Episode Abstract:
Be a part of Kenny Jahng as he sits down with Niya Esperanza, a social media influencer with over one million followers, to discover her natural and impactful method to sharing religion on-line. Niya shares her journey of leveraging platforms like TikTok to have interaction with youthful audiences whereas working actively in youth ministry. Hear in for insights on how authenticity and group constructing on social media might be an efficient ministry device.
In This Episode, You’ll Study:
Niya’s distinctive method to integrating religion into day by day content material
Methods for participating youthful audiences on digital platforms
Suggestions for church buildings to successfully use Instagram and TikTok
The significance of authenticity and consistency in social media
The right way to deal with challenges and misconceptions about digital ministry
Key Quotes:
“Individuals simply need to see you. They need a superb story.” — Niya Esperanza
“Social media mustn’t simply be a spot the place you’re displaying what you’re doing, however who you might be.” — Niya Esperanza
“Christians have a possibility to come back in and use social media otherwise in a approach that stands out.” — Niya Esperanza
Hyperlinks & Sources Talked about:
Niya’s Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@niyaesperanza
Niya’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niyaesperanza
Niya YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgNfji8YRPm7S91enqssO2w
Talks with Trey (Niya’s brother): https://www.youtube.com/@talkswithtrey1510
Niya’s On-line Retailer: https://forallpeople.com/
In regards to the Church Tech Right now Podcast:
The Church Tech Right now Podcast helps pastors, church workers, and ministry leaders navigate the intersection of religion and know-how with confidence. Hosted by Kenny Jahng and delivered to you by www.FrontDoor.church.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
Kenny Jahng [00:00:00]:
Hey, mates. It’s that point once more. Kenny Jahng right here. We’re right here in a particular session. I’m, like, I’m giddy. I’m, like, giddy as a young person right here. It’s a kind of moments the place you meet individuals throughout the interwebs after which someway make connections. And connections. And right here we’re sitting stay. So I’m right here with somebody that I comply with that has over one million followers throughout all platforms and I believe is simply gonna be, somebody that you simply’re gonna hear from much more. And, Naya, welcome. Welcome. How are you doing?
Niya Esperanza [00:00:29]:
I’m doing so properly. Thanks for having me. That is so enjoyable.
Kenny Jahng [00:00:32]:
So to start with, I do know TikTok is, I believe, your major platform. Mhmm. Why don’t you share with all people what platforms you might be on and what’s your deal with so everybody can, like, abandon this proper now and go comply with you and all these issues?
Niya Esperanza [00:00:44]:
Oh my gosh. Thanks. I’m on TikTok that I’d say is my important one. My username is identical on every little thing. I’ve a singular title, so it’s simply Nya Esperanza, n I y a, after which Esperanza is my final title. So it’s the identical on every little thing. I’m on TikTok, Instagram. My brother is admittedly attempting to get me to start out a YouTube. He has a YouTube, and he thinks I have to have a YouTube. So I’ve an account on there that possibly I’ll begin posting on.
Kenny Jahng [00:01:05]:
Oh, properly, let’s shout out. Let’s let’s give some Trey some shout subs.
Niya Esperanza [00:01:09]:
Trey’s Trey’s YouTube is talks with Trey. He began when he was, like, tremendous little, however now he he’s really, like, a extremely good video editor. And each time he makes movies, I’m I’m very impressed. So he’s over on YouTube, which is my little brother. I make movies with him too. Superior. So
Kenny Jahng [00:01:25]:
so I began following you in all probability a yr in the past, a bit of a bit of over a yr in the past. And what has been fascinating to look at and develop this relationship between viewer and creator Yeah. Is seeing how you might be really witnessing your religion the place it’s not an specific evangelism channel or something like that. It’s act I don’t understand how you’d describe it, however you do some combine by way of you’re not scared to share your life at your work on the church, your religion life, even typically explicitly answering some questions concerning the Bible, and issues like that. Yeah. How may you simply share with us what’s conceptually that blend or method that you’ve simply out of the gate so everybody will get understanding?
Niya Esperanza [00:02:08]:
Yeah. I’ll say after I began posting on social media, I had completely zero intention of being the place we’re right this moment. Like, the second video I posted went actually viral. I simply had video concepts for different individuals, they usually weren’t taking them. So I used to be like, okay. I’m simply gonna make them, and it was enjoyable. Slowly, as I began posting extra, I used to be getting questions on Christianity. Individuals DM me, like, on daily basis saying they don’t know the right way to learn the Bible, however they’re actually . They don’t know the right way to pray, however they actually need to. How do they get nearer to God? And I used to be like, properly, that is what I do in my common life. I work with the youth group at my church. And so I used to be like, properly, I’ve solutions to this, however I’d say individuals ask me to explain my content material, and I’ve a extremely arduous time as a result of it feels very random. I after I get up within the morning, I don’t know what I’m gonna submit that day. I sort of simply submit my day, I’ll say. Like, different individuals will do, like, a morning recap or evening. I don’t do this as a lot, however I simply present issues that I’m doing or issues that I’m speaking about in my actual life then sort of get proven on-line additionally. So I work at a church, in order that’s a part of my day. So I’m gonna submit about that. You recognize, if I’m studying one thing or if I’ve been processing by, like, a query that individuals have, individuals I like Taylor Swift. So individuals like to ask me about listening to Taylor Swift as a as a Christian. That’s, like, an enormous query that I’ve gotten requested a bunch of occasions. So I’m like, okay. Like, I’ve had to consider this for myself. I really feel like I’ve processed this with the excessive schoolers that I work with at my church. So then it sort of naturally comes out in my social media. And I’d say I simply present my life, and a part of my life is that I’m a Christian. In order that does come out.
Kenny Jahng [00:03:31]:
It’s you’re not hiding it. Proper? You’re not
Niya Esperanza [00:03:33]:
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I’m not
Kenny Jahng [00:03:34]:
hiding it. Yeah. You’re it’s not such as you you’re not attempting to plan in a cooking present. There’s one thing it’s representing who you might be. Now inform me, how do you personally see your affect on social media by way of each on your era and or let me let me simply backtrack. Who’re most of your followers? It’s it’s not outdated fogies like me. Proper? Like, who’re your followers?
Niya Esperanza [00:04:00]:
My important demographic is, like, the youngest demographic that it exhibits you. So I’d I joke that it began as center college ladies. I’d say that was a pair years in the past. So it’s in all probability, like, highschool ladies, early faculty ladies principally, after which some individuals my age. However I’d say it’s principally youthful, younger adults, highschool, center college, that age vary, predominantly females, however I do have some guys that comply with me too. Actually, one among my movies that did very well was with my little brother, and so I received a bunch of center college ladies that adopted me again when my little brother was, , taping his hair. He braided his hair and put tape in it, and all these center college ladies was like, oh my gosh, your little brother. And now they’ve simply caught round, and they also’re nonetheless they’re nonetheless there.
Kenny Jahng [00:04:40]:
Actually. Okay. So let me return to the query. So,
Niya Esperanza [00:04:43]:
like Yeah.
Kenny Jahng [00:04:43]:
How do you personally see your affect on social media because the affect on ministry? Like, do you do you’re feeling prefer it’s really shifting the needle? Have you ever had conversations that basically do reply questions and convey individuals nearer to Jesus. How do you see that?
Niya Esperanza [00:04:59]:
Yeah. I do see that, which is admittedly loopy. So I get messages, like I mentioned, on a regular basis. And folks say this, however I get overwhelmed as a result of I’m like, if I had the time, I’d reply reply to each single one among these, and I believe each single a kind of would result in a extremely, like, lasting superior dialog. However I attempt to take, like, the principle questions that I get requested after which make movies about these in order that, hopefully, then that may get proven to extra individuals. So individuals ask the right way to learn the Bible. So I’ve made loads of movies of, like, right here’s some simple issues you are able to do of the right way to learn the Bible, and other people have adopted up and messaged me and mentioned, this has modified my life. I’ve began studying the Bible. Some ladies simply confirmed up at our youth group a pair weeks in the past as a result of that they had, like, seen our youth group on social media. They’d seen me on social media, they usually confirmed up. We’ve had loads of loopy issues which have occurred due to social media. However I additionally assume past simply social media, we simply launched a devotional. So I’ve we now have an internet site as a result of we now have loads of content material that we now have created in our youth ministry. And so forth that web site, we we launched, like, a line by line information by the Lord’s prayer to sort of train individuals the right way to pray. And so it’s like a downloadable PDF that I can simply say, hey. Go get this. It’s low-cost. It’s actually superior. We used it with our youth ministry first, and so it’s been tried and examined with a whole lot of individuals. And so now these individuals on-line are, like, responding to me that they are surely, like, studying the right way to pray, studying the right way to learn the bible. And so I’ve seen it completely make a distinction in individuals’s lives. And I simply assume social media is a spot the place individuals are. And so if Christians aren’t there, then we’re lacking the chance to have affect to that house. And if we take away all of ourselves, then we take away loads of the redeeming qualities of social media. So, yeah, I’ve seen it make a big effect in individuals’s lives.
Kenny Jahng [00:06:34]:
What do you assume pastors basically misunderstand about reaching these youthful generations by digital platforms? What’s your sense of, like, the place are they lacking the boat?
Niya Esperanza [00:06:46]:
A factor that I believe pastors are lacking, I additionally work with the youth ministry at my church, and we now have a pupil management crew, and I run the media crew. So I additionally run, like, our highschool’s social media web page, and I’ve my web page. So I’ve sort of seen either side of it. And I believe social media, a factor that we do with our highschool college students on, like, the primary week of pupil management is I’ve them pull up our account, and I say, what would anyone who has by no means been to our highschool ministry assume that we worth? What would they find out about who we’re based mostly on our web page? And we sort of undergo, okay. They’d say that we actually like Sundays and Wednesdays, or we actually like this factor. However would they know what sermon collection we’re in? Would they know that we care about this? Would they know that we care about this? And we sort of, like, make an inventory of issues we actually do care about and issues that our social media is displaying that we care about. And I believe social media mustn’t ever simply be, particularly for church buildings, like, a spot the place you’re displaying what you’re doing. It needs to be the place you present who you might be. So with our youth ministry, we needed to see we would like it to indicate what we worth and who we’re as a per as a youth ministry as a substitute of simply, oh, we now have this occasion arising. So I believe loads of occasions I’ve scrolled by church Instagrams. I’ve run my church’s, like, massive Instagram account, and lots of people are like, oh, are you able to submit that we now have this occasion occurring? Like, we actually need this occasion promo. And there’s a place for that, however simply I believe it may be used for a lot greater than that. It’s not simply to promo an occasion or to inform individuals what’s occurring. It’s additionally to share about who you might be. And I believe that’s sort of what I get to do on my web page too as individuals know who I’m as an individual and a part of who I’m as a Christian. So that they see, like, oh, there’s this individual. She’s a Christian, and she or he does this factor, or she’s oh, she’s, , strolling her canine, and she or he loves Jesus. And so it’s not similar to this in a bubble factor, but it surely’s a bit of bit broader.
Kenny Jahng [00:08:21]:
I I let’s dig a bit of deeper on that as a result of I believe, within the ministries that we coach and that we Yeah. Encounter by way of pastors, they at all times really feel this trepidation earlier than going to social as a result of they’re like, oh, we’d like a studio and a light-weight package and all these things. And in the event you go to your account
Niya Esperanza [00:08:39]:
I disagree totally. Yeah. It says
Kenny Jahng [00:08:41]:
uncooked as might be. You might be in I imply, you’re in your automobile.
Niya Esperanza [00:08:45]:
I’m not good. I’m not good at it. Yeah.
Kenny Jahng [00:08:47]:
Or typically there’s tears, actually. Yeah.
Niya Esperanza [00:08:50]:
Yeah.
Kenny Jahng [00:08:50]:
And I believe that is simply what even the enhancing, I I believe you’re a bit of bit intentional of not making if you do edit your movies, you aren’t put you’re not making it simply utterly polished, which I discover No. Tremendous fascinating. In order that’s an intentional alternative in your facet.
Niya Esperanza [00:09:05]:
For positive. Yeah. I believe I imply, I don’t assume I possess the flexibility to do, like, the actually polished factor I’ve tried. Like, I received to go to the Lakers sport, and I received to take a seat courtside, half courtroom. This model was like, you simply should submit a video making our meals, and the meals was implausible. I used to be like, that is really one of the best factor that’s ever occurred to me. And so I attempted to make a video making their meals, and I used to be like, Trey, my little brother, he’s he has the, like, polished factor down. Like, he can do it. I used to be like, Trey, I want you to assist me. And we have been attempting, and we have been midway by making the video, and I used to be like, this simply doesn’t really feel like me in any respect. Like, this isn’t a video that looks as if one thing that I’d make, and I don’t prefer it, and it’s stressing me out. And so I believe that individuals can inform they will see by fakeness on the Web, particularly younger individuals. I believe they will inform in the event you’re being real otherwise you’re not. So I believe probably the most useful factor to do on social media is to be genuine and to be your self. And also you mentioned I cried. My mother was very involved after I was crying on the Web. It was not her favourite factor. She can be like, are you okay? Like, why do you must submit about you crying? Like, why are you doing that? And, ultimately, she was like, okay. I believe I kinda get it. Like, you might be being susceptible. You might be displaying folks that it’s okay to not be okay on a regular basis. And so I believe there’s a time and place for issues to look actually cool, and it may be superior. And I believe excessive manufacturing worth does go actually far, however I additionally assume that individuals simply need to know you they usually need to really feel linked to you. And similar factor goes on your church or on your youth ministry. Like, if they simply see the individuals and see you and really feel linked to you, I believe that’s extra essential. So, yeah, I’d say it doesn’t must be completely put collectively, otherwise you don’t must be fantastically excellent at excellent at enhancing. Simply be your self, and that may take you farther. You’ll discover the folks that like that.
Kenny Jahng [00:10:50]:
The primary steps {that a} pastor must do and in the event you comply with, a man named Gary Vaynerchuk. Proper? He’s he’s
Niya Esperanza [00:10:56]:
a Yeah. Yeah.
Kenny Jahng [00:10:57]:
Guru. He says, you should doc, not create. So don’t create these polished issues. Simply doc what’s occurring behind the scenes. So is is your prescription actually for and that is gonna be scary for lots of pastors listening in right here, that they need to simply get out their telephone. And even when it’s on their automobile earlier than their automobile trip dwelling from the workplace or one thing, they need to simply put up a video that it’s not excellent. They don’t actually have a digital camera mount of their cam automobile or something like that. You simply wanna discuss to the digital camera and don’t even edit. So there’s no, like, brand or swipes or something like that.
Niya Esperanza [00:11:34]:
Sure. I’d say that. I submit in my automobile all the time, and I don’t have a automobile mount. Like, I set it on my steering wheel. I don’t have I barely have a hoop mild at my home for as a result of our home is darkish. Like, that’s the I received and I received it as a present. Like, I don’t assume that that you must submit something loopy. I inform all of my mates, I believe anyone may do TikTok. I believe anyone can do social media. It’s nearly getting on the market and posting persistently. I used to be messaging somebody this morning who posted on their Instagram. Ought to I begin a TikTok? I mentioned, sure. Completely. Like, I believe that the barrier to entry is low, and it’s higher to only begin posting and get comfy. I additionally assume it’s actually arduous to beginning out, speaking to a telephone can really feel actually bizarre. And I keep in mind the primary Instagram story that I ever posted. I used to be in faculty, and I used to be actually excite it was, like, I believe it was Nationwide Down Syndrome Consciousness Day or one thing, and I used to be actually obsessed with it. I used to be like, I’m gonna submit this factor. And watching it again, I I felt very uncomfortable. Like, I used to be not good at speaking to my telephone. So that you the one approach to get higher at that’s to have extra reps. So the extra you do it, the simpler it’s going to get. And now it’s, like, second nature to me. I don’t even give it some thought. It’s actually like, comes actually rapidly. However I believe, sure, to pastors, I’d say get your telephone out. Simply file. Simply submit. Each single I’ll say each single video I’ve posted that has gone very viral was an unplanned video Mhmm. Was one thing that was not polished. I’ll work the toughest on movies, and it’ll get, like, no views. And the movies which are random get probably the most views. Individuals simply wanna see you. They need a superb story. They wanna be both, like, entertained or knowledgeable. I really feel like these are sort of the issues individuals discuss. And so if in case you have info to share, pastors clearly do, simply discuss and simply apply and simply hold going, and ultimately, it’ll you’ll get higher at it.
Kenny Jahng [00:13:13]:
What do you assume what’s one one or two issues that church buildings assume younger individuals need, however they don’t really care about?
Niya Esperanza [00:13:21]:
Oh, I’ve been speaking to lots of people about youthful individuals, and there’s this concept that older individuals can’t converse into youthful individuals’s lives, that younger individuals wanna hear from younger individuals. And I believe that’s true to an extent, but additionally in youth ministry and in my life, I’ve seen numerous occasions that, like, older adults talking into youthful individuals’s lives is among the most impactful issues. In our youth ministry, we now have some actually superior adults which are, like, so much older than the remainder of the individuals on workers, and they’re among the most beloved, among the most, like, cherished individuals in our youth ministry, and our college students love them. So I’d say you don’t must be younger. Perhaps that’s one of many issues. It doesn’t must be hip and funky. If they will inform you’re being real, I believe that’s the factor that they need most. And, like, in case you are I believe in the event you’re attempting to be cool, individuals see by that. So simply don’t be cool, and other people will love that. Like, that’s okay. Simply be your self. One other factor that younger individuals
Kenny Jahng [00:14:19]:
Like, what’s what’s cringe for younger folks that this
Niya Esperanza [00:14:22]:
What’s cringe?
Kenny Jahng [00:14:22]:
Yeah. What that that the pastors and church buildings and these leaders that assume that they
Niya Esperanza [00:14:27]:
I believe in the event you I believe if that you simply’re cringe, that’s hilarious. I believe that’s nice. Like, don’t fear about it. If you happen to’re attempting to not be cringe, I believe that’s cringey. Like, actually, simply submit the tacky video and know that it’s tacky. However in the event you assume that’s actually cool, that’s and also you’re giving off the vibes that it’s actually cool, then I believe that’s tougher. I believe what else is cringe? I believe in the event you’re simply posting, like, picture in the event you aren’t posting posting movies at this level, I believe you’re behind. So, like, if on Instagram, in the event you’re not posting reels, I believe you’re behind. We, in our social media crew, have gone nearly solely over to creating announcement movies. They usually’re humorous they usually’re inventive they usually’re totally different, and it’s not individuals speaking. I believe in the event you’re simply speaking to the digital camera and also you’re saying, hey. Come on Sunday. We’ve got this, this, and this. We my highschool college students at all times say, we don’t have sufficient dopamine for that. Like, you gotta entertain us in a roundabout way. Like, we’re gonna cease paying consideration. So I don’t even know if it’s cringe, however individuals simply received’t work together with it in the identical approach. So we as soon as did the video the place, like, Subway Surfer is a sport, , they usually cut up display screen it. So that you see individuals taking part in the sport and somebody speaking, or we at all times attempt to do, like, humorous issues whereas individuals are speaking to maintain individuals entertained. I believe in the event you’re simply speaking to a display screen, you’re gonna lose individuals. If you happen to’re in the event you’re giving an announcement, speaking to a display screen, you’re gonna lose individuals. I believe in the event you’re telling a narrative otherwise you’re, like, getting somebody enthusiastic about one thing, there’s completely a spot for that. I discuss to my telephone on a regular basis. But when I used to be similar to, come on Sunday to church, we’re gonna discuss this, I’d say get extra inventive than that.
Kenny Jahng [00:15:52]:
So can we discuss, like, your thought means of if you’re recording a video like that
Niya Esperanza [00:15:57]:
Yeah.
Kenny Jahng [00:15:58]:
That narrative arc or what? Are you planning what all these consultants are saying? You want a 3 second hook. It’s essential open a loop and have a number of loops and micro hooks, and it doesn’t look like you’re planning it that approach. Uh-uh. And but the algorithm is rewarding you.
Niya Esperanza [00:16:14]:
Yeah. They do. I believe I don’t plan it in any respect, and I would save loads of time if I did plan it as a result of typically like, there’s some movies I’ve executed if I’m attempting to say one thing critical or if I’m attempting to speak , I did a video about being a Christian and listening to Taylor Swift, like, the election. I did the he will get Us industrial with, the Tremendous Bowl final yr. I’ve it in my head, and I simply begin speaking, and it takes me a pair takes to determine what I wanna say. So I’ll say it, and I’ll pay attention again to it. I’m like, okay. How may I say that otherwise? After which I am going again, and I do it once more. However I believe I do assume a hook is fascinating. I believe if there’s one thing that, , individuals are listening to, like, they’ll watch it longer, which is nice for interactions. I additionally assume typically in the event you mess up a bit of bit, then individuals remark and proper you, and, like, that’s sort of okay. So I simply posted this isn’t like a Christian video, however I simply posted concerning the evaluating the Luca Anthony Davis commerce to Taylor Swift.
Kenny Jahng [00:17:08]:
Sure.
Niya Esperanza [00:17:08]:
And after I was enthusiastic about it in my head, I used to be like, this is sensible in my head. Individuals would possibly disagree with me, and that’s okay as a result of then they’ll remark, they usually’ll say I’m tremendous fallacious. Individuals really, for probably the most half, mentioned that I used to be not fallacious, in order that was that was good. However I believe that I’m okay with messing up a bit of bit so long as it’s not, like, heretical. You recognize? Simply, like, some kind of little little bit of controversy is okay. And if there’s a hook, a visible hook, I believe, is admittedly fascinating. That, I believe, is nearly extra essential than precisely what you’re saying. So a visible hook is simply set your telephone down or, like, don’t have a millennial pause. Lower out the very starting. Begin speaking on the first second. Change the place you’re change the place you might be all through the video. So if at one level you’re sitting in your automobile, then you definately get out of your automobile, then you definately set it up in your kitchen, and then you definately get right here. Those that helps with the dopamine, that helps with individuals taking note of the video, however I don’t I’m not good at placing into apply what all the opposite individuals say. And I’m positive these issues assist, however I simply sort of discuss and submit what’s in my mind. I believe I discuss quick too, which is useful.
Kenny Jahng [00:18:08]:
Yeah. You even talked about that in one of many movies. In order that that’s a part of, no less than for you, the components of getting individuals to pay attention. So Yeah. At this level, I believe you get a way of, oh, this you I don’t know. Perhaps not. How assured are you if you’re posting one thing that it’ll hit or not? Are there matters or there sure issues that this factor will really get views or not?
Niya Esperanza [00:18:35]:
I believe some issues sure and a few issues no. I’m extremely shocked typically by the movies that go viral. I like, with TikTok particularly, I believe it’s extra there are occasions when the algorithm likes my account and can push all of my movies. And I believe most issues I submit in that point will do sort of okay. After which there’s occasions the place it’s like, oh, I’m not within the algorithm as a lot. I’m not being pushed as a lot. And so you must work a bit of bit tougher to seek out one thing inventive to submit, after which that’s sort of after I may inform or not inform if one thing’s gonna go properly. I believe if I’m doing a video the place I’m speaking about, like, a Christian viewpoint on one thing that’s massive in tradition in that second, that may often do properly, to some extent. I believe individuals you gotta search for what’s occurring within the social media world. And in the event you connect your self to that, that may often do properly. So if Taylor Swift is having an enormous day and I submit about Taylor Swift, that may often do properly. If, , the Luca eighty commerce was an enormous deal, so if I discuss that, that may often do properly. Like, the Olympics, that was an important factor. These have been gonna do properly. So that you’re, I believe, searching for issues which are occurring in the true world. And in the event you can give you, like, a Christian tackle that or one thing like that, that’s an important place to be. Or if you may make a joke about one thing that’s taking place, that’s these will often do properly. I believe loads of my, like, I’m simply gonna , my day within the life don’t at all times do tremendous properly. However I believe that these are enjoyable for those that already comply with me. So I believe it’s, like, essential to have each, and I don’t if I don’t assume a video is gonna do properly, I don’t not submit it. I’ll nonetheless submit it as a result of it’s essential to place issues on the market.
Kenny Jahng [00:20:07]:
Okay. So let’s return to that. That that’s one rule I believe that’s true throughout social is that consistency
Niya Esperanza [00:20:13]:
Yeah.
Kenny Jahng [00:20:14]:
Might be extra essential than even being Yeah. Tremendous inventive. Proper?
Niya Esperanza [00:20:18]:
Sure. I’ve posted. I’ve taken every week off. I am going backpacking yearly with the youth group, and we now have no cell service, don’t have our telephones. So I’ve taken that week off yearly for the final 4 years that I’ve executed TikTok. Apart from that, I’ve posted nearly each single day. There’s been a pair, like, days right here and there, however I’d say nearly each single day, I’ve posted a number of movies for the final couple years. And that’s how we’ve gotten to the place we’re. There’s not been, like , some individuals achieve, like, 2,000,000 followers in every week. That’s tremendous cool, however that has not been me. I’ve been posting for nearly 4 years. And slowly, persistently over time, we’ve constructed it up, and I believe that consistency is among the most essential issues. I believe it’s so much tougher to get again into it if you cease. Even I at all times say I get up on daily basis. I’ve already mentioned I get up on daily basis. I don’t know what I’m going to submit. If I haven’t posted, that’s even tougher as a result of I’m like, I get feedback. So, oh, I can reply to this remark or I may present you a distinct factor that you simply’re about or, oh, I ought to make a video responding to that. And if I’ve none of that going, then simply ranging from scratch typically feels tougher. So I believe simply moving into the behavior of posting issues is simpler.
Kenny Jahng [00:21:21]:
You’re additionally not syndicating all of your content material all over the place on the similar time. So, for instance, your TikTok movies aren’t the identical no less than timing as your Instagram movies. Are you able to discuss that? How intentional or unintentional that’s?
Niya Esperanza [00:21:35]:
Sure. I get informed all the time that I must be higher at syndicating my content material throughout platforms. However to me, my Instagram appears like my mates
Kenny Jahng [00:21:45]:
Mhmm.
Niya Esperanza [00:21:45]:
And, like, individuals TikTok to me has at all times felt very, it’s, like, ambiguous who is definitely following me. And although I do know individuals in actual life comply with me, it feels prefer it’s sort of simply the Web. And, like, there’s an enormous quantity on there, however that’s actually arduous to grasp. So in my thoughts, I’m simply, like, placing a video on the market. Who is aware of who’s gonna see it? On Instagram, it feels to me rather more like individuals I do know are gonna see it. And so I I’m like, okay. I’m gonna curate extra what I placed on Instagram. I would like one among my targets is to be a bit of bit higher at Instagram. I undoubtedly like Instagram. I believe one among my favourite issues is Instagram tales. Like, I like Instagram tales. So I can submit issues on Instagram tales that you simply’re not gonna see on TikTok, and, hopefully, you’re offering totally different content material on every of these. As a result of I do assume, like, if anyone follows me on TikTok, why do they should see the very same video on Instagram? I do know that you simply’re supposed to do this, and I believe it’s nice. And in the event you’re working a church, undoubtedly submit it on each. But when there’s, like, a bit of bit distinction in timing or a bit of little bit of a distinct caption or one thing to be a bit of bit inventive to unfold it out, I believe that that’s useful. However I undoubtedly assume I theoretically needs to be higher at that. I simply don’t have sufficient time in my in my day.
Kenny Jahng [00:22:57]:
Okay. Let’s discuss that. So that you mentioned you simply submit a pair occasions a day. Everyone knows consistency is the primary factor. If you happen to’re going in the event you’re listening to this proper now, the problem is earlier than you go to mattress tonight, are you able to simply submit one thing right this moment and get began?
Niya Esperanza [00:23:12]:
Yeah.
Kenny Jahng [00:23:13]:
Are you I believe you’re enhancing your video you’re taking pictures and enhancing natively within the app. It’s not you’re not taking it to your Mac and enhancing or one thing like that. Proper?
Niya Esperanza [00:23:22]:
Yeah. I’ll edit in TikTok or I’ll edit in CapCut if I all through the day. As a result of in TikTok, you used to have the ability to obtain your drafts and not using a watermark. Now you must submit it. You possibly can submit it to non-public, but it surely’s, like, a bit of bit extra tedious. So typically I’ll movie outdoors of the app, however then I simply edit in cap minimize on my telephone rapidly.
Kenny Jahng [00:23:40]:
After which every video, guesstimate. How a lot time are you spending enhancing that video?
Niya Esperanza [00:23:49]:
That’s an important query. I’d say some movies I don’t edit in any respect, and I simply submit them, and possibly it takes 5 minutes to make that video. Some movies are gonna take thirty, 45 minutes. It simply will depend on what number of cuts there are and if I’m gonna put any stickers or textual content or to make it extra fascinating.
Kenny Jahng [00:24:03]:
Bought it. How essential is that? You recognize?
Niya Esperanza [00:24:05]:
I believe it helps. I I actually do assume it helps. I don’t assume that I at all times spend as a lot time as I may on my movies. So, , going again to the Luca eighty one, I put stickers on that one. That video took me nearly an hour to edit, and I used to be getting so aggravated. I used to be like, I simply wanna submit this. I would like it to be executed, however I used to be like, I believe it’s higher with the photographs.
Kenny Jahng [00:24:26]:
I believe it’s
Niya Esperanza [00:24:27]:
higher with the phrases. In there. So I did it, and it the video did fairly properly. Okay.
Kenny Jahng [00:24:31]:
So I do assume it helps. Okay. I needed to speak about this little I believe it’s a mindset the place what you’re prescribing is to not submit content material, however really to construct group. Yeah. Positively. Suppose there’s a really massive distinction in that Yeah. The place, so are you able to discuss that? And a pastor who doesn’t perceive that paradigm shift in any respect, what what does that imply by way of the way you’re framing it, the way you’re enhancing, what you’re what you’re writing even by way of, the descriptions, etcetera?
Niya Esperanza [00:25:00]:
Yeah. I believe in case you are a pastor and you haven’t scrolled on social media in any respect, it’s gonna be a bit of bit arduous so that you can possibly comprehend what we’re speaking about. However simply know, like, there are individuals on social media which are scrolling, they usually really feel linked to different folks that they’re seeing on social media. So that they really feel like they’ve it’s, , the parasocial relationship scenario. They know what’s occurring in that individual’s life. They’re invested in that individual’s life, they usually need to see extra of it. And I believe that’s a part of why I’m in a position to share my religion. A part of why I’m in a position to discuss being a Christian is as a result of individuals really feel linked to me, they usually know that part of my life is that I’m a Christian and that that’s genuinely part of my life, and they also wanna hear extra about that. So in case you are enthusiastic about doing that, it’s not simply that you simply’re gonna submit actually good content material about some reply to a query. I believe it might be that you simply additionally present a bit of little bit of your daily life, a bit of little bit of your character so that individuals can really feel linked to you. I like the Instagram tales characteristic. That’s really how we ended up right here since you replied to the story and noticed that. And so, , simply put a query field in your story. Be like, what do you wanna know? Or ask a query and have individuals offer you their solutions to it. Individuals wanna really feel linked to you, like they’re speaking to you in a roundabout way. And so, yeah, Instagram tales are very easy approach to get suggestions from individuals. If you happen to consider a extremely sizzling subject query, , one among my greatest TikTok movies was what do you name in the event you’re gonna take a sip of water with out placing the factor the water bottle in your lips, what are you gonna name that? In Orange County, we’re the one individuals that decision {that a} birdie. Everybody else calls {that a} waterfall or air sip or one thing like that. And we’re the bizarre ones over right here. And so we went and requested a bunch of folks that, and other people simply had a lot dialogue about that. Now they’re invested in that. So if there’s a query that you would be able to ask individuals or suggestions you may ask for about your life, I believe that that’s actually useful too. And I I believe that I do this, or I share sufficient about my life that individuals give me suggestions. Final evening, all I needed for dinner was craft mac and cheese. So a bunch of I used to be like, what ought to I get for dinner? And a bunch of individuals informed me issues I ought to DoorDash for dinner that weren’t that. Yeah.
Kenny Jahng [00:27:05]:
I used to be gonna DoorDash you some grapes.
Niya Esperanza [00:27:07]:
I noticed that. I used to be I don’t like grapes. I don’t like fruit. We’re engaged on it. However that’s the sort of factor is, like, you share the bizarre random particulars of your daily life, after which individuals begin to really feel invested, they usually begin to all really feel in it collectively. And it’s not similar to you’re following this random individual. You’re following anyone that you simply really sort of know a bit of bit about them. And I believe that’s So
Kenny Jahng [00:27:28]:
I like the truth that you’re additionally, like, actually in you’re really working in youth ministry. So that you’re not simply the influencer from afar on social media outdoors of the church. So that you’re really working with the following era hand in hand to your energetic interactions. What do you say to a church chief that claims, I don’t have time for social media. How would you problem that pondering or how essential is it to indicate up on the display screen for this era? Like, what’s what’s the fee for anyone who says we’re not gonna do social media, we’re not gonna put money into digital ministry, in to be able to attain this era the place that is really of their palms twenty 4 seven, they sleep with it, what are they lacking out on? How do you what do you say to that pastor?
Niya Esperanza [00:28:12]:
Yeah. Nicely, I believe social media is like your entrance porch. It’s the best way in, and it’s the place individuals are gonna discover you. And so if in case you have in the event you’re attempting to achieve individuals that aren’t at the moment attending Sunday companies, which I simply heard a statistic. You possibly can appropriate me if I’m fallacious, however I’m fairly positive it’s true. They discovered what share of People go to church three out of 4 Sundays, however not simply Christian. Any faith, three out of 4 Sundays. Are you aware the share? I believe it’s 3%.
Kenny Jahng [00:28:35]:
Yeah. It’s very low.
Niya Esperanza [00:28:36]:
It’s very low. In The US.
Kenny Jahng [00:28:38]:
I believe for Protestant church buildings on this in The States now, the common church goers goes, like, two occasions a month in the event that they’re in the event that they’re in the event that they name themselves a church goer.
Niya Esperanza [00:28:48]:
Yeah. Yeah.
Kenny Jahng [00:28:49]:
Yeah.
Niya Esperanza [00:28:50]:
And so you will have all of those individuals that aren’t stepping foot on church campuses, however they’re on their telephone twenty 4 seven. And so I do know I’ve heard , I work with excessive schoolers. I’ve seen loads of risks of social media. Like, that’s true. I don’t simply wanna say there’s, like, nothing fallacious with it, however that’s the place individuals are, and it’s how they will discover your church. We’ve got had college students, like I mentioned, present as much as our youth ministry due to our Instagram and due to my social media. Like, each have occurred a number of occasions. And so it’s a foot within the door to get individuals to come back take a look at what’s occurring And a approach I don’t know. If somebody’s not coming to church they usually come throughout your web page or they’re searching for a church to go to, they’ll verify social media. That’s what they’ll do. And in the event you don’t present up, you might be lacking out as a result of that’s the place they’ll go to lookup one thing. They’re gonna look it up they usually’re gonna say, oh, what does this seem like? The place am I gonna go? Like, they’re in all probability anxious to step foot on a church campus, and so you may present them what your church is like. Oh, there’s really folks that go right here. Oh, we’re pleasant. Oh, like, you park right here and also you stroll right here. The entire issues anyone can be burdened about, you may alleviate earlier than they even get there by social media. So I believe that you’re lacking out on the chance to achieve out to lots of people which are on social media. And I additionally assume that Christians at all times have been in a position to redeem issues that have been meant for unhealthy and use it for good. So even in the event you assume social media is the worst factor that has that has ever occurred to the planet, if all Christians take away themselves from social media, we now have one thing actually, actually unhealthy with no Christians with nothing good on it, and that simply spirals to worse and worse issues the place Christians have a possibility to come back in and use social media otherwise in a approach that stands out. And I believe if you end up a Christian, you look totally different than different individuals which are on social media. Like, I may submit loads of totally different sorts of movies that might get far more views that I don’t do. And, like, possibly I’d have extra followers. Who is aware of? However possibly not. However that you simply stand out if you’re a Christian and other people can see that, and it adjustments the house. Like, it adjustments social media. You possibly can you may make an affect on what individuals are really seeing. And so I believe that that’s actually cool.
Kenny Jahng [00:30:48]:
What concerning the objection that we get on a regular basis that social media are soundbites? I’m right here to supply sermons and provides a full size sermon that basically teaches you and disciples you how on earth can we disciple anyone in a thirty second reel or brief or one thing like that. What what’s your response to that?
Niya Esperanza [00:31:10]:
Nicely, I’d simply say that God can use something. I don’t assume that we get to find out what God can use. So if we solely assume God can use our lengthy sermon, then I believe that that’s a difficulty. I’d be curious why he wouldn’t need to use social media or why he wouldn’t use these thirty second interactions. And I believe possibly we don’t see, like, the direct one to 1 ratio as or one to 1, , end result as simply, however that doesn’t imply that God shouldn’t be working in that. And there have been occasions the place I’m having a foul day and I scroll scroll by social media and anyone simply, like, says one thing that reorients me again to, like, oh, I ought to in all probability go discuss to Jesus about this. Like or let me let me simply take a second and pause and pray, and that wouldn’t have occurred if somebody hadn’t taken the day out of their day to submit that video. So I don’t I additionally agree that church is admittedly essential. I believe in case your solely discipleship technique is posting movies on Instagram, additionally a query to consider. Like, I believe you want each. Like, you want group. You want individuals assembly collectively. You want accountability. However I simply don’t assume that posting these soundbites or posting shorter issues is gonna harm something, and I believe that God can use it. And we’ve seen that he does.
Kenny Jahng [00:32:12]:
I like it.
Niya Esperanza [00:32:13]:
I’ve seen that he does.
Kenny Jahng [00:32:14]:
Naniya, you might be keen to be daring along with your religion on-line. Yeah. What would you say you’ve realized about being each unapologetic and approachable when sharing Jesus? Like, there are loads of haters. I’m assuming that you simply see the haters within the feedback or in your DMs. What have you ever realized by way of being approachable or or reaching the that sort of inhabitants?
Niya Esperanza [00:32:41]:
Yeah. I believe some of the surprising issues is that I don’t get that a lot hate, and I don’t get that many imply messages. Like, nearly zero. I may screenshot them and keep in mind them as a result of they don’t occur that a lot. There’s, like, movies that go actually viral. And if a video goes actually viral, actually, I cease studying the feedback. That’s the place I’m like, it’s it’s too far on the market. Like, I don’t I don’t have to see what’s occurring there. So I do get imply feedback on sure movies, however as a normal assertion, individuals are very, very sort. And I believe that individuals have a , even in the event you’re not a Christian, if anyone is sharing their testimony, their life, the best way God has impacted them, that’s actually arduous to refute. And so I’m simply sharing my daily life. I’m sharing how God has impacted my life, and that may be a lot tougher to argue towards individuals. Even individuals who don’t like Christians are like, okay. Nicely, that’s okay for you. You recognize? After which okay. Nice. You possibly can see how that impacts me, And possibly in the future, ultimately, that’ll make you concentrate on one thing. However I a shocking factor for me is that I’ve gotten not as a lot hate. I believe one thing that’s actually useful for me is, such as you mentioned, I’m in youth ministry. So I discuss by points all the time with highschool college students, and I believe there’s a approach to do it on the Web that, like, is extra useful. So I don’t assume I’m attempting to consider what I wanna say. However I believe I’ve processed issues in actual life, so I understand how to speak about it on-line. If I used to be simply, like, saying rambling issues on-line, I believe you may get your self in hassle. However I I often have thought by the issues that I’m gonna say, if I’m gonna say.
Kenny Jahng [00:34:05]:
What do you see the longer term by way of what’s after brief type video and TikTok traits and issues like that?
Niya Esperanza [00:34:11]:
I hope it sticks round for some time as a result of I prefer it. I do assume that when TikTok was gone for, like, fifteen minutes, all people was going over to YouTube and going to Instagram. I believe ceaselessly brief type movies are enjoyable. Like, Vine died, and it discovered its approach again with TikTok. I really feel like individuals will proceed to create these movies, however I do assume lengthy type movies are superior. I do know my brother, he’s 15. He loves YouTube. He watches YouTube on a regular basis. And so I’d say longer type movies. And in addition Instagram, however, like, much less curated. And it we’ve already sort of seen that that’s the pattern, however simply posting issues on Instagram, I believe, is essential. So there’s, like, foolish reels. My total the the youth ministry web page that we run, my total reels web page is simply, like, church announcement movies. It simply is aware of that’s what I would like, and that’s what it offers me, and I see that. There’s a ton of these. However then additionally simply, like, cute, foolish photographs that we take at youth ministry occasions. Like, we love posting these, and people are tremendous enjoyable. However I believe individuals simply wanna really feel linked to you. So nevertheless they’re in a position to do this, I really feel like individuals will do this. I don’t actually know what the longer term is.
Kenny Jahng [00:35:18]:
Okay.
Niya Esperanza [00:35:19]:
What What do you assume the longer term is?
Kenny Jahng [00:35:21]:
Yeah. I I I believe we now have to determine group, and I’m I’m really shocked as all these platforms are simply copycatting all people. Yeah. There’s a plagiarism of enterprise fashions that simply has been accepted. Proper? However the one factor that has not been plagiarized is Fb teams. And so that you in all probability don’t go on Fb a lot, however, I believe the core
Niya Esperanza [00:35:41]:
factor couple of ministry teams.
Kenny Jahng [00:35:43]:
Yeah. Proper? However that’s the one cause. I believe many individuals nonetheless grasp as much as Fb due to the group performance.
Niya Esperanza [00:35:49]:
Completely.
Kenny Jahng [00:35:49]:
It hasn’t been replicated that a lot. I believe WhatsApp, is beginning to put money into determining the right way to do teams on-line. However you’d assume that Instagram or TikTok or these different locations are taking a look at that group side, which I I simply assume is the lacking piece.
Niya Esperanza [00:36:04]:
No. I completely assume you’re proper.
Kenny Jahng [00:36:05]:
Proper? As a result of the algorithms, all they need is so that you can keep on their platform. Yeah. And in the event you the one approach to do this, I believe, that the following degree is to construct that group, the hub, the place, as a substitute of simply going to your web page or, , determining the place you might be in all of the channels, the place why not discover one thing that begins to be peer to see and never only one to many? Proper.
Niya Esperanza [00:36:26]:
Like, for positive.
Kenny Jahng [00:36:27]:
Sure. What concerning the pastor who feels discouraged as a result of their social media shouldn’t be rising? They don’t get to one million followers such as you, 2,000,000, three million, 4 like, your future is vivid. However what concerning the pastor the place they’re stagnant they usually’re actually small? How how do you reply to that?
Niya Esperanza [00:36:43]:
Yeah. I’ll say there was a yr that I posted on TikTok, and, like, each single video did badly, and I had no concept what I used to be gonna submit about. I initially began posting, like, with my ex boyfriend, and we broke up. And so I used to be like, oh, like, I’ve a TikTok account. And I provided to present it to him. He was like, no. You’re wonderful. I don’t even like social media. I used to be like, okay. Nice. So I had no concept what I used to be gonna be posting about. And that total yr, I used to be like, I’m simply going to maintain posting, and and possibly I’ll by no means get a video that will get loads of views once more, or possibly one thing will stick ultimately. However I’d say I imply, primary, I’d say pray about it. If you happen to don’t really feel, like, tremendous referred to as to it, there’s in all probability somebody at your church who does have the gifting, who is named, and so discover that individual that you would be able to equip that isn’t you. Like, whether it is tremendous draining for you, don’t do it by your self. See if yow will discover somebody that will help you. So that might be my very first thing. But in addition simply, like, hold going, and also you by no means know what’s gonna stick. The weirdest movies of mine are what have gone off. Like, I made a video about candles, and and that was, like, my one among my most seen movies ever. My canine received fastened. Like, my brother taping his hair. It’s at all times bizarre issues. And so that you by no means know what’s gonna take off. And I additionally assume, like, we get to be trustworthy in all the small issues. So that you by no means know even when it will get I additionally simply have a factor that social media numbers are actually inflated. In case your video will get 27 views, that’s 27 individuals. Like, consider a room of 27 individuals. That’s a lots of people which are seeing what you mentioned. So simply because one thing doesn’t get loads of views doesn’t imply it doesn’t have loads of affect. You by no means understand how that’s impacting different individuals, but additionally don’t don’t do it by your self. See if there’s anyone else who desires that will help you too.
Kenny Jahng [00:38:21]:
I like it. Nicely, now I do know you’re busy. Thanks a lot for hanging out for a bit of bit and sharing a few of your knowledge. We gotta have you ever on once more. Simply as you permit Yeah. What’s the one factor the one factor that pastors which are watching this right this moment that they need to what’s what’s the factor that they need to placed on the calendar seven days? What what are the what’s the following steps? Like, how do they get began in investing in digital ministry this manner?
Niya Esperanza [00:38:47]:
I’d say that that you must work out your why. So what’s your function of posting? Is it on your church web page? Is it on your personal private web page? Are you attempting to get individuals to come back to your church? Are you simply attempting to get, , the message of Jesus out into the Web? Love that. Work out, like, what the aim of your web page is, after which simply write down, like, 10 issues that issues about. Like, okay. I do know so much about Taylor Swift. I learn about baseball as a result of my brother performed baseball rising up. I learn about my canine. I learn about no matter. And, like, how will you flip that into a 15, twenty second? Even simply begin with Instagram tales. Get your self within the apply of posting issues on Instagram tales. Like, how will you discuss that factor in your telephone? Or how will you make a query field about that and simply get individuals to start out interacting along with your account? And slowly, it’s going to come simpler. After which possibly the opposite factor I’d say is, can you discover anybody else who’s additionally enthusiastic about social media that would come alongside you and assist you? As a result of if it’s not you, I assure you there’s somebody that’s keen and can be tremendous excited to be requested. Even when it’s, like, your daughter’s buddy, like, somebody random, like, get inventive, assume outdoors the field. There’s lots of people on social media that like social media. So how will you empower them and equip them to additionally assist, you attain out to different individuals? I believe it’s a cool
Kenny Jahng [00:39:54]:
Naya Esperanza, thanks a lot for being with us. We’ll
Niya Esperanza [00:39:58]:
see
Kenny Jahng [00:39:58]:
you on TikTok and all the opposite platforms. All people, that you must really go to Naya’s web page. Additionally, I do wanna nonetheless give a shout at Trey’s YouTube. It’s essential go and subscribe and encourage Trey too. That’s Oh my gosh.
Niya Esperanza [00:40:12]:
Don’t make me cry.
Kenny Jahng [00:40:13]:
It’s an important household, and, thanks a lot for sharing your life and the phrase of Jesus Christ with us and so many others, Naya. Thanks for
Niya Esperanza [00:40:21]:
taking care. A lot for having me. So enjoyable.
Kenny Jahng [00:40:23]:
Superior. And all people else, we’d love to listen to your suggestions. What’s the one factor that resonated most with you in our dialog right here? After which what’s one thing you’d wish to be taught? If we need to double down and and persuade Naya to come back again, what’s
Niya Esperanza [00:40:35]:
one thing else?
Kenny Jahng [00:40:36]:
What else what else can we double down and go down the rabbit gap with? With? As a result of I believe that is the place the place we don’t have the alternatives to work together with individuals like this that truly are practitioners of the digital instruments that all of us aspire to make use of to achieve the following era. So give me the suggestions, and I hope to see you right here on the following video.
