Church Marketing Blog

‘Live for Greatness’ – Live for GOD

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:30:00 GMT

Having just written two blogs on the reality of God in our world, especially the digital world that so many of us now actually populate to a ridiculously high level:

Follow the moon beam – everyone is special in God’s eyes

God can’t be found in the computer screen, even less in the smart phone - just look skyward!

it came as quite a shock to read the advert on the back of a newspaper’s feature magazine lying next to me.

This magazine featured a world renowned watch with the caption, “Live for Greatness”.

Oh what a clash! The secular world screaming for us to buy a watch so that we can – “live for greatness”!

What could possibly be the greatness to which we are invited through having this watch on our wrists? May be we could look – COOL!!! Whatever this may mean?! May be we could look wealthy?! No doubt wealth is the answer to the meaning of life – not! So could there possibly be any other reason?

Facetiously, maybe we could wear the watch and time the time we spent with what is the most important existence in this world? But time is irrelevant to this reality! OK – let’s lose the watch! It is not important!!!

Let’s encompass God fully! Let’s live for greatness - for God - really!!! Let’s let God give us the time of our lives!

Nothing can beat the time we spend with God – nothing! God is especially present in our time with our spouse. He is especially present in our time with our family and friends. God is present when we live in the present. He is present in our time with nature, in fun times, in everyday times.

However, God is most especially present in our time with Him!!! Prayer!!! Silence!!! GOD!!!

The '‘Live for Greatness’ – Live for GOD' blog post written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

God can’t be found in the computer screen, even less in the smart phone - just look skyward!

Sun, 20 May 2012 01:45:00 GMT

As I looked skywards, for the first time in a long time, while sitting on the seashore on a bright full moon evening, it dawned very clearly on me, that God is so much more than can be found on a computer screen, or in a smart phone – as found in the digital world, found locked up in cyberspace.

We cannot lock God up. This is what the digital age actually does, whether deliberately or otherwise.

I came to the realisation, while looking towards the sky this evening, seeing the three levels of cloud, seeing the moon in all its glory on this full moon evening, seeing the awesomeness of nature at her best, that our concentration on that small computer screen, on a blinkered reality, diminishes the reality of the awesomeness of our God.

We become unintentionally closed to this reality of God – closed to God.

The small screen encourages small thinking – a small intellectualisation of the reality of God. Over time, we seem to believe consciously or subconsciously, that the reality of containment, as espoused by, or through, the computer screen, is actually real! It is NOT!

Not only small thinking becomes somewhat the norm, but small imagining, small emotionalising, small acceptance of the inherent, closeness of God, who is yet still way beyond our normal everyday actualities, becomes closed, becomes digitalised.

Imagine an existence where our imagination becomes locked inside a computer, or locked inside our own brain, which believes the digitalised world is real, hence becoming for all intent and purpose, an actually believed existence inside a computer - becomes digitalised i.e. becomes other computer worldly – yet still very real for the viewer of that computer screen.

Even greater disbelief for someone within the real world, would be seeing someone who is locked, by virtue of that person’s cyber-world reality, away from any real human emotion. That person is becoming more computer-emotional.

Becoming more one emotionally with the digital world and less one with the human world!

Wonderful human experiences within the real natural world can inspire anyone, even one within the emotionally and intellectually fraught cyber-world closed in realism, to see the reality of a very special God within our human existence.

More moon beams and sun beams are needed to figuratively shine on to the computer screen – to awaken the reality of the one behind these beams. The softness of the moonbeam and the strength of the sunbeam see our God in true action within this world.

The 'God can’t be found in the computer screen, even less in the smart phone – just look skywards!' blog post written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

Australian Catholic Media Conference 2012 - a summary of key points for the digital age

Thu, 17 May 2012 03:09:00 GMT

The main points I gained from the Australian Catholic Media Conference 2012 were:

* we, the Church (and its institutions) need a strong loving presence in the digital world

* get the Catholic / Christian message out there

* be gentle and compassionate in your approach - use Jesus as your model

* tell your story, Jesus story and the Church's story - people love stories

* use blogs and social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter - take the risk, yet have 'conditions of use' whereby you may cancel inappropriate responses

* [link one to the other for maximum output]

* develop well constructed websites and include links to good Catholic websites eg Fr Barron

* include on these websites podcasts, videos, texts, etc., of messages / sermons from key people within the parish [or school]

* support and promote quality mainstream media shows and articles relevant to the message eg ABC

* support and promote authentic social justice websites and activists

* use xt3.com website for youth involvement throughout Australia (from Sydney Archdiocese)

For an overview of the key speakers and a summary of their points go to the blog post at: 'Australian Catholic Media Conference 2012 - an Overview with Links'.

The 'Australian Catholic Media Conference 2012 - a summary of key points for the digital age' blog post written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

Follow the moon beam – everyone is special in God’s eyes

Thu, 17 May 2012 02:56:00 GMT

Wherever you are, you cannot escape the capture of the moonbeam.

As you look towards the moon on a clear night, you become the centre of its gleaming light. You are the one literally at the centre! No-one in this world is at the centre of the light shining on you! You are extremely special!

God is signalling you out! You are the special one! You are the full focus of God’s attention – you are it!

Everyone is special in the eyes of God. The moonlight shows this more than anything else. Wherever you move, no matter the speed, no matter the time, you are always at the centre! You cannot escape this centeredness. No matter how hard you try, you are always at the centre of the moonbeam – centre of God’s attention!

This is a very special invitation to realise the reality of God and the place you play in this loving relationship.

The same reality occurs when under the influence of a direct ray of sunlight. (We believe it is best not to look at this most powerful beam, due to the impact it may have on our eyes and our vision.) Yet, this awesome sunbeam, with all its power and heat and intensity, says much to us about God and God’s relationship with each individual person.

God loves us so much that he wants us to respond to his loving kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

If we can find God in the warmth and the power of the sun, or the gentle peacefulness and quiet of the moon-bean, we are open to experience the real God in our lives!

The moon-beam and the silence of the light gleaming over the sea towards us, as we sit quietly on the seashore, is a holy, Godly experience. We need to be open to experience our God in the silence, quietness and gentleness of the moon-beam.

The 'Follow the moon beam – everyone is special in God’s eyes' blog post written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

Australian Catholic Media Conference 2012 - an Overview with Links

Thu, 17 May 2012 03:07:00 GMT

What a most enlightening experience. To be present when so many key people within the Catholic Church all spoke in unison about the need to use the social media as a key component of evangelisation, was something quiet special and unique.I have tried to do the impossible by noting the key points of the congress below!

The congress booklet set the scene with a quote from Pope Benedict XVI’s message to the 45^th World Day of Communication. He emphasised the need to be actively involved with the social media and to evangelise through the various means available here.

“The new technologies are not only changing the way we communicate, but communication itself, so much so that it could be said that we are living through a period of vast cultural transformation. This means of spreading information and knowledge is giving birth to a new way of learning and thinking, with unprecedented opportunities for establishing relationships and building fellowship.”

(Pope Benedict XVI – Message for the 45^th World Day of Communication)

[“I would like then to invite Christians, confidently and with an informed and responsible creativity, to join the network of relationships which the digital era has made possible. This is not simply to satisfy the desire to be present, but because this network is an integral part of human life. The web is contributing to the development of new and more complex intellectual and spiritual horizons, new forms of shared awareness. In this field too we are called to proclaim our faith that Christ is God, the Saviour of humanity and of history, the one in whom all things find their fulfilment (cf. Eph 1:10). The proclamation of the Gospel requires a communication which is at once respectful and sensitive, which stimulates the heart and moves the conscience; one which reflects the example of the risen Jesus when he joined the disciples on the way to Emmaus (cf. Lk 24:13-35). By his approach to them, his dialogue with them, his way of gently drawing forth what was in their heart, they were led gradually to an understanding of the mystery.”]

(Pope Benedict XVI – Message for the 45^th World Day of Communication)

Key speakers at the congress emphasised various points, which supported the Pope’s appreciation of the place of social media in the digital age:

Bishop Bill Walker from Broken Bay (http://www.dbb.org.au/ourbishop/Pages/default.aspx) emphasised that

– new media is not an optional extra – is essential for today. Critical to know who the message is for, and how they receive it.

The more fervent we are at articulating our personal faith with the new media the better will be the response to Jesus.

Community of faith – best done when the base is a solid Catholic community. What makes it Catholic? – A critical mass of mature Catholics.

Monsignor Paul Tighe from Vatican (Irish Priest) – now is a clash of the institutional Church and Internet possibilities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Tighe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEObQbrToQs

Option for subsidiarity needed. Church needs to develop structures to stop centralisation. Address - Personal and Institutional / Method / Media / Message / Communications – Strategic consideration. People resources are extraordinary worldwide.

Social Media is everything Church does is communicating. It is beyond the pulpit now. Every user of new media is an educator

A highly informed and qualified panel then discussed this in detail. The panel comprised:

Fr Richard Leonard (Jesuit – Director of Australian Catholic Office for Film and Broadcasting + Visiting Professor at Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, etc.) http://www.abc.net.au/sundaynights/stories/s3281765.htm

Scott Stephens (ABC – ABC Online Religion and Ethics Editor + on Drum, etc) http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/scott-stephens-33390.html

Geraldine Doogue (ABC – Compass, etc) http://www.abc.net.au/compass/team/geraldinedoogue.htm

Emma Rossi (Media Executive at Australian Communications and Media Authority) http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/HOMEPAGE/pc=HOME

Scott Stephens – Church needs to re-embrace locality / parish – not bastardised social communities. Go against the trend – don’t go where people are – too much opinion out there. Don’t tone down the lesson – turn it up! Quality matters – most popular blog pieces have depth. Church has to exemplify to a watching world – worship, sacramentality, repentance and social ability. What they will get from no other outlet – the ability to think and reason. ABC is a rare outlet trying for this.

Emma Rossi – ACMA – do go where crowds are… eg in Australia teenagers are on Facebook 13hrs/wk avr. Should be a Cardinal Pell Twitter account being regularly updated. Schools and parishes need also. Catholic Church cannot ignore what is being said about it – response is needed.

Geraldine Doogue – ABC – wary of fads – does Twitter suit us? Energy needed to keep social media fresh – huge challenge, otherwise pull back to what can’t be compromised on… Need to provide media with quality content. (Media senses blood for Church today. Lost interest in politics of Church, curiosity of the Church and even great encyclicals…) Media is inspired by trivia and various formats – not content.

Fr Richard Leonard – Hard teaching needed – need to present in a compassionate, gentle and charitable way – particularly to opponents.

Warren Mundine –( Aborigine, former national president of ALP + CEO of NTS Corp) http://www.ntscorp.com.au/index.php/annual-report/executive-team

More aborigines in Sydney than NT. Most aborigines in Australia are urban dwellers. Stop romanticising about aborigines living off the land. Only 9% of Aborigines and 16% of other Australian’s believe media is fair to aborigines. Yet 99% of Aborigines and 87% of other Australian’s believe a good relationship between both groups is needed. Honesty needed in media portrayal – good and bad.

Archbishop Colleridge – Archbishop of Brisbane – Pontifical Council for Social Communications, etc. http://www.catholicleader.com.au/news.php/features/leading-a-missionary-church_79228

What we are seeing now is profound and intrinsic – just as was the invention of the heel, car, printing press. We should be at the vanguard of the of the cultural revolution. How do we humanise the ‘coldness’ of the screen – screen shows a denial of the body.

Open up a vision of possibilities – the world is exciting, especially for young who are bored with the real small world and desire the global world opened up by the digital age. Parishes are not what they used to be – people are moving around – it is being redefines by the car and technology.

Element of surprise is important eg live radio is better than pre-recorded television. Media is rarely the enemy or either the mate! Must be in the culture but not of it.

Julie Posetti – PhD thesis: Twitterisation of Journalism – former ABC journalist at AM, PM and World Today. Now lecturer at Uni of Canberra. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Posetti

Stories v. important – tell stories on websites continually. Stories are more sources for journalists than ever. New journalist values – transparency – new objectivity – to be open, engaging… / authenticity / collaboration / respect for audience

Today the audience knows more than the journalist knows. New journalist skills – engagement / curate – share your’s and others’ work, facilitate / build – debates and discussions (start these), crowd sourcing – coop audience into research / contacts / verification, making content out of the process – talking to audience eg what you are doing / how you are doing it etc

Journalist branding is now a reality.

Twitter: breaks stories faster / audience engagement / clash of the personal and professional spheres / verification challenge

Melinda Tanchard Reist – Collective Shout – for a world free of sexploitation - http://melindatankardreist.com/about/ http://collectiveshout.org/

‘Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls” text 2009 + Submissions to government.

Activists for cancelling sexploitation advertising – hugely successful eg Target, Harvey Norman and Telstra adverts stopped

Fr Dr Matthew Tan PhD – theologian and philosopher / lecturer (Blog – the Divine Wedgie) http://www.campion.edu.au/our-people/faculty/110-dr-matthew-tan http://divinewedgie.blogspot.com.au/

Need to draw people out of cyberspace and back into the physical world – to become part of the Eucharisitic community. Become online missionaries – new search of global energy. Cyberspace is a parody of a monastery.

Use Facebook, Twitter and websites to evangelise. More website involvement of my story / thoughts etc

XT3.com– Mary and Therese Nichols – Sydney youth services

An interactive, content-driven website, with a focus on providing Catholic multimedia resources – also social networking – subscribers have a profile page – an added extra from people’s facebook and twitter pages.

Chris Downey and Paul Thomas – Video on the Web (Workshop)

Global Vision Media – see Erikson promo + Baptcare (bringing care to life) + e-learning examples – GVM demo areas. Final cut pro editing software. Backgrounds (generic) can be purchased . Creative commons - free videos, photos, etc.

Plural + - http://pluralplus.unaoc.org/ - youth worldwide video competition - PLURAL+ supports youth in addressing the key challenges of their communities related to migration, diversity and social inclusion. See Faith in London as an example at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDbgFwOI8uI

Therese Nichols and Daniel Saban – Evangelisation and Media (Workshop)

Video blogs. Mt 5:14-16. “We need you…” (Address to artists by Pope Benedict) We need to evangelise the new digital continent – ie social media world. Real Talk – sexuality videos. Salt and Light Television – built after 2002 WYD in Toronto – promo is very good. http://www.saltandlighttv.org/

Why I’m Catholic – website - http://whyimcatholic.com/

One Billion Stories – website - http://onebillionstories.com/

Word on Fire – website – Fr Robert Barron - http://www.wordonfire.org/ - suggested this be linked to each parish website

Catholic Answers – website – includes Catholic encyclopedia and interactive discussion forums - http://www.catholic.com/

Catholics Come Home (website) – former Catholics – estimate 200 000 so far have come home - http://www.catholicscomehome.org/ - suggested that this is linked to each parish website

*** Strong suggestion to link good Catholic websites to each parish website (2 v.g. examples above)

Each parish should try and include blogs / vlogs (video blogs) / podcasts of priest homilies, etc.

The Gospel in the Digital Age – NY Archbishop Homilies

See’ Why I love religion and love Jesus’ in response to ‘Why I hate religion and love Jesus’ on YouTube.

Blogs Facebook pages - Conditions of Use – note what is acceptable and not + ramifications - withdrawal of comment.

For my personal summary of the key points from this congress see the blog 'Australian Catholic Media Conference 2012 - a summary of key points for the digital age'.

The 'Australian Catholic Media Conference 2012 - an Overview with Links' blog post written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

Love is the Meaning of Life - Lifestyle Becomes a Distraction

Fri, 04 May 2012 09:27:00 GMT

Love is the meaning of life. To love and to be loved being the main purpose for our whole existence. Why then do so many people allow all the other lifestyle issues, values, resources, relationships, etc, become a distraction? Why then do so many people let the distractions interfere and often dominate their lives?

Most people would believe that the desire to love and be loved to be an intrinsic part of life - you are born with it. You are born to love and be loved. That people living a balanced life, where they are loved and loved others within their family and friendship circle, truly appreciate this message. Once this message is appreciated and lived, then it is the normal thing to do when relating with others and the world.

However, somewhere along the way, many get distracted for so many reasons and then lose that true focus. The human frailties of greed, selfishness, envy, failure to forgive and be forgiven, lust, gluttony, etc, come to the fore and seductively entice people to follow this distracting and destructive pathway.

This transfer of priorities may even occur in early to mid-childhood, where parents or other significant adults or people within the young person's life, live an alternate destructive lifestyle, which is seen by the young person as the norm, and hence worthy of following (even if subconsciously). This then becomes the accepted lifestyle as they grow up.

People may then follow this pathway until challenged to do otherwise. Challenged to see the destructiveness of these chosen ways, challenged to confront the situation they then find to be wrong, challenged to become a better more loving person. This challenge often comes at a time of complete lowness / loneliness within their lives.

To love and to be loved is the meaning of life. It is the primary and quite raw need within all people. It is not only a basic emotional and social need of each person but it is also the main spiritual desire and need.

Appreciating that love is the meaning of life brings with it the challenge to love and to be loved in all its manifestations. To not get distracted and damaged by allowing all the other stuff to get in the way. This belief should be at the core of all church and religious school philosophies and theologies.

When 'Love is the Meaning of Life' then the future holds no bounds.

Love rules! Most people would believe that the desire to love and to be loved is an intrinsic part of all humanity.

The 'Love is the Meaning of Life - Lifestyle Becomes a Distraction' blog post is written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

The e-Book - a Strategy for Church Marketing

Thu, 17 May 2012 02:59:00 GMT

e-Books are a great addition for church marketing personnel - to offer the detail often lacking in everyday marketing campaigns. This option is also one of the most difficult forms of marketing your church or parish. Considerable content and time is needed for success. The author also needs time to write the text.

The publication stage may be simple and be just a pdf, which can either be uploaded free or sold though the parish website. Or it may be of a high quality through such companies as Amazon and its subsidiary CreateSpace. Church marketing through Amazon and CreateSpace takes on a whole new dimension.

A high quality e-book would have between 300-400 A4 pages, whereas an average e-book would be a minimum of about 150 A4 pages. Poor e-books would be below 100 pages - unfortunately, too many internet authors fit into this category these days, and hence make it difficult for the good authors to be seen as highly creditable in the marketplace. These books would be written with the purpose being to inform the reader in a detailed way of how to achieve whatever the aims were being offered for each church marketing e-book.

e-Books can be continually updated and uploaded to various websites for placing in the internet market. This is a huge advantage over everyday hard-copy textbooks, which usually take many months before publication! My e-books have been updated between 2 and 3 times each. These were then uploaded abd offered for sale - literally the day each was finally edited and approved!

Each parish should seriously consider whether they have the content regarding their parish, which they would like developed into an actual e-book for publication and sale on the parish website. Content would include all the parish has to offer at all levels, from new born to aged care and subsequent activities.

My suggestion for the most successful way to succeed with giving thorough detail in the marketing field is to write the e-book in a summarized point format. This allows for a large variety of topics to be covered. It also allows for the reader not to be overawed by copious amounts of words on each specific point being made. Summarized points are often more easily read and often easier to interpret and understand. The page layout is also far more conducive and attractive and therefore should appeal to more people and hence be more successful overall.

The marketing e-book is becoming very quickly a necessary marketing tool for the contemporary marketing personnel in today's digital world. The detail it gives can be very successful when combined with an appropriate writing format - particularly the summarized point format.

The 'The e-Book - a Strategy for Church Marketing' blog post is written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

Photos - Key to a Successful Church Marketing / Communications Plan

Thu, 17 May 2012 02:58:00 GMT

Photographic images are the basis of any successful church marketing / communications plan. The more relevant and appealing the better! Remember - 'a picture tells a thousand words'!!!

How often have you been inspired by a photo or image? The higher the content relevance of the image the greater the success should be. In any church marketing campaign it is the relevance of each component, which will decide the campaign's success. One poor choice can turn that campaign into a flop. A poorly chosen photo / image can lead to the viewer ignoring or not seeing the message on the one extreme, to being totally against the whole message on the other extreme.

The quality of the image is also important, yet this would also depend on the artistic use of it. Most often a quality photo of the chosen subject is necessary for success. Yet, sometimes a poorer quality, or artistically enhanced, image may be quite appealing in a specific circumstance. The product and demographic of the campaign would decide this.

The digital camera has opened up a whole new world for most people. No longer are very expensive cameras and add-ons needed for that successful photo. The quality of many of these digital cameras is quite extraordinary now. The raw photo is often quite good, however add to this the qualities that software, such as Photoshop can add, and a whole new world opens up to even the least qualified photographer.

Of course, quality DSLR cameras, associated lenses, lighting apparatus and software such as Photoshop, will lead to considerably higher quality images in the hands of a photographer of merit. The marketing campaign will dictate the quality of image required.

Even the basic editing tools included with most Windows, Apple and Android products can enhance an image. Often all that is needed is a little cropping or light adjustment.

The smart phone supporting a large enough camera these days can become a part of a successful marketing plan. A smart phone with the appropriate apps downloaded will allow various images to take on that 'Wow' factor.

The digital camera allows for a large number of photos to be taken. Don't be a miser here. You will find that some photos work for you while others won't. Hence, the more you take, the more chance of that 'magic' shot. In time you will develop an appreciation of the number of shots needed to achieve your aim.
The moving video image also has a place to play. The photo image is more often used within a video for special effect.

The photo image is a key component of any successful marketing campaign within so many common media. When an image is used effectively it grabs the attention of the viewer and makes them take note. Use it well and that 'thousand words' will become part of your marketing campaign.

The 'Photos - Key to a Successful Church Marketing / Communications Plan' blog post written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

Top 10 Free (or Inexpensive) Church and Parish Marketing Strategies

Thu, 17 May 2012 02:57:00 GMT

Free, or Inexpensive

A successful church and parish marketing plan and budget will need to incorporate most of the top ten free church marketing strategies if it is to be successful. The top 10 strategies can be free, or at least relatively inexpensive, depending on the church / parish’s present arrangements.

By effectively using the media and the church / parish website, there should be little expense activating these top 10 strategies, especially when the digital option is the primary method used, instead of hardcopies. If it can assumed that the parish has a website, which can be managed by the parish personnel, as well as a front signboard and a good digital camera, then these strategies can be implemented for free or little expense.

The first strategy is in itself free, yet is also reliant upon a number of other key strategies to be implemented successfully – ‘Word of Mouth’.

Top 10 Free Church / Prish Marketing Strategies

1.    Word of Mouth
2.    Quality Preaching, Engaging Liturgies and Active Pastoral Care / Social Justice / Youth Programs
3.    Social Networking Sites e.g. Facebook, Twitter, You Tube
4.    Professionalism of priests and staff in action and appearance
5.    Church / Parish Website and Blogs
6.    Use of the Media - both traditional and contemporary – including editorial, images and advertising
7.    Information Sessions - night and day times – including faith / theological education, open days, prayer sessions...
8.    Newsletters and Flyers - digital (hardcopy where needed)
9.    Front Signboard
10. Cross Information (within the parish e.g including through the school/s)

The number 1 strategy, ‘Word of Mouth’, is dependent on those espousing various views about the church / parish being well informed. To do this, the next 9 strategies have an important role to play.

The church / parish needs:

•    to have a high quality liturgical, prayerful and pastoral life, along with an openness to meet the needs of all parishioners
•    acknowledgement of the place of social media in today’s digital world
•    an easy to use professional website
•    the ability to engage the local media so that the good stories are told to the whole community, and even the negative stories being told with the church's’s professional approach for solutions being seen in a positive light,
•    openness to various visits to the parish
•    the acceptance of the place of the digital flyers and newsletters.

Conclusion

Free key strategies are often the best approaches to marketing your church / parish. When there is a professional website and the parish community has a positive attitude toward the parish and what it offers, along with what the digital age can offer, then a free, or relatively inexpensive, church / parish marketing plan is possible. This approach can also work when the attitude of the community is not as high – however, there may need to be a need for various forms of paid advertising to counteract such negativity. The best church / parish marketing plan would incorporate most of the free top 10 strategies for marketing your church or parish.

The 'Top 10 Free (or Inexpensive) Church and Parish Marketing Strategies' blog post written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

Church Marketing Plan - 7 Key Strategies

Thu, 17 May 2012 02:59:00 GMT

Each Church Marketing Plan should be based on 7 Key Strategies:

1. Define what you have to offer
2. Define your target group
3. Budget
4. Personnel and Talents
5. Develop Marketing Aims and Objectives
6. Marketing Strategies
7. Evaluation

Sample Church Marketing Plan

1. Define what you have to offer
• vision and mission, personnel, basic underlying content and structures within the parish, pastoral and welfare support programs, facilities, extra activities, etc
• specific demographics targeted e.g. ages and groups catered for and their particular niche market
• future plans - programs, staffing, facilities, etc

2. Define your target group
• through various data, including surveys, observations, experience, gifts and talents available / needed
• proximity to / involvement with similar and / or churches and parishes
• any expansion - programs, facilities, staffing

3. Budget
• realistically support the marketing plan
• be flexible and open to growth and change as the needs arise
• continually develop over time through needs and experiences

4. Personnel and Talents available - including Church Marketing Manager

5. Develop Marketing Aims and Objectives - from previous information

6. Marketing Strategies
• Marketing Relationships
• Marketing Resources (including branding, advertising)
• Media Use
- Internet and other Contemporary methods
- Both for Free (Media Releases / Editorial, etc) and for
- Fee (Advertising)

7. Evaluation
• The plan should be evaluated at least yearly and appropriate adjustments made for the following year.
• Changes may need to be made throughout the year depending on changing circumstances.

The 'Church Marketing Plan - 7 Key Strategies' blog post was written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

Word of Mouth - the #1 Strategy for Church and Parish Marketing

Thu, 17 May 2012 03:00:00 GMT

Let's keep it simple. From my experience there are a number of classic and contemporary methods to market your church or parish. These should be at the forefront of any successful church / parish marketing plan. A number of these are free or relatively inexpensive. The number 1 method though is ‘Word of Mouth’ is free!

Now this may seem quite obvious and simple to many, that the number one strategy is word of mouth, unfortunately it can be anything but that. Word of mouth requires the great majority of people to be speaking positively about your parish. This not only includes those directly in the parish community e.g. staff and parishioners, but also those in the wider community who may influence those within and without of the parish. This would include: others directly associated with the parish e.g. suppliers of goods, professionals e.g. those charged with the financial guidance and auditing, architects and engineers of the building plan, people various associations, committes and boards, etc.

Hence, these people need to be fully informed and communicated with, concerning all the events and happenings within the church /parish. This includes the positive and the negative.

Why the negative you may ask? If the church / parish is run effectively it will have policies and procedures to deal with most, if not all, circumstances it may face. When people within and without the parish see that it is dealing with those negative aspects in a professional, caring and effective way, they will more than likely offer their support. For many of these people they will go much further and espouse how wonderful the parish is in the way that it deals with negative issues. This can be a very effective method, overall.

Once this strategy is accepted as the primary means to market a church or parish, it then becomes evident that the next challenge is to select numerous forms of communication and a number of strategies, which are going to be needed for the ‘word of mouth’ strategy to be fully informed and hence, successful.

The 'Word of Mouth - the #1 Strategy for Church and Parish Marketing' blog post written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

The e-Newsletter and i-Newsletter for Church Marketing

Thu, 17 May 2012 03:02:00 GMT

The Church Newsletter is often the best regular form of information-giving to parishioners. The standard paper newsletter still has its place, however there is a growing interest in either: the e-newsletter (sent out via email) or the i-newsletter (placed on the church internet website) or both, in this digital age. Every church marketing plan needs to incorporate this essential church marketing strategy.

e-Newsletter / i-Newsletter + Newsletter Essential

Both e-newsletter or i-newsletter will add to the target readership. Not only would it appeal to the internet / email savvy, it also becomes available to the non-weekly church attendee, the ill and for those away from the parish for varying lengths of time for innumerable reasons. That is, it is available for anyone requesting an email out from the church or to have the option of reading it on the parish website.

Supplement these with the regular hardcopy available from the church for those in attendance or on a mail-out list and interested, or not interested in an e/i-newsletter, and the target base should be considerably more.

This section within the 'Church Marketing - Internet Applications with Samples and Instructions' chapter will concentrate on the e-Newsletter / i-Newsletter. The hardcopy Newsletter will also be covered in the ‘Church Marketing: Necessities’ chapter. Both within the 2011 e-book: Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) by Bryan Foster.

Regular Weekly Publication

Regular weekly publication is needed for best success. Regularity rules!

The readership should often be expanded to church schools and other interested parishes and even to other willing sources e.g. parent and school businesses for display in reception rooms, offices, etc.

The parish’s website needs to be updated weekly with each e-newsletter uploaded to it. A collection of the year’s i-newsletters on the website is appreciated by many parishioners and others wanting to get an overview of the year’s progress.

The e-newsletter would be either emailed to all interested parishioners and others as per a developed database and / or placed on the website as an i-newsletter. I would suggest both as people are more likely to read the email sent to them. Having the website archive as a backup helps considerably for people checking for previous e/i-newsletters / news, etc.

Other sections covered in this chapter include:

Professional e-Newsletter / i-Newsletter
Photos
e-Newsletter / i-Newsletter Homepage +
Production In-house or Outsourced
Effectiveness
Brevity Rulz
AdvertizingLayout Development

Other articles on this website of similar interest include:

Funding Challenges for Church Marketing
Church and Parish Marketing Necessities
Church Marketing Resources and Production
Church Marketing Manual... Contents Pages

The 'The e-Newsletter and i-Newsletter for Church Marketing' blog post written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

e-Flyer / i-Flyer for Church Marketing

Thu, 17 May 2012 03:00:00 GMT

e-Flyers / i-Flyers are issued electronically whenever some important news or event is forthcoming. When these appear on the church internet website the term i-Flyer is more accurate. Brevity and presentation is the secret. These should form an integral part of any church / parish marketing plan's strategies.

Theme

A specific theme for each flyer needs to be apparent e.g. Holy Week, Advent / Christmas, Social Justice Programs, Youth Events or Aged Care Developments, etc.
Other themes may be linked from the e/i-flyer, but best not to distract from the main theme. Most of the content and images visible should be based on the main theme.
Be aware that having a general themed flyer to promote the church will often say to the reader that the parish needs more people. Many people react against this.

Frequency

Due to the ease of production and success that these flyers invariably bring, it is important not to overdo the frequency of email-outs and / or website postings. It would be hard to imagine the need for a frequency of less than fortnightly – so that the readers do not develop a blasé approach to the e/i-Flyers.

Purpose

The purpose is to inform the parishioners, potential families and other interested parties of the advantages of your church to the community through its ongoing prayer-life, communal activities and developments.
This should create a positive discussion. The prestige of the parish should be raised or confirmed. Interest should be increased with potential new families to your church and parish.

Distribution Methods

There are two main ways to distribute the flyers:

•   e-Flyers are emailed: from parish or third party production
•   i-Flyer on the church internet website.

Other topics covered in this section in the Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2011 are:
•   Email-outs
•   Production of e-Flyers
•   Email Database
•   i-Flyer Webpage
•   Layout
•   Size of e/i-Flyer
•   Production - including the Offsite Option

The 'e-Flyer / i-Flyer for Church Marketing' blog post written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

e-Books for Church Marketing Research or for Communication with Parishioners

Thu, 17 May 2012 03:01:00 GMT

E-books are a great addition for church marketing personnel in the digital age - to offer the detail often lacking in everyday marketing campaigns.

The e-book can be used for research by church marketing people or as a marketing strategy for communication with parishioners. This latter variety may hence be considered as a large e-newsletter.

For research

A high quality e-book would have between 300-400 A4 pages, whereas an average e-book would be a minimum of about 200 A4 pages. Poor e-books would be below 150 pages - unfortunately, too many internet authors fit into this lower category these days, and hence make it difficult for the good authors to be seen as highly creditable in the marketplace. These books would be written with the purpose being to inform the reader in a detailed way of how to achieve whatever the aims were being offered for each church marketing e-book.

For publication

Page numbers are irrelevant if the main purpose is to inform parishioners in more detail about various topics of interest eg. a detailed overview of the year from various perspectives including financial, liturgical, pastoral, doctrinal, social, etc., and including many photos for interest.

Always remember that a picture (photo) tells a thousand words.

The 'e-Books for Church Marketing Research or for Communication with Parishioners' blog post written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com

Church Marketing Plans and Strategies for Marketing the Church by Bryan Foster

Thu, 17 May 2012 03:03:00 GMT

Sharing his church marketing plans and strategies for marketing within the Catholic Church for almost 20 years has been a passion for Bryan Foster .

Recently he published the next editions in his popular church and school marketing series:

'Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed)', 2011 as a paperback
'School Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (3rd ed)', 2011 as a paperback.

These books published as both paperbacks and e-books add a whole new dimension from his experiences with digital marketing. This is combined with a complete update of the regular contemporary and traditional school marketing strategies.

These e-books are available from both this School and Church Marketing online website and from Amazon.com. Amazon.com also has these as paperbacks as well: .

Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), 2011

School Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (3rd ed)', 2011

His leadership roles within the Church include:

•   South Coast Deanery Pastoral Council, Chair
•   St Mary's Parish Pastoral Council, Coomera, Chair
•   Surfers Paradise Parish Pastoral Council, Surfers Paradise, Secretary
•   St Kevin’s School, Parents and Friends Association, Benowa, President.

All of these are on the Gold Coast, Australia. This is arguably the harshest region to 'market' churches in Australia. It is a very secular based city - being the tourist capital of Australia.

His school marketing experience began in the 1980s as a principal in two country primary schools and since 1994 in a secondary school.

Bryan Foster has held various senior and middle school management positions in Catholic schools: a primary school Principal in two schools, APRE in secondary school and Years 9, 11 and 12 Coordinator.

A highly ethical approach to marketing, and passion for marketing the Catholic school, was formed as a result of his extensive Church experiences, along with Religious Education teaching experience in Catholic primary and secondary schools in the city and country.

He was the Marketing Manager at Aquinas College, a secondary co-educational college on the Gold Coast, in what is arguably the most difficult school marketing region in Australia, since 1994 until last year. He was also the school’s Assistant Principal Religious Education for ten years. Bryan was seconded to Brisbane Catholic Education for the 2008 school year as the Catching Fire: Evangelization and Spiritual Formation Education Officer.

He holds a:
•   Master of Education from the Australian Catholic University in Sydney
•   Bachelor of Education}
•   Graduate Diploma in Religious Education}
•   Diploma of Teaching} from McAuley Teachers College in Brisbane
•   Diploma of Religious Education from the Institute of Faith Education, Brisbane.

He has taught for over 30 years in Catholic schools from Years 1 to 12.

Bryan has assisted many school marketing coordinators. He is considered highly by Brisbane Catholic Education and throughout the years has assisted their marketing personnel.

Bryan lives on the Gold Coast in Australia. His wife, eldest daughter and son all teach in Catholic primary schools, while his younger daughter attends a Catholic secondary school.

The 'Church Marketing Plans and Strategies for Marketing the Church by Bryan Foster' blog post was written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), - the paperback and ebook manual for Church communications and marketing personnel - 304 pages of easy to read and implement summarized points, which allow for a considerably large number of quality stategies and examples to be detailed and available for church marketing personnel - with copyright remaining GD PL. Book available from Amazon.com and Createspace.com