best practice in the previous what was best practice in the previous area era not only does it not work um area era not only does it not work um area era not only does it not work um you know anywhere it's actually it's you know anywhere it's actually it's you know anywhere it's actually it's actually the worst practice now so talk actually the worst practice now so talk actually the worst practice now so talk to me a bit more about that yeah so I to me a bit more about that yeah so I to me a bit more about that yeah so I had this like light bulb moment the had this like light bulb moment the had this like light bulb moment the other day and again this is why your other day and again this is why your other day and again this is why your church Instagram stories flop because church Instagram stories flop because church Instagram stories flop because you've not yet developed a familiar you've not yet developed a familiar you've not yet developed a familiar content format so here here was the content format so here here was the content format so here here was the light bulb moment I had in the previous light bulb moment I had in the previous light bulb moment I had in the previous era of social we call this the social era of social we call this the social era of social we call this the social graph era most of what you saw in your graph era most of what you saw in your graph era most of what you saw in your feed were from people that you feed were from people that you feed were from people that you recognized people you chose to follow recognized people you chose to follow recognized people you chose to follow you were not being recommended very much you were not being recommended very much you were not being recommended very much content from creators that you did not content from creators that you did not content from creators that you did not know or did not choose to follow and so know or did not choose to follow and so know or did not choose to follow and so in this era novelty in Creative was in this era novelty in Creative was in this era novelty in Creative was Paramount right because if you were Paramount right because if you were Paramount right because if you were going to break through the noise and get going to break through the noise and get going to break through the noise and get people to do what stop the scroll you people to do what stop the scroll you people to do what stop the scroll you needed to do something that made them go needed to do something that made them go needed to do something that made them go what what is it and now you had their what what is it and now you had their what what is it and now you had their attention in the current ERA of social attention in the current ERA of social attention in the current ERA of social we call the discovery era where most of we call the discovery era where most of we call the discovery era where most of what you see on your feed is not from what you see on your feed is not from what you see on your feed is not from creators that you've chosen to creators that you've chosen to creators that you've chosen to follow novelty doesn't work right in follow novelty doesn't work right in follow novelty doesn't work right in fact what stops the scroll you're just fact what stops the scroll you're just fact what stops the scroll you're just Dy toy someone that you recognize is Dy toy someone that you recognize is Dy toy someone that you recognize is familiarity and this is why having a familiarity and this is why having a familiarity and this is why having a familiar face show up is a great way to familiar face show up is a great way to familiar face show up is a great way to stop the scroll and actually in a stop the scroll and actually in a stop the scroll and actually in a complete 180 from the previous era of

complete 180 from the previous era of complete 180 from the previous era of social having similar social having similar social having similar repeatable identical looking content repeatable identical looking content repeatable identical looking content formats is one of the best ways to stop formats is one of the best ways to stop formats is one of the best ways to stop the scroll so funny we're saying this the scroll so funny we're saying this the scroll so funny we're saying this we've been podcasting for so long we've been podcasting for so long we've been podcasting for so long talking about this to experience the talking about this to experience the talking about this to experience the actual other end of the pendulum swing actual other end of the pendulum swing actual other end of the pendulum swing because I remember for a long time we because I remember for a long time we because I remember for a long time we were preaching that very thing it's like were preaching that very thing it's like were preaching that very thing it's like you need to like you need to not have um you need to like you need to not have um you need to like you need to not have um consistent brand identity on social you consistent brand identity on social you consistent brand identity on social you need to switch it up we got to be need to switch it up we got to be need to switch it up we got to be stopping the scroll somehow and now stopping the scroll somehow and now stopping the scroll somehow and now that's just like that's not true and that's just like that's not true and that's just like that's not true and it's not because we were wrong it's it's not because we were wrong it's it's not because we were wrong it's because the landscape of social has because the landscape of social has because the landscape of social has changed so much that to what I just said changed so much that to what I just said changed so much that to what I just said like we are so desperate on all of the like we are so desperate on all of the like we are so desperate on all of the apps to just see someone we recognize to apps to just see someone we recognize to apps to just see someone we recognize to feel at home to know what we're the the feel at home to know what we're the the feel at home to know what we're the the post we're swiping across is not an ad post we're swiping across is not an ad post we're swiping across is not an ad um that having that that familiar visual um that having that that familiar visual um that having that that familiar visual aesthetic or or post design your um aesthetic or or post design your um aesthetic or or post design your um Carousel posts on your Instagram are Carousel posts on your Instagram are Carousel posts on your Instagram are probably the best example of this your probably the best example of this your probably the best example of this your reals as well but your Carousel post is reals as well but your Carousel post is reals as well but your Carousel post is like it's the same design every single like it's the same design every single like it's the same design every single time and they're outperforming just time and they're outperforming just time and they're outperforming just about anything we do and it's just about anything we do and it's just about anything we do and it's just because like when folks are scrolling because like when folks are scrolling because like when folks are scrolling through their feet and they see that through their feet and they see that through their feet and they see that familiar design it's like oh I know this familiar design it's like oh I know this familiar design it's like oh I know this is Brady shear and Brady has given me is Brady shear and Brady has given me is Brady shear and Brady has given me value in the past and so I can it's a value in the past and so I can it's a value in the past and so I can it's a safe assumption that this post is going safe assumption that this post is going safe assumption that this post is going to be valuable to me it's worth stopping to be valuable to me it's worth stopping to be valuable to me it's worth stopping my scrolling to read what he's got to my scrolling to read what he's got to my scrolling to read what he's got to say yes the only like important addition say yes the only like important addition say yes the only like important addition that we should should make is the that we should should make is the that we should should make is the content format needs to be a winning one

content format needs to be a winning one content format needs to be a winning one right so the reason our carousels work right so the reason our carousels work right so the reason our carousels work so well and this was surprising to me so well and this was surprising to me so well and this was surprising to me when I looked at it and cuz at the when I looked at it and cuz at the when I looked at it and cuz at the beginning I was like changing things up beginning I was like changing things up beginning I was like changing things up and now we are like more than a year and now we are like more than a year and now we are like more than a year into this and I've published a 100 of into this and I've published a 100 of into this and I've published a 100 of these and they all look identical color these and they all look identical color these and they all look identical color big text that's it about as simple as big text that's it about as simple as big text that's it about as simple as they can get and the reason they work is they can get and the reason they work is they can get and the reason they work is because people have developed a positive because people have developed a positive because people have developed a positive Affinity with that style right it's like Affinity with that style right it's like Affinity with that style right it's like when you step off the plane and you you when you step off the plane and you you when you step off the plane and you you get on the train and you get in the get on the train and you get in the get on the train and you get in the train to a new city center and you step train to a new city center and you step train to a new city center and you step out into the brand new city and you're out into the brand new city and you're out into the brand new city and you're like I have there I don't there's like I have there I don't there's like I have there I don't there's McDonald's that's right and you feel at McDonald's that's right and you feel at McDonald's that's right and you feel at home because you're like you know what home because you're like you know what home because you're like you know what in this new unfamiliar place I'm excited in this new unfamiliar place I'm excited in this new unfamiliar place I'm excited to have some Adventures it's just nice to have some Adventures it's just nice to have some Adventures it's just nice to know that there's at least something to know that there's at least something to know that there's at least something that I recognize I know you you feel that I recognize I know you you feel that I recognize I know you you feel greatly about that and uh yeah it was greatly about that and uh yeah it was greatly about that and uh yeah it was crazy seeing these carousels perform so crazy seeing these carousels perform so crazy seeing these carousels perform so well because I was like shouldn't we be well because I was like shouldn't we be well because I was like shouldn't we be doing things different and to be clear doing things different and to be clear doing things different and to be clear the previous era where novelty was the previous era where novelty was the previous era where novelty was rewarded that peaked in like 2018 so rewarded that peaked in like 2018 so rewarded that peaked in like 2018 so this is like 6 years ago it just like this is like 6 years ago it just like this is like 6 years ago it just like and people like it's changing so fast and people like it's changing so fast and people like it's changing so fast like 6 years is not so fast but like like 6 years is not so fast but like like 6 years is not so fast but like that's how long it took to go from like that's how long it took to go from like that's how long it took to go from like one extreme end of the spectrum to The one extreme end of the spectrum to The one extreme end of the spectrum to The Other Extreme end the key is you have to Other Extreme end the key is you have to Other Extreme end the key is you have to have a good content format if you've had have a good content format if you've had have a good content format if you've had a bad content format and it's not a bad content format and it's not a bad content format and it's not delivering value to people and you keep delivering value to people and you keep delivering value to people and you keep repeating it over and over again that's repeating it over and over again that's repeating it over and over again that's when it actually might not work in your when it actually might not work in your when it actually might not work in your favor yes you've stuck to a consistent favor yes you've stuck to a consistent favor yes you've stuck to a consistent content format but the consistent content format but the consistent content format but the consistent outcome is that people don't like it yes outcome is that people don't like it yes outcome is that people don't like it yes it's not valuable to people it's not it's not valuable to people it's not it's not valuable to people it's not entertaining it's not educational it's

entertaining it's not educational it's entertaining it's not educational it's not rewarding them in their own not rewarding them in their own not rewarding them in their own spiritual journey it's not helping them spiritual journey it's not helping them spiritual journey it's not helping them learn more about the gospel the good learn more about the gospel the good learn more about the gospel the good news the Bible it's not uh provoking news the Bible it's not uh provoking news the Bible it's not uh provoking spiritual practice in their life in a spiritual practice in their life in a spiritual practice in their life in a positive way and so how this relates to positive way and so how this relates to positive way and so how this relates to stories is it's really important to stories is it's really important to stories is it's really important to analyze your data it's really important analyze your data it's really important analyze your data it's really important to look at what's working and what's not to look at what's working and what's not to look at what's working and what's not Alex talked about those reshare posts Alex talked about those reshare posts Alex talked about those reshare posts that's not working for him he talked that's not working for him he talked that's not working for him he talked about polls those are working for him so about polls those are working for him so about polls those are working for him so he can develop this repeatable content he can develop this repeatable content he can develop this repeatable content format and the great thing about this format and the great thing about this format and the great thing about this for every Church social media manager is for every Church social media manager is for every Church social media manager is you can know okay this is going to work you can know okay this is going to work you can know okay this is going to work you going to have confidence CU so much you going to have confidence CU so much you going to have confidence CU so much of social is like just shots in the dark of social is like just shots in the dark of social is like just shots in the dark and it's always really comforting to and it's always really comforting to and it's always really comforting to know I'm confident this is going to meet know I'm confident this is going to meet know I'm confident this is going to meet people and be valuable to them that's people and be valuable to them that's people and be valuable to them that's right and that's why we say repeat the right and that's why we say repeat the right and that's why we say repeat the best continue to test and forget the best continue to test and forget the best continue to test and forget the rest um because you could be repeating rest um because you could be repeating rest um because you could be repeating something that you like but it's not something that you like but it's not something that you like but it's not working and it's going to continue to working and it's going to continue to working and it's going to continue to not work and so reading into those not work and so reading into those not work and so reading into those insights both in stories and the feed insights both in stories and the feed insights both in stories and the feed getting the feedback from folks who are getting the feedback from folks who are getting the feedback from folks who are engaging with your content okay this is engaging with your content okay this is engaging with your content okay this is the best and so I'm going to keep doing the best and so I'm going to keep doing the best and so I'm going to keep doing that that that and that's the that's the content that's and that's the that's the content that's and that's the that's the content that's going to resonate that's going to feel going to resonate that's going to feel going to resonate that's going to feel like home for folks when they're swiping like home for folks when they're swiping like home for folks when they're swiping through their their feeds and yeah through their their feeds and yeah through their their feeds and yeah continuing to test like trying new continuing to test like trying new continuing to test like trying new things because you you're going to have things because you you're going to have things because you you're going to have to find the next thing somehow so you to find the next thing somehow so you to find the next thing somehow so you got to continue to test um but yeah just got to continue to test um but yeah just got to continue to test um but yeah just setting your ego aside a little bit and setting your ego aside a little bit and setting your ego aside a little bit and uh forgetting the stuff that doesn't uh forgetting the stuff that doesn't uh forgetting the stuff that doesn't work work work okay I mean this kind of leads well into okay I mean this kind of leads well into okay I mean this kind of leads well into the last Point here which is stories the last Point here which is stories the last Point here which is stories they are unique as a as a as a post they are unique as a as a as a post they are unique as a as a as a post archetype because they expire after 24 archetype because they expire after 24 archetype because they expire after 24 hours they're just gone there's no hours they're just gone there's no hours they're just gone there's no there's barely any memory of them never

there's barely any memory of them never there's barely any memory of them never mind evidence um and so the stakes on mind evidence um and so the stakes on mind evidence um and so the stakes on stories are lower than just about any stories are lower than just about any stories are lower than just about any other um type of content because of the other um type of content because of the other um type of content because of the lack of permanence so how do we take lack of permanence so how do we take lack of permanence so how do we take advantage of that yes so we've talked so advantage of that yes so we've talked so advantage of that yes so we've talked so much about things that you can do things much about things that you can do things much about things that you can do things you can stop doing things that you can you can stop doing things that you can you can stop doing things that you can get your congregation to do to help with get your congregation to do to help with get your congregation to do to help with taking your stories from not so great to taking your stories from not so great to taking your stories from not so great to really really valuable and Performing really really valuable and Performing really really valuable and Performing well what's great is that we can also well what's great is that we can also well what's great is that we can also use stories as a testing ground for all use stories as a testing ground for all use stories as a testing ground for all of social why do your church Instagram of social why do your church Instagram of social why do your church Instagram stories flop well because you're not stories flop well because you're not stories flop well because you're not learning from what you're posting and learning from what you're posting and learning from what you're posting and Alex just talked about it repeat the Alex just talked about it repeat the Alex just talked about it repeat the best forget the rest continue to test I best forget the rest continue to test I best forget the rest continue to test I love using stories to basically kind of love using stories to basically kind of love using stories to basically kind of like throw something against the wall like throw something against the wall like throw something against the wall and see if it sticks and if people like and see if it sticks and if people like and see if it sticks and if people like it on stories I'll probably bring it it on stories I'll probably bring it it on stories I'll probably bring it onto the feed and do a carousel post or onto the feed and do a carousel post or onto the feed and do a carousel post or a real about it and if it performs well a real about it and if it performs well a real about it and if it performs well there then I'll probably make a YouTube there then I'll probably make a YouTube there then I'll probably make a YouTube video about it because if you think video about it because if you think video about it because if you think about permanence Instagram Stories the about permanence Instagram Stories the about permanence Instagram Stories the lifespan of that it's going to be 24 lifespan of that it's going to be 24 lifespan of that it's going to be 24 hours Max uh the feed nowadays a few hours Max uh the feed nowadays a few hours Max uh the feed nowadays a few weeks maybe a few months if you have a weeks maybe a few months if you have a weeks maybe a few months if you have a viral for me post that is just viral for me post that is just viral for me post that is just performing better than almost everything performing better than almost everything performing better than almost everything else you've done a YouTube video like else you've done a YouTube video like else you've done a YouTube video like something permanent like that a sermon something permanent like that a sermon something permanent like that a sermon series like those things can last and series like those things can last and series like those things can last and have lifespan for years you I was have lifespan for years you I was have lifespan for years you I was talking with a pastor this week and he talking with a pastor this week and he talking with a pastor this week and he said to me okay so we're publishing on said to me okay so we're publishing on said to me okay so we're publishing on social and we have a post that performs social and we have a post that performs social and we have a post that performs well it's a viral for me post do we then well it's a viral for me post do we then well it's a viral for me post do we then like do I have to like preach more about like do I have to like preach more about like do I have to like preach more about that I don't want my online strategy to that I don't want my online strategy to that I don't want my online strategy to dictate what I'm preaching about in dictate what I'm preaching about in dictate what I'm preaching about in person and I was like I think you got it person and I was like I think you got it person and I was like I think you got it backwards Pastor because you preached

backwards Pastor because you preached backwards Pastor because you preached that first you first decided that this that first you first decided that this that first you first decided that this was relevant to your body of Believers was relevant to your body of Believers was relevant to your body of Believers in your church and then we extracted in your church and then we extracted in your church and then we extracted that and it did really well on social that and it did really well on social that and it did really well on social now what you have is actually something now what you have is actually something now what you have is actually something really special you deemed it valuable really special you deemed it valuable really special you deemed it valuable for your people and the people online for your people and the people online for your people and the people online that are not connected to your church that are not connected to your church that are not connected to your church basically said yes and amen so if basically said yes and amen so if basically said yes and amen so if anything you now have valuable insights anything you now have valuable insights anything you now have valuable insights that you wouldn't have had otherwise so that you wouldn't have had otherwise so that you wouldn't have had otherwise so don't feel like you have to pigeon hole don't feel like you have to pigeon hole don't feel like you have to pigeon hole this into future messages it was this into future messages it was this into future messages it was actually a part of what you already actually a part of what you already actually a part of what you already thought was great in fact people just thought was great in fact people just thought was great in fact people just voted and said we really agree with you voted and said we really agree with you voted and said we really agree with you so you can do more of it and stories is so you can do more of it and stories is so you can do more of it and stories is a great starting point for that you can a great starting point for that you can a great starting point for that you can try something that's completely try something that's completely try something that's completely different if it flops you're not going different if it flops you're not going different if it flops you're not going to be hurt too much for it and so this to be hurt too much for it and so this to be hurt too much for it and so this is kind of separate from like why your is kind of separate from like why your is kind of separate from like why your Instagram stories flop in a little bit Instagram stories flop in a little bit Instagram stories flop in a little bit and how to improve them this is one and how to improve them this is one and how to improve them this is one thing I like using stories for to thing I like using stories for to thing I like using stories for to improve my entire social media presence improve my entire social media presence improve my entire social media presence overall so good on next week's episode overall so good on next week's episode overall so good on next week's episode we're going to be talking all about we're going to be talking all about we're going to be talking all about specific strategies and post ideas for specific strategies and post ideas for specific strategies and post ideas for stories we haven't done one of these stories we haven't done one of these stories we haven't done one of these videos one of these podcast episodes in videos one of these podcast episodes in videos one of these podcast episodes in a while uh today was all about what not a while uh today was all about what not a while uh today was all about what not to do and how to set the parameters to do and how to set the parameters to do and how to set the parameters properly for how we can make sense of properly for how we can make sense of properly for how we can make sense of stories next week it's going to be all stories next week it's going to be all stories next week it's going to be all about what you should actually post and about what you should actually post and about what you should actually post and publish so make sure you are subscribed publish so make sure you are subscribed publish so make sure you are subscribed on YouTube notifications turned on if on YouTube notifications turned on if on YouTube notifications turned on if you are a podcast listener subscribe on you are a podcast listener subscribe on you are a podcast listener subscribe on Spotify Apple podcast leave us a review Spotify Apple podcast leave us a review Spotify Apple podcast leave us a review let us know I heard those let us know I heard those let us know I heard those help the Apple algorithm is not as help the Apple algorithm is not as help the Apple algorithm is not as transparent as the Instagram algorithm transparent as the Instagram algorithm transparent as the Instagram algorithm and thanks as always for your time and thanks as always for your time and thanks as always for your time attention trust we'll talk to you next attention trust we'll talk to you next attention trust we'll talk to you next Wednesday

Wednesday Wednesday [Music]