Publicity is Key to Successful Programs

One of the most disappointing experiences in the church is to plan a program and few people show up.  Several reasons may contribute to this predicament.  However, I contend that poor publicity is most often the culprit.

There are several factors essential to good publicity.

1.  Begin about six weeks before the event to get date/program on congregation's calendar.

2.  Start publicity with a short, direct, clear statement concerning the program.

3.  Use several vehicles to present your story.

        a. Newsletter

        b. Church Bulletin

        c. Announcement of Sunday School Classes, clubs in church

        d. Bulletin Board

        e. Have a committee member to make an announcement in worship

        f. Be sure you have a different presentation each week in print.  Start off simple, and tell more and more of your story each week.

        g. Enlist different people to do the writing.  Each person will do it a little differently, and therefore draw more attention.

        h.  Send letters to persons who have a special interest in the program and invite them.

        i.  Use computer message sender, and send a verbal announcement to each home of the church.

    Too many churches bore their congregation with the same material in the newsletter and bulletin each week.  Most are like a soap opera ... miss two months, and discover you haven't missed anything in the story.  This is true of small and large churches.  Someone ought to rewrite every article in the newsletter and bulletin every week.  Never have the same material appear over and over again.  If you do people will not read more than a few words of your communication and discard it.

    How many programs are hastily presented,  and congregations brow beaten for lack of interest afterwards?  People are busy today.  Everyone is after their presence and time.  Most of our members now live by a calendar.  Calendars usually fill up quickly.  Get on them early, or you will not get on them at all. 

Make your programs sound exciting.  Show evidence of thorough preparations in your publicity.  

    After the program place a well written RECAP of the program in the church newsletter with a thank you for the support given.