Social media serves as a helpful avenue for communication during your support-raising for both group and individual communication. Social media has normalized the act of reconnecting with old friends, which eases the task of approaching old or distant friends. As with emails, messages on social media to individuals will be more personal than a bulk letter, but should remain formal and courteous. If you use social media often, incorporating your Global Program or Global Urban Trek into your profiles or home pages will announce and inform people of your preparations and journey. Finally, as your support team begins to form, use social sites to update and cultivate a sense of community and collaboration among your team members. You may consider posting a few notes or blog entries to keep people informed, as well as create additional interest.
However, certain characteristics of social media limit its effectiveness. Be aware of which demographics your social media networks can reach, and who may be excluded from those groups. People who actively use social media will be most comfortable communicating with you that way, whereas many others will respond best to phone calls and face-to-face meetings. Additionally, remember that group communication in any format, including on Facebook, Twitter, etc., is often impersonal and informal. Therefore, do not make groups, events, or group threads the only method you use to invite people to your support team. Instead, use those tools to supplement personalized messages, letters, and phone calls.
See sample Facebook communication here.
Important note: Whenever using public web space, it is very important to consider the sensitivity of the work that you, your team, and partnering organizations are doing, especially if you are traveling to a region that is closed or hostile to Christians. Be sure to speak with your director about what details are permissible and appropriate to share.
