Is your parish not growing like it used to and do you feel stuck? Maybe you’re not reaching the number of people online that you envisioned you would. There are a number of marketing mistakes Catholic churches make, and your church may be making one or more of them.
Online marketing takes time and lots of trial and error. Sometimes taking a step back and evaluating what you may be doing wrong is the best way to grow. Let’s take a look at some of the most common marketing mistakes Catholic churches make and how to avoid them! This way, you can see your parish truly thrive online.
Marketing Mistake #1: No Social Media Marketing
Often Catholic churches’ marketing plans are dated and long overdue for a refresh. If your parish is not on social media already (Instagram, Facebook, etc.) now is the time!
Social media is a sneak peek for viewers online into what your parish is like and what you’re doing every weekend. It’s a connection point that could eventually lead people into your doors. Social media has great potential to capture the hearts of both the young and old.
Here are some easy ways to get started on social media:
- Start on two different platforms at the beginning (Instagram & Facebook are recommended)
- Use what you already have to create posts (photos/short videos of Mass and other services at your parish, events, outreach, etc.)
- Ask your online audience questions! (It’s a great way to start engaging right away)
If you would like expert help for social media marketing for your parish, our team at Choose Life Churches can help you come up with a plan and execute a clear strategy to see you connect with people online! Talk to us today to learn more.
Marketing Mistake #2: Marketing to Everyone Online
Your parish is not going to be what everyone is looking for, and that’s okay! While you may want to target everyone online, a more effective way to market is to create an ideal audience. Think of an ideal age range that you would like to mostly market to and create content with them in mind.
Some ways to begin creating your target audience are:
- Identify who they are & what they care about
- Understand how they like to receive information
- Get on platforms where they already are
- Be consistent with your content (this forms trust)
Customizing your content to speak to your audience will further your reach and make your marketing strategy a lot more effective.
Marketing Mistake #3: Not Utilizing SEO
One of the most common marketing mistakes Catholic churches make is not taking advantage of SEO – Search Engine Optimization. SEO is the practice of increasing website traffic organically online and bringing exposure to your parish.
When done right, SEO can put your parish in the top searches on Google, visible for those searching for a parish.
If you want to be found online, SEO is the best way to do it. Some ways to utilize SEO are integrating keywords within your website, social media, ads, blogs, and more.
Our SEO experts at Choose Life Churches can help you implement this tool today.
Elevate your parish’s reach online today and spread your message to those in need of hope! We would love to work with you and bring the light of Christ through your online marketing.
Contact us today to learn where to begin.
