
Sometimes
the right tool
makes all
the difference!
Have you ever wanted to chat with everyone at once but weren't able to get together? Maybe your church community is spread out over the city or country and meeting in person isn't a convenient option. There are many services out there for online meetings, including free services within Google Apps or Skype.
If everyone you want to communicate with has a Gmail account, you can not only have a free email, you can also have:
- live voice or text chatting
- live video conferencing
- set up a blog via Blogger
- set up a free website
- set up an events calendar
2. Website Design.
I think every church group should have a website. It's the perfect information hub to let everyone know when, where and what's going on. It can be a message board and a place of contribution, pictures, testimonies, stories and more.
My favorite web design program is Weebly.com. It's an easy-to-use online design program with drag and drop simplicity so even someone like me can build a website! You can have a basic or Pro account depending upon what options are important to you. You can even create a fully functional website for FREE if having your own domain name isn't important to you. I put a short demo on one of my Weebly sites to show you how easy it is to work with.
Since Weebly is an online program, this allows me to access and update my websites from anywhere with internet access. I don't have to be at my home computer where my design program is. I've made 10 websites with Weebly and recommend it to anyone.
Now what if you want a website, but don't have time to build and maintain it? No problem! I might be able to help. Visit my special website page for ideas and my "Hands Free" website option.
3. Web Hosting.
You can host a website almost anywhere nowadays, but I've had pretty good luck with JustHost.com. I chose JustHost because with one account, I can have an unlimited number of add-on domains for FREE. In other words, I have ten websites but I'm only paying to host one. The other nine are FREE. Run the numbers and see if you can beat that some where else!
4. Online Business & Working From Home
Who isn't looking to make some extra money - especially if you can do it from home? Consider this exciting twist on a home business: Instead of finding something to make or sell, Turn your passion or hobby into a money maker. Rather than type out what I mean, watch this short video. If you'd like to work from home or make money from something you already enjoy doing, watch this short intro video...
If you liked what you saw there, then your next step is to grab a cup of coffee, click the video again and watch the 30-minute overview about how you can have a profitable online business doing what you love to do. It will also explain why most online businesses fail and while others succeed. It's really worth the time!
Would you like to work as a freelancer? You can connect to employers who need your skills through services like Freelancer.com. If you can type, answer phones, know Photoshop, can write articles or have other talents, there are hundreds of employers out there who'd like to work with you from all over the world. Get started today, start bidding on projects today. I get project notices every day and can bid on the ones that interest me most.
5. Self Publishing & E-books
I've met some talented Christian writers out there who just need a nudge of encouragement to turn their gift into a blessing for others. If you're one of them, please keep reading.
The internet has forever changed the publishing world. Self-publishing and Publish On Demand (P.O.D.) services are everywhere for the writer who wants to avoid the possible rejection or hassles of a traditional publisher. You can all the work yourself or go through a non-traditional publisher. Consider all the pros and cons and do your homework before signing up with a publishing service. Some are good and some are vultures!

It was a lot of work and a lot of fun! I did the cover artwork and layout. She did the interior page formatting and submission to Create Space. A week after we approved the proof, we had our book listed on Amazon.com available for sale.
E-books are another popular way to get your materials out to the world. Most people save their text as a PDF and upload it to a website like what I've done here with several Bible Studies. Or if you'd like to make your works available for immediate purchase and download 24-hours a day, consider Payloadz.
Hopefully some of these tools and ideas will come in handy for you or your group. Feel free to leave a comment and share other ideas and tips you've found helpful within your church community!
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