Category: Church communication

Are you branding with your email address? If not you are missing and opportunity to better inform your congregation.

Let’s talk about branding in your church in one specific area, outgoing email communications. Let’s assume that I’m a member of your church and that the “live” announcements are given from the stage each week. If I hear: For more information contact Betty Smith at betty1972@yahoo.com or John Thomas at john6565@myotherwebsite.com I really begin to wonder about the communications department and what is really being said?

First, you are saying to your congregation, “it’s not worth the time to set this up properly – or, you don’t really believe in this” Why? You are sending people away from your church website for the information. That is a no-no.

Secondly, it’s the “hope and pray” method. You are hoping that people:
A) email Betty1972@yahooey.com and praying that they –
B) get through to Betty1972
C) Betty1972 responds quickly with the RIGHT information and
D) the member hasn’t inadvertently blocked Betty1972 in their email program and
E) the member actually shows up at the event. It’s a huge diversion to have someone write an email, expect a response back, and hope for the best. Lastly, while you very likely trust Betty1972, you don’t know the tone of her response, how she handles her emails, etc.

Next, how about your guests, what does it say to them? Chances are extremely high that they don’t know Betty or John, let alone have the time to write down their info while the announcements are delivered, remember they’re “live”.

Information distribution can be handled in a much more professional way with little to no cost to your church. Here are a few tips.

First, in the absence of any budget members and guests should contact: info@yourchurch.org/com/net. Your office staff should re-direct the incoming emails to the proper staff/volunteer in charge of said event.

Second, with little or no added budget you can add more emails to your website account: Betty@yourchurch.org. Now they can contact Betty, but it’s at your church site, which will likely drive more traffic to your site, and you can see how many people emailed Betty without asking her.

The best way we’ve seen it done: set up a weblink for each ministry – yourchurchSTUDENTS.org, yourchurchMEN.org, yourchurchWOMEN.org etc. It might cost a few bucks a year to buy the link but your congregation will know you’re serious. Why? Because all of the necessary information will be found on the link because as a good communicator, you’ll update your website on a constant basis.

The KISS principle applies when communicating to your congregation: Keep It Simple Stupid. This goes for your actual information as well as HOW your members and guests get the necessary information. Ask your team about this, and give it a try. When you start communicating better, your congregation will notice.

On a call with a potential new client, the pastor told me a consultant mentioned to them that 12-14 minutes on announcements was too much.

There are numerous ways to do shorten announcements of course, but change is hard for people. What are some good guidelines to follow? Here are some ideas.

First, prioritize, according to how many people you are trying to reach. Use your announcement time to reach the broadest spectrum of your congregation as possible. If your total congregation is 250 people, and the women’s prayer meeting on Thursday morning draws 6 people, it is probably not the best use of time to spend two minutes telling everyone about it. If that group grows to half the women in the church, well, that’s another story. On the other hand, an all-church prayer meeting? Well, everyone needs to know about it.

Second, someone on staff has to limit the number of events you announce. We suggest two to three each week, but no more than five. Our attention spans are shorter now than ever before. Some advertisers are experimenting with commercials that are just seven seconds long. Many of the churches we serve only announce two events each week. It helps keep the congregation and staff focused and present.

Next, announce in reverse order. Announce the event that’s furthest out on the calendar first, as a reminder. Then announce the event that takes place this week, or has its last sign-up date this week, last. It will automatically add emphasis because it’s the last announcement people will hear.

Finally, be clear and concise, it’s about the information. Edit your script down to the necessary information. When you ramble, your congregation will get their smart phone out, and you will lose their attention.

If you want help with your announcements, CLICK HERE and let’s get started!