This document provides guidance on creating an effective marketing and communications strategy for a ministry on a small budget. It recommends: 1) Developing a strategic plan with clear goals, objectives, and messaging tailored to your audience. 2) Choosing affordable communication formats and an appropriate frequency based on your budget and audience. 3) Regularly evaluating the strategy's effectiveness and making refinements based on feedback.

1. Marketing Your Ministry Seminar “… on a Shoe String Budget ” Presented by Ministry Marketing Solutions, Inc. www.MinistryMarketingSolutions.com

2. Creating a Winning Marketing/Communications Strategy Strategy: The fundamental purpose of strategy is to integrate the activities of the organization around a distinctive position in the market , which delivers value to the market over a period of time.

3. Elements to Build Into Your Plan Management responsibility/authority and priority Specific goals & objectives (measurable) Planned & continuous programming – PR/Marketing consistency is key Two-way channel of communications for evaluation of response. Is it working? Identify policies, procedures and processes with your audience in mind

4. Questions to ask to build plan What is the vision God gave me? (core message) How do I translate that message? (budget) Who do I translate that message to? (core audience) What is the primary objective? Community awareness. Member education/information. General inspiration? Motivate purchases. Generate web traffic/TV viewership. Increase church visitors? Promote special events. Increase donations. Public Relations. Brand building?

5. Cost/Format/Frequency Depending on your message and core audience and your budget, you will decide on the communication vehicles to deliver your message. Look at the options available in the MMS PR 115 Tips Booklet & on the “Shoe String” card There are Tons of Options!

6. What the PR pros do… Create EPK s and direct the production/creation of collateral materials – brochures, websites, postcards, newsletters, email campaigns Keep current lists of media contacts & VIPs Create a calendar of stories/articles to pitch to media Write press releases, PSAs, op/ed articles, etc. Monitor the media for “tie-ins” and send response letters Secure and coordinate media interviews ...But all according to the STRATEGY

7. Keys to a flawless implementation of strategy Have vision/mission statement for everyone on team – post up! Create checklists for programs, handling of guests, interviews, press releases and all graphic materials (create templates) Have quarterly updates on progress

8. Final Step Assess, retool and refine Strategy. Your marketing communications plan is a living document …not stone. Get regular feedback and continue to add new technology to your plan to stay on the cutting edge! Make marketing part of your ministry culture Make Email list-building part of what you do. Building an elist takes time – but the rewards are worth it. If you email me – I will email you the “EMAIL MARKETING POWER WORKBOOK” by Constant Contact free! [email_address]

9. Remember who you Represent! THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU!