Welcome to the Church Marketing Conversations Podcast! This inaugural episode, titled "Church Marketing Essentials with Mitch Whidden," provides invaluable insights for Churches looking to strengthen their online presence. Hosted by Jeremy G. Woods, CEO of Faith Venture Media, this episode features Mitch Whidden from Mere Agency, a digital marketing expert specializing in Church websites and online engagement. Key Highlights: 1. Importance of an Effective Church Website: Mitch underscores the critical role a church website plays as the first point of contact for many potential visitors. He shares essential tips: Accessible Information: Ensure vital details like parking, service times, dress codes, giving options, and volunteer opportunities are visible and easy to find. Regular Updates: Keep content current. Outdated information, such as events from last year, can deter visitors. Ease of Understanding: Present information clearly and simply, assuming no prior knowledge of the church and aiming for a second-grade reading level. Modern Design Practices: Redesign every 2-5 years to stay up-to-date with website best practices, prioritizing mobile-first design given high mobile device usage. 2. Digital Marketing Principles for Churches: Mitch emphasizes welcoming newcomers, equipping the community, and providing accessible online resources: -Adopts an information architecture approach, akin to library science, ensuring resources are well-organized. -Focuses on online giving, despite transaction fees, noting over 70% of church donations are now online. -Suggests churches offer live streaming services for attendees unable to be physically present. 3. Google Ad Grant: Mitch details the underutilized Google Ad Grant, which offers up to $10,000 monthly in free ads for nonprofits and churches. He outlines: Application Process: Verify nonprofit status and ensure website meets criteria. Ad Categories: Events: Promote key events like Christmas or Easter services. Evergreen Searches: Maintain visibility with ads for searches like "church near me." Online Sermons: Reach wider audiences with content such as sermon series. 4. Practical Advice on Digital Marketing: For churches new to digital marketing, Mitch advises mastering one area at a time, whether it be website management, ad grants, or social media, rather than spreading resources too thin. 5. Maintaining and Optimizing Websites: Content: Use transcription services for sermons to enhance content. Accessibility: Meet ADA standards to accommodate all viewers. Budget-Friendly: Mitch reassures that an effective website doesn’t need a large budget; even a well-maintained DIY site can be impactful. Mitch's Background: From a planned career in law to ministry, Mitch's journey includes starting a Bible study that grew into a church, various job experiences, and a career shift to digital marketing. His work at Mere Agency focuses on digital marketing for churches and nonprofits. Call to Action: Don't miss out on resources discussed in this episode, available in the description. Subscribe to the Church Marketing Conversations Podcast for future episodes filled with strategies to help you improve your Church’s digital marketing efforts. Link to the Google Ad Grant Guide by Mere Agency: https://mereagency.com/google-ads-grant-guide-for-churches. Link to Mere Agency's website: https://mereagency.com. Thank you for tuning in! Be sure to join the Digital Church Marketing Community, where you get access to a community of Pastors as well as a free listing on the Evangelical Directory: https://faithventuremedia.com/community to sign up today. Subscribe to Church Marketing Conversations Podcast on Soundwise
