Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Beyond Social Networking: 12 Essentials of Church Communications


written by Tim Peters
The church is the hope of the world. As church leaders we have the responsibility of communicating the greatest message known to mankind; the only message capable of changing a person’s entire eternity.
The weight of that responsibility is both profound and incredible. It moves us to action and demands that we communicate it well.
Yet oftentimes, churches have a difficult time communicating this message because they don’t understand the basics of church marketing and communications.
Think about it … Is your church clear on who they are and where they are going? Does your church use social media to nurture and grow relationships? Has your church spent unhurried time developing a brand that resonates with people in your church and community? Does your website accurately communicate the uniqueness of your church? Have you evaluated and observed what guests experience on a Sunday morning? Does your community even know you exist?
These things may not seem significant, but they are critical. In fact, they are essential.
At Sayge, we have spent years researching and identifying the 12 Essentials to Church Communications and have developed a resource that equips Church Communications leaders to master them.
The 12 Essentials Church Marketing and Communications are:
Vision Identification
Vision Identification is clarifying who you are, what you do, why you do it and where you are going.
Brand Standards
Brand Standards are the compilation of documents where articulate your key communication messages, establish a visual identity and explore ways to protect your brand.
Communication Strategy
Your communication strategy helps you determine what, when and how you will communicate.

Project Systems

Andy Stanley says, “The systems down the hall trump the vision on the wall.” If you don’t have systems in place, standards and strategy mean absolutely nothing.
Social Media
Learning to use social media to reach the lost and to extend the influence of the church isn’t just a good idea; it’s a must.
Web Essentials
Today’s church visitors will most certainly check out your church on the Internet before they attend for the first time. Your website should be a web experience, not just a website.
Guest Experience
Your first time guest experience is critical to guests returning to your church, and possibly to any church.
Audience Connection
Ever been disconnected on the phone but not realize it until you have finished speaking?  Then you understand the importance of making sure you are connected to your audience.
Volunteer Mobilization
You have an army of creatively gifted people who attend your church every week. Learning to recruit, train and mobilize them will catapult your communications ministry to levels you never dreamed possible.
Creative Leadership
Creative people are not easy to lead and motivate.  Understanding how to lead creative people, and those in authority over you who lack creativity is critical.
External Marketing
Most churches make the same marketing mistakes: the message is not unique; the content is not inviting; and there’s no long-term strategy in place. If that description fits your church’s marketing, it’s time to make some changes.
Storytelling Principles
At the end of the day, stories move people.  Effective storytelling is always more effective than just another event announcement.

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