From newsletter_admin at netadventist.org  Tue Jan  8 10:51:25 2008
From: newsletter_admin at netadventist.org (NetAdventist Newsletter)
Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 12:51:25 -0600
Subject: NetAdventist News & Notes - Volume 3, Issue 1
Message-ID: <dc28d5c20801081051i6949e707gbe8bf278bb3fc2a3@mail.gmail.com>

  [image: NetAdventist News And Notes]

     Volume III, Issue 1?Monday, January 7, 2008   [image: WEEKLY POLL]

      Each week a poll is posted on the *net*Adventist website. Respond by
clicking on the poll graphic below?which doesn't necessarily represent the
current poll ?then looking for "Local Poll" in the left-hand menu
bar.Yourfeedback is important to us. We appreciate you taking the time
to
participate in our weekly polls. *This week's poll question is "How easy is
it to create a form on your netAdventist site?"*

In the results from last week's poll, 100% of respondents said they are
already using or are planning to use videos on their site.
      [image: VIEW POLL AT
http://www.netadventist.org]<http://www.netadventist.org/>


   [image: netTip of the Week]

*Linking to an Outside Podcast on Your Site*

You can link to podcasts from other organizations, other websites, or other
*net*Adventist sites on your own site. Other websites can also link to your
podcasts. A podcast must be in one the following audio or video formats to
be viewed or listened to on your site: AVI, FLV, MP3, M4V, MOV, MP4, MPG,
MPEG, RA, RAM, RM, WMA and WMV.

To link to an outside podcast, go to the Podcasts tab under My Content in
your Dashboard. Click Add. Then give your podcast a title and description (
i.e. keywords), and type in the URL (Web address) of the podcast you want to
link to.

Pay attention to whether the podcast you are linking to is audio only, video
only, or both. They will have different URLs depending on which you are
linking to. You can easily copy the URL by right-clicking on the podcast
method you prefer and selecting Copy Link Location.

Once you have saved your new outside podcast, it should appear in the list
of your Podcasts tab screen.

*Feel free to email us <nicoleb at netadventist.org> your netTip ideas. Your
information may be featured in an upcoming newsletter.*

   [image: netType]

*Writing Web Copy That's Easy to Scan*

When someone visits your site, they generally scan it for a second or two to
see if it's what they're looking for, and move on if it's not. That doesn't
leave you much time to catch their attention, which means you have to write
for scanability.

*First, don't tire out your visitor's eyes with tiny type or weird
fonts*(and avoid too much underlining, italicizing, or bolding). A
survey by
*Web Marketing Today* found that Web readers tend to prefer sans-serif
fonts. Although you can use any font on your Web page, people will only see
the fonts that they actually have installed on their computers. For this
reason, we recommend commonly-installed fonts like Verdana or Arial.

*Second, avoid wide columns.* Ideally you don't want any tables or content
to be wider than screen width. People don't like to scroll. If your web
content requires scrolling left-to-right, consider changing it.

*Third, every page should include these three things: intro, body, and
conclusion.* Remember elementary school when you learned to write your first
essay? Go back to the basics.

*Fourth, use headings to build interest.* A good heading succinctly
summarizes content and teases the reader's interest. Sub-headings help
visitors know instantly what's ahead on the page. Headings and sub-headings
are also a good place to use keyword search terms to boost your site's
search engine rankings.

*Feel free to send us <nicoleb at netadventist.org> other resources or articles
you'd like to see.*

   [image: FAQs]

     *I am a little confused about creating a new form and what all the
fields mean. Where can I go for help?*

 You may want to start by watching the video tutorials on creating forms
found on our Help
site<http://help.netadventist.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=14&Itemid=29>.
You can also read the section on creating forms in the online manual, also
found on our Help
site<http://help.netadventist.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=41>.
It provides you with a detailed description of each field. The URL for the
Help site is help.netadventist.org.

*To submit a question for the FAQs column, email us<nicoleb at netadventist.org>.
Your FAQ may also be added to the FAQ list in our online help
manual<http://help.netadventist.org/>.
*
* *

* *
* *
------------------------------
*
Publisher: TAGnet
Editor: Daniel A. Houghton, Executive Vice President
Managing Editor: Nicole M. Batten, Communications Manager/Content Liaison *

* Contact info
To suggest story ideas or questions, send information about resources to
include in this newsletter, or to submit articles, click
here<nicoleb at netadventist.org>.

For letters to the editor, click here <nicoleb at netadventist.org>.
To submit a change of email address for your own subscription to the
newsletter, click here <newsletter-owner at netadventist.org>. *
* *
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From newsletter_admin at netadventist.org  Tue Jan 15 08:05:59 2008
From: newsletter_admin at netadventist.org (NetAdventist Newsletter)
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:05:59 -0600
Subject: NetAdventist News & Notes - Volume 3, Issue 2
Message-ID: <dc28d5c20801150805y56040e68y87605b338aeb2d33@mail.gmail.com>

  [image: NetAdventist News And Notes]

     Volume III, Issue 2?Monday, January 14, 2008   [image: WEEKLY POLL]

      Each week a poll is posted on the *net*Adventist website. Respond by
clicking on the poll graphic below?which doesn't necessarily represent the
current poll ?then looking for "Local Poll" in the left-hand menu
bar.Yourfeedback is important to us. We appreciate you taking the time
to
participate in our weekly polls. *This week's poll question is "Do you use
testimonials and stories of real people on your site?"*

In the results from last week's poll, 60% of respondents said it is very
easy to create a form on their *net*Adventist site, while 20% said it was
somewhat easy and the other 20% said it was difficult. Need help creating a
form? Click here<http://help.netadventist.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=41>
.
      [image: VIEW POLL AT
http://www.netadventist.org]<http://www.netadventist.org/>


   [image: netTip of the Week]

*Using the Reader's Digest formula to communicate on your Web site*

The enormous popularity of *Reader's Digest* over the years suggests that
they have learned something about effective communication. You too can use
their powerful formula to communicate successfully on your Web site.
Consider this:

   - *Reader's Digest* aims at the reading level of a 13-year-old, yet it
   doesn't talk down to adults.
   - *Reader's Digest* uses lots of real-life stories about people. The
   saying goes, "People are interested in people."
   - *Reader's Digest* addresses practical problems and worries, and
   offers ideas to help readers improve their quality of life. In other words,
   it addresses 'felt needs,' which is a key strategy in evangelism.
   - *Reader's Digest* isn't afraid to use a little humor.

What makes *Reader's Digest* so successful is that they understand their
readership and know how to communicate effectively with it. Their style has
much to teach us about effective communication on our Web sites.

*Feel free to email us <nicoleb at netadventist.org> your netTip ideas. Your
information may be featured in an upcoming newsletter.*

   [image: netReach]

*Reach out more effectively to non-believers on your church site*

Most church Web sites are designed entirely for their members and
unwittingly exclude non-believers in their choice of content and language.
They fail to reach into the community?a tragic missed opportunity (studies
show that visitors are increasingly checking out church Web sites before
walking into a service).

Effective church Web sites move over to where non-believers are and
communicate with them in their language. These sites understand what
non-believers are looking for and meet them where they are.

This means you should avoid using Adventist jargon on your site, especially
your homepage, paying particular attention to your navigation menu. For
example, many churches have a menu link called 'ministries' on their site,
which is really a jargon word for 'things we do.' Non-believers don't
understand our jargon and it leaves them feeling alienated, confused, and a
little annoyed.

So how can you communicate more effectively with non-believers? Convince
them of these four things on your site:


   1) Our church is made up of ordinary real people.

   2) We understand your life problems and we really do care.

   3) We are a community, a family, and there is an unconditional welcome
   waiting for you here.

   4) God wants a relationship with you and knowing Him will change your
   life.

 *Feel free to send us <nicoleb at netadventist.org> other resources or
articles you'd like to see.*

   [image: FAQs]

     *How do I create a link on my Homepage using an icon or graphic?*

 First save the icon or graphic you wish to use on your computer by
right-clicking on it and choosing 'Save Image As.' Then go to the Static
Content tab under My Content in your Dashboard and create a new Static
Content page. Insert your image using the Insert/Edit Image button. Next,
select the image and click on the Insert/Edit Hyperlink button and type in
the URL you wish to link to. Then title and save your Static Content page.
Now publish your new page using the Layout Manager. It will display on your
Homepage as just an icon.

*To submit a question for the FAQs column, email us<nicoleb at netadventist.org>.
Your FAQ may also be added to the FAQ list in our online help
manual<http://help.netadventist.org/>.
*
* *

* *
* *
------------------------------
*
Publisher: TAGnet
Editor: Daniel A. Houghton, Executive Vice President
Managing Editor: Nicole M. Batten, Communications Manager/Content Liaison *

* Contact info
To suggest story ideas or questions, send information about resources to
include in this newsletter, or to submit articles, click
here<nicoleb at netadventist.org>.

For letters to the editor, click here <nicoleb at netadventist.org>.
To submit a change of email address for your own subscription to the
newsletter, click here <newsletter-owner at netadventist.org>. *
* *
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From newsletter_admin at netadventist.org  Tue Jan 22 06:17:41 2008
From: newsletter_admin at netadventist.org (NetAdventist Newsletter)
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:17:41 -0600
Subject: NetAdventist News & Notes - Volume 3, Issue 3
Message-ID: <dc28d5c20801220617y39743609rc3d326efd418c410@mail.gmail.com>

  [image: NetAdventist News And Notes]

     Volume III, Issue 3?Monday, January 21, 2008   [image: WEEKLY POLL]

      Each week a poll is posted on the *net*Adventist website. Respond by
clicking on the poll graphic below?which doesn't necessarily represent the
current poll ?then looking for "Local Poll" in the left-hand menu
bar.Yourfeedback is important to us. We appreciate you taking the time
to
participate in our weekly polls. *This week's poll question is "Do you have
a Meet Our Staff or Meet Our Members page on your site?"*

In the results from last week's poll, 100% of respondents said they use
testimonials or stories of real people on their site.
      [image: VIEW POLL AT
http://www.netadventist.org]<http://www.netadventist.org/>


   [image: netTip of the Week]

*Build 'Community' with a Meet Our Members or Meet Our Staff page*

Make your church, school, or ministry Web site feel like a *real* community.
A 'community' usually has shared interests, values, and problems, and is
mutually supportive. Community makes visitors feel welcome and motivates
them to get involved.

Visitors to your Web site need to feel they can *identify* with the people
in your ministry. They need to feel like they *know* you. Does your Web site
feel anonymous? Or does it build 'community'? Do visitors meet *real* people
through pictures, bios, and stories on your site?

Create a Meet Our Staff or Meet Our Members section on your Web site. Put
pictures of your staff or members along with bios. Make visitors feel like
they already know your staff or members before they enter your doorway.

Also, don't be afraid to share stories and testimonials on your site from
staff, students, members, donors, or people who know your organization.
These also build a sense of community.

*Feel free to email us <nicoleb at netadventist.org> your netTip ideas. Your
information may be featured in an upcoming newsletter.*

   [image: netReach]

*Using Your Church Web Site to Reach Out to the Community*

Your church Web site is a vital part of your church's outreach to the
community. It is also one of your most effective 'advertising' tools (i.e.
an effective way of letting people know you exist and what you have to
offer). However, the majority of church sites don't take the needs of
non-believer visitors into account and thus fail to use the potential of
this medium. They also fail to connect with the pulse of their local
community.

*Listed below are four ways you can use your church Web site for outreach:*

*Community news and activities*?Your church Web site can be a focal point
for community news and activities in the area. This is a useful way of
identifying with the community, which will encourage frequent repeat visits
from non-believers. A bulletin board discussion of local issues is another
way to connect to the community on your site. Also, having community news
and issues on your site boosts your search engine results.

*Answers to problems*?Many non-believers still look to a minister for help
with many of life's problems. Some church sites offer a page of answers to
common problems and/or pastoral counseling by email or in person.

*Sermon summaries and Bible studies*?Some churches offer audio or steaming
video of sermons on their sites along with the text of recent sermons.
Others have links to sign-up for Bible studies. This allows inquirers to
study and ask questions in an anonymous non-threatening environment.

*Evangelistic resources*?On your site you can suggest seeker-friendly
resources and post book reviews along with a link to the Adventist Book
Center or a similar store where people can purchase resources that teach
them about Jesus.

Remember the more welcoming a church page is to non-believers and the more
it meets the felt needs of unbelievers, the more effective it will be.

*Feel free to send us <nicoleb at netadventist.org> other resources or articles
you'd like to see.*

   [image: FAQs]

     *Where is the Forms Inbox located? I can't find it and I am supposed to
have one.*

 Your Forms Inbox is located in the front end of your Web site. You will
need to sign-in first and then look for the User Menu, usually found on the
left-hand side. Click on the My Forms Inbox to view any filled-out forms
that have been sent to you for processing.

Please note that when you create a new form and specify where filled-out
forms are to be sent, this inbox is where they go. For more on forms, click
here.<http://help.netadventist.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=112&Itemid=41>

*To submit a question for the FAQs column, email us<nicoleb at netadventist.org>.
Your FAQ may also be added to the FAQ list in our online help
manual<http://help.netadventist.org/>.
*
* *

* *
* *
------------------------------
*
Publisher: TAGnet
Editor: Daniel A. Houghton, Executive Vice President
Managing Editor: Nicole M. Batten, Communications Manager/Content Liaison *

* Contact info
To suggest story ideas or questions, send information about resources to
include in this newsletter, or to submit articles, click
here<nicoleb at netadventist.org>.

For letters to the editor, click here <nicoleb at netadventist.org>.
To submit a change of email address for your own subscription to the
newsletter, click here <newsletter-owner at netadventist.org>. *
* *
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From newsletter_admin at netadventist.org  Mon Jan 28 21:44:23 2008
From: newsletter_admin at netadventist.org (NetAdventist Newsletter)
Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 23:44:23 -0600
Subject: NetAdventist News & Notes - Volume 3, Issue 4
Message-ID: <dc28d5c20801282144y571da8a1u65df796a8b758604@mail.gmail.com>

  [image: NetAdventist News And Notes]

     Volume III, Issue 4?Monday, January 28, 2008   [image: WEEKLY POLL]

      Each week a poll is posted on the *net*Adventist website. Respond by
clicking on the poll graphic below?which doesn't necessarily represent the
current poll ?then looking for "Local Poll" in the left-hand menu
bar.Yourfeedback is important to us. We appreciate you taking the time
to
participate in our weekly polls. *This week's poll question is "Do you have
a hard time finding graphics for your Web site?"*

In the results from last week's poll, 33% of respondents said they did have
a Meet Our Staff or Meet Our Members page on their site, while 67% said they
didn't.
      [image: VIEW POLL AT
http://www.netadventist.org]<http://www.netadventist.org/>


   [image: netTip of the Week]

*Inexpensive Photos and Graphics for Your Web Site*

Most of us have small budgets but we want quality graphics to use on our Web
sites and in our e-newsletters.
IStockphoto.com<http://www.istockphoto.com/>makes it possible to get
quality photos and illustrations for very little
cost. They have over 2.6 million royalty-free stock images available for
instant download. You can easily search their huge database for images by
keyword.

Becoming a member is free, and there are never subscription fees or hidden
costs. When you are ready to buy an image, visit their store and purchase
Download Credits. Credits start as low as $1 each, with a minimum purchase
of $13. The credits are valid for one full year from the date of purchase.
Most of the images you'll need for a Web site or e-newsletter would be at
the $1 level.

Another similar Web site offering inexpensive royalty-free graphics for
instant download is 123RF.com <http://www.123rf.com/>.

*Feel free to email us <nicoleb at netadventist.org> your netTip ideas. Your
information may be featured in an upcoming newsletter.*

   [image: netReach]

*Four questions you should ask to make your Web site more effective for
outreach.*

1) Is the site welcoming to visitors and non-believers? Could you say:
"That's the sort of group I would like to belong to&rdquo.; Remember: people
are looking for a community?a family?to belong to.

2) Does your site use Adventist jargon? Would a non-believer understand the
terms used?

3) Are visitors introduced to any real members on your site? And are those
people someone who visitors can relate to and identify with (consider age,
gender, or ethnicity)?

4) Many non-Christians still see church as a place where problem-solving is
available. Does your site explain how to receive help and counseling for any
sort of problem?

*Feel free to send us <nicoleb at netadventist.org> other resources or articles
you'd like to see.*

   [image: FAQs]

     *Where do I place my snippet of Google Analytics code or the
StatCounter code in order to track my Web site? I can't seem to get it to
work.*

 Place your StatCounter code from Google Analytics into a new Static Content
page using the Source box. Nothing will display, but the code is there. Then
save it and go to Layout Control. Select the Static Content page you just
created from your Plug-in drop-down menu and place it at the bottom of your
Home page (where it is less noticeable). Again, nothing will actually
display on your page.

Make sure when you sign-up for your Google Analytics account you use
"http://" as part of your address. If you use "https://" it won't collect
any data. For some unknown reason Google Analytics can't track the site with
the "https://" in the address.

Once you set-up your account with Google Analytics it will take a few days
before it begins displaying your Web site statistics.

*To submit a question for the FAQs column, email us<nicoleb at netadventist.org>.
Your FAQ may also be added to the FAQ list in our online help
manual<http://help.netadventist.org/>.
*
* *

* *
* *
------------------------------
*
Publisher: TAGnet
Editor: Daniel A. Houghton, Executive Vice President
Managing Editor: Nicole M. Batten, Communications Manager/Content Liaison *

* Contact info
To suggest story ideas or questions, send information about resources to
include in this newsletter, or to submit articles, click
here<nicoleb at netadventist.org>.

For letters to the editor, click here <nicoleb at netadventist.org>.
To submit a change of email address for your own subscription to the
newsletter, click here <newsletter-owner at netadventist.org>. *
* *
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