Marketing continues to be one of the most important aspects of any business. Marketing helps businesses create and maintain a good relationship with their customers. Basically, this effective tool helps keep the “conversation” going; it informs others of important information they should be aware of in an engaging way.
As defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, marketing is “the process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service.”
So why is consistent church marketing so important? Well, is.
Thankfully, you don’t need a lot of money or a big team to have an effective marketing strategy! Here are some proven tips for creating and maintaining your amazing church marketing plans.
Create Your Marketing Team
Having a good team is always important, especially when talking about church marketing.
Your team may include staff members or church leaders. However, you can always ask for volunteers from your congregation. Many church members have experience or jobs relating to this. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them because the Lord has equipped them with talents that can help serve the local church body.
Set Your Goals
As you start marketing your church, you need to set goals. However, it may feel overwhelming in the beginning. In business marketing, there is an acronym that can help you get started. It is called SMART goals. These are realistic, attainable, and focused targets.
Specific:
Be as clear and specific as possible with what you and your team want to achieve. Having a narrow goal will help you understand what steps are necessary to achieve your end goal.
Measurable:
Having evidence and measurable goals can be tracked so you can see your progress.
Achievable:
Setting goals you and your team can reasonably accomplish in a given timeframe will keep you all motivated and focused.
Relevant:
Each goal should align with your church’s values and larger, long-term goals.
Time-bound:
An end date can motivate and help you and your team prioritize projects and goals.
Set a Budget
Setting a reasonable budget aside for your church marketing needs is always a good idea. It is important to consider expenses such as advertising, printing materials, etc.
Define Your Marketing Channels
First, what is a marketing channel? Well, a marketing channel is any method or platform that can be used to market a product or service. Here are some examples of the most effective marketing channels to date:
Website
Video
Social media
Email marketing
Ad displays
Know your audience and congregation so you can use the best channels to reach them.
Conclusion
As you consistently implement these strategies and ideas, you will start to see how effective your church marketing strategy is. There are many people in your local community whose lives could be changed by your church’s marketing strategies. What steps can you take to reach them today?
