ONLINE TIPS & TUTORIALS

Find answers to questions you may have about posting and gathering online using a few of the most popular platforms like Zoom, Facebook LIVE, and YouTube.  Along with FAQs, we share links to many resources on the internet that will help you communicate more effectively online.  If you still have questions, or if you have tips of your own that you'd like to share, please contact us!  CLICK HERE to send a message to the Communications Contractor.  

This page is a work in progress. Please check back often for more tips and links being added almost daily!  During this time of COVID-19, many of the platforms are expanding their reach and adding new features to enhance your online communications.

Top Tip of the Week:

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Stream your Zoom session to YouTube and/or Facebook Live 

Want to spread your reach on all platforms?  It's super simple!  Sarah Stonesifer Boylan, Digital Missioner for Life Long Learning at VTS, shares a quick video on the setup of how to stream a Zoom meeting to Facebook Live and/or YouTube.  Start off at the zoom.us website.  (Note:  This is not available on the free version.)  You can also visit the Zoom help center HERE for complete details. 

For more informative videos with Sarah, visit the Lifelong Learning at VTS Channel on YouTube HERE.

Zoom Video Conferencing

​This is the Dioceseʻs platform of choice when communicating with a group requiring interaction and discussion. Itʻs a great way for people to hold meetings, conduct Bible Study, or pray together.  Not only is it a convenient tool, but video conferencing saves time and money! Users can connect through a cell phone, tablet or computer. A quick download of the app, a link shared by the host, and you are set to go!  Visit the Zoom website HERE to learn more. They also offer free training sessions online HERE.  Participants can also download this handy guide made just for Diocesan meetings HERE.

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ALERT:  NEW ZOOMBOMBING THREAT
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​​There have been growing reports of "Zoombombing" where uninvited guests are crashing Zoom meetings and spreading hateful messages and pornography. There are several measures hosts can take to avoid this from happening, including creating a waitroom, disabling screen sharing, turning off private chatting (allowing only public chatting visible to all).  You can also add a registration feature in your Zoom settings. The Zoom video shown here shows organizers how to protect their meetings.  You can also view and download the Diocese's tips for preventing zoombombing HERE.

TIPS:

• It is a good idea to have a co-host who can monitor participants and respond to chat messages, freeing up the host to run a seamless meeting.
• ​Before joining the meeting, make sure your camera is at a good angle so that your head is not cut off or people are not looking up your nose!​
• To avoid unwanted background noise, be sure to mute yourself until you need to say something.  
• Consider turning off your video feed if you need to do something during the meeting, like going to get something to drink or stand up and stretch.  These things can be distracting and may be perceived as bad manners.  You will still be able to hear what is going on. Turn the video feed back on when you are ready.
• Depending on an individual's internet connection, some people can experience some cutting in and out.  If this happens, it may help to turn off the video feed and just participate by audio.

SAFE CHURCH FOR ONLINE SPACES:

Sarah Stonesifer Boylan, Digital Missioner for Life Long Learning at VTS introduces some practical guidelines to create safe space online. ​This is especially important when hosting youth meetings and virtual Sunday School.

IMPORTANT TIPs:

• Turn off private chatting so that the adult host can monitor all activity taking place.
• Do not share screenshots of minors without permission from their guardian and remove names.
  

Facebook Live

Clergy can easily post their sermons or full services through Facebook Live. It is a live video streaming service that lets anyone broadcast from their mobile devices straight to their Facebook News Feed.  In addition to weekly sermons, think about offering a daily meditation or Morning Prayer online. Not only is this option free, but super simple too! All you need is a cell phone, a tripod, and your churchʻs Facebook page!

​The Diocese of San Diego has a great instructional video on how to set it up in 4 simple steps shown in the video shown here, or go to the Facebook Live guide HERE.

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TIPS:

• ​Creating a Live event through Facebook will trigger a post on your Facebook feed so folks are aware to tune in.  Remember to also let your congregants know when you will be going live through email messaging, newsletter, or website post.
• If you are using a cellphone, make sure to have your camera in the landscape (horizontal) position BEFORE you go live or you might be broadcasting sideways!
• Don't forget to record your live session so that it is available for viewing on your Facebook page after it is over.
• ​Facebook has a special page for faith communities with descriptions and links to the features that are offered to help our communities not only stay connected, but grow.  Check it out here:  ​https://www.facebook.com/community/faith

YouTube

The world's largest video sharing platform has become a tool for many churches to broadcast worship services and other special events. To get started, create a channel (you must have a Google account) and you're ready to go!  Although many videos are pre-recorded, YouTube offers free live-streaming with a webcam (laptop or desktop computer).  Unfortunately, to livestream using a mobile device, a channel must have at least 1,000 subscribers.  To learn more about YouTube live streaming, visit the YouTube Help page HERE.

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TIPS:

• Make sure you have a reliable network or internet connection.  Any disruption will cause a broken stream.

Misc. FAQs