10 Steps to Better Church Marketing: An Ultimate Guide
Acts 1:8 tells us, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” The Bible certainly didn’t have church marketing in mind, but this doesn’t mean that the same lessons don’t apply.
In this Great Commission, The Lord was calling His disciples to “be witnesses”. To literally, tell their story and testify for him. He asked them to vocalize what had happened that changed their life, what gave them a new heart and mindset. And, He promised that they would be empowered to tell their story—not just in one or two cities, but “to the end of the earth.”
That powerful promise holds true today. God calls his church leaders to keep witnessing, keep telling their story.
Church Marketing is Storytelling
Ever since Jesus told his parables to the crowds who came to listen, storytelling has been a dynamic way to market the Gospel.
You may remember a time when you heard a message and it spoke clearly to you. Was it a particular story? Or perhaps, the meaningful way it was expressed? Perhaps, it was the realness and authenticity of the pastor giving the message. And maybe, it was exactly what you needed to hear that day.
As a church leader or pastor, you need to figure out a way to market your own message on a greater scale. What worked in the past may not be as effective today.
What Is Your Digital Marketing Strategy?
When we talk about the new ways of doing things, we must be open to change. This isn’t a bad thing. Let’s take a closer look at ways to enhance your church marketing plan:
1. Your Website
Your website is your digital presence. It tells people—and future donors—exactly what your mission and vision is. But before you plan your website, make sure to do proper research on the best practices for getting found on Google, and what kind of message you want your website to tell. It is essential to understand how having a great website impacts your church growth in a powerful way.
2. Your Blog
Your blog is where you can write the things on your heart in a more personal way, another method for marketing without being so direct. The more often you blog, the more readers will follow you, and even those who may not be able to attend your services in person can hear your message. Having a blog makes your mission and story speak directly to your donors’ hearts. For a detailed list of the type of things you can blog about, and how to write your content, check out these reasons why pastors and ministry leaders should blog.
3. Online Donation Pages
If you have a website, you need a landing page that sends people directly to an easy digital space where they can help you raise funds. Make it as easy as possible for them to get from Point A (your message) to Point B (How they can help you). See more about how to create awesome landing pages here.
4. Consistent Branding
Your brand is your story, and what makes your church unique. Of all the fellowships people can attend, why do they choose you? Whatever your message and story, it needs to remain consistent across all platforms. Know your brand, and constantly work to develop and improve it.
5. Have a Content Development Team
As a church leader, you need to be free to focus on what you do best: leading your flock. Having a team specifically geared to your content development is key. There are people who are trained in digital marketing; having them help you navigate through technology will take a huge load off your shoulders.
6. Be Authentic in Church Marketing
Your church will stand out because of its message. What kind of message are you sharing with the world? You cannot say one thing, and then do another. Part of your marketing strategy might even be re-thinking your outreach, involving your donors more (LINK) and being more open in your communications with them.
7. Learn Social Sharing
There’s no better time and method to share the good news of the Gospel! When planning your content, whether for the website, blog, or social pages, make it easy for people to help you share your message. It’s no good if only one or two people benefit. If you want to reach more on an international level, make sure it is shareable.
8. Community Outreach
No matter what you do to have a good digital presence, don’t forget the importance of in-person outreach. Get your donors and followers involved with outreach projects, activities, faith-building sessions, and fundraisers.
9. Utilize Digital Tools in Church Marketing
What’s in your digital toolbox? Make sure it has the following:
- Benchmarks and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Messaging campaigns
- A donor platform
- A system for data measurements
More details on this here, and resources for you to utilize: https://donorwerx.com/get-started/
10. Follow-Up
The problem many church marketers make is that they invest all their time and focus into networking, but then don’t do the follow-up. Think of following-up your donors as a way of continually nourishing them spiritually. You cannot just feed your flock once in a lifetime, or even once a week. So be sure you are building relationships through a consistent follow-up plan.
Start Excelling in Church Marketing Today
In closing, let’s remember what the Lord told us in Matthew 5:14-16:
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Now that you know the basic steps to church marketing, you can take it to the next level and get a comprehensive plan that is customized to your specific ministry. At DonorWerx, we specialize in providing ministries with the online tools to accomplish their missions. Contact us today to find out how we can help you take your marketing strategy to the next level, and let your light shine brighter than ever.
