One of my favorite things growing up was getting the big, fat roll of newspaper on Thanksgiving and looking through all of the store ads. My eyes would light up seeing all of the items available and the deep discounts. A gigantic trampoline for $99 or a big screen TV for $499. Best Buy was always my favorite. I remember waiting in line at 5:00am to buy my first computer for $100 which lasted me through four years of college!
Stores and retailers know that advertising helps get the word out at Christmas time. Here are some ways we as the church can advertise and invite people to celebrate Christmas…
1. Mail a postcard to your neighborhood or entire church. Do you realize that you have had hundreds or thousands of people come through your church doors this year? Follow up with them and invite people who may have stopped coming to come this Christmas.
2. Run an ad in your local newspaper. There is a trend to go local – eat local, shop local, why not go to church local? Contact your local newspaper and ask them about running an ad in December. Many newspapers have a special holiday worship services page that you can list your location and service times on. People are looking for a church at Christmas, make sure you are there!
3. Facebook. People are on Facebook book…all the time. There are several ways you can promote your services on Facebook. Create a group for your location – it’s more personal, interactive, and a good way to communicate with regulars. Create an event and encourage people to invite others. You can see who’s coming and Facebook will even remind them of your service time! Last, consider running a Facebook ad for the entire month of December. It only takes a few steps and you can set your budget. Even $10 a week can reach over 1000 people by the end of the campaign.
4. Doorknob bags. Order these doorknob bags and put a Christmas invite in each one. Hand them out on Sunday and ask people to fill them with some candy, home baked cookies, or other treats. Then take them door to door and invite your neighbors to church. That was easy.
5. Personal invitation. Still the best way to invite people to church is via a personal invitation. Most people say they would go to church if someone asked them. Equip your people with invite cards to hand out to their family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. Challenge them the week before Christmas to send a text to someone, make a phone call, and invite them to church.
And if those ideas don’t work, you can always stage a Christmas flash mob.
What are you doing to get the word out this Christmas?