Truth Advertising Blog

The Power of Back to School As A New Marketing Event

Everyone knows that Easter and Christmas are considered the two most strategic times of year to attract people to your church.

Most Churches don’t realize that there is yet one more key time of the year for bringing new people into their congregation.

When is this special season? It’s “Back to School”. And if you’re not marketing to your community at this time of year, you are missing out on potential guests you could reach at this critical time.

What makes this such a great time to market your church?

1. People move more in the summer months.
More people move during the summer months than in any other time of year. After a move, people are looking for places to shop, eat, go to the doctor and oftentimes they are looking for a church. They want to get to know people in their community. A church can provide a great way to meet new neighbors and assimilate into a new community

2. People who come to church in the Fall are more likely to “stick.”
Every year pastors are frustrated by the masses of people who show up for Easter and Christmas only to continue their previous habit of non-attendance. People have been conditioned to go to church during these times. During ‘back to school” people are prompted to attend church as a lifestyle choice more than as a one time event. Since the people are not focused on a one-time event they are more likely to return than those who only attend during those other times of year.

3. Fall has become the 2nd New Year Season
Summer months are filled with different activities, vacations and changes in family schedules. Once Fall comes around, people return to a more consistent program. Many people take this time to refocus their lives and oftentimes – that includes finding a church home.

4. People often re-evaluate their Church commitments
While you no doubt want to be a church who cultivates new members from the unchurched crowd, there is an opportunity to attract new visitors that may have become less interested with their previous church after being out of church all summer.

After being away from church all summer, some people will be in the market to try out a new church when the fall season rolls around. This can be a great opportunity to attract them to your church with a “life applicable” sermon series.

Call us - and take advantage of the season now .

If you want to take advantage of this once a year event, you must seize this time now. Plan a new sermon series to begin with the start of school. Focus on topics relating to parenting, family, and new beginnings. These tie in well with this time of year and are hot topics for reaching new people. Create new small groups to enhance the connection of new people. If people can connect with others in your church they are much more likely to stay involved.

We would love to help you with your individual needs. Our web site contains many resources to assist you with your marketing program including samples and demographic counts. Call us if you would like to talk to someone about your marketing needs.