In the realm of church marketing, adapting to the ever-evolving digital landscape is more critical than ever. To guide churches on this journey, we turn to a recent Missional Marketing podcast episode hosted by Bart Blair, which answers your most “burning questions” about church marketing Featuring insights from Jason Hamrock, CEO of Missional Marketing, this educational conversation delves into some of the most pressing concerns facing churches today.
Church marketing comes with a variety of challenges, but our marketing experts have years of experience providing actionable insights tailored to church leaders, communicators, and marketers. Read on for insightful answers that will give you fresh perspectives on improving your church’s outreach and engagement.
1. How do we get more people to engage with our church on Facebook?
To boost engagement on your church’s Facebook page, consider sharing sermon snippets that provide a glimpse of the message. This approach piques interest and encourages followers to delve deeper. Additionally, ask open-ended questions to foster dialogue and community interaction. Become a valuable resource hub by sharing relevant articles, resources, and inspirational content. Finally, consider creating a digital missionary team within your congregation, harnessing the skills of tech-savvy individuals who can enhance online engagement.
2. How do we start generating stories in our church?
Creating impactful stories that resonate with your congregation and newcomers involves several steps. Begin by identifying your church’s core values and missions, using them as the foundation for compelling stories. Designate a storytelling space, either on your website or during services, to share these narratives. Focus on sharing transformational stories that highlight positive changes within your church community. Finally, engage your congregation in the storytelling process, encouraging them to share their experiences and testimonies.
3. A family member of our pastor does our marketing but isn’t doing a very good job. What should we do?
When a family member struggles with marketing responsibilities, it’s essential to prioritize the well-being of the church. Adopt a servant leadership mindset, emphasizing the church’s mission over personal interests. To facilitate improvement, create a journal where constructive feedback and ideas are documented. Collaborate with the family member and offer training or mentorship to enhance their marketing skills. Focus on the bigger mission, ensuring that the church’s objectives remain the primary driving force.
4. Should we be scared of AI (artificial intelligence)?
Rather than fearing AI, churches should consider it a valuable tool in their marketing efforts. Embrace AI as a mechanism to streamline processes, enhance engagement, and personalize communication with your congregation. Stay informed about AI developments and explore AI-driven tools that align with your church’s needs. Additionally, maintain a keen awareness of ethical considerations, emphasizing transparency and privacy guidelines to ensure ethical AI implementation.
5. How do I know if my advertising is actually getting people to attend my church?
Measuring the impact of advertising campaigns on church attendance requires a strategic approach. Begin by understanding the marketing funnel and tracking individuals’ progression from awareness to attendance. Implement lead generation tools such as Eventbrite for event registrations and contact collection, enabling you to gauge interest. Establish effective follow-up strategies to encourage attendance, ensuring that potential attendees receive timely and relevant information. Regularly assess data, gather feedback, and adapt your advertising strategies to improve attendance outcomes.
6. Should our church have an app?
When contemplating the adoption of a church app, consider various factors. View the church app as both a discipleship and engagement tool, offering access to sermons, event details, resources, and more. During budget allocation, assess the app’s potential impact on growth, mentorship, engagement, and member connection. Decide whether it falls under communication or discipleship in your budget, emphasizing collaborative ownership. Leverage app data to personalize member engagement based on preferences and activities, enhancing the overall church experience. Then, once an app has been developed and implemented, mention it regularly during church programming so newcomers can gain access and benefit from the app’s features right away.
Next Steps
Navigating the dynamic world of church marketing requires constant learning and adaptation. By embracing the insights shared in this podcast, your church can enhance its outreach, engagement, and storytelling capabilities.
These questions serve as opportunities for growth and improvement rather than roadblocks. With the right strategies and a commitment to serving your community, your church can thrive in the digital age, effectively reaching and engaging your congregation and newcomers alike.
If you found this information helpful, why not talk directly with the marketing pros? Book a call with our Missional Marketing coaches today to answer all your burning questions and get individualized advice and solutions for your church’s unique challenges.