Showing posts with label church marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church marketing. Show all posts
Monday, August 15, 2016
Commercial Church Newspapers
The commercial church newspaper is a necessity in today's secular world. For a more balanced view of everyday issues a commercially produced church newspaper allows for the Church to present its teachings and arguments to a more and more secularized world, to a much larger audience.
The Catholic Weekly and The Catholic Leader are two highly respected commercial church newspapers which by their very nature offer another side to an often one-sided report in the secular media.
Both papers have a strong internet presence, as well as being available in print, usually through churches or though a growing number of newsagencies. Both these papers have a long standing presence within the national church.
The newspapers are interestingly presented and cover a diverse range of topics. Topics which should be of interest to a large readership. The internet option opens the door to a contemporary audience, not just by age but by IT interest levels.
The editors need to continually be aware of this younger and IT savvy option and make sure that stories are relevant to this demographic.
Bryan Foster recently had a story about his 'Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010, and its impact on a local church, written in The Catholic Leader newspaper.
The place and necessity for commercial church newspapers which is growing within our ever increasing secular societies was written by Bryan Foster. (Written 18 May, 2010.)
Church Marketing Manual to Get People Back to Church
The Catholic Leader newspaper, the leading Church newspaper in Australia, this weekend featured the new Church Marketing e-Book by Bryan Foster in its hardcopy edition.
The Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), 2010, was released earlier this year.
Fr Dan Ryan PP and Sonya Slater, Parish Administrator, from the Surfers Paradise Parish on the Gold Coast, Australia, have bought multiple copies (10) of the e-book for their parish pastoral council.
The Catholic Leader featured Fr Dan Ryan's and Sonya Slater's thoughts on the e-book and how they plan to use it.
“I find Bryan Foster’s new e-book will help considerably with marketing our Catholic parishes in the modern world. I am especially drawn to the chapters on Parish – School relationships and the uses of the internet, in particular the parish website,” said Fr Dan Ryan, Parish Priest.
“From relationships with our schools to communicating with our parishioners through to web design and blogs, this e-book gives strategies for growth opportunities within our parish,”said Sonya Slater, Parish Administrator.
“I would highly recommend this e-book to other parishes as a tool which could be used in groups or by the Parish Priest or Parish Administrator.”
The Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) by Bryan Foster was this weekend featured in Australia's foremost Church newspaper, The Catholic Leader.
Marketing Tools to get People Back to Church
The Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010 by Bryan Foster is a new marketing tool to attract people back to our churches.
This e-book offers over 320 A4 pages of strategies and examples to help parish personnel attract people back to our churches.
Fr Dan Ryan, Parish Priest of the Surfers Paradise Parish, has just purchased 10 copies for his Parish Pastoral Councillors.
“I find Bryan Foster’s new e-book will help considerably with marketing our Catholic parishes in the modern world. I am especially drawn to the chapters on Parish – School relationships and the uses of the internet, in particular the parish website,” said Fr Dan Ryan, Parish Priest.
“The Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) e-book will be a highly valued resource within the Surfers Paradise Parish.”
Sonya Slayter, Parish Administrator of the Surfers Paradise Parish, is excited about the possibilities this e-book offers her parish.
“When I first read Bryan Foster’s e-book a month ago, I became very excited about the possibilities it offered. The e-book I believe holds the key to improving many of our parish communication mediums,” said Sonya Slayter, Parish Administrator.
“From relationships with our schools to communicating with our parishioners through to web design and blogs, this e-book gives strategies for growth opportunities within our parish.”
The ‘Internet Applications’ chapter uses internet images and live weblinks to support the strategies and examples discussed. This simplifies the implementation process.
The e-book is written in easy to read and implement summarised note form. Twenty years of marketing experience within the church have gone into this publication to assist our parishes with this often challenging task.
"The e-book also offers other contemporary and traditional marketing strategies that have proven to be successful over the recent years," said Bryan Foster.
“I would highly recommend this e-book to other parishes as a tool which could be used in groups or by the Parish Priest or Parish Administrator” said Sonya Slater, Parish Administrator.
“I would like to thank Bryan for investing his time in such a valuable resource for parish life.”
This e-book can be easily downloaded from the internet at Bryan’s church marketing website or school marketing website.
(Photo - Father Dan Ryan, Surfers Paradise Parish Priest, Sonya Slayter Parish Administrator and Bryan Foster, Author, with the newly published e-book which the Surfers Paradise Parish bought 10 copies of for their Parish Pastoral Councillors.)
This new tool will assist with getting people back to our churches. (Written 13 April, 2010.)
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Church Marketing Plan by Bryan Foster
The Church Marketing Plan is absolutely essential for a successful church in this digital age!
For this to occur you first need a good appreciation of:
Sample Church Marketing Plan
Each Church Marketing Plan should be based on 7 Key Strategies:
1. Define what you have to offer
2. Define your target group
3. Budget
4. Personnel and Talents
5. Develop Marketing Aims and Objectives
6. Marketing Strategies
7. Evaluation
Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), 2010 - Unique Resource
For this to occur you first need a good appreciation of:
- what a plan is
- what strategy options there are
- how to develop and implement strategies
- how to evaluate and learn from your experiences and expenses.
It is necessary to have guidelines to show:
- what you need to know and what is available
- why it is suggested you do something - whether it is building essential relationships, using the traditional and contemporary media, or using various other marketing resources
- how to do all this, often takes the stress and anxiety out of developing a successful marketing plan.
Sample Church Marketing Plan
Each Church Marketing Plan should be based on 7 Key Strategies:
1. Define what you have to offer
2. Define your target group
3. Budget
4. Personnel and Talents
5. Develop Marketing Aims and Objectives
6. Marketing Strategies
7. Evaluation
Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), 2010 - Unique Resource
The over 329 A4 pages are easily downloaded from this site. The 80+ pages on Internet Applications for those marketing the church, along with over 60 internet screenshots + over 130 weblinks, help make this not only easily readable but also a pleasure to view in colour, enjoyable and motivating.
The 10+ 'Contents' pages are detailed down to the smallest subsection of each section within each chapter. There are nearly 5 pages of 'Index' words in 9 point font. See above for downloads of each of these.
Topics cover the essential areas from both the contemporary and traditional forms of marketing as these apply to churches and parishes. From the time honoured 'word of mouth' through to the internet and the vast array of its offerings, all add up to lessening the angst and the challenge which is church marketing in the digital age.
The 10+ 'Contents' pages are detailed down to the smallest subsection of each section within each chapter. There are nearly 5 pages of 'Index' words in 9 point font. See above for downloads of each of these.
Topics cover the essential areas from both the contemporary and traditional forms of marketing as these apply to churches and parishes. From the time honoured 'word of mouth' through to the internet and the vast array of its offerings, all add up to lessening the angst and the challenge which is church marketing in the digital age.
A successful instruction manual will include step-by-step instructions throughout. It will explain in detail the what, why and most importantly the how. It will be divided into simple to read, simple to follow and simple to implement strategies.
The e-book contains no waffling here. Get straight down to what you will need to know straight away from an author with considerable experience marketing within the Church.
This e-book is a further development of the first edition Church Parish Marketing: Easy to Use Guide to Market the Church Parish Deanery (2009) by Bryan Foster.
This manual is based on 20 years of marketing within the Church by the author Bryan Foster. This experience includes senior school and church roles, such as: school principal and marketing manager, deanery and parish pastoral council chair and parents and friends association chair. Further details may be found at the CPM website.
The 'Church Marketing Plan' blog post was written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) and School Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (3rd ed) 2011, with copyright being retained by SMAPL.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Responding to a Difficult Media Question During an Interview
The difficult, challenging question posed by an interviewer will often occur at a media interview - it needs to be responded to during the interview or shortly afterwards.
The last resort is the, "No comment," response. If time is needed to gain an accurate response, then advise the interviewer that you will find the answer and get back in as reasonable time as possible.
In the church setting this can be quite a challenge, particularly when church personnel are not experienced to receive such requests or skilled with the necessary response techniques. There is also the inherent fear of damaging the school's hard earned reputation if the response is incorrect or not given in a credible way.
Below is a suggested response for the church marketing personnel. This includes:
• Being prepared for the interview and anticipating negative questions
• Interview techniques to assist.
Be Prepared - A Response Method
• Anticipate the sort of negative questions which might arise and prepare good responses.
• Have your key 3-4 positive points you would like to make.
It may also be necessary to make arrangements with the interviewee prior to the interview, and before the journalist arrives, that the Church Marketing Manager would interject respectfully if the interviewee was getting particularly stressed or confused during the interview. This is particularly necessary if the person being interviewed is a child / student. There is always a duty of care to assist the child firstly and respond to the interviewer only secondly.
Key techniques during the interview when asked a difficult question requiring a response are usually:
1. Acknowledge the weakness (apologize if needed)
2. Agree that plans are afoot to improve the situation
3. Continually revert back to the 3-4 key positive points you want to make
It is often best to do this in a light-hearted manner and preferably in a fun way.
The Serious or Controversial Issue - Interview
Dealing with a serious or controversial issue involves having staff well trained with important interview techniques. These techniques are usually coordinated by the church's authorities who have qualified staff to train urch personnel.
The techniques above would often form the basis for such difficult interviews. These interviews often result from alleged controversial or illegal incidents, involving staff or parishioners.
These days the difficult media question is a stock question of the journalist's profession. There is nothing better for a church's reputation when these questions are responded to well and those being informed through the interview see a professional approach being shown and implemented. Be informed, prepared and skilled with the various interview techniques.
The 'Responding to a Difficult Media Question During an Interview' blog post was written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010, with copyright being retained by SMAPL.
The last resort is the, "No comment," response. If time is needed to gain an accurate response, then advise the interviewer that you will find the answer and get back in as reasonable time as possible.
In the church setting this can be quite a challenge, particularly when church personnel are not experienced to receive such requests or skilled with the necessary response techniques. There is also the inherent fear of damaging the school's hard earned reputation if the response is incorrect or not given in a credible way.
Below is a suggested response for the church marketing personnel. This includes:
• Being prepared for the interview and anticipating negative questions
• Interview techniques to assist.
Be Prepared - A Response Method
• Anticipate the sort of negative questions which might arise and prepare good responses.
• Have your key 3-4 positive points you would like to make.
It may also be necessary to make arrangements with the interviewee prior to the interview, and before the journalist arrives, that the Church Marketing Manager would interject respectfully if the interviewee was getting particularly stressed or confused during the interview. This is particularly necessary if the person being interviewed is a child / student. There is always a duty of care to assist the child firstly and respond to the interviewer only secondly.
Key techniques during the interview when asked a difficult question requiring a response are usually:
1. Acknowledge the weakness (apologize if needed)
2. Agree that plans are afoot to improve the situation
3. Continually revert back to the 3-4 key positive points you want to make
It is often best to do this in a light-hearted manner and preferably in a fun way.
The Serious or Controversial Issue - Interview
Dealing with a serious or controversial issue involves having staff well trained with important interview techniques. These techniques are usually coordinated by the church's authorities who have qualified staff to train urch personnel.
The techniques above would often form the basis for such difficult interviews. These interviews often result from alleged controversial or illegal incidents, involving staff or parishioners.
These days the difficult media question is a stock question of the journalist's profession. There is nothing better for a church's reputation when these questions are responded to well and those being informed through the interview see a professional approach being shown and implemented. Be informed, prepared and skilled with the various interview techniques.
The 'Responding to a Difficult Media Question During an Interview' blog post was written by Bryan Foster, author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010, with copyright being retained by SMAPL.
Marketing e-Books by Bryan Foster now on Amazon.com and Soon as Google Editions
The marketing e-books by Bryan Foster have been uploaded to Amazon.com and when Google Editions is activated this year will be uploaded there also.
There is the option to download in virtually any format for whatever device you want to read the e-books on... whether PC, Mac, ipad, ipod, Blackberry etc,. All you need is the free reading app supplied by Amazon.com applicable to your device. You also have the option to use an Amazon Kindle reading device when purchasing e-books.
"Your purchase will be sent automatically to your iPhone, PC, Mac, iPad, or BlackBerry device." (Amazon.com)
These marketing e-books may be applied across numerous marketing situations in so many fields. The key areas for marketing the Church and schools are, however, the target niche for these books.
Amazon.com Bryan Foster is where you will find Bryan's 5 marketing e-books.
The author has 20 years experience marketing within the Church. He has held senior positions in both Church and schools at the local area, including deanery and parish pastoral council chair and school principal. This experience has proved to be extremely valuable for compiling these easy to read and use e-books written in summarized point format.
Bryan's latest e-books published this year and available on Amazon are:
Both these websites also have a raft of complimentary strategies and examples. There are over 150 blog posts and numerous Hints and Tips on everything from general marketing principles to specific church and school strategies and examples, along with general 'life' themed blog posts.
The Church Manual in normal pdf format is 329 A4 pages, while the School Manual in pdf format has 369 A4 pages.
The 'Marketing e-Books by Bryan Foster now on Amazon.com and Soon as Google Editions' blog post was written by Bryan Foster, with copyright remaining with SMAPL.
There is the option to download in virtually any format for whatever device you want to read the e-books on... whether PC, Mac, ipad, ipod, Blackberry etc,. All you need is the free reading app supplied by Amazon.com applicable to your device. You also have the option to use an Amazon Kindle reading device when purchasing e-books.
"Your purchase will be sent automatically to your iPhone, PC, Mac, iPad, or BlackBerry device." (Amazon.com)
These marketing e-books may be applied across numerous marketing situations in so many fields. The key areas for marketing the Church and schools are, however, the target niche for these books.
Amazon.com Bryan Foster is where you will find Bryan's 5 marketing e-books.
The author has 20 years experience marketing within the Church. He has held senior positions in both Church and schools at the local area, including deanery and parish pastoral council chair and school principal. This experience has proved to be extremely valuable for compiling these easy to read and use e-books written in summarized point format.
Bryan's latest e-books published this year and available on Amazon are:
- Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed)
- School Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (3rd ed)
- School and Church Marketing Blog Posts: My First 100+
Both these websites also have a raft of complimentary strategies and examples. There are over 150 blog posts and numerous Hints and Tips on everything from general marketing principles to specific church and school strategies and examples, along with general 'life' themed blog posts.
The Church Manual in normal pdf format is 329 A4 pages, while the School Manual in pdf format has 369 A4 pages.
The 'Marketing e-Books by Bryan Foster now on Amazon.com and Soon as Google Editions' blog post was written by Bryan Foster, with copyright remaining with SMAPL.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Churches and Social Networking Websites
Church use of Social Networking Websites can be creatively enhanced for the benefit of the parish and church. This contemporary communication method is becoming more obvious for parishes. 'Facebook' is the most popular social networking site in the world today and becoming much more popular with churches and parishes.
The Challenge
We are challenged to meet our parishioners where they are at, or might be, in the near future. The social networking tentacles are reaching further into the various demographics affecting our parish communities, often way beyond the awareness of church leaders. It is now common for people in their 50s and 60s to have one or more social networking accounts.
Assumptions Underlying Social Networking Websites?
There are a number of interesting assumptions an ever expanding group of people, with representatives in most age groups, of the 21st century make:
• People like to build trusting relationships with others before doing 'business' (Churches need to be open to appreciating this belief and then adapting the way they communicate with such people.)
• The busyness of life often limits face-to-face opportunities
• The relationship does not need to be a face-to-face encounter, even though this is often preferred
• 'anonymity' allows for a less inhibited sharing of ideas and thoughts. (Easier for some people to make a comment when the contact person isn't actually in front of them. Similar for some people when using telephones or email.)
• The internet often provides the answers people are seeking (How often do you hear more and more, "Google it!")
• Digital communication is the easiest and quickest means of communication
• Digital communication allows for multiple conversations simultaneously
• People using these forms of communication eventually trust in the results due to their experiences.
Why Consider Social Networking Websites?
To reach this ever growing group of people in our communities we must meet them where they are at!
In many circumstances, this may not be your 'cup of tea'. But you do have control over who sees and comments on your church social networking pages if you follow the security directions. You may limit membership to only parishioners and hence only these people will see what you say and show.
It is, however, a successful method of informing an ever growing group of your community of whatever it is you would like to inform them about.
Below are the details contained on the Facebook page of the St Mary's Parish, Coomera and shows some ways this social networking site is used by a church parish:
• Parish and Contact Details
• News from the Parish Priest and Responses from Parishioners
• News about Youth and Children's Activities and Responses
• Upcoming Parish Events
• Parish Photos
• Parish Priest Recommended Websites for Parishioners
Social networking sites can be used effectively by churches and parishes. Once a number of challenges, misconceptions and assumptions underlying social networking sites are initially explored, each parish will be able to make the decision whether to proceed with a social networking webpage.
The 'Churches and Social Networking Websites' blog post was written by Bryan Foster author of School Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (3rd ed) 2010 and Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010
The Challenge
We are challenged to meet our parishioners where they are at, or might be, in the near future. The social networking tentacles are reaching further into the various demographics affecting our parish communities, often way beyond the awareness of church leaders. It is now common for people in their 50s and 60s to have one or more social networking accounts.
Assumptions Underlying Social Networking Websites?
There are a number of interesting assumptions an ever expanding group of people, with representatives in most age groups, of the 21st century make:
• People like to build trusting relationships with others before doing 'business' (Churches need to be open to appreciating this belief and then adapting the way they communicate with such people.)
• The busyness of life often limits face-to-face opportunities
• The relationship does not need to be a face-to-face encounter, even though this is often preferred
• 'anonymity' allows for a less inhibited sharing of ideas and thoughts. (Easier for some people to make a comment when the contact person isn't actually in front of them. Similar for some people when using telephones or email.)
• The internet often provides the answers people are seeking (How often do you hear more and more, "Google it!")
• Digital communication is the easiest and quickest means of communication
• Digital communication allows for multiple conversations simultaneously
• People using these forms of communication eventually trust in the results due to their experiences.
Why Consider Social Networking Websites?
To reach this ever growing group of people in our communities we must meet them where they are at!
In many circumstances, this may not be your 'cup of tea'. But you do have control over who sees and comments on your church social networking pages if you follow the security directions. You may limit membership to only parishioners and hence only these people will see what you say and show.
It is, however, a successful method of informing an ever growing group of your community of whatever it is you would like to inform them about.
Below are the details contained on the Facebook page of the St Mary's Parish, Coomera and shows some ways this social networking site is used by a church parish:
• Parish and Contact Details
• News from the Parish Priest and Responses from Parishioners
• News about Youth and Children's Activities and Responses
• Upcoming Parish Events
• Parish Photos
• Parish Priest Recommended Websites for Parishioners
Social networking sites can be used effectively by churches and parishes. Once a number of challenges, misconceptions and assumptions underlying social networking sites are initially explored, each parish will be able to make the decision whether to proceed with a social networking webpage.
The 'Churches and Social Networking Websites' blog post was written by Bryan Foster author of School Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (3rd ed) 2010 and Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Photojournalists - Essential for School, Business and Organizational Success
Photojournalists are essential for school, business and organizational success. They get the 'every picture tells a thousand words' to the general population.
Photojournalists are responsible for getting the best photos they can for their particular media outlets. Photos, like pictures, tell a thousand words - hence you need the best photo possible for your circumstances. Photojournalists will most likely have good ideas to best represent the image you or they want covered.
Photo sessions are usually enjoyable times for all involved. It is not often that people appear in the media.
The photojournalist usually works with the journalist who is covering the story. Yet it is often the photojournalist who decides which photos will be used.
There will be times when the media outlet only wants a photo and just sends a photojournalist. At other times you will need to arrange for interviews and photos at the same or similar times. However, at other times, the interview may happen over the telephone and the photo taken at a separate time. Even though most stories require a photo, sometimes it is not required.
Own Professional or Business Photos
There may also be times when the media outlet is quite happy for you to send your own photos by email instead of having the photojournalist come out.
This usually happens after the outlet appreciates the quality and content of your professional or business photos and the professionalism of your photographers.
This is more common with the smaller publications, or for photos accompanying editorial in special features and for advertising.
Rest assured that the outlets will invariably send out a photographer if you feel you need one.
Marketing Manager and the Photojournalist
The Marketing Manager, or selected well informed staff member, needs to attend all photo sessions. The Marketing Manager should treat it as an enjoyable time and it most likely will end up being so.
You are free to offer suggestions, though the final decision does rest with the photojournalist. Their employer is their media outlet (and not your business) and hence the photo taken is what they want. However, in most cases, the photojournalist is working with you and for the profession or business to be seen in the best light.
It is in their best interests to work with you for many reasons, including the media outlet's need for a good standing in the community. They will also possibly want photos, reactions or stories from your profession, business or field down the track. However, if you are being unfairly obstructive, then follow-up photos for other stories at other times may be few and far between.
For specific details of the unique school situation for dealing with photojournalists see Photojournalists and Schools - A Special Case Senario
The 'Photojournalists - Essential for School, Business and Organizational Success' blog post was written by Bryan Foster, author of School Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (3rd ed) 2010, a 369 A4 page e-book, and Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), 2010, with the copyright being retained by SMAPL.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Commercial Church Newspapers
The commercial church newspaper is a necessity in today's secular world. For a more balanced view of everyday issues a commercially produced church newspaper allows for the Church to present its teachings and arguments to a more and more secularized world, to a much larger audience.
The Catholic Weekly and The Catholic Leader are two highly respected commercial church newspapers which by their very nature offer another side to an often one-sided report in the secular media.
Both papers have a strong internet presence, as well as being available in print, usually through churches or though a growing number of newsagencies. Both these papers have a long standing presence within the national church.
The newspapers are interestingly presented and cover a diverse range of topics. Topics which should be of interest to a large readership. The internet option opens the door to a contemporary audience, not just by age but by IT interest levels.
The editors need to continually be aware of this younger and IT savvy option and make sure that stories are relevant to this demographic.
Bryan Foster recently had a story about his 'Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010, and its impact on a local church, written in The Catholic Leader newspaper.
The place and necessity for commercial church newspapers which is growing within our ever increasing secular societies was written by Bryan Foster.
Church Marketing and the Internet
Church Marketing Internet Applications 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 church marketing internet applications may be found in detailed summaried point form in the 'Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed)' 2010 by Bryan Foster.
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 church marketing internet applications may be found in detailed summaried point form in the 'Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed)' 2010 by Bryan Foster.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
'The Catholic Leader' - Leading Online and Hardcopy National Newspaper
The Catholic Leader newspaper is a national leader online and as a hardcopy edition. It is a model in journalistic integrity and diversity. It is the nation's best selling religious newspaper. The Catholic Leader has a significant online presence.
Editor Peter Bugden has been successfully editing this paper since 2007. He succeeded Marcus Kuczynski who was the editor since since 1997.
The newspaper focusses on international, national, regional and local community stories relevant to not only Catholics but all interested people, especially Christians. However, the primary focus is Catholic.
Stories range from detailed features to informative stories. Colorful photographs enhance the stories and advertisments.
A large variety of advertising topics lead readers to a substantial diversity of resources of interest, including various service offerings, upcoming events and print and electronic texts.
The Catholic Leader plays an integral part for the Archdiocese of Brisbane. It is a primary means of communication for the archdiocese.
'The Catholic Leader Newspaper - leading online and hardcopy national newspaper' was written by Bryan Foster author of Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Websites Needed for Successful Church Marketing Plan
Websites - The church / parish website and website management software are needed for a successful church marketing plan. It is often where parish information is initially found.
The website is often one of the first places that potential families and parishioners get an overall feel and basic appreciation of the potential for their involvement in parish life.
Creating a Website - Background
Investigation in this area is critical.
The church will need expertise to create and then continually update a good website.
The initial construction of the website may come from staff, IT skilled parishioners, school IT staff or from outside consultants.
The continual updating would best be done within the parish. In-servicing staff for making these updates would be money well spent.
An option, I have found very beneficial, follows.
Management Software
Another option is to have the website embedded in to management software which allows for management of the site. This takes the site beyond the static and into the realm of continual fluid development – Web 2.0.
The expense of this option is not considerable and with negotiation within the field a reasonable monthly cost would be expected. I would suggest speaking with trusted others in deciding on the businesses offering this support. (See ‘Website Management Software Sample’ in 'Internet Applications...' chapter for a specific example.)
This software allows for various detailed reports of website usage. It could include:
• the whereabouts in the world of visitors to your site
• number of webpages they visited
• the content viewed from webpages and applications they visited
• where they entered and exited the website
• who is exploring your site, through IP (Internet Protocol) addresses
• the browsers they used to link to your website
• any commercial activities you may have as part of your website, etc.
This allows for the non-IT expert to update the website regularly, from uploading photos, literature items, to adding webpages, blogs, galleries of photos and videos, etc.
There are numerous other capacities depending on the management software.
More detail showing the necessity of Websites for Churches and Website Management Software to a successful church marketing plan may be found in the e-book: Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010 by Bryan Foster.
The website is often one of the first places that potential families and parishioners get an overall feel and basic appreciation of the potential for their involvement in parish life.
Creating a Website - Background
Investigation in this area is critical.
The church will need expertise to create and then continually update a good website.
The initial construction of the website may come from staff, IT skilled parishioners, school IT staff or from outside consultants.
The continual updating would best be done within the parish. In-servicing staff for making these updates would be money well spent.
An option, I have found very beneficial, follows.
Management Software
Another option is to have the website embedded in to management software which allows for management of the site. This takes the site beyond the static and into the realm of continual fluid development – Web 2.0.
The expense of this option is not considerable and with negotiation within the field a reasonable monthly cost would be expected. I would suggest speaking with trusted others in deciding on the businesses offering this support. (See ‘Website Management Software Sample’ in 'Internet Applications...' chapter for a specific example.)
This software allows for various detailed reports of website usage. It could include:
• the whereabouts in the world of visitors to your site
• number of webpages they visited
• the content viewed from webpages and applications they visited
• where they entered and exited the website
• who is exploring your site, through IP (Internet Protocol) addresses
• the browsers they used to link to your website
• any commercial activities you may have as part of your website, etc.
This allows for the non-IT expert to update the website regularly, from uploading photos, literature items, to adding webpages, blogs, galleries of photos and videos, etc.
There are numerous other capacities depending on the management software.
More detail showing the necessity of Websites for Churches and Website Management Software to a successful church marketing plan may be found in the e-book: Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010 by Bryan Foster.
Blog Posts the New Necessity for Schools
Blogs - Blogs are becoming a very popular form of interactive, digital communication by internet users and are now necessary for schools and their school marketing plans. Content may be brief or extensive.
Explained
Blogs are used to allow interaction between the website’s administrator/s and the website’s visitors.
Schools could benefit considerably through the effective use of Blogs. These are ideal avenues to promote your school and the various messages you wish to place in the public or private domain.
These days so many people wish to be valued through their involvement and feedback - blogs are one highly regarded avenue for them to achieve this.
Blog Posts
The website’s / blog’s administrators write a Blog Post (comment, information, news, challenge, etc.) and publish this to their website’s blog page. Blog Posts may also include photos, videos, audios and other graphic presentations.
The visitor to your website’s blog page would then have the option to comment on your blog post’s content.
Blog Posts may be of any length and literary style depending on the target audience. However, in most cases, brevity is the norm in these days of mass communication overload. Think newspaper article lengths for most blog posts. As a general guide I work on 200-300 words per blog post. 300 words is often quoted for a good SEO.
You need to make sure that the administrator has the option to accept or reject all comments posted in response to the blog post. If the blog post is available to the public, you need to be prepared to receive all sorts of comments, including spam (mainly advertising links). Unsuitable comments would then be deleted.
Two Major Blog Uses for Schools
School Marketers could use blogs in two primary ways:
• School website Blog
• External Blog sites, which you would point (link) back to your school website.
The DETAIL
More detail showing how necessary school blogs and school marketing blogs are, may be found in the e-book: School Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (3rd ed) 2010 by Bryan Foster.
Explained
Blogs are used to allow interaction between the website’s administrator/s and the website’s visitors.
Schools could benefit considerably through the effective use of Blogs. These are ideal avenues to promote your school and the various messages you wish to place in the public or private domain.
These days so many people wish to be valued through their involvement and feedback - blogs are one highly regarded avenue for them to achieve this.
Blog Posts
The website’s / blog’s administrators write a Blog Post (comment, information, news, challenge, etc.) and publish this to their website’s blog page. Blog Posts may also include photos, videos, audios and other graphic presentations.
The visitor to your website’s blog page would then have the option to comment on your blog post’s content.
Blog Posts may be of any length and literary style depending on the target audience. However, in most cases, brevity is the norm in these days of mass communication overload. Think newspaper article lengths for most blog posts. As a general guide I work on 200-300 words per blog post. 300 words is often quoted for a good SEO.
You need to make sure that the administrator has the option to accept or reject all comments posted in response to the blog post. If the blog post is available to the public, you need to be prepared to receive all sorts of comments, including spam (mainly advertising links). Unsuitable comments would then be deleted.
Two Major Blog Uses for Schools
School Marketers could use blogs in two primary ways:
• School website Blog
• External Blog sites, which you would point (link) back to your school website.
The DETAIL
More detail showing how necessary school blogs and school marketing blogs are, may be found in the e-book: School Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (3rd ed) 2010 by Bryan Foster.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for Church Marketing
To gain higher positioning at various search engines, church marketing personnel need various methods of SEO (Search Engine Optimization / Optimisation).
Website Viewers
Some churches and parishes aren't really interested in having their website visited from people all over the world. These worshipping communities are more interested in their local congregations. For these people SEOs are not needed.
Various communities might like their website to be easily accessible to people from various parts of their particular country but not necessarily beyond their borders. This allows for people transferring to their parish to preview what their parish has to offer. A suggestion for these communities would be to select a domain name which ends in their countries code e.g. United Kingdom .uk, for Australia .au, etc.
Other communities may be interested in having their church and their website open worldwide. SEOs would likely suit these churches.
Suggestions for SEO Improvement
Some ways I have found which I believe help with Search Engine Optimization are:
* The Domain name includes the church / parish name and suburb.
* Key Words such as the church / parish name are regularly used throughout the site, particularly in titles / headings, first sentence and last sentence on each webpage.
* Each webpage within the website would highlight something different about the parish and hence also include other key words associated both with the parish name / suburb and that webpage's emphasis.
These other Key Words may be: sacrament, parishioner, visitor, Baptism, Marriage, mass times, contact, parish priest, priests, parish kit, open day, school or welfare groups within the parish, etc.
* Each Blog's title, first and last sentences would include key words associated with that individual blog‟s message and that it eventuated from your parish.
*The more links coming to your website from other sources, particularly .gov, .edu and .org the better. Having other sites point to your website helps SEO i.e. having other sites have your Domain / URL linked live on their website.
However, it is best not to swap links with others of similar level e.g. .org. That is, if each site has the other‟s site linked from their site, this usually causes it to neutralize the impact for both sites.
Yet swapping these links may improve traffic to your site, just not higher SEO.
* Include links within your own site to various other webpages on your site.
* Another way of achieving the links from other sites may be achieved by developing various Blogs elsewhere which include the link to your website. (More on this in Blogs later.)
* Be careful not to overdo all these links and key words as search engines may penalize you for being overambitious in gaining notice for your website.
* Age of the website. Older sites have more credibility. Develop your website as soon as possible.
* Update your site regularly. A fresh, updated site is appealing to both visitors and for SEO.
These suggestions come from Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), 2010, by Bryan Foster
Website Viewers
Some churches and parishes aren't really interested in having their website visited from people all over the world. These worshipping communities are more interested in their local congregations. For these people SEOs are not needed.
Various communities might like their website to be easily accessible to people from various parts of their particular country but not necessarily beyond their borders. This allows for people transferring to their parish to preview what their parish has to offer. A suggestion for these communities would be to select a domain name which ends in their countries code e.g. United Kingdom .uk, for Australia .au, etc.
Other communities may be interested in having their church and their website open worldwide. SEOs would likely suit these churches.
Suggestions for SEO Improvement
Some ways I have found which I believe help with Search Engine Optimization are:
* The Domain name includes the church / parish name and suburb.
* Key Words such as the church / parish name are regularly used throughout the site, particularly in titles / headings, first sentence and last sentence on each webpage.
* Each webpage within the website would highlight something different about the parish and hence also include other key words associated both with the parish name / suburb and that webpage's emphasis.
These other Key Words may be: sacrament, parishioner, visitor, Baptism, Marriage, mass times, contact, parish priest, priests, parish kit, open day, school or welfare groups within the parish, etc.
* Each Blog's title, first and last sentences would include key words associated with that individual blog‟s message and that it eventuated from your parish.
*The more links coming to your website from other sources, particularly .gov, .edu and .org the better. Having other sites point to your website helps SEO i.e. having other sites have your Domain / URL linked live on their website.
However, it is best not to swap links with others of similar level e.g. .org. That is, if each site has the other‟s site linked from their site, this usually causes it to neutralize the impact for both sites.
Yet swapping these links may improve traffic to your site, just not higher SEO.
* Include links within your own site to various other webpages on your site.
* Another way of achieving the links from other sites may be achieved by developing various Blogs elsewhere which include the link to your website. (More on this in Blogs later.)
* Be careful not to overdo all these links and key words as search engines may penalize you for being overambitious in gaining notice for your website.
* Age of the website. Older sites have more credibility. Develop your website as soon as possible.
* Update your site regularly. A fresh, updated site is appealing to both visitors and for SEO.
These suggestions come from Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), 2010, by Bryan Foster
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Marketing Tools to get People Back to Church
The Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) 2010 by Bryan Foster is a new marketing tool to attract people back to our churches.
This e-book offers over 320 A4 pages of strategies and examples to help parish personnel attract people back to our churches.
Fr Dan Ryan, Parish Priest of the Surfers Paradise Parish, has just purchased 10 copies for his Parish Pastoral Councillors.
“I find Bryan Foster’s new e-book will help considerably with marketing our Catholic parishes in the modern world. I am especially drawn to the chapters on Parish – School relationships and the uses of the internet, in particular the parish website,” said Fr Dan Ryan, Parish Priest.
“The Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) e-book will be a highly valued resource within the Surfers Paradise Parish.”
Sonya Slayter, Parish Administrator of the Surfers Paradise Parish, is excited about the possibilities this e-book offers her parish.
“When I first read Bryan Foster’s e-book a month ago, I became very excited about the possibilities it offered. The e-book I believe holds the key to improving many of our parish communication mediums,” said Sonya Slayter, Parish Administrator.
“From relationships with our schools to communicating with our parishioners through to web design and blogs, this e-book gives strategies for growth opportunities within our parish.”
The ‘Internet Applications’ chapter uses internet images and live weblinks to support the strategies and examples discussed. This simplifies the implementation process.
The e-book is written in easy to read and implement summarised note form. Twenty years of marketing experience within the church have gone into this publication to assist our parishes with this often challenging task.
"The e-book also offers other contemporary and traditional marketing strategies that have proven to be successful over the recent years," said Bryan Foster.
“I would highly recommend this e-book to other parishes as a tool which could be used in groups or by the Parish Priest or Parish Administrator” said Sonya Slater, Parish Administrator.
“I would like to thank Bryan for investing his time in such a valuable resource for parish life.”
This e-book can be easily downloaded from the internet at Bryan’s church marketing website or school marketing website.
(Photo - Father Dan Ryan, Surfers Paradise Parish Priest, Sonya Slayter Parish Administrator and Bryan Foster, Author, with the newly published e-book which the Surfers Paradise Parish bought 10 copies of for their Parish Pastoral Councillors.)
This new tool will assist with getting people back to our churches.
Church Marketing Manual to Get People Back to Church
The Catholic Leader newspaper, the leading Church newspaper in Australia, this weekend featured the new Church Marketing e-Book by Bryan Foster in its hardcopy edition.
The Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed), 2010, was released earlier this year.
Fr Dan Ryan PP and Sonya Slater, Parish Administrator, from the Surfers Paradise Parish on the Gold Coast, Australia, have bought multiple copies (10) of the e-book for their parish pastoral council.
The Catholic Leader featured Fr Dan Ryan's and Sonya Slater's thoughts on the e-book and how they plan to use it.
“I find Bryan Foster’s new e-book will help considerably with marketing our Catholic parishes in the modern world. I am especially drawn to the chapters on Parish – School relationships and the uses of the internet, in particular the parish website,” said Fr Dan Ryan, Parish Priest.
“From relationships with our schools to communicating with our parishioners through to web design and blogs, this e-book gives strategies for growth opportunities within our parish,”said Sonya Slater, Parish Administrator.
“I would highly recommend this e-book to other parishes as a tool which could be used in groups or by the Parish Priest or Parish Administrator.”
The e-book is available from either of Bryan's websites at CPM and SMA. Or by contacting Bryan through email at bryan.foster@optusnet.com.au and making other arrangements.
The Church Marketing Manual for the Digital Age (2nd ed) by Bryan Foster was this weekend featured in Australia's foremost Church newspaper, The Catholic Leader.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Church Parish Marketing e-Handbook
The Church Parish Marketing e-Handbook: Easy to Use Guide to Market Your Church Parish Deanery by Bryan Foster was written, published and added to its website this year:
http://www.churchparishmarketing.com/
It is a most informative easy-to-read and easy-to-use 200 A4 sized pages guide to assist with marketing your church, parish or deanery.
It is also easily downloaded at the church marketing website.
The interactive website allows for professional church marketing blogging, along with various Hints and Tips etc.
sr9672bgyi
http://www.churchparishmarketing.com/
It is a most informative easy-to-read and easy-to-use 200 A4 sized pages guide to assist with marketing your church, parish or deanery.
It is also easily downloaded at the church marketing website.
The interactive website allows for professional church marketing blogging, along with various Hints and Tips etc.
sr9672bgyi
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)