Church Marketing Essentials: Where to Start and How to Measure Success | Jason and Bart

Описание: CHURCH MARKETING Q&A: Google Reviews, Website Conversions & Digital Strategy | Missional Marketing Podcast #168

In this episode of the Missional Marketing Podcast, Bart Blair and Jason Hamrock tackle the burning questions churches ask most about digital marketing. Learn practical strategies to convert website visitors into attendees, leverage Google Business Profiles effectively, and implement marketing tactics that align with your church's mission.

🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
• Why church marketing isn't a "four-letter word" but essential outreach
• How to get more Google reviews (without feeling cringy)
• The truth about how long people research churches online before attending
• Simple website changes that increase first-time visitor conversions
• Strategies for responding to negative reviews with grace
• Why your Google Business Profile might be more important than social media

⏱️ EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
[01:42] Is marketing appropriate for churches?
[05:38] Converting website visitors to in-person attendees
[11:13] The "dating" analogy of church connection
[14:25] Where to start when everything seems important
[17:30] Why your Google Business Profile deserves attention
[20:15] Getting more Google reviews strategically
[23:47] Handling negative reviews effectively

💬 QUOTABLE MOMENTS:
"Marketing's not a four-letter word. We will do anything short of sin to share the gospel. And the best way to do that really is in the context of relationships."
"They know us. We don't know them. They've been dating us, we have no idea we're on a date. They're stalking us. They're watching us. We have no idea who they are."
"Your Google reviews matter way more than anything you post on social media or anything that you write on your website. Because the people that you're trying to reach are going to look at your reviews."
"The best way to deal with a bad review is to bury it with more good reviews. Ask people to share their story in a Google review - not just leave five stars."

🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Churches suffer from the "curse of knowledge" - assuming visitors understand church terminology
Adding a pre-visit email form can transform anonymous website visitors into leads
Google rewards businesses that actively manage their profiles with better search rankings
People often engage with a church online for 6+ months before attending in person
Consistent content and branding across all platforms creates trust with potential visitors

🛠️ PRACTICAL TACTICS:
• Create QR codes linking to your Google review form
• Ask staff and leaders to leave reviews (spaced out over time)
• Spend 30 minutes monthly updating your Google Business Profile
• Add sermon snippets as videos on your Google Business Profile
• Capture testimonial stories after baptisms for authentic reviews
• Request "stories" in Google reviews rather than just "reviews"

ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Bart Blair (Brand Director) and Jason Hamrock (CEO) of Missional Marketing bring years of experience helping churches develop effective digital strategies. They spend hundreds of hours monthly consulting with churches to improve both internal and external communications.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
• Plan-a-visit page conversion strategies
• Google Business Profile optimization techniques
• Lead generation and nurture campaign approaches

4 Things to Rethink About Your Church Website:    • 4 Things to Rethink About Your Church Website  

CONNECT WITH MISSIONAL MARKETING:
Website: https://missionalmarketing.com
Email: [email protected]

#ChurchMarketing #DigitalStrategy #ChurchGrowth #ChurchCommunications #GoogleReviews #ChurchWebsite #MissionalMarketing #ChurchLeadership #MarketingStrategy #ChurchTech

Need help with your church's digital strategy? Visit https://missionalmarketing.com to learn how our team can help your church reach more people in your community.