SF: Church Marketing

A few years ago the youth group I was leading decided to sell car tags to the congregation of our church as a fundraiser. The white, plastic tags were printed with the church’s name, service times, and a cute little catch phrase that I can’t even remember now.

The problem with the car tags was that they
1.) Didn’t attract new people to church
2.) Didn’t encourage new visitors to come back.

So, I started thinking… what wound make someone come back to a church after a first visit – which prompted me to write this handy list of items to help with church hospitality/marketing. Here are some things that I think would help bring new and first time visitors back to the church.

1. Commemorative Photo
A few years ago my wife and I along with another couple took a weekend trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We had a great time [thanks for asking]. While we were there we had the opportunity to go to Dolly Partons’s Dixie Stampede. At the “Stampede” [as us in the know call it], the first thing you do is get your picture taken by the Stampede photographer. I was confused at first, until about 45 minutes into the production when a nice lady walked up and showed us the print. Seems they sell these photos to their guest so they can remember the great time they had as a visitor to the Stampede. For only $21.95 we could have [catch that… could have] owned a photo that we could put in the back of our wedding pictures [because we look at them so often] to remind us of the great time at the Stampede.

Now, while I may sound a little sarcastic, don’t you think it would be a great idea for new visitors? You could have a faux podium set up in the welcome center that would serve as the centerpiece of your commemorative photo. Right before the choir comes in a representative from the church could find the visitor, welcome them, and offer an opportunity to purchase an item that would help them remember the first time they came to Suchandsuch Church.
The proceeds, of course, would go to the building fund.

2. Screen Printing
Nothing says advertisement like printed clothing. Everyone has a shirt with something printed on it; in fact, I buy shirts that have fake business names printed on them. Why? Because they make me feel trendy and hip [I’m not sure what trendy and hip are – that’s why I need the shirts].

Now, we’ve all seen church names on shirts too. That’s been done. My idea is to print the church name, address and service times across the backside of jeans and pants. I’m not sure why it is, but if there is writing there people look. They might as well be invited to church at the same time, right?


3.) Tomato Soup
My wife and I recently visited a church that gave us a nice welcoming gift. It was a coffee mug with a pack of hot chocolate, candy and welcome note from the pastor in it. It was all wrapped up and pretty and let us know that we were important.

My idea is to give out a can of tomato soup to first time guest. Nothing says you’re important like a generous serving of lycopene. Plus, whenever that person goes to the cabinet to make dinner and sees the can-o-soup they can say, “hey, there’s that can of tomato soup that Suchandsuch Church gave me. I should go there again this week!” Or, when they are in the grocery store they might say, “Here’s the tomato soup isle. WOW, I really need to join Suchandsuch Church and get involved there.”
Trust me, NO ONE will forget your church if you hand out cans of tomato soup to first time guests!

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Okay, I know what you’re thinking… these ideas are great! Well, as welcome as you are to trying them at your church, it is important to remember that ministry done with excellence is what attracts and keeps new guests and long time members.

Are you serving in your church? Are you serving with excellence?