Arming Others to Spread Your Word

An old professor once told me “Marketing Ends when Business Ends”  and I think he is right.

The church should follow the 10 tactics of Word Of Mouth Marketing that small businesses follow – and make them fit for their own situation.  “Customers” references our attendees / members

1. Give “customers” a few brochures to pass along.
2. Send informative e-newsletters that include a “forward” button.
3. Place graphics on your vehicles to stimulate conversation.
4. Offer incentives for referrals such as an annual subscription to Net Results Magazine, Netflix or Napster.
5. When the job is complete – personally ask for references from friends, family, or business associates… (when the wedding, baptism etc… you get the drift)
6. Host informative or fun events and encourage “customers” to bring guests; examples include:  movies, games, Parental Guide to the Internet Safety Training Programs, Bible Studies, etc…
7. Feature customers or case studies on your website – and include Photos.   (COR does this well… www.cor.org – check out their home page “why I attend COR”)
8. Send customers hand written birthday or anniversary cards -  Form letters are perfunctory
9. Send hard copy of the newsletters that highlight special events, trends, and ask customers for friends, family, or fellow workers who might like to be included on the mailing list.  (A novel idea – that we started is we mail out our newsletter to different people in teh community every month… We dont give it to those attending via mail – but rather those in the community who don’.t  And  It works)
10. Provide customers with a few extra business cards to have on hand.

Referrals come from many avenues – but it is a direct result of an entire organization pulling together as a team.   Those who attend our churches – routinely interact with our target base … simply because this base is their friends, neighbors, and family.   We should provide them with enough brochures and business cards to keep in their glove compartments, trucks, cars, or even in the mini-van and instruct them to give a few of these out.

Imagine if our churches initiated just a few simple protocols – we could put the basic word-of-mouth marketing techniques to work for the Kingdom…

your thoughts