Social Media Links
Connect your congregation through social media with beautifully designed icon links. Learn how to add, organize, and optimize your church's social media presence.
Social media links help your congregation stay connected throughout the week. Linked.Church makes it easy to showcase all your social platforms with recognizable icons that integrate seamlessly with your page design.
Understanding Social Links
What Makes Social Links Special?
Unlike regular links, social links:
- Display as platform icons
- Group together automatically
- Appear at the bottom of your page
- Use official brand colors
- Need minimal setup
Benefits for Churches
Increased Engagement
- Daily touchpoints
- Community building
- Event promotion
- Prayer requests
- Celebration sharing
Broader Reach
- Different platforms reach different people
- Cross-generational connection
- Community visibility
- Easy sharing
Adding Social Links
Quick Setup Process
- Click "Add New Link"
- Select "Social" as link type
- Choose your platform
- Enter your profile URL
- Save - icon appears automatically!
Supported Platforms
Major Social Networks:
- YouTube
- Twitter/X
- TikTok
Messaging Platforms:
- Telegram
- Discord
- Slack
Media Platforms:
- Spotify
- Apple Podcasts
- SoundCloud
- Vimeo
Other Platforms:
- Snapchat
- Threads
URL Formats
Facebook:
https://facebook.com/yourchurchname https://fb.com/yourchurchname
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/yourchurchname https://ig.me/yourchurchname
YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@yourchurchname https://youtube.com/c/yourchurchname https://youtube.com/channel/UCxxxxxx
Twitter/X:
https://twitter.com/yourchurchname https://x.com/yourchurchname
Platform-Specific Strategies
Best For:
- Community announcements
- Event creation
- Live streaming
- Photo albums
- Discussion groups
Church Use Cases:
- Sunday service reminders
- Prayer request groups
- Event RSVPs
- Community outreach
- Testimonial sharing
Link Setup:
- Use your page URL (not personal profile)
- Include /yourchurchname format
- Test link opens page correctly
Best For:
- Visual storytelling
- Youth engagement
- Behind-the-scenes
- Quick updates
- Stories/Reels
Church Use Cases:
- Worship moments
- Volunteer highlights
- Event previews
- Daily verses
- Community features
Pro Tips:
- Link to main profile
- Use consistent handle
- Mention in bio
YouTube
Best For:
- Sermon archives
- Live streaming
- Teaching series
- Music/worship
- Long-form content
Church Use Cases:
- Weekly sermons
- Bible studies
- Worship sessions
- Testimonies
- Kids content
Channel Setup:
- Custom URL if eligible
- Channel trailer
- Playlists organized
- Subscribe button visible
TikTok
Best For:
- Youth ministry
- Creative content
- Viral potential
- Short messages
- Trends participation
Church Use Cases:
- 60-second sermons
- Worship moments
- Behind scenes
- Youth takeovers
- Community challenges
Content Ideas:
- Bible verse of the day
- Quick testimonies
- Ministry highlights
- Fun church moments
Best For:
- Direct communication
- Prayer chains
- Small groups
- Quick updates
- International reach
Setup Options:
- Business account
- Group invite links
- Broadcast lists
- Click to chat links
Example URL:
https://wa.me/1234567890 https://wa.me/1234567890?text=Hello
Organizing Social Links
Display Order
Social links automatically group at the bottom, but you can control their order:
- Most active platforms first
- Platform popularity
- Audience preferences
- Alphabetical order
Recommended Arrangements
Traditional Church:
Facebook → YouTube → Instagram
Youth-Focused:
Instagram → TikTok → YouTube → Discord
Multi-Generational:
Facebook → Instagram → YouTube → WhatsApp
Visual Balance
- Odd numbers look centered
- 3-5 icons optimal
- Too many can overwhelm
- Match your capacity to maintain
Best Practices
Platform Selection
Quality Over Quantity
- Only add active accounts
- Regular posting required
- Matches staff capacity
- Serves your audience
Audience Consideration
- Know where your people are
- Different platforms for different groups
- Ask congregation preferences
- Monitor engagement
Consistent Branding
Username Consistency
- Same handle everywhere possible
- Easy to remember
- Professional appearance
- Simplified sharing
Examples:
- @gracechurchatl
- @fbcaustin
- @trinitychurchnyc
Profile Consistency
- Same profile image
- Similar bio text
- Consistent posting style
- Unified messaging
Content Strategy
Cross-Platform Posting
- Adapt content for each platform
- Don't just duplicate
- Respect platform culture
- Optimize for format
Platform-Specific Content
- Facebook: Events and discussions
- Instagram: Visual inspiration
- YouTube: Deep teaching
- TikTok: Quick engagement
Managing Multiple Accounts
Ministry-Specific Accounts
Main Church:
- @yourchurchname
Youth Ministry:
- @yourchurchyouth
- @ycstudents
Children's Ministry:
- @yourchurchkids
Worship Team:
- @yourchurchworship
Linking Strategy
Option 1: Main Account Only
- Simplest approach
- All ministries share
- Unified presence
- Easier management
Option 2: Ministry Links
- Create separate sections
- Use headers to organize
- More targeted
- Higher maintenance
Team Management
Access Control:
- Use platform's team features
- Assign specific roles
- Document passwords securely
- Regular audit access
Content Calendar:
- Plan across platforms
- Coordinate messaging
- Schedule posts
- Track performance
Social Media Integration
Feed Displays (Coming Soon)
Instagram Feed:
- Recent posts grid
- Stories highlights
- Automatic updates
Twitter/X Timeline:
- Latest tweets
- Pinned content
- Real-time updates
Social Proof
Follower Counts:
- Build credibility
- Show community size
- Encourage follows
- Track growth
Engagement Metrics:
- Recent activity
- Popular posts
- Community interaction
- Social momentum
Analytics and Optimization
Tracking Performance
Linked.Church Analytics:
- Click counts per platform
- Most popular platforms
- Time-based patterns
- Conversion to follows
Platform Analytics:
- Follower growth
- Engagement rates
- Best posting times
- Content performance
Optimization Strategies
A/B Testing:
- Platform order
- Icon vs. buttons
- With/without labels
- Position on page
Based on Data:
- Remove inactive platforms
- Prioritize high-performers
- Add trending platforms
- Adjust strategy
Common Challenges
Inactive Accounts
Signs to Remove:
- No posts in 30+ days
- Low engagement
- No staff capacity
- Platform declining
Alternatives:
- Archive content
- Post redirect notice
- Focus on active platforms
- Consolidate efforts
Platform Changes
Staying Current:
- Monitor platform updates
- Update URLs if needed
- New platforms emerge
- Old platforms decline
Examples:
- Twitter → X rebrand
- New platforms like Threads
- Platform shutdowns
- Policy changes
Managing Expectations
Setting Boundaries:
- Response time expectations
- Not 24/7 availability
- Appropriate content
- Community guidelines
Security Considerations
Account Security
Best Practices:
- Two-factor authentication
- Strong passwords
- Limited access
- Regular audits
Team Access:
- Use platform tools
- Avoid password sharing
- Document procedures
- Remove ex-staff promptly
Content Moderation
Community Management:
- Clear guidelines
- Active moderation
- Response protocols
- Crisis planning
Future Trends
Emerging Platforms
Stay Informed:
- Watch youth adoption
- Test new platforms
- Be selective
- Consider resources
Integration Features
Coming Enhancements:
- Direct messaging
- Social commerce
- Live streaming
- Event integration
Tips for Success
Content Creation
Batch Creation:
- Plan monthly
- Create templates
- Reuse content
- Schedule posts
Engagement Focus:
- Ask questions
- Share stories
- Celebrate community
- Respond promptly
Platform-Specific Tips
Facebook:
- Create events
- Use groups
- Go live regularly
- Share albums
Instagram:
- Stories daily
- Reels weekly
- IGTV sermons
- Highlight important
YouTube:
- Consistent schedule
- Good thumbnails
- Playlists organized
- Community tab
TikTok:
- Follow trends
- Be authentic
- Short and sweet
- Engage comments
Measuring Success
Key Metrics
Growth Indicators:
- Follower increase
- Engagement rate
- Click-through rate
- Community growth
Impact Measures:
- Event attendance
- Online engagement
- New visitors
- Community stories
Next Steps
Enhance your social media presence:
- Track social link performance
- Organize your links effectively
- Create compelling content
- Build your community
Remember: Social media is about building relationships, not just broadcasting information. Use these platforms to extend your church's ministry throughout the week!