Internet and Traditional Marketing Strategies for Churches

There is a considerable number of successfull Internet and Traditional Marketing Strategies for Churches.

Never throw the successful traditional marketing strategies out just because the internet may appear to be the only way to go! (Church marketing personnel often need to be reminded, or even informed, of such options.)

Similarly, do not just assume that the internet is the only way to market your church.

The Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) by Bryan Foster, published in 2010, is an e-book resource full of both these forms of successful marketing forms.

This 329 A4 page e-book is a concise overview of how to market your church in easy to read summarised point form.

Over 80 pages, nearly 140 weblinks and over 60 internet screenshots assist with the new Internet Applications chapter alone.

This e-book is an instruction manual which includes many samples. The contempoary and traditional approaches needed for marketing your church in the digital age are explained in this e-book.

Everything from 'parishioner power', the traditional media and parish newsletters to various internet applications, including websites and social networking, are explored in great detail. You will need to begin with a high quality church marketing plan, which is compatible with your particular budget.

This is another manual in the highly successful church and school marketing e-handbook and e-book series.

The 'Internet and Traditional Marketing Strategies for Churchess' blog post was written by Bryan Foster author of 'Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010. Bryan also wrote the School Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (3rd ed) 2010 (364 A4 pages of summarized points) along with various other e-books.

Church Marketing - Instructions on Writing a Media Release

Instructions are needed for church marketing personnel to knowing how to write a media release.

Media Release Writing Skills

• Develop effective Media Release writing skills so as to gain media coverage. This is often your best means of gaining this somewhat difficult exposure.
• The media release should ideally be kept to one page to be effective. (See Sample at end of this chapter.)
• One of the major difficulties found when beginning to write media releases is keeping the length relatively short. There is often a desire to give all the detail because you believe it enhances your case.
• Sometimes a little more detail is needed, but not to the detriment of the success of the media release.
• You may also attach supporting documentation. Supporting documentation is usually better than an extended release. It breaks up a long media release.
• A media release is often read if the heading and introduction is captivating.
• Long releases can be considered boring and hence not read.

Remember that the media outlets are receiving an enormous number of releases daily.

The best media releases and best stories usually gain the best attention.

Sending a Media Release

• The media release is printed onto the church’s letterhead paper before transmission.
• The media release is next faxed or emailed to the chosen media outlets.
• In most cases this is to a list of media outlets which should have been stored prior in the memory of the fax machine’s / email group list.
• Emailing is currently gaining more of a general acceptance from the media for media releases. You need to know each outlet’s expectations.
• If they are not email interested, you may still be able to arrange emails with specific contacts for certain focused stories e.g. community service feature pages within the local newspaper.
• Follow-up phone calls may need to be made if there is no response or if you just want to keep building on your relationship. Remember not to overdo this though.

Response of Media to an Event

• Media representatives will usually contact you if there is an interest
• The media may not always respond to your media release but may just turn up a few minutes before the event ready to do the coverage.
• Have someone prepared to meet them in the Parish Office if you know they will be there or have some other contingency plans just in case they arrive without you knowing.
• Be courteous and welcoming, have them sign in and then taken to the venue. They should then be introduced to the CMM who then helps them out.

Other Topics covered

The other topics covered in this chapter in the church marketing ebook include:

Media Release Outline Plan – a suggestion on how to write a media release.
Media Release – a sample.

The ‘Church Marketing - Instructions on Writing a Media Release’ blog post was written by Bryan Foster author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010.

Church Marketing Needs to Use the Traditional Media Also

The traditional media – newspapers, magazines, radio, television – is still an important church marketing tool which has a powerful influence on people’s perceptions of churches and parishes.

Effectively using the media is of considerable advantage.
(It is also of benefit to the media.)

Do not be afraid of the media! Be respectful!

A common misconception is that the media will contact the church / parish on a regular basis for stories. Most often this is not the case.

When a good relationship is developed between the church / parish and the various media outlets, a balance and appreciation of each other’s needs will be reached.

Positive Relations

Parishes need to develop positive relations with the media. Having the media work for you is a real advantage.

Also, having the media not work against you is another advantage.

Most media outlets want to work with churches to portray positive stories to their readers. These are the feel-good stories, which sell newspapers, television and radio time. This builds the media’s advertising base, hence profits. They are also seen as good community advocates.

This positive relationship doesn’t just happen.

The Church Marketing Manager, in particular, needs to develop this relationship in a number of ways. These include contact with journalists, good media releases, advertising with them and the availability of the PMM to the media outlet.

Other Topics Discussed

These topics may be found in this chapter in the church marketing manual ebook:

• Church Contact Person
• Media Release
• Direct Contact with Media Outlets and Journalists
• Balanced Relationship is Needed
• Church Marketing Manager’s Availability
• Be Careful

This ‘Church Marketing Needs to Use the Traditional Media Alsol’ blog post wasa writtten by Bryan Foster author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010

Mary MacKillop - Saint and Icon - a True Australian

Blessed Mary MacKillop is a true Australian icon and her saint.

Mary's life epitomizes all that is good about the Australian character.

Mary MacKillop's canonization will occur in Rome on Sunday 17 October, 2010. This follows her beatification ceremony in Sydney on 19 January, 1995. Cardinal Moran foresaw Mary's sainthood, when in 1909 at her deathbed he stated, "I consider I have this day assisted at the deathbed of a saint." (MaryMackillop.org.au)

The Australian characteristics that Mary personified included her belief in all Australians, Catholics and Protestants, Christians and Jews alike. This characteristic of the universal Australian view of egalitarianism was shown through her opening of many basic resourced schools for all children. At these schools there was no class distinction and opportunities existed for the most disadvantaged children.

Mary felt a lack of spiritual appreciation in society and hence wanted to bring an experience of God to all whom she met. This was achieved both through her personal generosity and lived example.

This very special person was above all a normal everyday Australian, born and bred in Australia. Yet her life was one of extraordinary accomplishments in very difficult geographic, economic and spiritual times.

She is a woman who truly responded to God's call to love - in a most loving way!

'Mary MacKillop - Saint and Icon - a True Australian' was written by Bryan Foster author of 'Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed)' 2010, and based on the Blessed Mary MacKillop website.

Church Marketing Personnel Learn from Britain's Catholic Herald Newspaper

The Catholic Herald newspaper, Britain's leading Catholic newspaper, is a special website example for church marketing personnel, and is available in an abridged form online.

The online stories are detailed and often include colourful photographs to enhance each particular story. Online subscribers also gain access to a raft of archival material.

This is a very informative online Catholic newspaper. It is often detailed and contains a large variety of topics from a significant collection of journalists / authors. The stories are contemporary and relevant for a diverse readership.

The homepage is detailed, yet is easily usable, once an general overview is appreciated. Clicking on the main heading of interest, leads quickly to a clean page, which has the main story dominant. Other key links remain in a left side column.

The Main Online Toolbar includes key material of interest to a large demographic:

• News
• Features and Opinions
• Reviews
• Subscriptions
• Advertising
• Archive
• Contact Us

The homepage also includes links to:

• Latest News
• Special Report
• Blogs and Columnists - including Editor's Briefing and Anna Arco's Diary
• Features
• Catholic Life
• Opinion
• Subscribe

This online newspaper would be of considerable assistance for church marketing personnel, both as an online website example, as well as from the news' worthiness of the content for local parish information. Remember to always respect copyright laws and ethics.

'Church Marketing Personnel Learn from Britain's Catholic Herald Newspaper' was written by Bryan Foster author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010, an easy to read and implement 320 A4 paged summarised e-book manual.

Archdiocese of NY Impressive Website for Church Marketing

The Archdiocese of New York has a wonderful website which should inspire any church marketing personnel.

The personable visual image of Archbishop Timothy Dolan links to his well constructed and diversified personal blog. We are openly invited from the blog link on the homepage to engage through this digital communication format as "God is everywhere even on the blog!"

The website's clean, crisp presentation says 'professional' so very clearly. It has a very welcoming and inviting appeal. This easy to read and use homepage links to various pages including:

• Archbishop Timothy Dolan - Blog, Learn More About the Archbishop, Archbishop's Homilies
• The Catholic Channel
• The World Needs Heroes - linked to NYPriest.com
• Stewardship Appeal
• Events Calendar
• News and Press Releases
• Offices
• Charities
• Education
• Pastoral
• Seminary
• Ways to Give
• Other Links

Regular podcasts from 'The Catholic Channel' are also linked from this homepage. The Archbishop's weekly 'A Conversation with the Archbishop' program includes the Archbishop answering your emails and discussing various topics, archdiocesan events and Church issues. Programs provided here are diversified and presented by various clergy, religious and lay personnel. (You will need certain software installed to receive these, though. Links are provided.)

Archbishop Timothy Dolan was installed as Archbishop of NY on April 15, 2009 after serving as Archbishop of Milwaukee since 2002.

Church marketing personnel will be inspired by this website. The site exudes professionalism. It says 'welcome - come and view.' The tabs are contemporary, topical and easily found. All linked material is more than appropriate and often necessary for all dioceses and churches.

The Archdiocese of New York exempliary website for church marketing personnel blog post was written by Bryan Foster author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010.

Internet and Church Marketing

The Internet and Church Marketing chapter includes Samples and Instructions to assist the Church marketing personnel with contemporary marketing methods.

The internet provides so many church marketing opportunities that are:

• very contemporary
• popular with a significant and ever-increasing number of our church community
• ever-growing in possibilities
• often inexpensive or free
• fun!

The modern church and parish needs to be actively involved with many of these internet opportunities, otherwise they will unnecessarily fall behind the interest level and communication methods of an ever-growing number of our parishioners – with what could be serious ramifications for all concerned.

The CHALLENGE has been issued!

Headings

Website
Website Management Software Sample
RSS Feeds
SEOs
Blogs
Emails
e/i-Newsletters and e/i-Flyers
Social Networking Websites
Video Uploads
Chat Rooms
Skype

These internet and church marketing applications may be found in detailed summaried point form in the 'Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed)' 2010 by Bryan Foster.