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Do-It-Yourself Church Marketing/Branding
Orginally published on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at 3:44 PM
by Todd Rhoades
I know many here don’t like to think of the church using such words as ‘marketing’ and ‘branding’… but really, those are just words that share how the public (the churched and un-churched) in our community view us…
Many times, marketing and branding are done by the things we don't say as much as those things that we do.
Like it or not, your church has a reputation in your community. And that reputation comes either intentionally or un-intentionally.
To see what I mean... you have to view this comic over at CartoonChurch.com.
(props to Churchmarketingsucks.com for the link)
What do you think? Is the reputation/branding of your church important? How can a bad reputation conflict with acheiving your church's purpose?
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Thursday, November 17, 2005 at 7:32 AM
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Thursday, November 17, 2005 at 4:17 PM
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Thursday, November 17, 2005 at 4:45 PM
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Friday, November 18, 2005 at 9:54 AM
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Friday, November 18, 2005 at 12:51 PM
Post Your Comments:Todd,
Our church is VERY concerned about branding. We are SS, we’ve grown, both numerically and as disciples, a LOT in our first 10 years, and marketing (how we get the word out and are perceived) and branding (our identity) are regular discussion points for our staff meetings.
Basically, if somebody wants to do something in a service, for example, that we are convinced doesn’t “resonate” with the seeker who might attend our church, we don’t do it. We “cirlce the wagons” on this point on a regular basis. The pastoral staff has more than doubled in one year here and we have to be EXTRA careful that the new people (like me) are on board and in full understanding of what our niche is, and how to avoid messing it up.
We will also evaluate new initiatives and ministries based on how they work with our brand. A monthly southern gospel singalong is probably not (no… definitely not) going to work with our “brand” even though there are plenty of people around here who love that kind of music. It’s just not “us”.
Before the usual suspects get all up in my face, though… I FULLY understand and appreciate the place that churches that are NOT seeker-sensitive have in our church and society. Nothing wrong with it. Find your brand (marketing-speak for the modalities, methods, and styles that God has called you to) and stick to it. Guard the vision. See it through! Preach the Gospel! That’s what we do, and by the way, we don’t do it to build a big church. We do it because we KNOW God has called us to do it.
Blessings,
Peter
PS… Back and forth, from side to side… I’m still giggling!
Mr Hamm,
I think you’re a riot. Glad to see my comments carry over to other posts. Let’s all do it now! Shake it too left! Shake it to the right! Shake, shake, shake it all. Shake it all night. Ok, I’d better stop now or I will lose all credibility with those who read my comments. Sorry Todd. I realize that was a bit off topic. Don’t blame me. Blame that Peter Hamm guy. I’ve learned my lesson and next time I will try to contain the inner child. We are trying to carry a serious conversation and I’m hindering this process. I suppose I should say something intelligent regarding this post so here goes: Marketing and branding are not evil as to some might suggest. I think the problem isn’t so much as to what is done to reach a market but how people perceive it. As a society, we have associated such jargon with Enron, Martha Stewart, and the dark greed of the corporate world. People negate the fact that Jesus utilized marketing when telling His parables. He purposely chose examples that culturally fit His audience. Every time He used mote, mustard seed, wheat, or sheep he was communicating with an audience who understood these things. Put simply, its marketing and an excellent strategy at that. He even carried a brand and that brand was the “lamb”. All the Old Testament prophecies in Isaiah pointed to a brand which Isreal knew represented as the forgiveness of sins. Jesus was the Lamb that was slain for our sins. So the “Brand” was put out among the Jews to remind them of Jesus’s purpose and the fulfillment of Scripture. Even though Isreal’s actions brought about the significance of the “Brand” that was also part of the plan. We could go even deeper but to avoid unecessary philosophical discussion it suffices to say the idea of “brand” makes Biblical sense. Hope this helps.
PS. Peter, no matter what anyone says, two people with the same first name engaging in such church funny punery should never be allowed to be taken seriously. Just kidding. God bless.
Pete,
Me? A riot? No, sir, YOU are a riot! Thanks for that post. It’s cool enough that I’m going to share it with my other staffers here, I think they’ll love it. It is unfortunate that when we use terminology that offends some people, like the marketing-ese that I find myself often using with respect to how our church communicates the Gospel to our peculiar and particular community, that it’s hard to see past the fact that what we are really doing has been done in some form or other for a very long time! Your post really showed that.
Incidentally, it’s similar to why I try and avoid the use of the term “Christian” when I talk with people! I prefer “Christ-follower” or some such, not because I’m particularly “post-modern” but I know that a lot of people equate Christians with bigots. True or not, that’s the impression they have.
You rock, Pete! Cool name, too…
Peter,
Thanks Man. You are too kind. Actually you’re the man. Anyone who can use such musical terms as modalities in a ministry context and make perfect sense has my vote. You rock Dude! Keep keepin’ it real!
I little advertising helps to much can hender. That is why hen eggs sell better than duck eggs. A duck will lay an egg and waddle off a hen will lay one and boy she’ll raise the roof when she cackles…
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