How to Get Your Newsletter Noticed
Communicating important information to church members, attenders, and prospective members has been a problem that has always plagued the church. Many of your church family only gather for a short time on Sunday morning so it is hard to pass along information that they will retain and act upon.
In the past, newsletters have been seen as another outlet to communicate information in a cost effective way. However, with new technology and electronic wizardry, the old mailed newsletter has lost much of its zip and appeal. Now is the time for a Newsletter Makeover.
Here are a few simple tips to help your church newsletter get noticed.
1. Write a story.
In Seth Godin’s book, “All Marketers are Liars, the power of telling authentic stories in a low-trust world,” Godin speaks about the power of stories and how they motivate people to believe in a product. He says, “Stories make it easier to understand the world. Stories are the only way we know to spread an idea. Marketers didn’t invent storytelling. They just perfected it.”
Newsletters are a place where people can tell the story of their transformation in Christ. Newsletter’s should not just communicate information about events, but rather convey stories about how people are involved and how their involvement has changed their lives.
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Sample Newsletter |
People today are crazed with involvement. They want to make their voice heard. That is why millions of viewers have called in and voted on shows like “American Idol,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “Last Comic Standing.” The same can be done on a smaller scale for the church.
Ask your newsletter recipients to respond to issues faced by the church or include a poll on how to retain visitors or a vote on the next sermon series. When you think Newsletter, think involvement.
3. Use your Newsletter as a Marketing Piece to visitors and people in your neighborhood.
Communication to your church family is important, reaching out to non-members is essential. Your church's ministry can make a larger impact if you shift your focus from communicating to those already involved, to communicating with those who you want to involve.
Look at your newsletter with the eyes of a visitor. Ask the following questions:
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Does this inspire me?
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Does it call me to make a decision to come to this church or to get involved?
4. Add information from your blog site.
Blogging is the newest technology and many churches and businesses understand the importance of open and responsive communication which blogging offers. Highlight a current post and make sure to include web links in the newsletter. This way, even people who are not connected to the web have a place to start being connected.
George Barna wrote a book many years ago entitled, “Marketing the Church.” He received much criticism over the book and over the idea that churches had to be in the marketing business. Today, I think that book would be widely accepted and widely praised, because the church today understands more than ever the importance of communicating a message and telling the Jesus story. One way that churches can market the Jesus story and their church family is through the use of their Newsletter.
Download a Sample Church Newsletter (350 kb PDF) 
Ken Gosnell is the lead pastor for a new church work in the DC Metro area. You can contact Ken at Kenspeaks@gmail.com
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