5 Blogging Questions with Kevin Hendricks of Church Marketing Sucks

[ Read all the previous posts in the Blogging 101 for Pastors series, including 5 Questions responders. ]

Kevin Hendricks is blogger extraordinaire at Church Marketing Sucks as well as many others (see below). He sets the blogging example for us!

Here’s his answers:

1. Why (or how) did you start blogging?

I started blogging in 1998 during my sophomore year of college. I saw a friend doing it and realized how it could help me practice writing. I started what was basically an online journal (the word ‘blog’ wasn’t in common usage then), which I updated with bare HTML using Notepad of all things. Over the years my blog has morphed from cryptic, incoherent ramblings to more cynical, impassioned rants. My personal blog has been going strong since, though I’ve also worked on a slew of other blogs, including Church Marketing Sucks, Think Personality and an entire network of infrequently updated blogs. I like blogging so much because of the ability to cover a specific topic well, whether it’s church marketing or NASCAR.

2. What subject do you post most about?

Since I write for so many different blogs that’s a tough one. I’m probably most consistent about blogging on church communications issues on Church Marketing Sucks or the CFCC blog. On my personal blog I do a fair amount of writing about writing (yes, we writers are rather self-involved). Other frequent topics include pop culture, marketing, technology and my daughter.

3. What are your favorite blog tools?

It’s not as popular as it used to be, but I still stand by Movable Type. It’s got a very powerful system and can run an entire web site plus it’s very customizable. And, quite frankly, it’s better than coding your HTML by hand. I’m also a Bloglines addict, which is how I find most of my blog fodder.

4. How often do you post?

I can’t seem to get through a day without blogging at least once somewhere. Once or twice a day per blog would be ideal, but I just don’t have that much time. I usually shoot for a minimum of 2-3 posts per week. You need that consistency to build up an audience. My personal blog usually averages less than that (like this month–last post: October 1) because I’m not as concerned about the audience.

5) What one piece of advice would you give for prospective blogging pastors?

Only one? Yeah, right. How about five?

1) Keep it real. Pastors have a bad reputation for being hypocrites. Be a real person on your blog, not some stereotype.

2) Engage with others. The most boring blogs never link to others or take part in wider conversations.

3) You’re not always right. Some pastors always seem to need that air of authority–which can make you sound like the most pompous of political bloggers.

4) If you write about them, they will read it–so be careful little fingers what you type. Your blog is public knowledge.

5) Just do it. Get out there and give it a shot.

[ Read all the previous posts in the Blogging 101 for Pastors series here. ]

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October 29, 2006 · Filed Under Church Marketing

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