30 Free Internet Tools Every Pastor Must Have

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Pastors are insatiable collectors. Some collect books. Some prize ancient artifacts. Whatever the flavor of your particular taste, I know you're a collector just like me. Face it, we'll land on any excuse to add to the collection.

I collect free software and Internet services.

Over the years I've collected a treasure trove of free resources that increase my ministry productivity - when I'm not browsing for more goodies. I cherish the opportunity to welcome others to my hobby to letting the sample what's out there.

Maybe you'll be bit by the collector's bug after you sample these 30 free Internet resources. Some will offer the opportunity to opt for a paid version but, with two exceptions, they are all free for every day use.

Research tools to study religious demography in America

These sites offer a raft demographic and cultural data. These sites are particularly helpful for pastors who need to re-connect a congregation with its setting.

Association of Religious Data Archives (thearda.com)Pew Research Center (pewresearch.org)Adherents (adherents.com)The Barna Group (barna.com)U.S. Religious Statistics (usreligionstatistics.info)Public Religion Research Institute (publicreligion.org)

Two additional sites that provide useful demographic information but they require a little more digging:

U.S. Census Bureau (census.gov)The Alban Institute (alban.org)

Finally, there is one free software tool that's invaluable for research. When you sign up for a free Evernote account ( http://www.evernote.com ) you'll also receive a browser extension that will let you clip text, pictures and even whole web pages. It's an amazing program and best of all - it's free.

Sites that train pastors to lead churches through significant change.

Don't let the fact that these ministries specialize in training interim pastors throw you off course. The skills that enable interim pastors to bring about significant change in congregations can also be used by pastors who plan to hang around in their church for years to come!

(There are many denominational ministries that aren't linked here)

Interim Pastor Ministries (interimpastors.org)Interim Ministry Network (inmedu.org)ReTurn ( http://www.crmleaders.org/teams/return )Center for Congregational Health (healthychurch.org)Intentional Interim Ministry (intentionalinterimministry.org)

Web pages with helpful utilities

These sites have tools to download and "how to" content. Realistic things every interim pastor needs.

Transition Ministries Group (transitionministriesgroup.com)Transition Leadership Network (outreach.ca)Percept (perceptgroup.com)Transformation Ministries Resource Page (transmin.org)Church Health Resources (baptiststart.com/churchgrowth.html)Congregational Resource Guide (congregationalresources.org)Life and Leadership (lifeandleadership.com)Clergy Leadership Institute (clergyleadership.com)

Tools for social media marketing

This is a bit of a hobby horse. I am convinced that any church without an effective, easily managed social media marketing program is seriously handicapped.

I'm also big on social media marketing because one of my goals is to create a virtual community of ministry colleagues who add value to one another's lives. The Internet, Web 2.0 and social media tools allow us to create friendships, to coach one another and give help to our colleagues around the world.

On top of that, it is remarkably easy to build a virtual platform in your community that allows your church to speak to those who might have never considered visiting were it not for your social media profile.

I have nine tools in my social media marketing tool kit box. I've tried dozens of them but these are suited to my style and odd work habits. If you decide to go down that pathway, these will be useful tools.

HootsuiteFacebookTwitterWordPressMars Edit [$39.95 after a 30 day trial]Markdown Pro [$9.95]BufferLinkedIn

There are many more free Internet tools that will help pastors be more productive. They will extend your research, your knowledge of the community and even help you reach people you're currently missing.

I bet I've missed plenty of other free tools.

If you have a favorite or know one I've missed, let me know. I'll add it to the list.

I'm in the business of serving the local church. I provide free resources, offer training and coaching, and I love to network with brothers and sisters in ministry. You can find me at the Transition Ministries Group. Stop by and visit; I'd love to chat.

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Amazing Tools by Google

Google is a well-known search engine that keeps incorporating new tools and features from time to time. Let us find out a few of these useful tools or features that help a user in day-to-day activities.

Cooking tool

With Google introducing the tool of Cooking in its search functionality it is now relatively easier to search for the latest recopies. You will be easily able to find relevant searches according to the keywords this way and avoid useless links. You will further be benefited with the search results with various headings that include categorization. For example, recipes for, diabetics, low-carb, low fat, vegetarian and weight watchers, etc. now it becomes relatively easier for you to search accordingly.

Hangout

This is a video chat provided by Google. Utilizing this service a user can engage in simultaneous video chat with at least 10 users instantly. The video chat can also be done through your mobile device, tablet or desktop. You will be able to view the chat friend in a window the moment you start the conversation. In Hangout, you also have the sharing option of collaborating docs and sharing screens. You also have the option of broadcasting your chat on Google+ profile or share it across YouTube instantaneously.

Navigation & Traffic

Google has come up with the latest for Android users; this includes voice navigation that guides a user giving directions. This feature is accessible from Google Maps even users having navigation app on their phone can gain this functionality. Additionally this is not all; a user will also be able to get a clear indication about the traffic information through live updates. This feature is for selected cities along with color-coding that indicates the heavy (red), moderate (yellow) and frees (green). If you are stuck in a jam then you also have the advantage of taking an alternate route suggested via map avoiding traffic.

Moderator

This more like a public forum that enables in seeking answers and starting discussions online. Once you start a thread of discussion online others are allowed to pool in their comments, ideas, views and opinions. You also get the benefit of opinion poll and see if your idea has met with successful number of votes from the readers. All this can be shared via e-mail, Twitter, Google+ and Facebook for initiating better responses.

Map Maker

For all those who love working around Maps and editing geographical information this is the one. By using Google Map Maker, you can easily upload, edit, add and create relevant geographical details in the map. This is applicable to around 200 countries but remember any changes or editing done by you will go to the moderators for approval. After approving your changes, it will be accessible.

Scholar
Scholar is like an online library tool to those who are into academics; a user can easily look for books, content, documents, articles and thesis. If you are looking for a specific document that is available online then you can easily search it out using Scholar.

Web Masters

After creating a website it is essential to get relevant ranking. Other things involve SEO, ranking, site indexing, all this makes it a complicated task. If you are new to all this then it takes more time to get to the favorable spot to be able to shine in the search engine results. Keeping all this in mind WebMaters is creates to help view a detailed report and understand all about Google rankings. Additionally, it helps in accessing the lacks of your website, gives tips and suggestions for improvement in visibility. You also get a detailed report including traffic analysis for free.

Search via SMS

The best thing that Google offers to its users is the ability to utilize numerous applications that too via SMS. If we take for example search, you can easily conduct a web based news search, get the latest info on movies, cricket scores by merely sending an SMS to 9773300000. The results will be received instantly via SMS. Interestingly even if you do not own a Smartphone you can still use this service as it is SMS based and it has nothing to do with data connectivity either. In addition, if you like to receive latest updates then you can register with Google Calendar.

All the above given functionalities are just a few of the amazing tools or features that are introduced by Google for user benefit.

Marigold Henry Montana is a technical expert who deals with various computer related issues. She is capable of handling the software as well as hardware troubleshooting. She advises people on basic upkeep and maintenance of their PC, Laptops, Notebooks and Tablets. She is working as a freelance technology writer and as fulltime online tech support for a well known IT software company. Her aim is to spread the technical know-how to the people all around the globe.

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Why Collaboration Tools For Business Are Best Used When Cooperating With Other Businesses

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Collaboration tools are best used when a business has just established a working relationship with another provider of services to the same target market. This other company should not be competing with the business, however. This allows both businesses to put their best foot forward in the joint venture instead of holding anything back.

1. The businesses should have complementary products

Two businesses who are thinking of working together should have complementary products. This will allow both businesses to combine their knowledge and experience to generate greater sales than they could alone. These complimentary services should go together like peanut butter and jelly. For example, a dog collar company could package their product with dog shampoo for a greater amount of revenue. A car could also include (which is now standard for most companies) GPS navigation to their cars to help them make more money on the front end of the sale. Any of these businesses have complementary products that enhance the other product's ability to sell. Sometimes the products being sold together are twice as effective as the product being sold on its own.

2. The businesses should be non competing

Not only should the businesses have complementary products, they should be non competing. Outside of sharing characteristics of the same target market, a business should not be directly competing with the other business. This would cause a conflict in interest. This conflict would cause both businesses to steal processes from each other and the joint venture would not work. Collaboration tools would work too well in this case, and should not be used. In fact, this joint venture should never be set up in the first place. Two businesses that want to work together should not be competing with each other. This gives both companies the best chance to succeed in the market place, and makes sure that both companies have something to gain from the shared risk and reward of working together.

3. The businesses should gain benefit from working from each other

The risks of doing business with another company should be offset by rewards of doing business with the other company. Typically, those rewards would be increased revenue, more sales, and greater marketing intelligence. The shared risk offsets the amount of capital and work that is necessary for either side of the business need to invest. The less money that a business has to allocate to generate revenue the better off they will be in the long run. That money or manpower is available for other projects that may also deliver more revenue and sales.

Every business should find other like-minded businesses to collaborate with to make money. The truth about business is that it can be very lonely and having another business owner to share the brunt of the work is very helpful. The amount of sales, revenue, and marketing intelligence that a business can gain by working with another company is something that should not ignored. Every business should find a business that they can trust and worth with today.

Scott Buendia consults for Bizbuilt.com. All the views and tactics in this article are tactics and ideas of the author; they do not necessarily represent the ideals, beliefs, or trademarks of Bizbuilt.com. Visit his card on Bizbuilt here, https://www.bizbuilt.com/socialmediaprivacy.

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How Virtual Tools Help in Learning Elementary Math in an Error-Free Way

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Mathematics has always been a scary subject for students of all age groups. While kids struggle with the problems of elementary Math, seniors have to struggle with complex problems in schools. Sometimes, the traditional learning process falls short of delivering the proper problem-solving skills. Hence, it is extremely important to incorporate scientific methods that help students grasp the problem-solving techniques in a convenient way.

According to the experts, virtual tools and various web-based applications can help students learn and master the complex problems of Math. With the help of close monitoring, interactive and adaptive online games, and virtual learning environments, teachers can ensure the academic success of students.

Here, we have come up with a few virtual tools that can help you learn the complex problems of Mathematics in an effective way.

Fundamentals of Elementary Math Training

In the elementary level, three-tiered approach is actually followed in recent years. Tier 1 involves a generalized classroom instruction. Tier 2 may involve instructions delivered to a small group within the classroom or outside. Tier 3 deals with students who require individualized instruction. Depending on the specific needs of the students, the teachers can provide training in that three-tiered approach.

Emphasis on Online Games

Incorporations of interesting games in the training process can keep students engaged. Virtual classrooms offer the best platform to include interactive games in the learning process. Students who no more feel interested in the traditional classroom setting may take interest in playing online math games. Moreover, the process gives them an enhanced way of understanding complex problems of Mathematics, thus keeping them engaged with the learning process.

Adaptive Learning for Progressive Assessment

A fair idea about the strength and weakness of a student allows teacher to deliver knowledge in an error-free way. As a result, progress monitoring of each student before and during academic intervention is extremely important. A virtual learning platform allows you to track the student's performance in real-time. It helps teachers decide which students require more help and what skills require extensive practice.

Keep in mind that online Math games are highly adaptive and can be designed accordingly to address the specific needs of each student. Thus, it is extremely handy, when it comes to assessing student performance. It not only helps in tracking the students' progress, but can also help teachers take feedback from each game. It helps them adapt their traditional curriculum to ensure the academic success of each student.

Jonathan is a professional trainer. He employs latest technology for online class registration and online training registration that results in more attendance and ROI.

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SMS Marketing Alternatives for Real Estate Advertising and marketing: New Tools to market Properties Faster

TXTImpact offers a simplistic web-based text messages application that allows agents and customers to interact in a more close fashion than what the market previously allowed. Although the housing bubble burst in 2008 and many so-called experts wouldn't be captured dead attempting to offer real estate, most successful agents are savvy enough to realize that there's cash to be made in virtually any market. You only have to give you potential homebuyers what they are looking for. Thanks to TXTImpact as well as their new SMS Marketing and advertising service for real real estate, people shopping for houses now have instant, tempting information available.

Real estate can be a very tricky organization. There are only a great number of ways to communicate with some sort of buyer. A picture of an house is posted within a circular somewhere, of course, if a homebuyer is interested in shopping properties, they call you, ask for details, and you might acquire lucky enough to take them out considering homes in person. Along with the rare occasion, you finally land a sound buyer.

How many leads look at your properties every day, but never make contact with you? How many consider flyers but never call? With the Txtimpact program, you can have buyers in the users hand of your hand.

By offering them on the spot specifics and photos in the Place. They will get back to you. The home buyer sends in a simple text message, and after that Txtimpact service instantly communicates photos, pricing, and further information directly to their own mobile phone! The most important matter is that, Txtimpact sends you, the real estate agent, the phone quantity of the prospect while they are however in front of the house!

Using this new text messaging assistance, however, you have a fresh, fresh approach to supplying homebuyers details about the property. Real estate agent put text messages enabled yard warning or Rider before the house. That's it! As prospective buyer's text in for information, right now there phone # is shipped right to your cell phone or email. When the property is sold, simply reuse the rules.

You can send out brand-new photos and other online materials, details about the region, up-to-the-minute pricing changes, and so much more. Whenever a buyer really wants to know about a particular residence, as long as they're an an affiliate your network, you are able to send them an array of materials.

This romantic one-on-one setting makes the homebuyer feel like an important part from the real estate process. As opposed to homes just a slave to collecting dust, your detailing can go viral and reach many people through SMS marketing approach.

For the savvy real estate business out there aiming to offer their customers considerably more than the ordinary, TXTImpact's SMS Real Estate Marketing offer is a great step in the proper direction.

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