Effective church marketing: reach more people in your city (8 ways)

Mark MacDonald June 5, 2025

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As a church leader, your ultimate goal is reaching your community with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

And keeping your congregation happy as you build ministry discipleship. Church marketing is essential for your growth though.

So, focus externally on your community to realize your potential.

Here are 8 ways to do it:

#1 Establish and build a relevant church brand

To realize growth, you need to start with audience research.

This will establish what your church needs to be known for. Your church brand.

Discover a thread that's perceived as relevant and needed by conducting demographic research, focus groups, and hiring a consultant to do a mystery visit.

#2 Target specific groups

Develop communication personas to stereotypically describe who god placed near you.

Then, tailor your church marketing to those personas (e.g., young families, seniors, college students, etc.).

These groups will respond to different messages. Talk directly to them with solutions.

#3 Use SEO for your church website

As the central focus of your digital communication hub, ensure your church website is optimized for search engines so people can find you when they search for churches or needs in your local area.

#4 Leverage social media

Social platforms are powerful tools to reach new audiences. Regularly posting information that reflects your church's values, branding thread, and activities will draw attention.

Resist posting all about events. Instead, become a sought-after page for solutions to what they need.

#5 Engage in community events

Your church should have a presence at local community events.

This is a great way to introduce people to your ministry in a non-intrusive way. Be helpful and point people to your website.

#6 Create invite cards

Simple, well-designed invite cards handed out to members or during community outreach can encourage new guests.

Teach your congregation how to use them through role-playing.

#7 Use video marketing

Videos are incredibly engaging (and one of the most desired types of content).

Share sermon clips, testimonies, or community outreach videos to show what your church is about. Keep them short!

#8 Run targeted ads

Consider running social media or google ads targeted specifically at your community.

They're cost-effective and allow you to reach people who may never have heard of you otherwise.

Boost posts that get engagement to your community.

Why? Because you know people are interested in them already.

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Mark MacDonald is a communication pastor, speaker, consultant, bestselling author, and church branding strategist for BeKnownforSomething.com empowering thousands of pastors and churches to become known for something relevant (a communication thread) throughout their ministries, on their church websites and social media. His church branding book, Be Known for Something, is available at BeKnownBook.com. Learn More »

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