Because churches do a lot of nonprofit work for the community they reside in, many do not see them as a business. However, churches are, in a sense, a type of business. They must pay their employees a salary. They have to pay rent or a mortgage payment. They have to pay to have their building repaired. They also have to come up with funding to help those in need. They may even have to engage in marketing efforts to increase their participant numbers. Churches rely on donations from the community. Without enough donations, they may be forced to close down.
Provide the community with church information. Churches may have a difficult time obtaining new members. People in the community who do not belong to a church may feel overwhelmed at choosing a new church to attend. Instead, they may put this decision off for many years. A church marquee sign can help inform community members of church activities and events. Outdoor church signs are a great way to communicate with those in the community who are not members, without pressuring them to join the church.
Include event and fundraising information in church messages. Even members of a church may not be entirely informed as to the events and activities offered within their church. Churches can notify their members of these events with digital LED business signs, directly located at the entrance to the building. They can also include messages in the weekly communication methods.
Change exterior signage. Many may not believe that a church?s exterior signage matters. However, a church is a business and many residents of the community may drive right by every day, without ever really realizing that they are right there. Approximately 35% of people would have not discovered a business had it not been for their sign. Also, changing out an outdated sign can attract more viewers. Studies show that adding or changing a sign directly improves sales revenue. Replacing a store front wall sign with a larger increases revenue by 7.7%.
Engage in outside of the box marketing. Outside of the box marketing efforts are a great way to attract entirely new customers or members. Outdoor church signs may not reach every type of potential member. For example, billboards may attract new members who never even paid attention to the church marquee. Approximately 71% of people often look at the messages on roadside billboards (traditional and digital combined). The costs of a roadside billboard can be returned with the increase in members and event participants.
Sponsor local events. Being a sponsor of a local community event is another great way to attract new members. If you can get participants at these events, you can actually communicate with members of the community that the church resides in. When a member of the community is able to personally communicate with other members or the leader of the local church, they are more likely to visit the church later on. Also, electronic business signs that are often present at events will include the church on it, a great way to increase awareness.
Provide assistance to community members. Many community members are willing to return the assistance that they once received. Churches that focus their outreach efforts on their own community are likely to find more people that join the church when they get back onto their feet. It is important for a church to market to the members of its own community. Outdoor church signs can inform community members how they can receive the assistance that they require.
Churches do a lot of good in the community. However, they base these outreach efforts on donations. If a church does not receive enough donations, they are less likely to assist others. A church can increase their funding in a variety of ways, including signage, such as outdoor church signs and commercial business signs, sponsoring local community events, and marketing the church as if it were a real business. A church will also likely find more success by focusing their assistive skills within their own communities.
