How to Effectively Use Instagram For Church

Phil Bowdel, Creative Arts Pastor at West Ridge Church in Atlanta, GA. shares great insight on how to use Instagram for your church with Phil Thompson and Steve Lacy. You can visit his blog at http://philbowdle.com

 

 

 

 

6 Ways To Improve Church Communications

Most churches are better at planning than at promoting. The weight of our focus and attention goes into creating the event, rather than inviting people to be a part.

The issue is, effectively communicating with our congregation and community takes… time and consistency.

It’s no longer something that can be an afterthought. It has to be part of the planning process.

Thankfully, there are some simple things you can do to increase attendance and connect your community, if you plan ahead. There are lost of tools available.

 

Since time is always in short supply, I’ve created a done-for-you church communication plan.

It’s based on my 35 years in church communications and will help you organize your communications to get your message…

Heard multiple times Seen in various forms Delivered in time for people to plan to attend

 

HERE IS YOUR CHURCH COMMUNICATION PLAN FOR THE NEW YEAR

1) Verbal – Start 5 weeks before

Statistically, people need to hear about something 3-7 times before they respond. With the typical church goer only attending 2-3 times a month we need to maximize the number of times we announce opportunities.

Don’t just share the when, where, how of your event. Take time to let people know how participating will affect their lives. If they come, how will they be impacted?

Your goal here is to not only inform them, but to inspire them. If they see the importance, they become an advocate for you and will be more likely to invite someone else.

2) Print – Start 4-5 weeks before

There is a fine line with print. Too early and people forget about it. Too late and they’ve already made plans.

Start talking about important events or opportunities in your bulletin 4-5 weeks before your event. Letting people know details and filling in information.

Make it easy for your church to invite friends by providing flyers or invite cards 3-4 weeks before your event. This gives them time to make connections and saves them the embarrassment of forgetting details.

At the same time, send a postcard to your church family. Reiterate the details and let them know about the invitations for their friends. This reminds those who’ve been at church and informs those who’ve missed recently.

Your goal is to deliver information but also to hint at what to expect. Set the tone for them so they know what they’re getting in to. If it’s a serious event than speak more seriously, if a lighthearted opportunity than be fun.

3) Web – Start 4 weeks before

Your website is the digital front door of your church. Most visitors will visit you online before they ever walk in your building.

Make the most of it by sharing about your event and what they can expect when they arrive. Use the space as an opportunity to break down mental barriers that people might have about attending a church event.

4) Email – Start 2-3 weeks before

Depending on the day of your event, plan to send several emails over the course of 2-3 weeks. This is a great place to repurpose what you’ve used in print already, so you don’t have to start from scratch.

The key is to remember that people live busy lives. You want to deliver the important details, set a tone for what to expect and let them know why attending is important. Encourage them to bring a friend and leave them wanting more. It is better to deliver several emails people want to read, then a long winded one just because you had the room.

5) Social Media – Start 2-3 weeks before

Use your social media as a way to spread the excitement of what is coming. Minimize posts about the when, where, how of your event. Instead, build excitment with visual posts about last minute planning, event details, volunteers and what to expect. This is your opportunity to make your event personal and relational. Link to more expanded event details for those who want to know more. And, don’t forget to encourage followers to share your content.

6) Text Messages – Start 2 weeks before

Harness the power of your connected church by messaging them directly. Use a text messaging provider to manage your contacts and avoid the dreaded reply-all that can start by sending texts to a large group.

Like email, keep your messages short and send people to your website or social media for more details or to register.

Following this communication plan will help increase your event success.

 

CHURCH SOLUTIONS PODCAST 01.04.2017

How to Increase Giving at your Church

Stats from STATE OF THE PLATE  Brian Kluth

Key findings from the 2016 State of the Plate survey:

59% of churches surveyed reported flat-lined or decreased giving over the period 2015 to 2016. (A previous survey from 2013 revealed 53% of churches had an increase in giving that year.)
Only 41% of churches surveyed saw giving increase by 5% or more.

79% of churches surveyed offer website giving (up from 29% in 2010), 46% offer cell phone/text/app giving (up from 4% in 2010), and 32% have a kiosk/iPad in the lobby for in-person digital giving.

Generous church giving is not limited to the older generations. 63% of those in their 20s-30s give 10% or more to their church.

Only 41% of those surveyed said they give weekly, while 46% give once or twice a month.

The top five reasons for missing church services are: out of town (74%), sickness (42%), serving during the worship service (16%), social commitments (13%), and had to work (14%).

Even though many of the survey participants were pastors and church leaders, only 24% had planned to give an estate gift to their church in their will and 46% indicated that they did not even have a will.

With more and more people shopping and paying bills online or through apps and auto-pay services, hardly anyone carries physical checks or cash on them anymore. Yet the number one way churches collect donations is by passing a bucket or plate during worship services.

“The 2016 State of the Plate report highlights the importance for churches to continue teaching generosity as a Biblical value and to provide as many ways as possible to help their people be faithful and generous givers to the Lord’s work,” said Brian Kluth, bestselling generosity author, speaker, and founder of the State of the Plate research.

Our research indicates that the need for digital giving solutions like those provided by Tithe.ly, are becoming increasingly important for churches, especially as younger generations are giving more and more.

Only 14% want envelopes in pews

68% want digital options like iPad or Kiosk

Only 21% interested in online giving on website

54% want cell phone text giving options

Church Solutions Podcast 12/8/2016

How to Stop Distractions during Worship

Sometimes the media slide computer will shutdown or reboot in the middle of the service, or images on the screen may flash in and out due to a cable or digital video signal issue.

Environmental control systems like HVAC can malfunction or be programmed incorrectly. The sanctuary can be too cold or too hot. And sometimes loud fans can abruptly turn on during a quiet moment of reflection.

But distractions from the sound system are the most prevalent source of disruption in church worship services around the world.

  1. IDENTIFY YOUR DISTRACTIONS

You might get the feeling that the sound is “just not right” or that it’s starting to cause a worship distraction, but you need to identify the specific problem before trying to solve it.

Most distractions stem from just a few simple causes. Resolving those issues might not seem so easy at first, but that’s why it’s important to correctly identify the problem in the first place.

Here are some common sound system distractions:

Feedback

Bad EQ

Poor mixing

Missed mute cues

Hum and buzz

Bad cables or loose connections

Sound is too loud or too quiet

Alright, so how do we stop these distractions?

  1. FIXING YOUR SOUND SYSTEM DISTRACTIONS

Feedback is the most pernicious distraction. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to fix if you know a couple simple tricks.

If feedback does occur, quickly find the channel that is feeding back and simply turn it down a little bit. Sometimes a small reduction in volume is all it takes to bring a signal back down from an infinite feedback loop.

Bad EQ can cause poor clarity and intelligibility. Can’t understand what the pastor is saying? It’s probably the EQ. Having a hard time hearing a specific instrument in the mix? It might be mixed and EQ’d wrong.

Vocals can be enhanced by adjusting different EQ frequencies. Try cutting 1 kHz if your vocals sound to nasally. Boost 2-3 kHz to add presence. And cutting somewhere between 200 and 700 Hz can help remove a muddy sound.

Another important EQ adjustment for most instruments (except piano, bass guitar, and some drums) is to use the High Pass Filter to cut all frequencies below 100 Hz. Most vocals and many instruments do not benefit from having this low frequency range reinforced in the mix.

And remember, not every instrument or vocal gets the same volume level in the final mix. Background vocals should be exactly that – in the background, lower in volume and acoustically supporting the lead vocal. Let your rhythm instruments do the heavy lifting in your mix, then add subtle texture with lead instruments, horns, and strings. Each audio source should have its own place in your mix. Some of this will depend on the style of music you feature, so pay attention to that.

Get a service schedule, take notes, and have your finger ready on the mute button or scene recall when a transition is coming up. Get an assistant if you need to. There’s really no good excuse for missing a mute cue, so pay attention!

Sound that is too dynamic can be distracting too. Do you have an issue with a pastor’s mic being too quiet and then getting way too loud? You probably need to use a compressor.

Constantly fluctuating sound levels, especially with spoken word, can be very distracting and should be controlled so that the listener experiences a more natural level of sound. Try setting your compressor at a 2:1 to 6:1 ratio to squash down some of the dynamic range of an audio signal.

  1. Insurance against Worship Distractions

Perhaps the best thing you can do to eliminate worship distractions from your sound system is to properly train your tech team. Sound techs need practice too!

 

Church Solutions Podcast 11/17/2016

Seven Steps to Making a Podcast!

Equipment:

While you could opt for high-end recording programs such as Pro Tools, there are several reputable free options out there. The first, Audacity, is an open-source editing and recording program that’s compatible with most operating systems and works well for beginners. Though it dons a rather unflattering exterior, you’ll be able to record live audio directly into the application, or import a variety of different audio files, including MP3 and WAV. The software even touts recovery options in the event that your system crashes. Acoustica Basic Edition is another free option, one that provides audio recording and editing within a well-designed interface. However, you’ll have to pay extra for multi-track editing and other advanced features. We use NCH Wavepad.

Microphone(s)

In all reality, podcasters should consider purchasing an external microphone. USB mics plug directly into your computer and interface with your recording software, thus offering superior sound and greater flexibility than your computer’s built-in microphone. Also, be sure to buy the right number of mics for your show, as you’ll want all cast members to be heard loud and clear. And if you’re going to be using a mixer, be sure to buy microphones that can plug into it! Not all mixers support USB mics, and not all mics will work with standard mic plugs.

Headphones

These don’t have to be all that fancy; all you need is a decent pair of headphones so you can hear yourself and any guests you might have on the show. If you’re using a mixer, however, these become a requirement, as you will need to have headphones in order to correctly adjust the audio channels or hear your guest if they are from another location. After all, you can only do so much in post-production editing.

Post-production

Not only applicable to podcasters mixing interfaces to create multitrack recordings, post-production editing is key to nearly every podcast. Masterful editing takes time to learn, though, so don’t be concerned if you can’t pull off some of the more advanced procedures in the beginning. As far as basics go, you’ll want to ensure your vocal levels are roughly the same for each speaker and work on tightening dead space between phrases. If you have other audio components, such as miscellaneous sound effects and background music, make sure those levels are low enough that you can still hear the speakers. You can also work to trim your file to a specified length, or adjust the bit rate and other audio facets for your desired medium. Editing deserves a tutorial on its own, but for most casual podcasters, most of it can be done without expensive software or substantial time. We use NCH Mixpad

Uploading to a host site

Sadly, there’s really no point in a podcast if you don’t intend to share it with others. To do so, you must host your resulting audio file somewhere online, prior to linking to the file from elsewhere. There are numerous ways to go about hosting your podcast, though some are better than others. Websites like WordPress and Blogger provide a free and simple means for hosting audio files, but they’re limited in terms of flexibility and exhibit a general lack of control. HostGator, though more complicated, offers more advanced features and a domain at a relatively low price point. However, if you do go with WordPress, the site will automatically add the RSS2 enclosure when you add a link to your audio file, which makes it possible to use as a podcast. Uploading your audio file will make the necessary RSS2 enclosure tag and can generate your XML feed.

Top podcast hosts: (http://schoolofpodcasting.com/is-soundcloud-a-legitimate-option-for-podcasting-8-podcast-media-hosting-companies-compared/)

ID3 Tags are the information that is stored inside the media file. For example when you play an mp3 on your iPod and a picture shows up on the screen that image is an ID3 tag. If you don’t do this, your podcast looks very amateur. You can use use mp3tag software (free) for this.  If you are on a Mac check out ID3 Editor. We use Stamp ID3 Tag Editor.

 

Church Solutions Podcast 11/9/2016

4 Myths about Technology in Church/Ministry:

The Church has used technology throughout history: papyrus, printing press, piano, organ, lighting, microphones, guitars, drums, and video projectors. And with the advent of the Internet, we have newer technologies like websites, social networking via Facebook, and texting on cell phones.

How do we steward technology well? We start by dispelling four common myths about using online technologies in the church.

1. "If you build it, they will come."
Not necessarily. The "it" could be a website, a blog, a discussion board, a podcast, a Twitter feed, or a Facebook fan page. Your digital presence will not automatically be viewed by lots of people just by its mere existence. People choose what they will pay attention to based on relevance (to their situation), value (that enhances their life), and trust (derived from the reputation of the content provider or a trusted friend who points them that way). Your online presence will need to be mentioned often using traditional media as well as word of mouth.

2. "It doesn't cost anything."
True, some online tools don't cost anything to use, but using technology can cost you is more than money. There's the recurring cost of energy to produce fresh and relevant content. There's also the time involved in connecting with your online community, engaging in conversations and responding to questions. There's the potential cost of even free online tools and Web apps that don't fit the orientation of your church and confuse your audience.

3. "Only the younger generation uses social networking."
One study reported that 64 percent of Twitter's and 61 percent of Facebook's users are age 35 or older. The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project found that 38 percent of adults 65 and older are online. To better steward technology, you will want to meet people where they already connect online, and you will want to provide training for using online tools that best serve your existing community.

4. "Technology could replace real-life relationships."
Technology does not have to replace real-life relationships. You can use technology in a way that enriches real-life relationships, to stay connected between the church's face-to-face gatherings. Online tools do two things: expose and enable. Technology can expose a person's tendencies, whether that's isolation or addictiveness; technology can also enable a person to communicate with more people in more ways without being constrained by time and space.

By dispelling these myths, we can learn to better steward technology together, to share what's working, what didn't work, and discuss what we're thinking so we can make informed technology decisions in the future.

Church Solutions Podcast Notes 10/26/2016

Help For Pastors and Ex-pastors

Greg Atkinson is the executive director of ExPastors.com and discusses how his organization helps former as well as current pastors in dealing with issues they face.

Greg Atkinson is the Founder of Worship Impressions and Executive Director of ExPastors.com. Greg is an author, leadership coach and consultant. Greg has worked with churches of all stages and sizes, including some of the largest and fastest-growing churches in the country, as well as with businesses, non-profits and organizations such as Josh McDowell Ministries.

"Pastors are not leaving the ministry in droves," said vice president Scott McConnell.

Still, pastors say the role can be tough:

84 percent say they're on call 24 hours a day.

80 percent expect conflict in their church.

54 percent find the role of pastor frequently overwhelming.

53 percent are often concerned about their family's financial security.

48 percent often feel the demands of ministry are more than they can handle.

21 percent say their church has unrealistic expectations of them.

Greg Atkinson Executive Director at ExPastors.com

  1. What is Expastors.com ?
  2. What are the top five reasons (in your opinion) that pastors leave?
  3. Can a pastor recover from burn-out in a timely manner?
  4. How much do unmet expectations play in pastors leaving a church?
  5. What are some steps that a pastor can take to longevity?
  6. What role do church leaders have in helping their pastor on this topic?

 

Church Solutions Podcast Notes 10/19/2016

HLS Based Streaming

IMPROVEMENT CHANGE COMING

Action required on your part.

If you use Flash Media Live Encoder, (FMLE), on a PC, you will need to use a different live encoder. We recommend vMix live encoder instead of FMLE. FMLE has not been updated in over 7 years. Vmix is free and has an upgraded version for only $60.00. If you use FMLE on a Mac, you will not have to make any change.

You will notice an improved video player for your streaming experience. The most significant change you may notice is that with the HLS stream, there is a longer lag (approximately 60 seconds) between your live event and the viewer experience. This is normal with the HLS based stream.

No updates to your platform are required. If you already use vMix, Wirecast, or Open Broadcaster Live Encoder, there is no action required on your part, we just wanted to reach out to make you aware of these upcoming changes.

Your video player will be automatically upgraded on November 1st 2016.

Currently, StreamingChurch.tv relies on two primary video formats (RTMP and HLS) for delivering your stream to your viewers. Both video formats have pros and cons associated with each format. To date, StreamingChurch.tv has provided the RTMP based stream for your web based viewers while also providing the HLS based stream for your mobile devices and Roku. For your web based viewers, the RTMP video format has had several advantages over HLS. Although the future of RTMP based streams is uncertain in light of emerging standards.

In effort to continuously improve your viewers streaming experience, StreamingChurch.tv will upgrading your video player and provide all your viewers the HLS based stream (including your web viewers).

Your video player will be automatically upgraded on November 1st 2016.

Additional Info

As we convert to HLS streaming, here are some of the pros and cons of HLS based streaming:

* You can begin using another Live encoder like vMix or Wirecast immediately, no need to wait.

Church Solutions Podcast Notes 10/5/2016

Pastor Appreciation Month 

"1,500 pastors leave their assignments every month in the United States because of conflict, burnout, or moral failure," according to an article by Ken Sande of Peacemaker Ministries.

There are, of course, many reasons why. Not many people know how tough and emotionally draining it is to be a Pastor, and, sadly, Pastors often hear a good deal of criticism. Don't forget to let your Pastors know how much you appreciate them. Showing small bits of appreciation on a regular basis will let your pastor know that you care.

Since October is Pastor Appreciation Month, here are 8 great ways to send a little gratitude their way over the next few weeks.

But first, here is a list of what NOT to get your pastor.

  1. Praying hands

Hopefully he/she seeks the Lord for the joy of knowing God, for himself and his family, and for the church. But he doesn’t need another set of “praying hands.”

  1. A leadership/church book you want him/her to read

If you hand your pastor a book with these instructions, “I really think YOU need to read this book. Please let me know your thoughts,” your pastor will likely not enjoy the book. Your pastor will likely wonder the entire time what deficiency you think he has in his leadership/ministry that he must read about in the book. While he may benefit from the book, it surely won’t be a relaxing read that feels like “appreciation.”

  1. A tie

I know this sounds cruel, but when he opens the box, he will be thinking, “How many times do I need to wear this tie so it looks like I am grateful?” This is especially true if the tie has Christian fish on it. Or a decorated Christmas tree.

  1. A Bible

He already has one. If not, you need another church.

  1. A pair of tickets to a scrub matchup

Many pastors like going to games, but if you are just looking for a charitable way to offload the tickets you don’t want to the worst game on the schedule, please don’t think of your pastor first.

  1. A card with nothing in it

The workman is worthy of at least a Starbucks gift card.

Here are some ideas that are better!

1. Take them to lunch.

Stop by your Pastor’s office and invite them to go grab a bite to eat. Depending on your Pastor’s schedule and time, it may be a good idea to check with their assistant to determine when they have some free time, or perhaps shoot them a quick email or text asking them when they are free the next week.

2. Hand-write a note. 

This may sound a little cheesy, but hand-written notes are a forgotten practice. Taking the time to actually write an expression of gratitude can quickly make your Pastors feel valued and brighten their week.

Even leaving a post-it note with a quick word of encouragement can go a long way. A note is a quick, easy, and cost-free way to show gratitude.

3. Give verbal encouragement.

This is another very simple yet well-received gesture to give appreciation to your Pastor for all they do. Whether it’s on Sunday morning after the sermon or stopping by their office in the middle of the week, telling them verbally how thankful you are for them and all they do is a wonderful encouragement. It’s easy to assume they hear it often, but verbal appreciation for your Pastor can always be reiterated.

4. Provide a date night.

Your Pastors spend the majority of their time serving the church in some capacity or another. While they hopefully are able to break away and spend quality time with their family and spouse, it’s often easier said than done.

Offer to watch your Pastor’s kids for an evening to give them the freedom to go on a date with their spouse. Perhaps you can throw in a gift card to the movies for some popcorn and soda. This sounds so easy, but it will mean the world to your Pastor.

5. Volunteer your time.

Take something off of your Pastor’s plate. Whatever this might look like in your church and for your Pastor, take some of your time and lend a helping hand.

TIME IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO SHOW A PASTOR YOU CARE.

6. Grab them coffee and bagels.

Is your Pastor addicted to his daily Starbucks? Is his weakness a double chocolate chip cookie? Swing by the church office one day and bring the pastoral team a small treat just to say “thank you.”

7. Facilitate a special feature in service.

Coordinate with those who plan the services to do a special, fun highlight of your Pastor during church. This could be a Sunday morning special for the whole church to be a part of, a video made showing the congregations appreciation, presenting a group gift, etc. Include some fun photos from the year and perhaps a funny story or two. Make it lighthearted, and remember, the purpose is to let your Pastor know how much they are appreciated. 

These are just a few simple ideas to show your Pastor some love this month. Whatever you do, take some time to encourage and thank them!

8. Pastor Retreat

As said earlier, pastoral ministry can be very draining. Pastoral retreats can give a fresh perspective and they can help recharge, leading to renewed vision and energy.

Church Solutions Podcast Notes 9/28/2016

10 Ideas for Preparing for Christmas Services

  1. Assemble a team of creative people Don’t put this on one person, organize a team of like-minded people to make this happen. Meet regularly
  2. Be Outward focused Christmas can be an on-ramp to church. People show up to church at Christmas: The usual 18% average weekly church attendance balloons to 47%. This is an opportunity.
  3. Start early One Christmas planning effort started back in May (OK, that’s for a city-wide event that requires a lot more coordination, but still). It’s never too early to start.
  4. Use Effective channels Some of the popular ways to spread the word include invite cards, postcards, Facebook and—of course—word of mouth. Combine channels for the most impact: Ask your congregation to hand deliver postcards instead of doing a mass mailing.
  5. Discover what works on social media  Anything that creates engagement. One church posted memorable/funny movie clips and had loads of comments. Try asking for favorite Christmas songs and curate a playlist. People love Christmas music—post quick, casual video of your band/choir doing Christmas songs.
  6. Share Advent Devotional thoughts post these on your website and social media and hand-outs.
  7. Set up a photo booth People love to get family pictures taken during the Holidays
  8. Empower your people  Create graphics that your staff and congregation can share on social media. Make it easy for them to spread the word.
  9. Promote a Good Cause with Xmas use this time of the year to help out a local charity
  10. Have fun  Yes, Christmas is a serious, somber holiday. Silent Night and all that. But it’s OK to be a little goofy.

Church Solutions Podcast Notes 9/22/2016

7 Questions and Answers to Church Websites

Mark Collier from BigBlueDesigns.com answers questions about church websites and provides helpful advice with Phil and Steve

Mark Collier is the owner of BigBlueDesigns, a web and graphic design company he started 6 years ago. He has spent more than 25 years in both volunteer and staff positions in the church, so serving church clients is something close to his heart - and his experience on staff makes it easier for him to understand what makes churches unique and what challenges they can face.

 

• What potential visitors are looking for when they visit your website vs what members are looking for when/if they go to it (visitors are looking for "when/where", examples of services, what do you have for my kids, are you "like me".

 

Church Solutions Podcast Notes

9/1/2016 - Jonathan Malm  http://www.jonathanmalm.com/

Unwelcomed - 50 Ways Churches Drive Away First Time Visitors

Some of the chapters from his book we discussed were:

First Impressions, The Locked Door

The Pastor's Dress Code

The Tardy Guest

The Reserved Seating

The Reserved Parking 

Below are Jonathan's websites. 

ChurchStageDesignIdeas.com

I started this site about six years ago. All I do is post up DIY information from other churches. I don’t design the stage. I don’t even really sell anything. I just make the free resource available. Then I charge advertisers to put their ads on my site and to send occasional emails to my email list.

SundayMag.tv

This is a free online magazine for church creative-types. It’s all about the creative side of church services. I have volunteer writers, designers, and editors who make it all happen. I tell them what to write; they write. I have some amazing voices from church leaders around the world who make this happen. And I charge for ad space on the pages. Again…don’t really sell anything.

SundaySocial.tv

SundaySocial.tv is a new site I launched a couple of months ago with my friend Joe Cavazos. Churches subscribe for $5/month, and we provide a new social media graphic every day. You know…it’s those beautiful quote images or Scripture verses churches post to engage on social media. We make those. Finally…selling something.

Writing Books and E-books

I’m continually writing new books and e-books for sale. These don’t make all that much money, though, to be honest. I’ve been officially published once through Moody Publishers – Created for More – and unofficially published with an organization called Center for Church Communications – Unwelcome. I have two books into my literary agent that we’re working on getting published officially once again. Then I just self-publish the e-books through Amazon and iBooks.

Speaking

I don’t do too much speaking – probably 5 or 6 times a year. Conferences invite me to speak about church creativity or personal creativity. I’ve actually begun doing more “online speaking” for online conferences. It’s nice because I don’t have to we away from my wife.

Consulting

I’m working on launching a coaching group in a few months, but I’ve done a few consulting gigs here and there already. Mostly I’ve helped churches with their web strategy, making their church services more welcoming, and working on creative team culture.

SeriesIdeas.com and WorshipSetIdeas.com

These two sites are a lot like ChurchStageDesignIdeas.com. I don’t sell anything; I just publish designs and worship service videos from other churches. Then advertisers pay me to advertise there.

Mopho.to

Finally, Mopho.to. It’s a lot like SundaySocial.tv, only awesome photos for bloggers and social media mavens to use for whatever they need. It doesn’t make much money, but it’s dear to my heart, so I keep it going. I pay three contributors from New York City, Portland, and Mission, Texas who provide me with lots of awesome photos. Then people pay $5/month for access.