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Transcript

SEO, Funnels & Faith: How Christian Entrepreneurs Can Use Digital Marketing as a Ministry Tool · Called to Build

• 0:39
  SPEAKER_00: What if your website, your blog, your Instagram stories weren't just marketing tools, but ministry tools?
• 0:48
  SPEAKER_00: What if God could use your online presence to change a life halfway around the world while you sleep?
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_00: This isn't hype.
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_00: It's stewardship.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_00: The way we show up online says a lot about how we seriously take the gifts and message He's entrusted to us.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_00: And as someone who's built businesses and been involved in church planning, I've come to believe that our digital platforms are actually some of the most powerful pulpits we stand behind.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: My online presence has been one of the greatest mechanisms God has used to touch lives around the world.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_00: It has opened doors of ministry for me that have taken me from my home in Kansas to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, India, Pakistan, and other places around the world.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: And that's what I'm going to talk about today.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_00: Stewardship of the call and why your online presence matters to God.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_00: You see, many Christians feel a tension between their faith and their business, especially when it comes to marketing.
• 1:59
  SPEAKER_00: But I want to challenge that thinking a little bit today.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: Scripture is full of people who stewarded their influence for kingdom purposes.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: Joseph in Egypt, Esther in Persia, Paul through his letters, and in the same way your website, your SEO strategy, your digital marketing funnel can become tools in the hands of the master.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: Colossians three hundred twenty three reminds us whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as with working for the Lord, not for human masters.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Excellence online isn't vanity, it's obedience.
• 2:41
  SPEAKER_00: And when we build well we honor the giver of the vision.
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_00: Let me remind you, know thy audience.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: There is power of clarity in mission and marketing.
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_00: A cornerstone of faith based digital marketing is understanding your ideal customer, what I like to call your avatar.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_00: As I wrote in my book Internet Marketing for Small Business, your avatar guides everything from content creation to funnel design.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_00: Without clarity, your message simply becomes noise.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_00: So take time to define who you're called to serve.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_00: Get specific.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_00: Where do they live?
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: What keeps them up at night?
• 3:28
  SPEAKER_00: What solutions are they praying for?
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_00: And when your message resonates with their real life struggles, you become more than a marketer, you become a trusted guide.
• 3:41
  SPEAKER_00: A helpful tool to get started is HubSpot's Make My Persona.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_00: You can find that at hubspot.com forward slash make hyphen my hyphen persona.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_00: Can walk you through building client portfolio that aligns with your calling.
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_00: Now let me talk with you about SEO and Kingdom Impact to make sure that people find you.
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_00: And of course, SEO is rapidly changing in this AI-driven search environment.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_00: But search engine optimization is not just for techies, it's not just for marketers.
• 4:21
  SPEAKER_00: It is the front door to your faith-based website or to your online business.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_00: And if God has given you a message, it's your responsibility to make that message discoverable.
• 4:36
  SPEAKER_00: So research keywords using tools like Uber Suggest.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_00: That's found at Neil Patel's website, neilpatel.com.
• 4:46
  SPEAKER_00: Optimize your titles, your meta descriptions, your headers, and your image alt tags.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_00: Write blog posts and long form content that answers the questions your audience is already Googling and researching on other platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Claude.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_00: Use internal linking to guide your visitors to deeper parts of your ecosystem.
• 5:13
  SPEAKER_00: And think of SEO like the parable of the lamp.
• 5:17
  SPEAKER_00: Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
• 5:21
  SPEAKER_00: Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_00: Don't hide your light.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_00: Optimize it.
• 5:31
  SPEAKER_00: Put it out there for others to see.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_00: And remember to use your funnels to build trust and transform lives.
• 5:43
  SPEAKER_00: A marketing funnel is simply the path that someone takes from discovering you to trusting you.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_00: And for a faith-driven entrepreneur, it's also the path to transformation.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_00: Here's a simple funnel model that you can follow.
• 6:01
  SPEAKER_00: A lead magnet, which is a free resource, a devotional, a checklist, an ebook that you give away.
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_00: A landing page.
• 6:09
  SPEAKER_00: It's the place where someone goes to get that lead magnet.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_00: It has clear messaging and one strong call to action.
• 6:18
  SPEAKER_00: Behind that is an email sequence where you nurture the relationship, you tell your story, you share biblical encouragement.
• 6:27
  SPEAKER_00: And there's an offer.
• 6:29
  SPEAKER_00: Invite them into a paid product, program, or service.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_00: And you can use tools like Convert Kit or ClickFunnels that can help automate and scale this process.
• 6:42
  SPEAKER_00: But here's the key: your funnel isn't just about making a sale, it's about making a difference.
• 6:50
  SPEAKER_00: So let your values permeate your emails.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_00: Let your copy reflect your convictions and build trust by serving first.
• 7:00
  SPEAKER_00: Provide value in each and every email.
• 7:05
  SPEAKER_00: I saw this firsthand when I launched a funnel called the Marriage Repair Handbook.
• 7:11
  SPEAKER_00: What began as a lead magnet quickly turned into a ministry moment.
• 7:17
  SPEAKER_00: I had dozens of conversations with husbands and wives who weren't just looking for strategies.
• 7:23
  SPEAKER_00: They were desperate for prayer, for hope, and for reassurance that their marriage could still be saved.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_00: It reminded me that every click can open the door to a divine appointment.
• 7:38
  SPEAKER_00: In my men's discipleship group right now, I have a man named Andy.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_00: I met Andy online last year when he entered into my Kingdom Entrepreneurship funnel.
• 7:51
  SPEAKER_00: He's been in my discipleship group since the first of the year, and he is a great friend.
• 7:56
  SPEAKER_00: I've had him on my podcast, and I love meeting with him every week and hearing how God is working in his life.
• 8:04
  SPEAKER_00: You never know how God is going to use your online presence.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_00: Let's talk about building that ecosystem.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: Build your online ecosystem and let your light shine everywhere.
• 8:20
  SPEAKER_00: Your website should serve as the hub of your online marketing ecosystem.
• 8:25
  SPEAKER_00: It must communicate who you are and the problem that you solve.
• 8:30
  SPEAKER_00: It should capture visitor information for future connection.
• 8:34
  SPEAKER_00: It should connect them to your broader digital channels, your social media, your blog, your podcast.
• 8:41
  SPEAKER_00: And remember, your blog becomes a platform for SEO and thought leadership.
• 8:47
  SPEAKER_00: Your podcast reinforces your message.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_00: Your videos allow people to see your heart.
• 8:53
  SPEAKER_00: And when all these tools align, your message becomes inescapable and irresistible.
• 8:59
  SPEAKER_00: And repurposing your content is key.
• 9:03
  SPEAKER_00: A blog can become a YouTube video, a podcast episode, a downloadable lead magnet, a social media carousel or reel.
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_00: And a framework to do this effectively that you can study is Gary V's content model, Gary Vaynerchuk, on how to create 64 pieces of content a day.
• 9:26
  SPEAKER_00: You can find that on his website.
• 9:30
  SPEAKER_00: Now, you want to balance excellence and authenticity.
• 9:35
  SPEAKER_00: And in a world of filters and formulas, authenticity cuts through every day of the week.
• 9:44
  SPEAKER_00: Don't be afraid to share your struggles, your story, and your faith.
• 9:49
  SPEAKER_00: As I wrote about in my book Desolate Places, it's often the lowest valleys that prepare us for the highest platforms.
• 9:57
  SPEAKER_00: Your transparency will create trust.
• 10:01
  SPEAKER_00: Be excellent, but don't be perfect.
• 10:04
  SPEAKER_00: Let your content be real and raw and redemptive.
• 10:08
  SPEAKER_00: That's where transformation happens.
• 10:11
  SPEAKER_00: Now, here are some common mistakes that I see Christian entrepreneurs make, and here's how you can avoid those.
• 10:18
  SPEAKER_00: Number one is inconsistency.
• 10:20
  SPEAKER_00: Posting once every few months is not going to build momentum.
• 10:25
  SPEAKER_00: So create a sustainable content schedule for yourself.
• 10:30
  SPEAKER_00: Compartmentalization.
• 10:32
  SPEAKER_00: Faith and business should not be separate silos.
• 10:36
  SPEAKER_00: They should be fully integrated.
• 10:38
  SPEAKER_00: They are both a part of your life.
• 10:41
  SPEAKER_00: And neglecting your SEO and your analytics, stewardship includes understanding what's working and what's not working.
• 10:50
  SPEAKER_00: So track your traffic, your bounce rates, your conversions so that you grow intentionally.
• 10:58
  SPEAKER_00: And then you need to get to the deeper why, and that is the eternal return on investment.
• 11:05
  SPEAKER_00: At the end of the day, this is not just about clicks, conversions, or even cash.
• 11:13
  SPEAKER_00: It's about calling.
• 11:15
  SPEAKER_00: When we show up with intentionality, creativity, and faith, we're planting seeds that God can multiply.
• 11:24
  SPEAKER_00: Some you will see, and some you won't.
• 11:28
  SPEAKER_00: But rest assured nothing is wasted in God's economy.
• 11:33
  SPEAKER_00: First Corinthians fifteen, fifty-eight encourages, always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
• 11:48
  SPEAKER_00: I just want to give you a testimony.
• 11:51
  SPEAKER_00: I started blogging back in the early 2000s, and from my blogging and from my videos, I have had the opportunity, as I said before, to minister in India, to minister in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda.
• 12:12
  SPEAKER_00: Through that, I have seen churches planted.
• 12:16
  SPEAKER_00: I have seen ministers enter into the gospel ministry.
• 12:21
  SPEAKER_00: I have had the opportunity to preach to tens of thousands of people.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_00: I have friends all over the world who are involved in gospel ministry and business.
• 12:35
  SPEAKER_00: I have taught Bible college students.
• 12:38
  SPEAKER_00: I have helped graduate Bible college students.
• 12:40
  SPEAKER_00: I have helped start Bible colleges.
• 12:44
  SPEAKER_00: I have seen many people come to faith in Christ.
• 12:47
  SPEAKER_00: I've seen many miracles happen.
• 12:50
  SPEAKER_00: All because I have used this tool and this mechanism.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_00: I've had people use my sermon outlines, my study materials.
• 13:00
  SPEAKER_00: People have gone through my business courses with me.
• 13:05
  SPEAKER_00: I've seen businesses started, kids put through school.
• 13:12
  SPEAKER_00: You just don't know what God is going to do with what you put in his hands.
• 13:21
  SPEAKER_00: This is your five loaves and your two fish.
• 13:24
  SPEAKER_00: In your hands, it doesn't seem like much, but in God's hands, it's more than enough, and you have no idea how many people he is going to touch with what you give him.
• 13:38
  SPEAKER_00: So remember this: your online presence is a sacred assignment.
• 13:43
  SPEAKER_00: Your website, your funnel, your Instagram captions, they're all sacred ground.
• 13:49
  SPEAKER_00: They're not just business tools, they're ministry opportunities.
• 13:53
  SPEAKER_00: So don't settle for mediocrity.
• 13:55
  SPEAKER_00: Build with purpose.
• 13:57
  SPEAKER_00: Launch with boldness.
• 13:59
  SPEAKER_00: Speak with clarity, serve with joy, because in the end, we don't just want an audience.
• 14:06
  SPEAKER_00: We want impact.
• 14:08
  SPEAKER_00: We don't just want traffic.
• 14:10
  SPEAKER_00: We want transformation.
• 14:12
  SPEAKER_00: And we don't just want conversions.
• 14:16
  SPEAKER_00: We want eternal change.
• 14:19
  SPEAKER_00: So, Lord, let my words online be seasoned with grace and guided by purpose.
• 14:27
  SPEAKER_00: As always, thanks for tuning in today.
• 14:30
  SPEAKER_00: If I can be of help to you, reach out to me.
• 14:32
  SPEAKER_00: Look forward to talking with you on our next episode.