In the year 2013, the Pew Research Center accounted that only 37% of all Americans attended church weekly. Being a country where a majority of the people follows Christianism, this is merely a number. It’s been reported that there are approximately over 350,000 churches. Pamphlets or notices don’t bring the crowd of people you need in your place of worship anymore. In today’s digital era people look up to a digital platform of even basic needs. This is why Digital Marketing is very important.
Church marketing or promoting congregation is not like any other businesses as they are not a business who is looking for profit at all. They mainly focus on adding people to their services unlike businesses who use digital marketing for sales.
Online marketing for churches are not similar to any business or organizations, it is entirely different. Here you have to spread faith and attract worshipers through online platforms.
Leaves a positive impression with website
Churches require having a positive impression and leading faith among all generations, and having an impressive website is what holds you onto it. People will check out your church and tend to go through your website. The first thing to keep in mind is to add all the basic information that people generally search for.
Here are few basic details you have to include in your website:
- Time of service and Church Closing Timings: If people are not sure when you start your service how can they join you? Mention the time of the services you have along with opening and closing times of your church too, as some people prefer praying alone instead of attending services
- Location: A lot of churches fail to mention the exact location and just add in the area or city. Give audience the exact location of your church with all the details, timings, landmarks and directions.
- Give a brief of what to expect: There are a few questions that arise in people’s minds when looking to join your congregation. What is the ethnicity of your church? How do people dress? What to expect in your services? Finding answers to all these questions in your websites will make viewers feel more comfortable that they actually show up.
- Information on special retreats: Mention in your website details of any retreats or special services happening in your church.
- Don’t forget the kids: Churches are one place that people come as a family, so don’t forget about the kid’s faith too. Add Vocational Bible Schools or regular Sunday classes especially for kids.
- Contact Information: Mention all you contact details: Email, Mobile, and Landline.
- Details of your Social Media: Share details about you Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, so people can watch out for what’s happening and also follow you.
Make Use of Social Media
Your people is on social media, so do social media marketing as well, register your church into social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter etc. Keep your audience engaged by sharing original and best content. Constantly post and update about your church services by sharing stories and posts, or post bible quotes or questions related to biblical verses. Engage with your audience regularly. Ask your people to “Tag” your church on social media during attending your services; this further lets their followers to check out your church as well. Ask your people to post on their social media accounts while preaching at your church, this will also attracts new worshipers to attend your services.
Start Blogging
Blogs are a major source of value bombs to skyrocket your online website traffic. People reading your blogs will potentially attend your services.
If you are wondering what I can possibly write for a church blog, here are a few blog Ideas for churches:
- A list of Biblical chapters – must reads
- Testimonies and personal stories
- Answers to frequently asked questions
- Interview a preacher
Podcast and Videos
People enjoy looking into videos more than regular posts and pictures, with YouTube, that’s why your YouTube presence means a lot. Regularly update videos, at least every week. You can post short biblical stories, videos of sermons and keep your subscribers engaged. During your services you can also do a live podcast of your service online through YouTube and your social media accounts. Always share the links and details about your podcasts on your social media accounts.
Email Marketing
Email marketing never fails, as all of your recipients are already people who might have visited your church and interested to hear from you. Send email updates consistently about various services and make them aware about upcoming events with newsletters and will make sure to keep them returning to your church.
Conclusion
While following doing digital marketing for your church, always keep in mind that, no matter what content you post, your people will look for in a church is faith and honesty. Make sure you should never post anything in a promotional or sales pitch tone and don’t ask for donation or money online, as this might create a wrong impression on your congregation. Use these strategies and build your church’s base for the years to come.
