The concept is simple: "If you want to make a difference, if you want people to know who you are and what you stand for, then it's time to get in the blog business. Blogging (sharing your thoughts about faith, family, health, culture, business, sports, travel, whatever) gives readers a glimpse at what makes you tick--what's important to you. Oh, and in the process, you take on a more engaging, transparent, and authentic persona. Of course that only happens, if you want people to see you as engaging and transparent and authentic. 

Bottom line, your blog becomes online DNA. You can't get that on Twitter or Facebook or LinkedIn. However you can link all those, social media, networking options to your blog. In doing so, you bring everyone home to your "virtual house" for a visit. Your blog invites people to get to know you on your terms and in your context.

"So, will anybody read it," you ask?

"If you write about your life and your vision and your perspective, and you have a life worth writing about, then, the answer is YES. You write it and they will come, the readers will come. Ready to get started...

Step One:

Do you really want to make a difference? Do you have something to say?

Step Two:

Pick a general theme, or focus, for the blog (faith, family, health, culture, business, sports, school, travel, adventure, hobbies, humor, advice, etc). Jot down some "first thoughts" about what you have to say about your chosen theme. You must do this at this stage of the process; it's reflective and introspection and motivating. Most people stop right here and miss the hidden joy of it all.  By the way, you don't have to post every day, or every week, or on any regular basis. This is your DNA, not mine, or anyone else's.  

Step Three:

Choose a creative name and design for your banner or header. 

Step Four:

Goggle keywords: "blogs" "free hosting" "posting" and try out some of the results. Wordpress is a very popular place to start. Select one of the choices and post a initial blog. It's free! Send me a link and let's talk about tweaking it.

Step Five:

Tell your friends. Invite them to connect to your online DNA. Does it all have to be perfect?

Are you?

FCN ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE RADIO PROJECT

POWERFUL RADIO PROGRAMMING FROM RON ROSE

PROGRAM GENRE: Story/Talk (1 hour)

PROJECT THEME:
Because stories have the power to inspire us to become a better version of ourselves, this faith-based program embraces story-power to inspire listeners to be the fingerprints of God.

STORYBOARD (PROGRAM CLOCK):

INTRO: 20-second open—Produced program info with music bed

SEGMENT 1: Ron introduces the episode theme and sets the gap context (gap between where we are and where we want to be). Mobile conversations from real world sites (coffee shops, trains, lobbies, etc.) are edited and woven together to set the stage for episode action.

BREAK 1: Two-minute block for commercial spots

SEGMENT 2: Ron unwraps the theme with quotes, media, illustrations, and/or personal stories.

BREAK 2: Two-minute block for ID and commercial spots

SEGMENT 3: Ron retells a story from the Bible with direct application to the theme of the episode.

BREAK 3: Two-minute block for commercial spots

SEGMENT 4: Ron continues the theme with his audio version of FaithNotes (As the program grows he will also share responses from past episodes).

BREAK 4: Two-minute block for commercial spots

SEGMENT 4: Ron connects the dots, tying together all the segments--the stories and presented content.

BREAK 5: One-minute block for commercial spot

SEGMENT 5: Using content from the stories, Ron challenges listeners to be the story, the fingerprints of God. Listeners will get involved online at StoriesThatMoveUs.com 

CLOSE: 20-second close—produced program contact with music bed

PROGRAM JUSTIFICATION:

Stories That Move Us will meet listeners’ momentary and anticipatory needs. While professional marketers push promotional and informational campaigns based on real needs or felt needs, this program takes a different tack. Here the focus is on anticipatory needs; our question is “What needs to be done to move that roadblock out of our path?” Each weekly episode engages listeners where they are, with stories that move them forward, coaching listeners to be the fingerprint of God.

PROGRAM RATIONALE:

This innovative story/talk program uses stories to lead listeners beyond life’s paralyzing roadblocks. Filled with ambient sound, this natural, unvarnished production compels listeners to be purposeful eavesdroppers.

PROGRAM PREPARATION QUESTIONS:

1. What life roadblock needs to be moved in this episode?

2. What stories show us what to do: life stories, personal stories, and Bible stories?

3. Do the stories connect the dots and inspire listeners to take action? Does the episode’s macro story hold attention segment to segment?

4. How will this program increase the number of listeners and the number of visitors to website? How does this episode perpetuate our ministry reputation and influence? What will we use as our measurement of success for this episode?

5. What call for action connects this episode to the website?

POTENTIAL PROGRAM THEMES:

What roadblock, hindrance, or struggle is keeping us from faith in action?
 
•    Failure
•    Loneliness
•    Emptiness
•    Bitterness
•    Legalism
•    Selfishness
•    Insignificance
•    Confusion
•    Distrust
•    Blindness
•    Forgetfulness
•    Impotence
•    Oppression
•    Disaster
•    Fear
•    Silence
•    Rejection
•    Brokenness

PROGRAM INFO:
Stories That Move Us and StoriesThatMoveUs.com, written and produced by Ron Rose, are resources of the Faith Coaching Network. Address questions and requests to Ron Rose at ron@faithteam.org or call him at 817.239.9229.

DEVELOPMENT BUDGET:
The total production launch budget for this new project is $26,000. These funds will assure the production of 12 episodes, which will be heard online via Internet Radio, downloaded to personal media players, and within 6 months introduced to broadcast radio.

We need you to get on board. You can be a major help in making this project a reality. Join with other generous friends and help us raise the $26,000 launch budget.

You may also want to become a charter sponsor of the program. Contact Ron concerning rates and options.

 

When I ask Lyn, "What do you want for Christmas?" Her response is usually, "Oh, I don't need a thing." But, that doesn't mean I skip the gift. I have a need to give her something I want her to have. What kind of need is that?

I have days when life seems cloaked in neediness; how about you? Have you got the basics covered? Many don't, you know. But, their basic real need doesn't diminish the presence or intensity of your own tightly-held personal needs. So, what do you need?

It could be...
...a real need: a job, food to eat, a home, transportation, good health, security, safety, friends, etc.
...a felt need: comfort, hope, love, courage, meaning, forgiveness, generosity, respect, wonder, humor, confidence, etc.
...a momentary need: coping in crisis, healing in brokenness, sexual fulfillment, sense of accomplishment. freedom from injustice, new discovery, recreation, awe in worship, service beyond self, etc.
...an anticipatory need: moving forward, getting out of the rut, re-thinking convictions, cleansing the heart, learning to listen, growing in faith, conquering demons, etc.

Tragically, most of our need discussions focus on what we want, not on what we need.

Needs tend to be carefully covered with layers of privacy stickers and fine print. My Facebook friend Jennifer said, "It's so hard to dismantle the wall of self-sufficiency and the mask of 'I'm ok and I don't need anyone's help.' As a single mom of 3, I have to wear the 'tough guy' mask for my kids all day. It's hard to take it off." She is not alone.

So, what's next? Forget the needs assessment processes and take your secrets straight to the top. Talk to God. He has a proven track record of success. Take off the mask and trust HIM to do HIS thing. He has a direct line to your messy secrets and the chaos under the mask. Remember he has a personal interest in you. He has a need, yes God has a need to love you, to lift you, to give you life, and to delight in your connection. 

Your needs are in good hands with the Creator. He knows your real needs, your felt-needs, your momentary needs,  and your anticipatory needs. He even meets the "out-of-the-box, crazy needs; and, after some retooling, he tackles the sensual needs. He made us, he knows us better than we know ourselves. It takes us a lifetime of growing awareness to understand our hidden selves, but God understands already and he loves to connect with us in our neediness. After all, he sent jesus to save us.

God has a need to give us what he wants us to have. So, ready for the divine connection?