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Church Communications Tips for Effective Outreach and Engagement

Discover valuable insights on church communication strategies, from leveraging social media to creating compelling newsletters. Ensure your church's message reaches and resonates with the right audience.

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Church Communications Tips for Effective Outreach and Engagement

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  1. Church Communications Alli Costello, NMAC Communications Director by Verne Harnish “Growth Guy”

  2. CHURCH COMMUNICATION • Don’t Assume – ASK (but Trust Trends) • Info Survey - Website, email, newsletter, FB combo • ~30% get content on mobile • > clicks on videos • Social Media, texts, Google Hangouts, Webinars • Communication is not a one person job. • Defined a church mission that your church actually uses? • “Church the way it used to be” • “Raising up the next generation of Christians” • “Disciples R Us” • Think Geico – different ways & different places

  3. AUDIENCE & PURPOSE • Who is your audience? What is the purpose? • Example - Heavy Metal Christian Band Concert Demon Hunter

  4. BIG EVENT COMM. TIMING • Save the Date • General Info • Postcard w/ links • MANY Reminders • Think Geico • Organic network • Get participant contact info • Advertise next event • VBS • School supply drive • Trunk or Treat • Outside church = longer timeline & bigger budget

  5. IMAGES • Images/Graphics • Be visual • Create community • Build momentum & pride • Tell a story • Humor • Less clip art & stock art • Find a good photographer

  6. CHURCH NEWSLETTERS • Fonts – 2-3 fonts • Choose a color scheme • Content – Important & Concise • “If you haven’t noticed lately…” • Edit – Put some eyes on it. • “News Letter, recieve..” • Use a Template • Audience & purpose?

  7. CHURCH NEWSLETTERS • How do you distribute your newsletter? • Considerations: • Similar Fonts • Images/Graphics • Interesting content first • Set expectations • Paper or electronic? • Template e.g. ChurchArtPro • Share Faith ($17/mo.) • Constant Contact - $20/month • Templates, contact list management & mail service • WHAT ELSE?

  8. CHURCH WEBSITEYOUR NEW FRONT DOOR What’s most prominent? If you have to explain how to access content, you need to rethink your organization.

  9. YOUR CHURCH ONLINE Check website regularly.

  10. YOUR CHURCH ONLINE • How is your website used most? Quick info, visitor search, calendar… • Who is your target audience? • Must haves: Location/map, service times, contact info, children/youth programs, ministries (how you impact your community), calendar, online giving (i.e. Paypal), a good search engine • Good to have: Welcome from the pastor, pastor sermon archive, what to expect at different services, unique logistics info – visitor parking, child care • SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Update site, link to social media, delete old content/unused pages • Must be responsive to mobile devices > 30% get info on smart phone • Consider security – hackers, online directories, etc. • OTHER IDEAS?

  11. YOUR CHURCH ONLINE Drop-Downs: Pastor Sermons are Under media Online giving is under Serve I’m New – map, service times, expectations & tips About includes: Location, staff, & What we believe

  12. Good Website Details • Mission: Connect-Grow-Serve • Information for new people • Sunday School & Youth Programs • Contact Info • Media • Online Giving • The slider only highlights 6 things • Social Media complements • the website. • Search engine (top right?) • 3-4 clicks MAX to get to info • SUGGESTIONS?

  13. YOUR CHURCH ONLINE Church Communication

  14. CHURCH BULLETIN Audience & Purpose? • Contacts • Education Opps • Worship Service • Additional Services • “Announcements”? • Financials • Upcoming events? • Thank you • Hospitality • Quotes Church Communication

  15. CHURCH BULLETIN • Bulletin Ideas: • Welcome • Sermon Series • Next Steps • Connection Info for specific groups • Links & emails • How you serve the community • Service Order? • Financials? • Attendance? • Specific Prayers? Something for EVERYONE!

  16. HOLD THAT THOUGHT! Think about your newsletter, bulletin, website, etc. What are you doing well? What needs improvement and how will you change it? by Verne Harnish “Growth Guy”

  17. JOYS & CONCERNSHOW DO YOU SHARE? • Newsletter • Bulletin • Have a Joys & Concerns time during the service • Email for deaths, illnesses, calls for assistance • Prayer chain • FB Prayer Group • Bulletin Board • Other? Church Communication

  18. CONTACT INFO • How do you request info from guests? • Hand identified new folks contact cards • Attendance book in pew • Tear off card on bulletin • Ask for info during big events • Give greeters business cards and allow new folks to initiate • How do you follow up? • Call on Monday – leave a cheery voicemail • Send clergy/lay leader to the house with a coffee mug. • Send welcome letter (targeted brochures). • Send welcome email – lots of links & emails. • Nothing – unless they don’t come back the following week & then send in the posse.

  19. ANNOUNCEMENTS • From the pulpit by Lay Reader & only 3-4 short announcements • Use website, newsletter, bulletin & social media to provide additional info • How do you make announcements? • Video Announcements - video team – DSLR or smart phone • 3 minutes at the most – encourage creativity & clever angles • Can be a bit controversial – Communicate your purpose & boundaries with team & check your audience.

  20. STEWARDSHIP How do you talk about stewardship? How do you handle the giving statement? Stewardship campaigns? Seasonal to Continual >Not 2-3 week campaign in the fall >On-going conversation about generosity & giving Scarcity to Abundance >Not a focus on what we don’t have >Focus on how church is blessed & grateful Purse to Purpose >Not about getting money >Focus on what gives people purpose Numbers to Narrative >Not charts, dollars & deficits >Share stories of how church is changing lives Mortar to Mission >Not $ to maintain the building >Enthusiasm for growing ministry & mission From UMCommunications

  21. LAST WORDS How do you handle negative reactions to communications? What concerns do you have about communicating to your congregation & community? What would you like to share that works well at your church? What are 2-3 things you will try and implement at your church?

  22. THANK YOU Alli J. Costello alli@nmconfum.com 505-255-8786, ext. 111 Title of your presentation

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