Cross-posted from a series at my personal blog, Looking for Faith. Although this series is addressed specifically to Unitarian Universalists, the advice is relevant to a wider spectrum of religious groups using StumbleUpon to promote their websites.

Since the last post encouraging UU's to sign-up for StumbleUpon, a number of Unitarian Universalist bloggers have been in touch to say they are Stumblers. Yay! The list of UU Stumblers includes ChaliceChick, Elizabeth, John Pageless, Ms. Kitty, Ms. Theologian, Suzanne Reed, and me.

Ms. Kitty asked in a recent comment for advice on next steps, so let's discuss how to increase traffic to worthwhile Unitarian Universalist sites using StumbleUpon:

Step 1: Start Stumbling...

Give a thumbs up to what you believe are the best Unitarian Universalist webpages, so that other Stumblers will give them a look. My experience is that it's fine to Stumble posts on your own site -- and it will increase traffic -- so long as you Stumble a variety of other sites as well. The more sites you stumble and tag, the more people will notice your StumbleUpon list, and hopefully visit the sites you've recommended.

Step 2: Choose Topics and Write Tags

After clicking the thumbs up button, choose a topic from the drop-down menu to apply to each site (such as "religion") and add tags such as "uu" and "unitarian-universalism."

Ms. Theologian has pointed out in the comments that the panel in which to assign tags does not always appear after you click the "I like it" button. This usually happens when you are on a site someone else has already tagged. In this case, click on the button in the toolbar that looks like a thought-bubble, and then scroll down to where it says "You rated..." and click "Edit Tags or Review." I have no idea why the site is designed this way, but there you go!

I also like to add tags that relate to the specific content of the post. If the page is about being a Unitarian Universalist parent, I'd add the words "parenting," and "children." That way, the post may attract the attention of Stumblers interested in parenting posts, in addition to those looking for specifically religious content.

Step 3: Make Friends

Having friends and "fans" on StumbleUpon is another way to increase the number of people who notice your StumbleUpon recommendations. After clicking the "Browse People" button on the righthand sidebar of your StumbleUpon homepage, you can search for Stumblers by location, shared interest, or other factors. When you're on the StumbleUpon page of a user and thinking "you know, I really like what they are Stumbling," then you can click the "Add her/him as a friend" button.

The terminology around "friends" and "fans" on StumbleUpon is needlessly murky. To clarify: if you click the "Add her/him as a friend button," you become a "fan" of that person. If they reciprocate, they you are "mutual friends." If someone adds you as a friend, and you don't reciprocate, then they are a "fan" of you.

Step 4: Ask to be Stumbled

If you have a Unitarian Universalist website, whether it's your blog, your congregation's website, or another UU-relevant site, it's ok to write a quick blurb encouraging your readers who use social media to promote it.

UU blogger Julian helpfully recommends pasting some code at the end of posts that includes the buttons for StumbleUpon and other social media. There are also Wordpress plugins that encourage readers to promote your posts on social media. I've hesitated to use one on Looking for Faith out of concern that the buttons will confuse readers unfamiliar with social media, but perhaps this is Luddite of me.

Any other steps that should be added to the list? Please let me know in the comments. Thanks and happy Stumbling!

To see earlier posts in this series, visit Four Reasons for Unitarian Universalists to Use Social Media and More StumbleUpon for Unitarian Universalists.

This is cross-posted from my personal blog, Looking for Faith. Although it is geared toward Unitarian Universalist readers, the four reasons sited are relevant to the promotion of websites from other faith traditions as well...

John at the Pageless Book is writing a series on the use of social media to promote Unitarian Universalism, and has asked other Unitarian Universalist bloggers to join in this worthy effort.

Here are four reasons for Unitarian Universalists to use social media (such as StumbleUpon, Digg, and Technorati)...

#1. Social media is an effective way to increase traffic to Unitarian Universalist websites. Share our message!

It's as simple clicking a button, writing a few words about the site you're recommending, and adding some category tags.

Then, when other users browse such categories as "religion" or "spirituality," they'll find the posts you recommended, pointing them to Unitarian Universalist websites!

#2. Small amount of time --> Big outcome.

I use StumbleUpon, and other than the few minutes to download the StumbleUpon toolbar, it's taken almost no time to use, and given a nice boost to my blog readership (and hopefully to the other UU blogs that I've Stumbled).

#3. A few dedicated users can make a difference.

I've been surprised at the disproportionate impact that a few users can have when tagging content in a relatively small category, like "Unitarian Universalism." Of course, this can be used for not-so-good ends, which is another reason it's important for those of us who promote and celebrate Unitarian Universalism to actively participate in social media.

#4. Helps keep track of the articles and blog posts you want to remember.

This is an added benefit that has less to do with promoting Unitarian Universalism, and more to do with promoting personal sanity. I am so relieved that I do not have to remember the identifying information for every interesting blog post I come across. That's what I use StumbleUpon for. And for UU bloggers, it's an added bonus, since you can use it to mark content that you want to mention in a later post.

Many bloggers focus on the numbers when evaluating the impact of their blog, in particular the numbers of visitors and subscribers. However, smart ministry bloggers know that the quality of their relationships with readers is just as important. If you are blogging to share your faith with others or bring them into your congregation, focus on depth as well as breadth in your interactions with readers.

Skellie at ProBlogger recently posted on "How to Transform Readers into Raving Fans." ProBlogger is aimed at a wide range of professional bloggers, hence the "raving fans" metaphor that doesn't quite fit the minister-reader relationship. But title aside, Skellie offers insights that are quite relevant to blogging in a ministry context.

Skellie observes that the principles of relating to people in-person also apply to relating to people through blogging. He writes:

We can spend a lot of time with someone but feel very little
closeness to them if they make us feel a bit stupid, or boring, or as
if our views aren’t important. On the other hand, we can feel quite
close to someone very quickly if they give us their undivided
attention, entertain us and seem to enjoy what we have to say.

Another key in building relationships of any kind is sharing our
experiences and personality: probably because both these things are
completely unique to us.

Readers have positive feelings towards you as a blogger if you are present in your writing, and take the time to respond to reader concerns. And as Skellie notes, these positive feelings make readers more likely to "treat with you with respect," "speak highly of you to others," and "trust your recommendations." If you are blogging in a ministry context, cultivating such relationships with readers is essential.

Another key point about connecting with readers is that it can help you to grow in your spiritual journey and professional capacities. On a practical level, listening to readers allows you to better understand their spiritual needs. In addition, readers too have valuable spiritual insights to share that can inspire other readers, and you! 

Many bloggers focus on the numbers when evaluating the impact of their blog, in particular the numbers of visitors and subscribers. However, smart ministry bloggers know that the quality of their relationships with readers is just as important. If you are blogging to share your faith with others or bring them into your congregation, focus on depth as well as breadth in your interactions with readers.

Skellie at ProBlogger recently posted on "How to Transform Readers into Raving Fans." ProBlogger is aimed at a wide range of professional bloggers, hence the "raving fans" metaphor that doesn't quite fit the minister-reader relationship. But title aside, Skellie offers insights that are quite relevant to blogging in a ministry context.

Skellie observes that the principles of relating to people in-person also apply to relating to people through blogging. He writes:

We can spend a lot of time with someone but feel very little
closeness to them if they make us feel a bit stupid, or boring, or as
if our views aren’t important. On the other hand, we can feel quite
close to someone very quickly if they give us their undivided
attention, entertain us and seem to enjoy what we have to say.

Another key in building relationships of any kind is sharing our
experiences and personality: probably because both these things are
completely unique to us.

Readers have positive feelings towards you as a blogger if you are present in your writing, and take the time to respond to reader concerns. And as Skellie notes, these positive feelings make readers more likely to "treat with you with respect," "speak highly of you to others," and "trust your recommendations." If you are blogging in a ministry context, cultivating such relationships with readers is essential.

Another key point about connecting with readers is that it can help you to grow in your spiritual journey and professional capacities. On a practical level, listening to readers allows you to better understand their spiritual needs. In addition, readers too have valuable spiritual insights to share that can inspire other readers, and you!

Swerve, the blog of LifeChurch.tv pastors Craig Groeschel and Bobby Gruenewald, is in the midst of "Blogging Week." They are giving a how-to in blogging for ministers, and they explain why blogging is an important part of their own ministry. The posts are brief and cover some of the basics of blogging for ministry; this series is probably most relevant to newer clergy bloggers.

Key posts include "Why Consider Blogging?" which describes the multiple purposes for which ministers can use blogs, and "Blogging Tips," which offers a short list of stylistic consdierations. The comments on "Blogging Tips" are also useful, and go into a little more depth about what attracts and keeps readers to a blog.

Swerve, the blog of LifeChurch.tv pastors Craig Groeschel and Bobby Gruenewald, is in the midst of "Blogging Week." They are giving a how-to in blogging for ministers, and they explain why blogging is an important part of their own ministry. The posts are brief and cover some of the basics of blogging for ministry; this series is probably most relevant to newer clergy bloggers.

Key posts include "Why Consider Blogging?" which describes the multiple purposes for which ministers can use blogs, and "Blogging Tips," which offers a short list of stylistic consdierations. The comments on "Blogging Tips" are also useful, and go into a little more depth about what attracts and keeps readers to a blog.

This week's Monday Morning Insights features Willow Creek Association's "15 Innovations the Church Should Embrace Now."

(Thanks to Church Marketing Sucks for highlighting this article). Willow Creek Association is a multi-denominational network of churches that conducts research on congregational life and then shares its findings and recommendations with church leaders.

The "15 Innovations the Church Should Embrace Now" list is primarily focused on strategies for internet ministry. Here are some selections:

1. Podcasting - circuit riding at the speed of light

In addition to your weekly messages, how about spicing it up with
special editions? Try doing interviews with church neighbors, the
mayor, volunteers, staff intros., etc. If it’s worth preaching it’s
worth podcasting. Any church of any size can exponentially increase its
impact via MP3 technology.

7. Web Site - your church portal

Guests can watch a Webcast, read your history, and get as much
information on your church as they want. And they can do it from the
comfortable confines of their computer. Most people will visit your Web
site long before they visit a service. Your Web site is your first
impression.

WCA also recommends blogging, RSS feeds and online videos to enhance your internet ministry.

This week's Monday Morning Insights features Willow Creek Association's "15 Innovations the Church Should Embrace Now."

(Thanks to Church Marketing Sucks for highlighting this article). Willow Creek Association is a multi-denominational network of churches that conducts research on congregational life and then shares its findings and recommendations with church leaders.

The "15 Innovations the Church Should Embrace Now" list is primarily focused on strategies for internet ministry. Here are some selections:

1. Podcasting - circuit riding at the speed of light

In addition to your weekly messages, how about spicing it up with
special editions? Try doing interviews with church neighbors, the
mayor, volunteers, staff intros., etc. If it’s worth preaching it’s
worth podcasting. Any church of any size can exponentially increase its
impact via MP3 technology.

7. Web Site - your church portal

Guests can watch a Webcast, read your history, and get as much
information on your church as they want. And they can do it from the
comfortable confines of their computer. Most people will visit your Web
site long before they visit a service. Your Web site is your first
impression.

WCA also recommends blogging, RSS feeds and online videos to enhance your internet ministry.

In USA Today's article "Some Search for Church by Way of the Web," Jeffrey MacDonald explores the impact of congregational websites on potential visitors.

Church shoppers "used to have to go to the service, sit in the back row and watch," says Tom Bandy, president of EasumBandy & Associates, a church consultancy. "The website has just replaced that. The color schemes, the formatting, the language, the music — those things powerfully reveal who they (in the church) want to come there and who's going to be accepted there."

Thanks to Melissa Rogers for the link.

In USA Today's article "Some Search for Church by Way of the Web," Jeffrey MacDonald explores the impact of congregational websites on potential visitors.

Church shoppers "used to have to go to the service, sit in the back row and watch," says Tom Bandy, president of EasumBandy & Associates, a church consultancy. "The website has just replaced that. The color schemes, the formatting, the language, the music — those things powerfully reveal who they (in the church) want to come there and who's going to be accepted there."

Thanks to Melissa Rogers for the link.