Digital Roundup – October 2020

Mark Alves News

The digital news and trends roundup that your church needs to know about.

The Replacement for Google Analytics

Google launched a new analytics product called “Google Analytics 4” that’s separate from the Google Analytics product we all know (and some of us love). It’s eventually going to replace the “UA” version of Google Analytics. [Overview]

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is going to be a big deal, but you don’t have to make any immediate changes for your church. Think of GA4 as 4K TV. Your current TV still works and so does your current Google Analytics implementation. You don’t have to throw out your TV or your analytics. Even if you have a 4K TV, not all programming is available in 4K resolution just like currently not all analytics tracking is available in GA4 (yet).

Google recommends piloting GA4 in parallel with regular Google Analytics.

Some GA properties already have the quick upgrade option, which looks like this.

GA4 upgrade option that appears for some properties

If you select that, a new property is created that pulls in your existing settings. Your current setup and data are not impacted. Otherwise, you’ll need to add GA4 manually if your property menu looks like the standard version.

Mojo Rising: If you have the upgrade option then give it a try.

Google Ads warning

Even if you block sites in Google Display where you don’t want your ads to appear, you might still show up in Google Custom Search Engines (CSE). That’s how Breitbart earned money from clicks on Biden campaign ads. The first step is to see if you’ve checked off “Include search partners” when picking a network. Read on for more details so this doesn’t happen to your church.

https://branded.substack.com/p/joe-bidens-campaign-has-been-funding

Paid Zoom events

If you thought Zoom fatigue was costing you, wait until you have to pay an admission fee. Zoom is rolling out an option for paid events, which is good news for musicians and maybe church fundraisers. Some conferences might benefit, too. I attended Mozcon online this year and their paid platform could not handle the bandwidth.

https://www-cnbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/10/14/zoom-launches-onzoom-paid-live-events.html

Google Quality Rater Guidelines updated

The Google Quality Rater Guidelines is updated with a focus on meeting the needs of searchers. This document is what Google’s human contractors use to spot-check whether the search results are reflecting the quality Google hopes its algorithms achieve. The guide is not the algorithm.

Jennifer Slegg summarized the changes and MJ Cachón created a spreadsheet version.

Lift and Shift is full of it when it comes to content migration

Skip the junk drawer approach when moving your church content to a new platform and follow these four steps instead.

https://www.cmswire.com/customer-experience/why-the-lift-and-shift-approach-to-content-migration-doesnt-work/

The year’s most coveted Halloween decoration 

Whether you saw the 12-foot skeleton on a Kardashian’s Instagram or towering over a sidewalk, the bony behemoths are everywhere. Learn how a Home Depot merchant came up with the humerus idea. Memento mori.

https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/10/12-foot-skeleton-halloween-home-depot-review.html

Catholic Talk Like a Pirate Day 2017

Mark Alves Content Ideas

It’s September 19 so it must be, what, Tuesday of the 24th week in Ordinary Time (or the quickie Twitter version)? As sure as I’m Cap’n’ Marrrrrk, it’s also International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Celebrate with this updated treasure from ChurchMojo.com we’re diggin’ up for this here special occasion.

Catholic Talk Like a Pirate Day
#TalkLikeAPirateDay

Share in the celebration and share this list with a matey.

The Rum ‘n’ Catholic Guide to Talk Like a Pirate Day #TLAPD

  1. Say an Aarrr Father and Ahoy Mary
  2. Say far, far away from Pontius Pirate
  3. Lubber neighbors as yerself
  4. Ponderrr the lives of Saint Godric of Finchale and St. Olaf, the pirate saints
  5. Shout “Bring me the blood of Christ!”
  6. Extend an outstretched hook during the Sign of Piece(s) of Eight
  7. Dad men’s tales we’ll tell
  8. Cry “Ahoy there, me sacred hearties!”
  9. Cannon-ize yer enemies.
  10. Remember always that ours is an awesome grog.

How Church Imitates Baseball #OpeningDay 2017

Mark Alves Content Ideas

As the 2017 season starts, every team has a prayer of making it to the World Series. And speaking of prayer, did you ever notice that going to church is a lot like baseball?

Top 10 Ways Going to Church Imitates Baseball 10. Sometimes you stand and sing, other times you sit. 9. It can go into extra innings. 8. Hard to follow without a program. 7. Organ music. 6. Uncomfortable seats. 5. Sometimes you spend more than you want to. 4. Gotta know how to read the signs. 3. Long line for alcohol. 2. You’re preparing for post-season play. And the number 1 way going to church imitates baseball… 1. Ultimately, if you screw up, you get sent down.
Church prepares you for baseball. Or maybe it’s the other way around?

Leo Durocher said, “Baseball is like church. Many attend, few understand.” But my wife, sister-in-law and I found many more similarities between church and baseball that we’ve noted before. We were welcoming a friend and baseball fan into the Church one Easter through RCIA and came up with this list:

Top 10 Ways Going to Church Imitates Baseball

10. Sometimes you stand and sing, other times you sit.

9. It can go into extra innings.

8. Hard to follow without a program.

7. Organ music.

6. Uncomfortable seats.

5. Sometimes you spend more than you want to.

4. Gotta know how to read the signs.

3. Long line for alcohol.

2. You’re preparing for post-season play.

And the number 1 way going to church imitates baseball…

1. Ultimately, if you screw up, you get sent down.

If you’re making a good Lent, you’ll have a clean slate just like all the Opening Day teams. Enjoy your season and step up to the plate to add to the list with your own similarities.

Catholic Mass Madness Brackets

Image Mark Alves Content Ideas

March Madness Brackets for Catholics

In this year’s Mass Madness brackets for Catholics, who do you have going to the Faithful Four? (Click to enlarge)

[You might like: How Going to Mass Imitates Baseball]