Advertising and Promotion Ideas for The Church

Logo

This is the beginning of your image creation and the most important step in the whole branding process. This is how you portray yourself to the world and it shows how you feel about your church.

Corporate Identity

Your first piece to contain your logo should be your church letterhead, envelopes and business cards. Not only should they contain your logo, but all appropriate contact information-address, phone number, email and website address.

Signage

A very visible way to place the logo is on any signage inside and outside the church including the main church sign.

Bulletin

This is a weekly publication that can help promote services and ministry opportunities to members and visitors. If this communication tool is properly used, it can increase awareness and attendance to activities and it can keep the congregation well informed.

Brochure

This piece of literature can contain all of the church’s information in one place. From service times to programs and ministries, this will inform visitors of all aspects of the church.

Visitor’s Packet

The visitor packet can come in many various sizes and configurations. When a visitor comes in for a service, they are seeking information. The information ranges from what type of church it is to what you believe. They want to find out without having to ask someone. When they walk in and are greeted, they receive this packet. It can contain a brochure, an information card they fill out and hand in, letter from the pastor, information about upcoming events and a bulletin. There are many ways to customize this piece and many more items that can be put in.

Tracts

This is a way that members can hand out customized tracts or other evangelism materials to friends, family or people that they meet. They can provide the plan of salvation or focus on a specific need or issue.

T-shirts, Hats and Other Clothing Items

Your church probably has many different programs and events that occur during the year. Making T-shirts customized emblazoned with the church logo and name of the these programs and events will continue to establish the image of the church and will create continuity between the members.

Billboards

Most churches shy away from advertising for many reasons, but it can effectively reach out to those in need of a church home. From promoting a children’s activity to general promotion of the church, billboards can present the church in a positive light to the community.

Flyers, Posters and Postcards

Events need to be publicized and a large visual image full of the details helps. But they don’t have to stay inside the church. Flyers are put up at grocery stores, schools and on telephone poles to promote special events. Postcards can target a specific audience or group of people that you want to inform about upcoming events.

Radio

The airwaves are a great source to get the message out. From a: 30 second spot sharing about an activity to a weekly religious segment from the pastor, radio is a powerful, underused medium.

Web

Service Times
This is the most important information to a visitor to the church. Post the regular service times, places and descriptions of each service. A separate section on this page can detail special services too.

Beliefs/Doctrine/Mission Statement
Everyone wants to know what you believe and think. It is even more important that you as a church know what you believe and where you stand on important issues. This section can help you establish and communicate what you believe amongst the congregation and to people outside your church.

Ministries
This section is to showcase the ministries that you support inside and outside the church.

Programs
Highlight the programs for the many groups in your church.

Staff
List the pastor, associate pastor and of leaders of your church.

Members
This section provides information to the congregation and to visitors about different members. You can highlight a different member each month. When you have new members join, this is a great way to get to know them.

Location
Visitors need to know the location and directions to your church in order to visit. A simple map and written directions will aid someone in getting to the right place.

Contact
You list your address and contact info for the office, pastor and any other leaders.

School/Institute/Daycare
If you offer some type of education alternative, your website can help give the info that parents need.

Plan of Salvation/Evangelism
The ultimate goal of the church is to reach out to the lost. This is a great way to do that. From a page listing the steps and related scripture to online tracts, the internet is a prime resource to help your church and members to share the Gospel.

Groups
There are many groups in a church–children, youth, college, adults, couples, and seniors. Each one has its own direction and focus. Use this section to offer information on events and ministries to each group.

Music
Music has a special place in the church. There are many ways to share this on your site.

Links/Resources
Your site can be a portal for members to come and learn more about what they believe. Provide links to sites that can provide them with the knowledge and understanding that they need.

Prayer Requests
This is the list that always changes. Even if you church has a weekly prayer meeting, it is probably outdated. This section can have a list of new, updated and older requests. A form can allow people to add or update request through the site.

History
Every church has a history. It is important for visitors and members to understand where the church has come from before they can go anywhere.

Association/Affiliation
Usually a church is part of a larger group of similar churches. Here you can explain your association and affiliation.

Event Calendar
There is a lot going on in a church with the many services, events, groups and meetings. The immediacy of the internet can allow for instant updates to the calendar of events for your church. Anyone can access the calendar to see what is going on that day, week, month or for the rest of the year.

Sermon Listing/Request
Offer the sermon and scripture reference from the past and upcoming services. If someone wants, provide them a way to request a topic for a sermon by an online form.

News
There is always something happening that everyone needs to go. This section can list what is going on in the church, association and in the world.

Bulletin Board/Message Board
The best way to start a conversation is to ask a question. Message boards can be a great way to talk about issues that people might not have the opportunity to do so otherwise.

Email Devotions/Updates
We all get email that is not even worth opening. Create a mailing list for members and send out a daily devotional and inform about upcoming events.

Video
We are a video society. If it can be experienced through moving pictures, that’s the format we want it. Video is a great resource to tie together words and pictures. Show the pastor during a sermon, the choir singing, the exterior of the building, a youth activity or a potluck meal

Special Emphasis
Each church has something special about it. Whether it be a ministry, location, group of people, building feature, or program, there are times to focus of these special things.

Discipleship
Your site can offer teaching lessons and discipleship to the members through memory verses for children to bible studies for adults. This resource can build up the members into better Christians.