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What other tasks do you have to do?
I keep the website updated (calendar, new sermons, etc), fix bugs, add features, update plugins/WordPress, manage hosting, create websites as needed. I schedule, train, lead and direct video volunteers on the weekends and schedule and conduct photoshoots as promotional assets for new events like our women's conference.


What is your current objective for your own website?
Our target demographic is 25-35 year old unchurched/dechurched males - though that gets forgotten until stratop roles around once a year. Ideally we'd be focusing on bringing new attenders into the church by promoting the current/next sermon series and giving some kind of CTA like signing up for a "New to Church Class" (which we have.)

Practically speaking however, our leadership is focused primarily on look-and-feel - they don't really think about conversions so improvements are hard to argue for.

What framework do you use?
So, I'm not exactly sure what you're asking. We use WordPress, I use Sage with Wordmove. Right now we're moving from Media Temple to WPEngine (highly recommend managed wordpress). Sometimes, for quick turnarounds I'll get a theme off of ThemeForest.

And do you enjoy using it?
Actually no - I don't like WordPress. I'm looking to work with Ruby on Rails, NodeJs and React or Angular. That isn't practical for the church, or more small businesses so I'll have to change jobs eventually.

Is there anything you wish you could do in your current job?
Yeah, I wish I could spend more time focusing conversions rather than aesthetics.

Do u get any benefits?
They offer benefits for full time employees but they're not very good for the younger staff members so we receives benefits through my wife's employer.

Full remote?
Nah. In my current position, that would be impossible to argue for. But, working in the office isn't so bad. I work with a lot of great young creative people. They're making an active effort to accept and attract millennial's at our church because they're concerned the church will die with baby boomers if they don't start attracting younger people. So now we have a lot of young people on staff and it is pretty nice.

How long have you been web dev and what lang do you know?
I'm most comfortable on the front end with SASS and JavaScript. I know a bit of PHP, NodeJS and Python but that stuff doesn't really come up.

Do u use any of the Google SEO?
Yes, we pretty much dominate SEO in our area right now but that is just because we're the biggest church in our area.

One thing worth checking out if you do get the gig is Google for Nonprofits. We got like $10,000/m free from google for google ads. That'll impress your boss if they don't know about it already.


Would u have any good beginners notes or links?
It's all about high quality work with fast turn around times. High quality means whatever makes your boss happy. What'll make your boss happy - most likely - is not conversions but aesthetics. Think - nice photography, good graphic design, engaging videos, well written copy, etc. Conversions only come into play when arguing for a raise so keep track of them as best you can because nobody else will. What did conversions look like when you started? What do they look like a year later?

To achieve high quality with fast turnaround times, I recommend mastering one of those bloated generalized WordPress themes like Divi or X, purchase creative bundles on Creative Market whenever they're on sale (usually once a month.) Get good at making things that make people go "ooohhh aaahhhh" in a couple of hours.

Every church looks at other churches' work to copy. Our church likes Elevation's website. Find out who your leaders are paying attention to and then let their work influence yours. "Steal Like an Artist."

Unlike in private industry, churches are pretty good about sharing information with each other. We've talked to people from Saddleback and Elevation Church about their processes and equipment. We've also opened up to smaller churches and helped get them set up. Don't be afraid to call other churches and ask for their Web guy or whatever and see what you can get out of them.

Also, I highly recommend Donald Miller's Storybrand Roadmap if you can somehow get access to it or convince the church to let you do the online workshop.

Of places to get off and running?
I'm not sure what you're asking. My advice is to do as much work as you can on your own - do freelance work, do personal projects - and share it with people. When you do good work, people want to work with you.

Any church related things I should know... I'm athiest & last time I was in church was 1997
You'll have to assess the culture at the church you work at. Some churches will boot you out if they found out you were an atheist, others would welcome you in. You'll have to assess the culture of the church you're going to and decide for yourself how to get along.

One thing I'll say - probably drop any preconceived notions you may have. You'd be surprised at how laid back (some) church folk are. One of my friends just interviewed for a pastoral position- the senior pastor interviewing him was drinking a craft beer at like 1:00pm on a Thursday during the interview. That is just the culture of that church. Every church is different.


And of course are you hiring?
No.

I won't claim to be a great negotiator, but I read a hilarious and useful book about how to mess with someone's head to get them off their own game and advantage yourself.

You aren't doing anything unethical or illegal, just rather clever, like insisting on riding with your opponent to the match, then giving them poor directions. Or talking about a match you have the next week with someone who's just so good, and you need tips from your current opponent to improve, which gives your current opponent the yips.

http://www.amazon.com/Theory-Practice-Gamesmanship-Stephen-Potter/dp/1559212233

Your local library system should have a copy, mine did.

Enjoy!

I haven't read them but I have come across books on NLP and Influence. There seems to be a series.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VNH8T9B/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExUFkyWFZFSlQzMU8xJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjE1NTMzUVVFSU1KWFVGVURBJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTEwMjMyNzIzR09ENzA0STVTVlNLJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Adam Kahane has a new book out that may be what you're looking for.

Just downloaded it so I can not make a personal recommendation on it yet.

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Talking-Stakes-Second-ebook/dp/B005K0AYH4/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=