So I forgot to add this book to my recap of reading the other day. here are a few quick hits that I took form this book:

• Everything a church does creates an Impression, good and bad. What Impression are you making?
• If you don’t have a plan for guests they will notice and they will have a plan, to not come back.
• Marketing materials are a first impression. From the Web site on down to every printed piece in your building
• The building itself can leave an impression. Is it clean? Dirty? Cluttered? Full? Empty?
• Plan. Plan some more. Then Plan again. Make sure you are thinking of all the ways guests are going to come and plan for them.
• Put yourself in their shoes.

If you want to see why I was reading this book, check out this First Impressions Manual I put together for my church.
All in all if you are trying to do a better job with your guests this is a great read and will get your brain thinking.

So i have recently been very wrapped up in putting together two very important documents and ministries at church and I wanted to share them here with every one. If they are helpful then please by all means use them to your liking.

The first one is the First Impressions Manual: A Guide to Creating “Wow” Experiences

The Second one is a communications manual that should give some guidance to anyone looking to put one together.

first-impressions-manual.pdf

crossroads-church-communications.pdf

Having been fortunate enough to have the author of “Beyond Megachurch Myths” stop by my blog and leave a comment. I thought it would be cool to share some of the lessons that I am taking from the book, without giving too much away, so you will still and pick up a copy yourself.

Lesson #1: Know your target audience.

While this is no new concept for commercial marketers, when it comes to church marketing I think that this idea is still hard for church leaders to grasp. Often times we are consumed with the need to reach everybody, rather then figuring out who we are in the best position to reach and who our style and message will appeal to.

Yes, I know the message of Jesus is for everyone. I get that, but let’s look at a scenario and see what you think. We acknowledge the fact that the message is for everyone but let’s say that you are a 20-year-old , unbelieving, long haired, surfing, college student and you walk into a church in the south that is predominately 40+ year old and highly conservative. Is the message that you will hear at that church going to have as the same chance of reaching you that a message coming from a church of that is held on the beach in Southern California where afterward the pastor throws on his wet suit, grabs his board, and hits the waves with you? Do you see what I mean? The message is the same, but often times the delivery is what makes all the difference. The vision behind what the church wants to be, the goals of the church, its mission and its style all play a part in determining who we want to reach.

So if you want to experience success, stop trying to reach everyone. Obviously don’t turn people away, but when it comes to your marketing and communications efforts, know who you want to reach and make sure that you do.