Does your church have a robust marketing strategy? Some people may think the words “church” and “marketing” should never be in the same sentence; however, churches need to adopt some form of marketing to reach people who may be “church shopping” (or dare I say, “church hopping”) and looking to find a church home. Simply owning a building with your church name displayed prominently at the entrance will not compel people to drive into your parking lot and attend your service gatherings. You will need a blend of traditional and digital marketing tactics to promote your church and mission effectively.
So, where do you start? Maybe you are a brand-new church plant and need to branch out and explore ways to engage the people in your community. Or maybe you are an established church with dwindling attendance and desire to connect with younger audiences and families to not only fill your pews but also embrace and share your vision. Regardless of how you classify your situation, your church can benefit from a variety of marketing and advertising efforts.
Digital Tools
Since we now live in a very digitally saturated world, let us focus our attention there first. It is mission-critical for your church to have an online presence. In fact, Pinnacle Leadership Associates states that 80% of people will visit your website before they set foot in your building. Build and launch a church website if you do not have one. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace offer intuitive drag-and-drop features, making it easy to create stunning websites without graphic design expertise. Create social media profiles on Facebook and Instagram and post regularly. Boost your Facebook posts and turn them into paid ads, targeting individuals within your church’s geographic radius and inviting them to check out your services. These are the “digital doors” to your church, and first impressions matter online just as much as they do in person.
Traditional Tools
While digital is the primary way to go, there are some traditional methods of marketing that can complement your online footprint and leave a lasting impact. One great way to connect with new families who just moved to the area is to mail a welcome card. This could be in the form of a postcard or brochure with your church branding, service times, and a short, personalized message encouraging them to attend an upcoming Sunday gathering. You can also send monthly or quarterly direct mail pieces to “new-ish” attendees as well as your current members to notify them of important church updates, upcoming events and programs, and other pertinent information they would find relevant about your church. Outdoor advertising is a broad but effective way to highlight your church. Digital billboards and banner signage can inform people about special services or family-friendly themed events held at your location. Community events are unique opportunities for you to go outside your building walls and be the “face” of your church to people who may never set foot in a church building. Registering for or volunteering at local civic events showcases your church’s commitment to care for the community and the people who live there.
If your church has live service broadcasts, a hybrid approach may be suitable. Televised services are still common and can be utilized if your area has a local channel willing to broadcast them. You can also air your services online via your Facebook page, which costs virtually nothing to broadcast (you may need to invest in some camera and audio/visual equipment for start-up).
Mixing traditional and digital marketing tactics will allow your church to influence an array of audiences, young and old. These are people who may have passed by your entrance multiple times. Give them a reason to stop in!
Let Infinity Concepts help your church or ministry amplify your mission and get your community plugged in!
CLICK HERE or call us today at 724-733-1200.
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