When you are planning a church event, whether it's a bake sale, raffle or play, you want to make sure people are aware of it. Few things are worse than putting a lot of time and effort into planning an event and having no one show up. Here are some suggestions on advertise an event and reach your target audience.
Church Bulletin
The church bulletin is a good source for publicizing events since it's aimed at your target audience. The bulletin is available to parishioners after services and contains information about the parish. To put an announcement in the bulletin, check with church staff for deadlines because the bulletin is done in advance. Give yourself plenty of time or you will miss a key outlet for publicity. Find out submit the information for the bulletin, whether it needs to be typed and submitted or e-mailed. The bulletin itself often contains information on submit items.
Newspapers
Newspapers are another source for publicizing events. In most cases, you can submit items to the community editor or editor of the church page. Check or call the newspaper office for details and deadlines. You'll need to make sure the press release has the pertinent information such as date, time, place and contact information. Always send information to a specific person, never to a general e-mail. Follow up with a phone call to make sure the person you sent it to received the information. Always submit the information at least two to three weeks in advance as editors like to have plenty of notice. If your budget allows, find out about taking out a small ad in the newspaper as well.
At Church
The church is another place to publicize your event. Talk to church staff about getting a table or a booth in the lobby after services. Make a sign that catches people's attention as they are leaving. Have flyers at the table that you can hand out and encourage members to spread the word. This will create lots of visibility for your event. Stand or sit by the table so you can answer any questions about the event. If possible, make sure more than one person can man the booth or table to handle the traffic of people.
Radio Stations
Try to get your event publicized on a radio station. Radio stations have news directors or disc jockeys who often read public service announcements. Contact the radio station and explain you are trying to promote your church event and see if the station will provide that service. Better yet, see if the radio station would be interested in doing a remote broadcast at your event. Most radio stations also have Web sites that contain community information. Submit the details of the event to the station's Web site to get publicity.
Cable Access Channel
Cable television stations have a community access station. These community access stations can help promote your event and don't cost a dime. Watch the station to find out promote your event. You will have to keep your message short and to the point because most stations allow only a certain amount of characters on the screen.
Tags: your event, make sure, promote your, radio station, after services