A lot of people ask me about blogging – How do you start one, what should I write, etc… Here are some links that have helped me… I hope they’ll do the same for you:

This is the best article I’ve found that will help you start a blog:

• How to Start a Blog by Michael Hyatt

Three Websites that Consistently write on and help me with blogging:

• Michaelhyatt.com
• Churchcrunch.com
• Seth Godin

As far as tips from me… After a year – I’d say this:

Be Personal while Adding Value – Personally, I enjoy when people consistently blog content and occasionally blog about their personal lives. If it’s all content, I don’t feel like I ever get to know you, and if it’s all personal, I know way too much about you and get bored quickly.

Less is More - This is hard for me and I’m still working on it. The truth is, very few of us will read a blog post that takes longer than a minute to read. Be quick and the to point.

Be consistent - I’m not saying blog everyday, but be consistent enough so that I’ll want to come back and visit your blog consistently.

Be Yourself – I enjoy blogging because it teaches me a lot about me. For a while, I tried blogging like everyone else who was a “popular” blogger. Now, I’m just learning to be me!

Know Your Audience – You need to have a way to measure whether or not what you are putting out there is effective. The best tool I’ve found for that is Google Analytics. It tracks everything from what people are reading, to where they’re from, how they got to your site, how much time they spent on it, how they got there, etc.. It helps you learn about you and the people you’re influencing through your blog.

What about you out there in the blogosphere? What do you think some good blogging tips are?

What They Do:

FINISHLINE MINISTRIES seeks to serve and strengthen the vision of the local church by providing practical insights through these methods:

1. by COACHING – Mentoring emerging Youth Pastors and leaders. IE. (Personal coaching on the “How to” of youth ministry)

2. by EQUIPPING – Enhancing church members and staffs how to “Align” to the Vision of their pastor. IE. (Teaching HELPS ministry messages and church “Master Planning”© concepts*) *independent consulting

3. by TRAINING – Teaching practical leadership principles and hosting youth ministry leadership workshops / conferences. IE. (ACHIEVE: monthly “the AM” leadership breakfast and 1 day STUDENT MINISTRY leadership events)

Personal Testimony: I’ve blogged about Pastor Larry a lot so I’ll keep this brief. I can name so many people and ministries that have never been the same because of having Pastor Larry’s investment in them, including my own. I wouldn’t be in ministry or anywhere in life if it weren’t for this man.

I’ll just say that if your a youth pastor, youth leader, senior pastor, etc. You need to bring Pastor Larry by your side and have him work with you and your team. He has the experience and the coaching skills necessary to take you and your team to another level. On top of consulting, he is an incredible communicator for your church, youth ministry, youth retreat, or youth camp. If you’re interested in having him consult with your team or speak at your church or event, e-mail him at larry@finishlineministry.com.

Pastor Larry’s Bio:

• Over 20 years Youth Pastor and Associate ministry experience
• 13 years as Associate Pastor of Victory Family Church- assisted Pst. John Nuzzo in establishing Victory as a one of the prominent churches in the Northeast, seeing growth from 70 to over 2,000
• Oversight of ministries include: Youth, Children, Helps, 20 something, and Pastoral care
  (Started 2 youth groups and managed completion of 10,000 sq. ft. Youth Center)
• 17 years of hosting and organizing youth camps and leadership seminars
• Master in Organizational Leadership
• Football assistant coach- at Geneva College (3yrs) and Seneca Valley High School (10yrs)
• Married to Kim for 17 years
• 4 awesome daughters

Check out and Buy Pastor Larry’s Latest Book: Put it Behind Ya

Check out Pastor Larry’s Blog: http://larrybettencourt.wordpress.com/

Check him out on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lbettencourt

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Larry-Bettencourt/1074867622

Here is an interview my good friend, Cory Vogan, had with Pastor Larry in March, 2009:

Pastor Larry Bettencourt Interview from Bubba Smith on Vimeo.

Here were the top visited posts in 2010 – Hope they add value to your life!

1. David Faulk Interview
2. Jumonville 2009 Recap
3. My Thoughts on Youth Ministry (Part 1) – Why I love Teenagers
4. My Thoughts on Youth Ministry (Part 2.1) – What is Success
5. Dealing with the Loss of Loved Ones (Part 4) – Life Lessons
6. Dealing with the Loss of Loved Ones (Part 1)
7. Dealing with the Loss of Loved Ones (Part 2) – Who do You Run To?
8. Spring Highlights 2009
9. Free from Sin, Addiction, and Bondage (Part 1) – The Argument For
10. Free from Sin, Addiction, and Bondage (Part 2) – Enough is Enough