Top 3 Marketing Tools for Small Churches
Most churches in North America have a Sunday attendance of less than 100 people. In Canada 46% of churches have an attendance of less than 75 according to a 2003 research study by Outreach Canada. In the USA, a study done by the Hartford Institute in 2006/07 contends that 59% of churches have less than 100 people in attendance. So given this reality, how do small churches implement an effective marketing strategy?
Here are the top 3 things that small churches can do to effectively market themselves on a tight budget:
1) Web Site:
First and foremost, find a marketing firm that can design and implement a simple but professional web site that you can manage yourself. Today there are many user friendly web site platforms that will allow every church to keep their content up-to-date. You do not need a Cadillac web site. You simply need a site that represents your church and Jesus with excellence. Invest in this tool – it is the most important marketing thing you can do so you can communicate internally and so that people who are new to your community can find you when they go online to look for a prospective new home church. If they can’t find you online, then they wont find you on Sunday morning! Make sure your church web site does not fail…
2) Pastor Business Cards
Pastors meet people in their community every week. They meet them through visitations, at hospitals, at community ministerials, and as new people come to your church. A pastor should have a professional business card that represents him/her well and represents your church with professionalism. Read this post on Resourcing Your Church for Representation… for a deeper look at why a pastor needs a business card!
3) Church Invitation Cards
If you read the article on Resourcing Your Church for Representation, you know that not only should a pastor have a business card, but each church member should have a business card sized invitation card that they can carry with them in their wallets and purses. Give everyone in your church a tool that equips them to invite their friends, family, colleagues, or neighbours. If you develop a culture of investing in and inviting people to your church and your church members are using these invitations, your church will grow!
Budget Worthy
These three initiiatives should easily be done for less than $1500.00 – now on the surface, to some, that sounds like a lot of money. But if you look at it more closely, that is a cost of less than $20 per member that you currently have. That small investment can easily have a return that comes back to your budget if you attract one or two new families in the next year. In fact, I am quite confident, that implementing these three things will attract many more than one or two! So, really, it is something you have to do! Invest in these tools and they will help you represent God with excellence and you will be better equipped to communicate effectively with the people in your community. I want your church to grow and reach more people. Please make sure you find a way to implement these ideas as action items in your church this year.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with my top 3? Is there anything else you would have included?
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