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This is an updated version My Top Digital Marketing Tools For Non Profits In 2017

I usually prefer to write about things "you should be doing" but I just couldn't help myself with this topic. Facebook, like all Social Media, is a noisy crowd and for some reason too many Pages are using the following tactics to try and get heard. Sadly the opposite will happen and my hope is that if you stop you might just start to see your message being heard on a more regular basis. Agree or disagree? Let me know your thoughts on my Facebook Page -> www.facebook.com/empoweringyoutoshare

Lately I have been seeing another round of contest scams circulating around Facebook. Every few months I see people sharing some variation of the same thing. Have you ever found yourself sharing some photo promising a chance to win some epic prize? Did you win? In the recent example I saw the photo is offering free first class travel on Delta. Trust me you won't win anything by sharing it. Below are a few tips to help spot a scam before you click SHARE.

Communicating is a risk.

It always has been and always will be. As are relationships in general. Though I am finding more and more that there is a tension between taking risks and what we consider wisdom. I am personally very passionate about promoting wisdom in our online communications. It is a missing ingredient that young people are tragically not being taught. One thing they are being taught though is to take risks. I initially flee from such a notion, basing such beliefs on the bible's clear teaching to hold our tongues and be slow to speak. But is that all wisdom teaches? Is holding our tongues meant to equal not speaking simply because there is risk involved?

Stop making the things you measure important, instead start taking what's important and measure it.

Numbers are a fascinating thing to me. They are so absolute yet just like words can take on all sorts of meaning depending on where you get them and how you present them. In communications numbers are a vital part of receiving feedback to what you do. Especially when dealing with the online landscape. They tell you if people like, read, share, and ultimately respond to your message. They can inform you if you are wasting your time or maybe even doing an awesome job.

I recently had, what in my experience, was a unique encounter. A young man, not a stranger though also not a close friend, politely asked my permission to take a photo of my daughter. I was initially taken back but decided to consent. I felt honored as the parent and in that instance I saw no harm in it.

My first born daughter is now 4 months old. Every day I feel like she just keeps getting more adorable. So it is no surprise to a proud dad like myself that people would want to take her photo. And that they would then take the natural step to share those photos on social media. This is the digital culture we live in today. One that shows no sign of slowing. But I have to ask the question, both to parents and the communities that surround our children, should this be the norm? Even as I write this I can't say I have come to a black & white, hard lined, stance as a parent. Maybe never will. Instead I simply wanted to bring the discussion out of my living room and into this online space.

As a parent I worry about how technology will impact my girl as she grows up (Also read Dear Internet, Please Be Kind To My Daughter). How will these hundreds, if not thousands, of images being taken of her effect her future; her view on privacy and more importantly, her self-image?

After having the above experience of being asked to have my daughter's photo taken I threw the question out on Facebook. What did people think about this? It conjured responses from many of my friends that are parents. Ones like;

I've been teaching and blogging on the topic of how we use social media for quite a few years now. So it may come as a surprise that until recently I had never seriously considered the idea of taking an extended break from it. I had only logged off for a few days here and there. That included time in places with limited or no internet access. These were helpful bursts that definitely developed good disciplines in my life. But an all out social media detox was never on the table. I had struggled to balance my strong stance on prioritizing face to face relationships with my growing calling to work in the area of social media.

2013 was a big year for me and the creative & communications team I am privileged of working alongside here at YWAM Newcastle. It took a lot of hard work and prayer through 2012 and into 2013 but the results surprised even me. Those included us seeing a 128% increase in web site traffic from 2012 to 2013 and a 342% increase in enquiries to our training schools. Though the main highlight was the start of our largest training school in our history this January. As a result we are being asked lately for what we think some of the keys to this growth have been. While this list is not extensive, I thought I would share just a few that I have been able to pick out as I look back on these past few years.