Church Marketing Sucks: November 2007 Archives

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November 30, 2007

Lessons In Not Sucking Wrap-Up

I just finished up the series on "Lessons In Not Sucking." In case you missed it, here is a handy little linked index of each of the topics:

Enjoy!

Posted by Brad Abare at 7:56 AM
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November 29, 2007

Lessons In Not Sucking: 9 Must-Read Books

(Filed under: Reviews)

This is part nine in a series on Lessons In Not Sucking. Today I give you nine books that are must-read when it comes to not sucking. I admit, it is not a definitive guide, but you try narrowing down a list of nine. If you have your favorites--or if you disagree with mine--feel free to tell us in the comments.

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Church Marketing 101 by Richard Reising
Read the CMS review.
Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Mind Your X's and Y's by Lisa Johnson
You can read my review over on Personality's site.
A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink
Read the CMS review.
Getting Real by 37signals
We've mentioned this book here and here.
The Long Tail by Chris Anderson
Read the CMS review.
Good To Great by Jim Collins
Read the CMS review.
Thinking for a Living by Joey Reiman
You can read my review over on Personality's site.

Posted by Brad Abare at 7:39 AM
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November 27, 2007

Lessons In Not Sucking: Working With Firms & Freelancers

(Filed under: Church Business)

This is part eight in a series on Lessons In Not Sucking. Today we discuss working with freelancers and firms. Having both owned my own creative firm in the past that worked with churches and now being on the other side of the table working with and hiring freelancers, I've learned a few things here and there. As always, if you have additional comments to add to this, fire away!

1. Architect vs. Contractors.
It's important to know the difference between architects and contractors when it comes to getting your project done. Architects are the ones who create and plan, contractors are the ones who execute. Many freelancers and firms attempt to do both and, in many cases, it can work out due to the size of a project. However, make sure you know what you're asking for when it comes to your project. If you're acting as the architect, make sure the freelancer or firm you're hiring knows that their role is to make your plans happen. Too many architects is like too many cooks in the kitchen. No architects is like a plan with no vision.

2. Build the relationship.
The more you know your freelancers and firms, the better they will be able to understand you! And the more they understand you, the better your projects will get. Don't be afraid to tour their studio or do coffee together. Invite them to a service, let them come to a staff meeting. You already know the value of relationship, so extend it to them too.

3. Freebies ain't free.
I strongly suggest you stay away from the freelancer or firm who offers to do your project for free. This is especially difficult when you're using someone that goes to your church because they really want to help. By the way, I'm not always a fan of using people from the inside--it depends on the size of your church. Free stuff is never really free. It always costs something. Headache, hassle, hoops, etc.

Continue reading "Lessons In Not Sucking: Working With Firms & Freelancers"

Posted by Brad Abare at 5:38 PM
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Polka Mass Poll Results

(Filed under: Poll Results)

Last week, we wanted to know what you'd do when you heard there was a polka mass in town. Despite stuffing yourself with turkey and dressing, you let us know. Here's how you answered:

9% of you are chomping at the bit. Just answering this poll very well might have excited you enough to go out and organize your own polka mass.

Another 20% of you want to do it, but you're not going to go out of your way. If someone will let you borrow their shoes and their favorite Slovenian folk album, then you'll partake.

12% of you are less convinced. You would go, but only as a last resort. Polka is simply your backup plan if all your friends bail on you.

The vast majority of you, 60%, wouldn't be caught dead at polka mass. For the record, I'd be in hiding with you guys. I'm more of a river dance mass guy myself.

This week, we get away from Thanksgiving fun shenanigans like polka, and we ask, when it's time to design Christmas graphics, and the word Christmas doesn't quite fit, you...

Posted by Joshua Cody at 5:22 AM
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November 26, 2007

5 Church Marketing Mistakes

(Filed under: Resources)

Tony Morgan just posted 5 marketing mistakes that churches make. Here's his list:

Promoting your church instead of generating a response.
Making a promise you can't keep.
Trying to be all things to all people.
Thinking other churches are your competition.
Publicizing programs that compete with another.

We've covered some of these things before. This isn't necessarily an exhaustive list, but they are a few good guidelines to follow.

I think these and more boil down to two guidelines to follow in all of your marketing:

Marketing must follow the ethics of Christ
Use common sense and think things through. Twice. Maybe three times.

Posted by Joshua Cody at 1:53 PM
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Giving Thanks Poll Results

(Filed under: Poll Results)

Happy Thanksgiving! It's only a few days past, but we have the breakdown of how you choose to celebrate at your church.

44% of you tie it in to your Sunday services the week before or after. I get a sense some of those folks just say "Oh yeah, by the way, Happy Thanksgiving!" Others probably go all out and remind folks to be thankful. Either way, you Thanksgivingify your services.

Next up, 29% of you have a special service near that special Thursday. What kind of stuff happens at these special service? I have a tender spot in my heart for this holiday, so these services sound great to me.

14% of you are already on Christmas. You're too busy decorating your tree and donning your Santa hats to think about turkeys and football. Hey, that's good, we won't come down on you for putting extra attention on the birth of Christ.

The smallest number of you, 13%, get together to give thanks on the fourth Thursday of November. (Or the second Monday of October for our Canadian friends.) Are there any bigger churches out there who get together on Thanksgiving Day?

I guess I forgot an option. My church gives thanks by sleeping in the weekend of Thanksgiving. Sorry for anyone we alienated by leaving that one out.

From Church Marketing Sucks to you, we're super thankful to have you guys supporting our mission and working alongside us. It's really an honor for us to do what we do, and we hope we're moving towards working ourselves out of jobs.

As a special thank you this Thanksgiving, we've got...you guessed it. A new poll! This week, we ask, Would you be there for polka mass?

Posted by Joshua Cody at 1:32 PM
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November 20, 2007

Lessons In Not Sucking: Working With Volunteers

(Filed under: Church Business)

This is part seven in a series on Lessons In Not Sucking. Today we discuss working with volunteers. Love 'em or hate 'em, volunteers are here to stay. And here's to hoping they make your day, not take your day.

1. Match strengths, not availability.
Just because someone says they're available to help out doesn't mean that will actually result in someone helping you out. So what if they know how to use Photoshop, do they know how to use it in a way that results in stuff you are expecting? Always look to match the strengths of a volunteer, not the availability of a volunteer.

2. Remember reciprocity.
Volunteers are volunteering because they get something in return. It may sound selfish, but it's just the way we're wired. Whether it be satisfaction, a free meal, kudos, recognition, promotion or just plain smiles, the concept of reciprocity is alive and well. Don't forget this because when you know what the volunteer is looking for, you can better help them to obtain it.

3. Realistic expectations.
Be realistic when it comes to the expectations you have for volunteers. Expect too little and you'll never cause them to rise to the challenge. Expect too much and they'll feel like they failed you. Communicate up front what you're expecting and give them opportunity to respond.

Continue reading "Lessons In Not Sucking: Working With Volunteers"

Posted by Brad Abare at 7:37 AM
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November 19, 2007

Church Website Survey Results

(Filed under: Resources)

Version 1.0 of The Art of Mission's Church Website Survey was recently released. The results of the survey are available for free, and a second version is in the works as you read this.

The first version is essentially built around the question, "How satisfied are you with your church web site's ..." As a result of this, the answers you'll get are indicators of what churches are doing, not necessarily how successful they are.

That doesn't mean, however, that you won't get valuable information from it. You'll be able to see things other churches are doing as well as things churches are doing that folks either are or aren't satisfied with.

There's only about 130 respondents in version 1.0, so don't use the stats for your water cooler debates just yet. But do head over to Art of Mission, read the results and get into version 2.0 to help churches communicate better.

Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:28 AM
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November 16, 2007

Church Marketing Lab: New Sites, Sports Centers and More

(Filed under: Peer Review)

It's the most wonderful time of year! The weather is getting colder, Wal-Mart has Christmas candles and Christmas music is starting in on the radio. All that to say, I'm desperately fighting the urge to make every Church Marketing Lab update from here on out a Christmas edition. Here's a little of the non-Christmas action we're seeing in the Church Marketing Lab this week:

Valley Church of Idaho is getting a new web site ready to go.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: New Sites, Sports Centers and More"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 7:00 AM
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November 15, 2007

Lessons In Not Sucking: Know Your Audience

(Filed under: Demographics/Research)

This is part six in a series on Lessons In Not Sucking. Today we discuss the idea of knowing your audience. It's basic Communication 101, and I'm embarrassed to admit how many times I forget this stuff and just proceed as if I know how to communicate to everyone. Do you have additional wisdom to share? Speak up.

1. Create people playing cards.
Ad agencies do this all the time. Profile your audience (with real data/research) and then create posters or cards for a few of the people that represent the overall audience you've profiled. Hang these images of the people in front of your writers, designers, creators, etc., so that you always have those people in mind when you communicate.

2. Surveys and polls.
Conducting surveys and polls is as easy as SurveyMonkey.com or PollMonkey.com (which powers our poll in the right column). I also just heard about My Church Survey. These are handy examples of how easy it is to get feedback from groups of people. The more you know about who you are communicating with the better you get at communicating.

3. They audience is always right.
Often when I speak at events, I tell the story of Robert E. Lee, the famous Civil War General. He never sent a communiqué to his generals before first asking a private to read it. The private had to read the letter and then re-state in his own words what the call to action was. If the private didn’t get it right, Lee assumed it was his fault, not the private’s. Lee would re-write it as many times as necessary to be perfectly clear and start the cycle over again.

Continue reading "Lessons In Not Sucking: Know Your Audience"

Posted by Brad Abare at 7:36 AM
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November 14, 2007

Lessons In Not Sucking: Building an Ideation Team

(Filed under: Think Ahead)

This is part five in a series on Lessons In Not Sucking. Today we discuss building ideation teams. I love working with teams that are passionate about the subject at hand. If you have things that work for you, please share them here with us!

1. Start with the problem(s), not the solution(s).
Whenever you gather a team together for times of ideation, don't bring solutions to the table, bring problems. This is difficult for us leaders sometimes because we think that the meetings will be more efficient if we just brainstorm already suggested solutions. Brainstorming the problems is where the real action happens. And the team will be that much closer because they landed somewhere together.

2. Listen for laughter. If it's not there, something is wrong.
When you're meeting as a team--especially in the context of ideation--there must be loads of laughter. If there's not, something is out of whack. Without laughter, no one will feel comfortable presenting crazy ideas. And it's with those crazy ideas that things start to take shape.

3. Let vision lead, not dollar signs.
I try never to start an ideation meeting telling people how much the budget is. It seems to always dampen the conversation when people feel that they have limits. I'd rather have an idea that costs a million dollars come up that inspires everyone, than a bunch of $100 ideas that are boring. This doesn't mean you keep the budget hidden, but be careful to bring it out at the right time.

Continue reading "Lessons In Not Sucking: Building an Ideation Team"

Posted by Brad Abare at 7:35 AM
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November 13, 2007

Blogging Pastor Poll Results

(Filed under: Poll Results)

A little over two years ago, we asked you if your pastor blogs for your church. You weighed in and told us this: 21% did with success, 5% are trying without much success, 4% tried and gave up, 66% of you hadn't tried it out, and 5% had no idea what a blog was. That was then. This is now:

28% of you are blogging away, and folks are loving it. That's up 7%, so more people have tried, and more have had success. Always a great thing to hear.

10% of you have given it a shot, but it's not working out. I think the Church Marketing Lab discussion board could be a great place for this. Ask yourself three quick questions.

Is my audience aware that I have a blog or would they read a blog?
How is my site design?
Am I blogging material relevant to my audience?

Talk to the kind folks in the Church Marketing Lab, and I'm sure someone would love to help you with your site.

4% of you tried, but you gave up. Let us know your story in the comments, are you a pastor who tried, but it didn't work out Are you an intended reader who helped in the project not working out? I'd be interested to hear why these sorts of things fail.

56% of you still haven't joined the blog wagon. My quick response is, "Good grief! Go blog!" My better response is that maybe this is a great idea. Don't try to do something you don't need. Keep it simple, but consider blogging.

Only 2% of you still have no idea what a blog is. If you're in that 2%, consider being discipled in technology. I don't know that I have a link to help that.

So, you might be wondering whether you should comment on this post. There's a few types of people who should. Are you a SuperBlogger? Tell us why you think it works. Is your blog struggling? Ask for some advice. Are you a blogger feeling rejected? Let us know why you think it didn't work. Anyone else? Heck, just let us know what you think.

In the mean time, this week, we want to know, will your church do a Thanksgiving service? Head to the right and let us know.

Posted by Joshua Cody at 1:52 PM
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Handvertising?

(Filed under: Off the Wall)

Handvertising by Greg Atkinson, Guest Blogger

What on earth is handvertising? Just what you think--it's advertising on the back of someone's hand, available from Handvertising USA. They wanted me to blog about this new form of advertising that's "completely different from the television commercials and magazine ads people are used to," according to their press release. Sounds mark-of-the-beast-ilicious, doesn't it?

This new approach raises more questions than answers. Is marketing going too far? Could anyone take this seriously in a church setting?

Personally, I'm a big proponent of the "less is more" theory. I've written on it several times. I wonder if this is a sign of saturation in this booming field of communication. Maybe I'm alone and you love the idea. Maybe you think NASCAR could use some more ads on their cars and drivers. I wonder if churches are better off concentrating our efforts on doing a few things well, rather than lots things of cheap and cheesy.

But could something like handvertising be used in an effective way? What about putting your youth group's logo on the hands of students as they enter your events, concerts or lock-ins? What if a key word, theme or Scripture verse that was emphasized in your worship service was stamped on the back of your hand as a reminder as you go throughout the coming week? That physical reminder could build connection, sharpen shared experiences and be a powerful tool to reinforce spiritual commitments.

Or it could just be annoying as you try to scrub it off the next day.

Is all this non-sense? Again, I don't know. I'm simply giving you food for thought. So I ask, how many of you can see yourself using a marketing ploy like this in your ministry context and culture? How many of you think this is a crazy idea?

Posted by Guest Blogger at 6:04 AM
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November 12, 2007

Lessons In Not Sucking: Cheap Marketing Ideas for Church Planters

(Filed under: Resources)

This is part four in a series on Lessons In Not Sucking. Today we discuss cheap marketing ideas for church planters. Having been a church planter myself, I understand the disparity between "cheap" and "idea," and I also know this list is way too short. If you have other ideas, please add them here in the comments.

1. Don't do it
This is probably the best way to save money. It still amazes me how many people think that money is the answer to church growth, especially in the context of church planting. By deciding not to do your idea or ideas, not only will you save money, you'll save time and headache, too. Still convinced you want to do it? Read on.

2. Hand-write invitations
I've heard of several people doing this with remarkable results. I originally got this idea from a few people in the business world who were starting their own companies-- they wrote personal hand-written invitations to potential clients. This inexpensive and highly targeted approach may be a great place to start for your new church plant or new ministry start.

3. Go to where the people are (online and off line)
Contrary to the thousands of ads you see and hear every day, no one ever said marketing is easy. Don't rely on direct mail and other mass marketing to get the job done for you. The most effective way to reach people is to go to them. Go where they go. Do what they do. Hang where they hang.

Continue reading "Lessons In Not Sucking: Cheap Marketing Ideas for Church Planters"

Posted by Brad Abare at 7:34 AM
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November 9, 2007

Lessons In Not Sucking: Common Communication Mistakes

(Filed under: Promotion)

This is part three in a series on Lessons In Not Sucking. Today we discuss common communication mistakes. Here are some choice mistakes I believe get in the way of our well meaning communication and marketing.

1. We confuse the three M's (message, method, movement).
Step #1: Know your message (your call to action, your point, your purpose).
Step #2: Define what you want to happen (the movement) as a result of your message being heard/seen/experienced (attendance, action, feeling, etc.)
Step #3: Determine the best method to connect the message with the movement. The method is the bridge.

Do not get these out of order. If the method comes first (as if often does), what we get is a really cool web site that doesn't do anything except look cool. If the movement comes first, we end up with a bunch of people but no purpose for their assembly.

Continue reading "Lessons In Not Sucking: Common Communication Mistakes"

Posted by Brad Abare at 7:31 AM
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Church Marketing Lab: Logos, Languages & Share the Love

(Filed under: Peer Review)

After a week off from the Church Marketing Lab roundup last week, we're back to your regularly scheduled design genius. Here's some of what's been going on in the Church Marketing Lab this week:

We saw a logo idea for Corinth Church.

Continue reading "Church Marketing Lab: Logos, Languages & Share the Love"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:51 AM
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November 8, 2007

Churches Can Learn From Dove

(Filed under: Brand & Identity)

Dove continues to blaze the authenticity trail with its latest campaign--this time from their UK office because of risqué imagery--called Onslaught (viewer discretion advised).

This is the third in a series of Dove videos that tackle the problem we have today of just letting women be real women. The viral Evolution spread like wildfire which speaks to the issue of low self esteem. This led to their Pro Age spot which speaks to the issue of aging--it's OK to have birthdays, women!

I applaud Dove's boldness. This latest Onslaught campaign takes the beauty industry head on. The church can continue to learn from Dove's authentic approach by showing us that it's OK to be ourselves.

Continue reading "Churches Can Learn From Dove"

Posted by Brad Abare at 7:05 AM
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November 7, 2007

Fall Church Shopping

(Filed under: Evangelism & Outreach)

USA Today seems to feel that autumn is the perfect time to find a new church. I guess when we asked you what would make you leave your church, we should have included "Autumnal Equinox" as an answer.

USA Today is catching on to what other premier news organizations (Read: us) have been saying for a while now: Church web sites are vital.

"Having a web site allows the religious consumer to be a much more informed consumer. (If people) can find can a congregation that fits their needs and their interests, they're more likely to make a long-term commitment and to be a serious participant in the life of that church."

Continue reading "Fall Church Shopping"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 6:43 AM
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November 6, 2007

Church Marketing Support Poll Results

(Filed under: Poll Results)

Last week, we asked how much support you could muster up for the idea of church marketing. When you go to your church staff, leadership teams and church friends, what is their reaction to the term "church marketing?"

Good news! 42% of you are a part of churches who are completely supportive of the idea of church marketing. If you go and tell them about what you read on Church Marketing Sucks, they'll probably be a-OK with that.

The bad news? Still 5% of you are a part of churches where you're the only one on board with church marketing. If you go and tell them about what you read on Church Marketing Sucks, they'll probably tell you that Church Marketing Sucks sucks.

In the middle of those two alternatives, 24% of you are part of churches who are getting closer to a grasp of church marketing, but not quite there. Another 16% of you are part of 50/50 churches who ride the fence about the ideas.

11% of you church marketers are a tiny majority in your church. Let us know about your church marketing secret societies and covert-ops in the comments. Finally, 2% of you are just here to pick fights, and you don't even like the idea of church marketing. Welcome!

This week, we're headed back in the CMS time machine and asking a question from a few years ago ... Does your church or church leadership blog?

Posted by Joshua Cody at 9:09 AM
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Death of a Podcast?

(Filed under: Technology)

Tony Morgan, over at his blog, discussed the end of Yahoo! podcasts a while back. The service shut down, and it begs the question: Is podcast listenership in decline? He lists a few barriers to the success of podcasts:

You can't scan through a podcast to find the good stuff.
It's tough to carve out time to listen to podcasts.
Other things like videos and reading sound more fun than listening to someone talk.
Podcast quality often stinks.
They don't lend themselves to viral distribution.

Why in the heck does this matter to church marketing, you might ask. Well, podcasts for weekly sermons are integral parts of many churches. Some churches even podcast more than just weekly messages. We have to ask ourselves if this form of media is something we should continue to pursue, and if so, how should we improve the state of the podcast?

Continue reading "Death of a Podcast?"

Posted by Joshua Cody at 8:44 AM
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November 5, 2007

Lessons In Not Sucking, Communication In Print

(Filed under: Graphic Design)

This is part two in a series on Lessons In Not Sucking. Today we discuss communication in print. This is all in the context of marketing so it's important to filter my comments through that lens.

1. Print adds legitimacy to your message
Whenever something is put in print--whether it be proper or propaganda, it adds some legitimacy to what you're saying. It's nice to see and hear. When you can touch or take away something it makes the message stick a little more and creates a reference point.

2. The call to action: what and where
Just as I said with communicating online, you've got to remember to have a call to action. When someone gets your printed piece (postcard, bulletin, invitation, etc.), what do you want them to do? Call? Register? Tell someone else? If the call to action isn't clear, don't expect much in return.

3. Remember “the who”
They're not just a band, the "who" is also your audience. And if you don't have them in mind every second you're creating printed pieces, you're wasting time. When you put things in print, this is not the time to think about you, it's the time to think about them.

Continue reading "Lessons In Not Sucking, Communication In Print"

Posted by Brad Abare at 7:31 AM
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November 2, 2007

Best and Worst Logo Redesigns

(Filed under: Brand & Identity)

Judging from the comments and questions we get in the Church Marketing Lab it seems like logos have to be one of the hardest challenges for church marketers. But have no fear, the logo vexes every other marketer as well. Perhaps it's because so much rides on your logo and everything flows from it (though Seth Godin would tell you the logo itself doesn't matter). At any rate, it's hard to get it right.

So here are the best and worst logo redesigns of the century. The side-by-side comparisons make it easy to see which ones work and which ones don't. Though figuring out why something works or doesn't work and how that might apply to your logo is your problem (sorry).

For more side-by-side logo action, check out Under Consideration's Brand New blog. The commentary is a lot drier, but you're not limited to only 21 logo comparisons. (link via 37Signals)

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 7:48 PM
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Lessons In Not Sucking: Communication Online

(Filed under: Web Sites)

This is part one in a series on Lessons In Not Sucking. Today we discuss communication online.

1. Lower the draw bridge
Whether it be your web site, blog, My Space or Facebook page, your presence online is a draw bridge to bring people in to your "world." Your online presence is not your world, it's the bridge between the person and your world.

2. The call to action: what and where
Always ask yourself what is it that you want people to do as a result of reading, watching or participating in your online presence. Do you want them to come to an event? Request more info? Call somebody? Smile? Tell a friend? Pray? If you don't know what you want people doing, how will you ever know how to get them to do it?

3. RSS is your friend
The more you can deliver your information via RSS the more helpful you become in getting people the information they want when the want it. From event announcements to volunteer assignments, if you haven't met already, RSS is just waiting to be your friend.

Continue reading "Lessons In Not Sucking: Communication Online"

Posted by Brad Abare at 7:29 AM
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November 1, 2007

Marketing Without Trying

(Filed under: Philosophy)

Seth Godin offers us a simple and succinct lesson in marketing:

Even when you don't try, you're telling a story.

That's why church marketing often sucks. We don't want to admit we're marketing, because then we don't have to try. The trouble is marketing happens whether you try or not.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 6:23 AM
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