9 Of The Best Communication Tips for Churches
By Steve Fogg
From time to time I share a few of the best tips for churches that I find from communications blogs I subscribe to. I’ve chosen some tips I think that will really add value for your day-to-day work at your church.
Here are nine really insightful tips that will help you in your church communications (there are 46 from an earlier post at the bottom too):
1. Snapchat is the new black. Jump on in
Remember when everyone was jumping on Instagram and Pinterest for the first time? Well Snapchat is the new black. Here is a great article that makes the case for why your church should be on snapchat. Read more here. http://justinjdean.com/making-the-case-for-snapchat-and-the-church/
2. How to rebrand a ministry the right way
Every church communications person I know have been through this experience. I’ve also written about branding for churches. Here is my whole library of posts. http://www.stevefogg.com/category/branding-2/
3. It’s all about the why
You’ll need to sign up for this one (it’s free) and it’s well worth a look. See it here. https://thatcc.com/blog/ It’s seriously great.
4. Your website is the front porch to your church. How good is it?
I host a weekly Twitter chat called #cmschat for Church Marketing Sucks. It is especially for those of you who want to improve your church communications (and it’s free with experts in the trenches). Here is a recent #cmschat where a I gathered a few experts to talk about how to improve your church website. The replay is well worth a watch here. http://www.churchmarketingsucks.com/2016/05/improve-church-websites-cmschat/
5. How to communicate authentically and reach more people through Facebook Live
Facebook Live is the best opportunity currently to reach more people and create more impact on social media. Find out some of the best and practical tips here on how to get the most out of it. Read more here. http://www.stevefogg.com/2016/05/19/practical-tips-best-facebook-live-videos-church/
6. How to leverage SEO ‘Search Engine Optimization’ to reach more people online
SEO is one of the most underrated ways of helping your church reach people in the digital search space. Read more here http://hello.ekklesia360.com/blog/best-seo-practices-for-church-websites on some of the best practices your church can implement to reach more people and get higher in those golden search results.
7. How to make boring subject matter interesting
Ever feel uninspired when writing on a subject that doesn’t interest you. That never happens in church world does it? Learn how to make even the most mundane sound interesting. Read more here. https://problogger.com/write-engaging-content-boring-subject-matter/
8. Get a social media strategy (Yes for small churches too)
Brady shares some excellent pointers that will improve your social media strategy. Even smaller churches with fewer resources will get so much out of this very extensive post. Read more here. https://prochurchtools.com/ultimate-social-media-strategy/
9. It’s not just social. Think digital.
I’ve said time and time again when you think about your church website and social media you have to think about the whole digital journey. It also includes offline too. I wrote a free e-book especially for church leaders and communication pros who want to increase their reach, impact and effectiveness on digital. It is a simple step by step strategy that will take your digital strategy to a new level. Read more here. http://www.stevefogg.com/2015/05/19/free-ebook-digital-strategy/
If you want more tips there are 46 more tips and ideas that will improve your church communications here.
1. Finding the brand essence of your church – Brad Abare, Church Marketing Sucks
2. Why good design matters (and why some churches fail) – Steven Fogg
3. Measuring success in your social media – Josh Burns
4. Kem Meyer’s communication tips (short video)
5. 10 things you should never say to a designer – Phil Bowdle
6. The branding process from start to finish – Kevin Hendricks, Church Marketing Sucks
7. 6 Reasons Why Your Church Needs A Social Media Calendar [with a free template] – Steven Fogg
8. Tips for writing an effective press release – Kevin Peterson
9. 22 Common Mistakes Most Churches & Non-Profits Make On Social Media – Steven Fogg
10. 5 Things You Need to Know About the New Facebook Page Layout for Your Church – Josh Burns
11. Everybody wants a sound byte from the platform… now what? – Kem Meyer
12. Communicating simply – The Spaghetti test – Phil Bowdle
13. My Top 10 Church Logo Designs – Steven Fogg
14. Tell Better Stories – Phil Cooke
15. 5 Tips for Choosing a Memorable Church Domain Name – ChurchMag
16. 7 Social Media Tips That Will Take Your Church From Woe To Whoa – Steven Fogg
17. Improving Word of Mouth Marketing – Church Juice
18. How a single issue can destroy your perception (Or your reputation) – Phil Cooke
19. Biggest communications challenge nobody talks about – Kem Meyer
20. Social Media Strategy in Three Words – Phil Bowdle
21. How To Create An Email Newsletter For Your Church – Steven Fogg
22. ‘The Social Media Gospel’ – Meredith Gould
23. Church Communications Matrix – Church Juice
24. How does communications work with creative arts team? – Kem Meyer
25. What The Best Church Websites Do – Steven Fogg
26. Eight email failures (and questions for those that want to do better) – Seth Godin
27. 7 Reasons Why Your Church Needs A Communications Schedule – Steven Fogg
28. Empowering Brand Advocates – Church Juice
29. How To Communicate Your Church Service Cancelation – Evan Courtney
30. 11 Imaginative Ways To Use Social Media For Your Church – Steven Fogg
31. Why Breaking the Rules is Crucial to Your Creative Potential – Stephen Brewster
32. Brands are bigger that logos – Scott Magdalein, Church Marketing Sucks
33. 10 Church Branding Myths – Steven Fogg
34. How to Increase Church Newsletter Subscribers – Dave Shrein
35. Three Great Examples of Churches on Instagram – Darrel Girardier
36. My Secret to Building a Powerful Church Brand – Brady Shearer
37. 8 Creative Ways To Use Instagram Video For Your Church – Steven Fogg
38. 6 Ways to Improve Your Church Twitter Account – Church Juice
39. 7 Great Church Websites That Have Responsive Design – Steven Fogg
40. The 3 R’s Of A Successful Social Strategy – Stephen Brewster
41. 10 Practical Writing Tips – Kevin Hendricks, Church Marketing Sucks
42. How To Make Your Church Announcements More Effective – Steven Fogg
43. 21 Essential Traits For Creative Leadership – Stephen Brewster
44. Your Congregations Daily Digital Habits – Darrel Girardier
45. How to Design a Church Logo – Michael Buckingham, Church Marketing Sucks
46. 12 Social Media Tips For Church Leaders – Steven Fogg
From: http://www.stevefogg.com/2016/06/01/best-communication-tips-churches/
The material is copyrighted and should not be reprinted under any other name or author. However, this material may be freely used for personal study or research purposes.
This article may not be written by an Apostolic author, but it contains many excellent principles and concepts that can be adapted to most churches. As the old saying goes, “Eat the meat. Throw away the bones.”
