Maximize Your Church's Christmas Outreach | Bart & Jason

[Music] [Music] I I learned this from someone years ago I I learned this from someone years ago I I learned this from someone years ago asked four questions what went right asked four questions what went right asked four questions what went right what went wrong what was missing and what went wrong what was missing and what went wrong what was missing and what was confusing and you give what was confusing and you give what was confusing and you give everybody the opportunity to speak into everybody the opportunity to speak into everybody the opportunity to speak into that and you document that in January so that and you document that in January so that and you document that in January so that in July and August next year when that in July and August next year when that in July and August next year when you sit down and you start planning you sit down and you start planning you sit down and you start planning Christmas for 2025 you start with what Christmas for 2025 you start with what Christmas for 2025 you start with what were the things that went right last were the things that went right last were the things that went right last year are those things that we want to year are those things that we want to year are those things that we want to repeat what were the things that went repeat what were the things that went repeat what were the things that went wrong how do we make sure that we don't wrong how do we make sure that we don't wrong how do we make sure that we don't repeat those hey welcome to another repeat those hey welcome to another repeat those hey welcome to another episode of the missional marketing episode of the missional marketing episode of the missional marketing podcast my name is Bart Blair and I am podcast my name is Bart Blair and I am podcast my name is Bart Blair and I am joined by the CEO missional marketing Mr joined by the CEO missional marketing Mr joined by the CEO missional marketing Mr Jason Hamrock hello Jason hey Bart hey Jason Hamrock hello Jason hey Bart hey Jason Hamrock hello Jason hey Bart hey Merry Christmas uh you know for a minute Merry Christmas uh you know for a minute Merry Christmas uh you know for a minute I actually thought about going and I actually thought about going and I actually thought about going and putting on an ugly Christmas sweater to putting on an ugly Christmas sweater to putting on an ugly Christmas sweater to record this podcast episode but it's record this podcast episode but it's record this podcast episode but it's just well it's still too hot I'm too to just well it's still too hot I'm too to just well it's still too hot I'm too to hot I'm still it's still too hot um hot I'm still it's still too hot um hot I'm still it's still too hot um we're going to talk about Christmas we're going to talk about Christmas we're going to talk about Christmas today uh we've talked about Christmas in today uh we've talked about Christmas in today uh we've talked about Christmas in the past in fact if you happen to be new the past in fact if you happen to be new the past in fact if you happen to be new to our podcast we've been doing this to our podcast we've been doing this to our podcast we've been doing this podcast for over four years can you podcast for over four years can you podcast for over four years can you believe that Jason over four years and believe that Jason over four years and believe that Jason over four years and our our goal is to help churches grow by our our goal is to help churches grow by our our goal is to help churches grow by leveraging digital marketing and leveraging digital marketing and leveraging digital marketing and effective Communications and we are at effective Communications and we are at effective Communications and we are at the time that we're recording this it's the time that we're recording this it's the time that we're recording this it's late August if you're listening to this late August if you're listening to this late August if you're listening to this in real time it's going to be early in real time it's going to be early in real time it's going to be early September when this episode drops and if September when this episode drops and if September when this episode drops and if you haven't started talking about you haven't started talking about you haven't started talking about Christmas well hopefully we're going to Christmas well hopefully we're going to Christmas well hopefully we're going to inspire you to start talking about inspire you to start talking about inspire you to start talking about Christmas so um the what the way I've Christmas so um the what the way I've Christmas so um the what the way I've sort of teed this up for today is that sort of teed this up for today is that sort of teed this up for today is that I'm I'm going to interview you Jason you

I'm I'm going to interview you Jason you I'm I'm going to interview you Jason you are U you are an experienced Church are U you are an experienced Church are U you are an experienced Church communications director um you've done communications director um you've done communications director um you've done it in the past you're kind of doing it it in the past you're kind of doing it it in the past you're kind of doing it fractionally with some Churches now in fractionally with some Churches now in fractionally with some Churches now in addition to your your role at missional addition to your your role at missional addition to your your role at missional marketing and we have the opportunity to marketing and we have the opportunity to marketing and we have the opportunity to walk alongside a lot of churches as they walk alongside a lot of churches as they walk alongside a lot of churches as they plan and promote their Christmas season plan and promote their Christmas season plan and promote their Christmas season and so I've just I've jotted down some and so I've just I've jotted down some and so I've just I've jotted down some questions that I think and hope will be questions that I think and hope will be questions that I think and hope will be helpful for our guests and so I'm going helpful for our guests and so I'm going helpful for our guests and so I'm going to I'm gonna I'm gonna tee you up to to I'm gonna I'm gonna tee you up to to I'm gonna I'm gonna tee you up to give us some good information are you give us some good information are you give us some good information are you ready I'm ready let's do it okay well ready I'm ready let's do it okay well ready I'm ready let's do it okay well well let's start I think by sort of well let's start I think by sort of well let's start I think by sort of tackling the elephant in the room which tackling the elephant in the room which tackling the elephant in the room which is you and I are talking about Christmas is you and I are talking about Christmas is you and I are talking about Christmas in August and our listeners are in August and our listeners are in August and our listeners are listening to this in September how far listening to this in September how far listening to this in September how far in advance should churches really start in advance should churches really start in advance should churches really start planning their Christmas events and what planning their Christmas events and what planning their Christmas events and what would you say are the first steps that would you say are the first steps that would you say are the first steps that they need to take when they start having they need to take when they start having they need to take when they start having those discussions well you should be those discussions well you should be those discussions well you should be doing it now it's probably like it it doing it now it's probably like it it doing it now it's probably like it it should be well underway and you're going should be well underway and you're going should be well underway and you're going what it's September we no you should be what it's September we no you should be what it's September we no you should be doing it now because you really there's doing it now because you really there's doing it now because you really there's two times of the year church that two times of the year church that two times of the year church that matters it's our most important holidays matters it's our most important holidays matters it's our most important holidays right Easter and Christmas that's the right Easter and Christmas that's the right Easter and Christmas that's the two times a year people will show up to two times a year people will show up to two times a year people will show up to church so make sure you get this right church so make sure you get this right church so make sure you get this right it's not just another another weekend so it's not just another another weekend so it's not just another another weekend so I usually try and tell churches start in I usually try and tell churches start in I usually try and tell churches start in July maybe even June or July certainly July maybe even June or July certainly July maybe even June or July certainly August September you need to be thinking August September you need to be thinking August September you need to be thinking through and it's not just hey let's get through and it's not just hey let's get through and it's not just hey let's get together have a meeting we got Christmas together have a meeting we got Christmas together have a meeting we got Christmas done all right move forward I want you

done all right move forward I want you done all right move forward I want you to put a little more effort into it so to put a little more effort into it so to put a little more effort into it so for example I think it'd be good to pull for example I think it'd be good to pull for example I think it'd be good to pull in other staff people maybe some key in other staff people maybe some key in other staff people maybe some key volunteers talk about what you did last volunteers talk about what you did last volunteers talk about what you did last Christmas talk about the attendance talk Christmas talk about the attendance talk Christmas talk about the attendance talk about what happened in January just kind about what happened in January just kind about what happened in January just kind of recap what Christmas was like last of recap what Christmas was like last of recap what Christmas was like last year what did you learn what was a win year what did you learn what was a win year what did you learn what was a win what was a loss then as you move into what was a loss then as you move into what was a loss then as you move into this year here's such an important thing this year here's such an important thing this year here's such an important thing my question to you is do you know your my question to you is do you know your my question to you is do you know your target target target audience who are you trying to go after audience who are you trying to go after audience who are you trying to go after as a church and if you just go people as a church and if you just go people as a church and if you just go people yeah okay that's an answer it's probably yeah okay that's an answer it's probably yeah okay that's an answer it's probably not the answer that I would be uh not the answer that I would be uh not the answer that I would be uh looking for if I was the com director looking for if I was the com director looking for if I was the com director your church first of all I'd be looking your church first of all I'd be looking your church first of all I'd be looking at who are the people that sit in our at who are the people that sit in our at who are the people that sit in our church right because that's the people church right because that's the people church right because that's the people we are attracting but who is that target we are attracting but who is that target we are attracting but who is that target audience because everything matters audience because everything matters audience because everything matters everything matters in terms of the the everything matters in terms of the the everything matters in terms of the the graphic that you might use in promotions graphic that you might use in promotions graphic that you might use in promotions the landing page on your website to talk the landing page on your website to talk the landing page on your website to talk about your Christmas services the about your Christmas services the about your Christmas services the activities that are going to happen the activities that are going to happen the activities that are going to happen the weeks leading up to Christmas including weeks leading up to Christmas including weeks leading up to Christmas including Christmas Eve the experience in the room Christmas Eve the experience in the room Christmas Eve the experience in the room the stage all that stuff the message all the stage all that stuff the message all the stage all that stuff the message all that stuff should be thought through that stuff should be thought through that stuff should be thought through from the lens of who's our target from the lens of who's our target from the lens of who's our target audience and are we really engaging them audience and are we really engaging them audience and are we really engaging them are we being mindful to to reach them I are we being mindful to to reach them I are we being mindful to to reach them I think that one one of the things that think that one one of the things that think that one one of the things that I'm hearing you say is when we plan I'm hearing you say is when we plan I'm hearing you say is when we plan Christmas we're thinking about Outsiders

Christmas we're thinking about Outsiders Christmas we're thinking about Outsiders first that's sort of what you you didn't first that's sort of what you you didn't first that's sort of what you you didn't come straight out and say that but come straight out and say that but come straight out and say that but that's pretty much what you're saying that's pretty much what you're saying that's pretty much what you're saying and I think one of the tensions that a and I think one of the tensions that a and I think one of the tensions that a lot of churches um wrestle with is do we lot of churches um wrestle with is do we lot of churches um wrestle with is do we plan our Christmas series and our plan our Christmas series and our plan our Christmas series and our Christmas Eve to be a celebration for Christmas Eve to be a celebration for Christmas Eve to be a celebration for our own people or are we really doing our own people or are we really doing our own people or are we really doing this to leverage it as an Outreach this to leverage it as an Outreach this to leverage it as an Outreach opportunity and I think a lot of opportunity and I think a lot of opportunity and I think a lot of churches get caught on that they'll churches get caught on that they'll churches get caught on that they'll either Focus too much on their own either Focus too much on their own either Focus too much on their own people or they try to do too much of a people or they try to do too much of a people or they try to do too much of a hybrid I really think I I think hybrid I really think I I think hybrid I really think I I think personally I I I think personally if you personally I I I think personally if you personally I I I think personally if you really want to make the event the most really want to make the event the most really want to make the event the most impactful possible you plan it to be the impactful possible you plan it to be the impactful possible you plan it to be the most invital event that you do in your most invital event that you do in your most invital event that you do in your entire year so it means we are factoring entire year so it means we are factoring entire year so it means we are factoring in the people who are part of our church in the people who are part of our church in the people who are part of our church but we're factoring them in as it but we're factoring them in as it but we're factoring them in as it relates to to their ability to invite relates to to their ability to invite relates to to their ability to invite friends family neighbors colleagues to friends family neighbors colleagues to friends family neighbors colleagues to come and experience Christmas with our come and experience Christmas with our come and experience Christmas with our church so it's not exclusively we're church so it's not exclusively we're church so it's not exclusively we're doing this just for the people outside doing this just for the people outside doing this just for the people outside we do need to factor in the people who we do need to factor in the people who we do need to factor in the people who are part of our church family but we are part of our church family but we are part of our church family but we want to factor them into what's going to want to factor them into what's going to want to factor them into what's going to make this them this so exciting for them make this them this so exciting for them make this them this so exciting for them that they're going to want to invite that they're going to want to invite that they're going to want to invite people that they know yeah there's this people that they know yeah there's this people that they know yeah there's this tension in the balance between making tension in the balance between making tension in the balance between making sure that your people have that magical sure that your people have that magical sure that your people have that magical Christmas tradition experience right Christmas tradition experience right Christmas tradition experience right because that matters because that matters because that matters and then yet it's still for new new and then yet it's still for new new and then yet it's still for new new people right I'm I mean just the way I'm people right I'm I mean just the way I'm people right I'm I mean just the way I'm hardwired is we're going after the one

hardwired is we're going after the one hardwired is we're going after the one ahead of the 99 and so you can't ahead of the 99 and so you can't ahead of the 99 and so you can't obviously alienate the 99 with Christmas obviously alienate the 99 with Christmas obviously alienate the 99 with Christmas season so you want to sing the Christmas season so you want to sing the Christmas season so you want to sing the Christmas songs that just hit mom's heart right songs that just hit mom's heart right songs that just hit mom's heart right and this the tradition that you've got and this the tradition that you've got and this the tradition that you've got to make sure you you understand but so to make sure you you understand but so to make sure you you understand but so many people only come to Christmas and many people only come to Christmas and many people only come to Christmas and Easter they're going to sit in your Easter they're going to sit in your Easter they're going to sit in your seats like yeah this is the St yep I've seats like yeah this is the St yep I've seats like yeah this is the St yep I've heard this all yep yep church is no heard this all yep yep church is no heard this all yep yep church is no different it's the same so my challenge different it's the same so my challenge different it's the same so my challenge to you is what's that message that's not to you is what's that message that's not to you is what's that message that's not just going to make it the same maybe just going to make it the same maybe just going to make it the same maybe it's the gospel presentation my church it's the gospel presentation my church it's the gospel presentation my church will do that or maybe it's something will do that or maybe it's something will do that or maybe it's something different that they haven't heard of different that they haven't heard of different that they haven't heard of right so just be mindful when you're right so just be mindful when you're right so just be mindful when you're when you're planning this is who's the when you're planning this is who's the when you're planning this is who's the target audience and then from there target audience and then from there target audience and then from there everything else just kind of builds from everything else just kind of builds from everything else just kind of builds from there yeah so let's say that we've there yeah so let's say that we've there yeah so let's say that we've already been sort of working through um already been sort of working through um already been sort of working through um what who our Target is and what we what who our Target is and what we what who our Target is and what we actually want to do whether it's a ser actually want to do whether it's a ser actually want to do whether it's a ser series or it's multiple Outreach events series or it's multiple Outreach events series or it's multiple Outreach events or maybe our focus is just on our or maybe our focus is just on our or maybe our focus is just on our Christmas Eve service and that's going Christmas Eve service and that's going Christmas Eve service and that's going to be where we're going to put uh all of to be where we're going to put uh all of to be where we're going to put uh all of our energy and all of our effort can you our energy and all of our effort can you our energy and all of our effort can you walk through a basic timeline for walk through a basic timeline for walk through a basic timeline for promoting a Christmas event like when do promoting a Christmas event like when do promoting a Christmas event like when do we start making announcements on Sunday we start making announcements on Sunday we start making announcements on Sunday when do we hand out invite cards or when do we hand out invite cards or when do we hand out invite cards or things that we might be printing um when things that we might be printing um when things that we might be printing um when do we start running ads what what are do we start running ads what what are do we start running ads what what are some things that we want to factor in in some things that we want to factor in in some things that we want to factor in in terms of that timeline well it's a great terms of that timeline well it's a great terms of that timeline well it's a great question so uh it's always that mix of question so uh it's always that mix of question so uh it's always that mix of when is Thanksgiving this year it when is Thanksgiving this year it when is Thanksgiving this year it happens to be pretty late I think it's happens to be pretty late I think it's happens to be pretty late I think it's the 28th I think of November 27th 28th I

the 28th I think of November 27th 28th I the 28th I think of November 27th 28th I think 28th right first time yep think 28th right first time yep think 28th right first time yep something like it's it's like it's right something like it's it's like it's right something like it's it's like it's right there on the heels of December so I there on the heels of December so I there on the heels of December so I probably would start my external probably would start my external probably would start my external advertising right before then right you advertising right before then right you advertising right before then right you kind of want that 30-day build um kind of want that 30-day build um kind of want that 30-day build um Christmas is on the your service is Christmas is on the your service is Christmas is on the your service is probably on like the 24th 23rd 24th probably on like the 24th 23rd 24th probably on like the 24th 23rd 24th around there so you want to build up at around there so you want to build up at around there so you want to build up at least you know 30 about 30 days so I'm least you know 30 about 30 days so I'm least you know 30 about 30 days so I'm looking at external ads running there looking at external ads running there looking at external ads running there starting them then because you just want starting them then because you just want starting them then because you just want to get that in people's minds uh and to get that in people's minds uh and to get that in people's minds uh and they want you want them to see ads over they want you want them to see ads over they want you want them to see ads over the course of the next several weeks the course of the next several weeks the course of the next several weeks internally for your people which by the internally for your people which by the internally for your people which by the way it's not just come to Christmas way it's not just come to Christmas way it's not just come to Christmas everybody it's come to Christmas and everybody it's come to Christmas and everybody it's come to Christmas and bring a friend right uh come on now give bring a friend right uh come on now give bring a friend right uh come on now give so give me a handout card that I can so give me a handout card that I can so give me a handout card that I can hand and invite somebody so I think hand and invite somebody so I think hand and invite somebody so I think those should happen at least three weeks those should happen at least three weeks those should happen at least three weeks in advance you should really start in advance you should really start in advance you should really start ramping up now if you do like you know ramping up now if you do like you know ramping up now if you do like you know yeah the week before we do a kids thing yeah the week before we do a kids thing yeah the week before we do a kids thing or you've got stuff going on that's or you've got stuff going on that's or you've got stuff going on that's where I would um make sure you're you're where I would um make sure you're you're where I would um make sure you're you're planning that so you know you might want planning that so you know you might want planning that so you know you might want to move that a little bit further up to move that a little bit further up to move that a little bit further up yeah I think this is something I I yeah I think this is something I I yeah I think this is something I I really just sort of had a a Moment of really just sort of had a a Moment of really just sort of had a a Moment of clarity last year during the clarity last year during the clarity last year during the Thanksgiving weekend and that was that Thanksgiving weekend and that was that Thanksgiving weekend and that was that most people I know spend more time on most people I know spend more time on most people I know spend more time on social media over the the three to four social media over the the three to four social media over the the three to four day Thanksgiving weekend than they might day Thanksgiving weekend than they might day Thanksgiving weekend than they might the entire two months of November and the entire two months of November and the entire two months of November and December because they're off work they December because they're off work they December because they're off work they have more downtime they're spending time

have more downtime they're spending time have more downtime they're spending time with family they're posting more content with family they're posting more content with family they're posting more content over the Thanksgiving weekend they might over the Thanksgiving weekend they might over the Thanksgiving weekend they might be looking at the the content that their be looking at the the content that their be looking at the the content that their friends or other family are posting and friends or other family are posting and friends or other family are posting and so for you as a church whether you're so for you as a church whether you're so for you as a church whether you're running paid ads or you're focusing running paid ads or you're focusing running paid ads or you're focusing primarily on social media content that primarily on social media content that primarily on social media content that Thanksgiving weekend really is a hot Thanksgiving weekend really is a hot Thanksgiving weekend really is a hot time for you to already be communicating time for you to already be communicating time for you to already be communicating what you're going to be doing at what you're going to be doing at what you're going to be doing at Christmas because it gets it into Christmas because it gets it into Christmas because it gets it into people's heads now people aren't people's heads now people aren't people's heads now people aren't probably going to make a decision on the probably going to make a decision on the probably going to make a decision on the Thanksgiving weekend about what they're Thanksgiving weekend about what they're Thanksgiving weekend about what they're going to do on Christmas Eve but at the going to do on Christmas Eve but at the going to do on Christmas Eve but at the very least you're using that opportunity very least you're using that opportunity very least you're using that opportunity to plant the seed while you know people to plant the seed while you know people to plant the seed while you know people are spending a lot of time with their are spending a lot of time with their are spending a lot of time with their phones in their hands over that phones in their hands over that phones in their hands over that Thanksgiving weekend well and they're Thanksgiving weekend well and they're Thanksgiving weekend well and they're with family right so planting that seed with family right so planting that seed with family right so planting that seed to say and you're sitting around table to say and you're sitting around table to say and you're sitting around table hey you guys want to go to Christmas I hey you guys want to go to Christmas I hey you guys want to go to Christmas I mean it's coming up and a few you know mean it's coming up and a few you know mean it's coming up and a few you know yeah so take advantage of it like you yeah so take advantage of it like you yeah so take advantage of it like you know that's that's great advice get ads know that's that's great advice get ads know that's that's great advice get ads running before before Thanksgiving break running before before Thanksgiving break running before before Thanksgiving break yeah so um Jason what you're talking yeah so um Jason what you're talking yeah so um Jason what you're talking about running ads um what are what are about running ads um what are what are about running ads um what are what are some like lowcost or even free ways that some like lowcost or even free ways that some like lowcost or even free ways that churches can spread the word about churches can spread the word about churches can spread the word about Christmas or their Christmas experience Christmas or their Christmas experience Christmas or their Christmas experience in their local community well there's in their local community well there's in their local community well there's two freeway well maybe more but two on two freeway well maybe more but two on two freeway well maybe more but two on two freeways I really like and that is two freeways I really like and that is two freeways I really like and that is first your Google business profile so in first your Google business profile so in first your Google business profile so in your Google business profile just Google your Google business profile just Google your Google business profile just Google the name of your church on the right the name of your church on the right the name of your church on the right hand side you're going to have your hand side you're going to have your hand side you're going to have your profile if you're not an owner of that profile if you're not an owner of that profile if you're not an owner of that you don't know how to log in that reach you don't know how to log in that reach you don't know how to log in that reach out to us we'll help you out we'll help out to us we'll help you out we'll help out to us we'll help you out we'll help you figure that out but anyway inside you figure that out but anyway inside you figure that out but anyway inside there you can promote an event so you there you can promote an event so you there you can promote an event so you can set up all your Christmas activities

can set up all your Christmas activities can set up all your Christmas activities if there's more than one has a start if there's more than one has a start if there's more than one has a start date a stop date you can add stuff you date a stop date you can add stuff you date a stop date you can add stuff you know pictures to it add a add some know pictures to it add a add some know pictures to it add a add some information about it that's free information about it that's free information about it that's free advertising because that goes out to advertising because that goes out to advertising because that goes out to like different calendar of events around like different calendar of events around like different calendar of events around your community in Google it's fantastic your community in Google it's fantastic your community in Google it's fantastic and churches just missed that so Google and churches just missed that so Google and churches just missed that so Google Business profiles number one number two Business profiles number one number two Business profiles number one number two do things in in like Facebook you do things in in like Facebook you do things in in like Facebook you promote like an event in Facebook right promote like an event in Facebook right promote like an event in Facebook right maybe an event bride as well but maybe an event bride as well but maybe an event bride as well but Facebook and you promote it inside of Facebook and you promote it inside of Facebook and you promote it inside of your Facebook and then you get your your Facebook and then you get your your Facebook and then you get your people your own you know staff and people your own you know staff and people your own you know staff and everybody say they're going to attend so everybody say they're going to attend so everybody say they're going to attend so you do that really really early on maybe you do that really really early on maybe you do that really really early on maybe even before Thanksgiving you're gonna even before Thanksgiving you're gonna even before Thanksgiving you're gonna have a a Facebook Christmas event get as have a a Facebook Christmas event get as have a a Facebook Christmas event get as many people as you can that say yeah I'm many people as you can that say yeah I'm many people as you can that say yeah I'm attending that the more you do that the attending that the more you do that the attending that the more you do that the more it grows in Facebook it'll get some more it grows in Facebook it'll get some more it grows in Facebook it'll get some juice there and and the other one is juice there and and the other one is juice there and and the other one is Eventbrite you can set up an Eventbrite Eventbrite you can set up an Eventbrite Eventbrite you can set up an Eventbrite thing we're gonna have an event right thing we're gonna have an event right thing we're gonna have an event right you can invite people through that it's you can invite people through that it's you can invite people through that it's free and now you can actually use that free and now you can actually use that free and now you can actually use that to collect leads yeah I actually I'm a to collect leads yeah I actually I'm a to collect leads yeah I actually I'm a really big fan of the Google business really big fan of the Google business really big fan of the Google business profile plus Eventbrite and all events profile plus Eventbrite and all events profile plus Eventbrite and all events event all events is a is a competitor to event all events is a is a competitor to event all events is a is a competitor to event brigh and I would say on those event brigh and I would say on those event brigh and I would say on those three platforms I I wouldn't go as early three platforms I I wouldn't go as early three platforms I I wouldn't go as early on with like creating a Facebook event I on with like creating a Facebook event I on with like creating a Facebook event I think that there's a better timing for a think that there's a better timing for a think that there's a better timing for a Facebook event probably closer to the Facebook event probably closer to the Facebook event probably closer to the Thanksgiving weekend but I would say you Thanksgiving weekend but I would say you Thanksgiving weekend but I would say you want to create your event on a want to create your event on a want to create your event on a Eventbrite and all events and your Eventbrite and all events and your Eventbrite and all events and your Google business profile as soon as you Google business profile as soon as you Google business profile as soon as you have the details worked out it might be have the details worked out it might be have the details worked out it might be October it might be September and the October it might be September and the October it might be September and the reason you want to do that is that the

reason you want to do that is that the reason you want to do that is that the longer you have those events online the longer you have those events online the longer you have those events online the more crawlable they have become by the more crawlable they have become by the more crawlable they have become by the search engines so if people are going search engines so if people are going search engines so if people are going onto Google and they're searching like onto Google and they're searching like onto Google and they're searching like Christmas events near me family things Christmas events near me family things Christmas events near me family things to do at Christmas your events have had to do at Christmas your events have had to do at Christmas your events have had an opportunity to actually hit the an opportunity to actually hit the an opportunity to actually hit the search engines and show up in those search engines and show up in those search engines and show up in those organic search results if you wait till organic search results if you wait till organic search results if you wait till the last minute to put it on all events the last minute to put it on all events the last minute to put it on all events or Eventbrite or your Google business or Eventbrite or your Google business or Eventbrite or your Google business profile it's not going to show up in the profile it's not going to show up in the profile it's not going to show up in the searches but if you post it early on as searches but if you post it early on as searches but if you post it early on as early as you can in fact if you got on early as you can in fact if you got on early as you can in fact if you got on Google right now and again you're Google right now and again you're Google right now and again you're listening to this likely in September listening to this likely in September listening to this likely in September and you searched Christmas events near and you searched Christmas events near and you searched Christmas events near me you will probably already see dozens me you will probably already see dozens me you will probably already see dozens of community organizations and community of community organizations and community of community organizations and community events that have been posted on websites events that have been posted on websites events that have been posted on websites like all events and Eventbrite and on like all events and Eventbrite and on like all events and Eventbrite and on Google Business profiles because they're Google Business profiles because they're Google Business profiles because they're way ahead of the game churches tend to way ahead of the game churches tend to way ahead of the game churches tend to be a little bit behind on this and we be a little bit behind on this and we be a little bit behind on this and we don't always leverage those tools to the don't always leverage those tools to the don't always leverage those tools to the best of our ability so I would say as best of our ability so I would say as best of our ability so I would say as soon as you have your details worked out soon as you have your details worked out soon as you have your details worked out get it on Google business profile get it get it on Google business profile get it get it on Google business profile get it on event bright get it on all events on event bright get it on all events on event bright get it on all events hence the reason why you should be hence the reason why you should be hence the reason why you should be planning right now and getting all that planning right now and getting all that planning right now and getting all that locked into place yeah exactly um Jason locked into place yeah exactly um Jason locked into place yeah exactly um Jason are there any other ways um we we've are there any other ways um we we've are there any other ways um we we've talked about uh Facebook events um any talked about uh Facebook events um any talked about uh Facebook events um any other creative ways of using social other creative ways of using social other creative ways of using social media social media platforms to promote media social media platforms to promote media social media platforms to promote Christmas yeah I mean you could you can Christmas yeah I mean you could you can Christmas yeah I mean you could you can certainly have paid ad campaigns as well certainly have paid ad campaigns as well certainly have paid ad campaigns as well but it's you know you can run ads in a but it's you know you can run ads in a but it's you know you can run ads in a Google Display Network I you and I Google Display Network I you and I Google Display Network I you and I talked about this Google Display Network talked about this Google Display Network talked about this Google Display Network is probably one of my favorite

is probably one of my favorite is probably one of my favorite advertising platforms uh it's super advertising platforms uh it's super advertising platforms uh it's super cheap and yet that's where your target cheap and yet that's where your target cheap and yet that's where your target audience maybe is right so Google audience maybe is right so Google audience maybe is right so Google display ads hits a lot of younger people display ads hits a lot of younger people display ads hits a lot of younger people like 25 to 45 year olds and the male to like 25 to 45 year olds and the male to like 25 to 45 year olds and the male to female split on those on the clicks on female split on those on the clicks on female split on those on the clicks on those ads is almost 5050 whereas those ads is almost 5050 whereas those ads is almost 5050 whereas Facebook is going to be a little bit Facebook is going to be a little bit Facebook is going to be a little bit older women which is great because older women which is great because older women which is great because sometimes they're the decision makers so sometimes they're the decision makers so sometimes they're the decision makers so now you got the best of both worlds but now you got the best of both worlds but now you got the best of both worlds but I also love running ads in YouTube I I also love running ads in YouTube I I also love running ads in YouTube I mean YouTube come on now it's the second mean YouTube come on now it's the second mean YouTube come on now it's the second largest search engine um so I would I largest search engine um so I would I largest search engine um so I would I would run ads in YouTube now I get a would run ads in YouTube now I get a would run ads in YouTube now I get a question all the time about what about question all the time about what about question all the time about what about Google search Google search ads yes I Google search Google search ads yes I Google search Google search ads yes I would run Google search ads paid ads but would run Google search ads paid ads but would run Google search ads paid ads but I would use the keywords of like I would use the keywords of like I would use the keywords of like churches near me I wouldn't really focus churches near me I wouldn't really focus churches near me I wouldn't really focus on Christmas related keywords there on Christmas related keywords there on Christmas related keywords there might be a couple but nobody's on there might be a couple but nobody's on there might be a couple but nobody's on there going Christmas you know Services near going Christmas you know Services near going Christmas you know Services near me that might be one keyword but me that might be one keyword but me that might be one keyword but nobody's nobody's using those Christmas nobody's nobody's using those Christmas nobody's nobody's using those Christmas keywords they're always using words like keywords they're always using words like keywords they're always using words like hey let's go to church where do you want hey let's go to church where do you want hey let's go to church where do you want to go I don't know this Google church is to go I don't know this Google church is to go I don't know this Google church is near me yeah right so you might want to near me yeah right so you might want to near me yeah right so you might want to run ads in December I think you should run ads in December I think you should run ads in December I think you should run them year long but in December run them year long but in December run them year long but in December particularly because you can spend some particularly because you can spend some particularly because you can spend some money and make sure you're in there when money and make sure you're in there when money and make sure you're in there when somebody's searching for a church somebody's searching for a church somebody's searching for a church because I know that those search that because I know that those search that because I know that those search that search volume goes up that time time of search volume goes up that time time of search volume goes up that time time of the year December and then again you the year December and then again you the year December and then again you know March and April for Easter yeah I know March and April for Easter yeah I know March and April for Easter yeah I mean unless you're doing like a mean unless you're doing like a mean unless you're doing like a Christmas concert or some sort of like Christmas concert or some sort of like Christmas concert or some sort of like specific Christmas event that has a high specific Christmas event that has a high specific Christmas event that has a high level of search ability I think you're

level of search ability I think you're level of search ability I think you're right just general find a church church right just general find a church church right just general find a church church near me Church in my city type of near me Church in my city type of near me Church in my city type of keywords is probably where you want to keywords is probably where you want to keywords is probably where you want to go with that now uh we'll talk about go with that now uh we'll talk about go with that now uh we'll talk about YouTube a little bit you know we we in YouTube a little bit you know we we in YouTube a little bit you know we we in the in years past I've kind of the in years past I've kind of the in years past I've kind of discouraged churches from advertising on discouraged churches from advertising on discouraged churches from advertising on YouTube and the primary reason I've done YouTube and the primary reason I've done YouTube and the primary reason I've done that is because the cost is a higher for that is because the cost is a higher for that is because the cost is a higher for YouTube and the clickthrough rate on YouTube and the clickthrough rate on YouTube and the clickthrough rate on YouTube ads tends to be very very low YouTube ads tends to be very very low YouTube ads tends to be very very low and our our goal most of the time when and our our goal most of the time when and our our goal most of the time when we're running ad campaigns is to try to we're running ad campaigns is to try to we're running ad campaigns is to try to drive more traffic to a church's drive more traffic to a church's drive more traffic to a church's Christmas landing page right so if Christmas landing page right so if Christmas landing page right so if you're building a Google display ad you're building a Google display ad you're building a Google display ad campaign or a Facebook Instagram campaign or a Facebook Instagram campaign or a Facebook Instagram campaign the goal is get people to click campaign the goal is get people to click campaign the goal is get people to click to come over to your landing page to to come over to your landing page to to come over to your landing page to learn everything that they need to know learn everything that they need to know learn everything that they need to know about the experience YouTube about the experience YouTube about the experience YouTube clickthrough rate tends to be very very clickthrough rate tends to be very very clickthrough rate tends to be very very low however I would say that in this low however I would say that in this low however I would say that in this season now that YouTube shorts is season now that YouTube shorts is season now that YouTube shorts is becoming a much much more popular becoming a much much more popular becoming a much much more popular platform you can run ads explicitly in platform you can run ads explicitly in platform you can run ads explicitly in YouTube shorts which means people are YouTube shorts which means people are YouTube shorts which means people are typically watching the shorts on the typically watching the shorts on the typically watching the shorts on the YouTube mobile app therefore the YouTube mobile app therefore the YouTube mobile app therefore the click-through rate does tend to be a click-through rate does tend to be a click-through rate does tend to be a little bit higher than it used to be and little bit higher than it used to be and little bit higher than it used to be and so I like YouTube I like YouTube ads so I like YouTube I like YouTube ads so I like YouTube I like YouTube ads YouTube ads are really really good for YouTube ads are really really good for YouTube ads are really really good for Branding maybe not amazing for a Branding maybe not amazing for a Branding maybe not amazing for a click-through rate but it definitely click-through rate but it definitely click-through rate but it definitely gives you an opportunity to get out in gives you an opportunity to get out in gives you an opportunity to get out in front of the community with advertising front of the community with advertising front of the community with advertising and promote your brand even if people and promote your brand even if people and promote your brand even if people aren't clicking through to your website aren't clicking through to your website aren't clicking through to your website yeah it's probably what number four I'd yeah it's probably what number four I'd yeah it's probably what number four I'd say display ads are number one Facebook say display ads are number one Facebook say display ads are number one Facebook ads number two Google search ads number ads number two Google search ads number ads number two Google search ads number three and then probably YouTube ads three and then probably YouTube ads three and then probably YouTube ads number four yeah so depending on what

number four yeah so depending on what number four yeah so depending on what your budget is I'd prioritize it that your budget is I'd prioritize it that your budget is I'd prioritize it that way for sure um if you're a church that way for sure um if you're a church that way for sure um if you're a church that is a larger church and has a pretty is a larger church and has a pretty is a larger church and has a pretty robust budget then I definitely include robust budget then I definitely include robust budget then I definitely include i' definitely include YouTube in there i' definitely include YouTube in there i' definitely include YouTube in there so so Jason what are some common so so Jason what are some common so so Jason what are some common mistakes that you've seen churches make mistakes that you've seen churches make mistakes that you've seen churches make when it comes to planning and promoting when it comes to planning and promoting when it comes to planning and promoting their Christmas experiences and and what their Christmas experiences and and what their Christmas experiences and and what can we do to avoid some of those common can we do to avoid some of those common can we do to avoid some of those common mistakes I tell you uh the first one is mistakes I tell you uh the first one is mistakes I tell you uh the first one is y'all start too late and you know what y'all start too late and you know what y'all start too late and you know what that may not be your fault okay because that may not be your fault okay because that may not be your fault okay because you're you're not the lead pastor but if you're you're not the lead pastor but if you're you're not the lead pastor but if you're the lead Pastor it is your fault you're the lead Pastor it is your fault you're the lead Pastor it is your fault so I would say starting too late it's so I would say starting too late it's so I would say starting too late it's like you're you're you're getting into like you're you're you're getting into like you're you're you're getting into November what are we doing and then by November what are we doing and then by November what are we doing and then by late November let's run some late November let's run some late November let's run some ads too late you need to be going on it ads too late you need to be going on it ads too late you need to be going on it now so if you're a com director now so if you're a com director now so if you're a com director listening to this and you don't have any listening to this and you don't have any listening to this and you don't have any details from your leadership about details from your leadership about details from your leadership about Christmas tell them exactly what you Christmas tell them exactly what you Christmas tell them exactly what you learned here hey guys I want to use free learned here hey guys I want to use free learned here hey guys I want to use free promotion as much as possible which promotion as much as possible which promotion as much as possible which means I need to get this stuff in now so means I need to get this stuff in now so means I need to get this stuff in now so that it has time so the search engines that it has time so the search engines that it has time so the search engines you know can catch it and and and push you know can catch it and and and push you know can catch it and and and push it for us and if you're waiting till it for us and if you're waiting till it for us and if you're waiting till November way too late so you know if November way too late so you know if November way too late so you know if you're a lead Pastor executive pastor you're a lead Pastor executive pastor you're a lead Pastor executive pastor you're you're not doing a good disser you're you're not doing a good disser you're you're not doing a good disser you're doing a disservice to your church you're doing a disservice to your church you're doing a disservice to your church you should be planning early enough I you should be planning early enough I you should be planning early enough I mean it's December 25th we know it every mean it's December 25th we know it every mean it's December 25th we know it every year we know when Christmas is coming year we know when Christmas is coming year we know when Christmas is coming it's not that doesn't mean you have to it's not that doesn't mean you have to it's not that doesn't mean you have to have your sermon built but it does mean

have your sermon built but it does mean have your sermon built but it does mean you have to have your plans put together you have to have your plans put together you have to have your plans put together that's what we need as com we need the that's what we need as com we need the that's what we need as com we need the plans we need to know what time the plans we need to know what time the plans we need to know what time the services are what are we offering what services are what are we offering what services are what are we offering what are we doing I don't really care about are we doing I don't really care about are we doing I don't really care about the message that can come later but I the message that can come later but I the message that can come later but I need to know the details so that's the need to know the details so that's the need to know the details so that's the first thing second thing I see is a lot first thing second thing I see is a lot first thing second thing I see is a lot of churches just don't plan you know of churches just don't plan you know of churches just don't plan you know spend enough money at at Easter in spend enough money at at Easter in spend enough money at at Easter in Christmas like those two two important Christmas like those two two important Christmas like those two two important seasons of the year um we just don't put seasons of the year um we just don't put seasons of the year um we just don't put enough budget money towards this amazing enough budget money towards this amazing enough budget money towards this amazing Outreach opportunity now some church Outreach opportunity now some church Outreach opportunity now some church will say we don't have to we're already will say we don't have to we're already will say we don't have to we're already big big big enough breaks my heart when I hear that enough breaks my heart when I hear that enough breaks my heart when I hear that if you say you're big enough you're not if you say you're big enough you're not if you say you're big enough you're not doing you're you're doing something doing you're you're doing something doing you're you're doing something wrong right you want if if you're big wrong right you want if if you're big wrong right you want if if you're big enough you need to add another service enough you need to add another service enough you need to add another service need to go to another day because as far need to go to another day because as far need to go to another day because as far as I'm concerned I think with the gospel as I'm concerned I think with the gospel as I'm concerned I think with the gospel is still not shared with everybody we is still not shared with everybody we is still not shared with everybody we haven't fulfilled the Great Commission haven't fulfilled the Great Commission haven't fulfilled the Great Commission so when I hear that from churches I kind so when I hear that from churches I kind so when I hear that from churches I kind of push back and go really so because of push back and go really so because of push back and go really so because you're already full you're not going to you're already full you're not going to you're already full you're not going to do anything to reach new people um I do anything to reach new people um I do anything to reach new people um I think i' think through that a little bit think i' think through that a little bit think i' think through that a little bit more sorry I'll get off my soap box here more sorry I'll get off my soap box here more sorry I'll get off my soap box here a little bit but that's the thing I hear a little bit but that's the thing I hear a little bit but that's the thing I hear about is is just not enough energy not about is is just not enough energy not about is is just not enough energy not enough effort towards Christmas and enough effort towards Christmas and enough effort towards Christmas and Easter that'd be the second thing and Easter that'd be the second thing and Easter that'd be the second thing and then this is probably one of the biggest then this is probably one of the biggest then this is probably one of the biggest ones that I'd love to focus on and that ones that I'd love to focus on and that ones that I'd love to focus on and that is this we talked a lot about targeting is this we talked a lot about targeting is this we talked a lot about targeting people that is your target audience to people that is your target audience to people that is your target audience to that don't go to your church awesome you that don't go to your church awesome you that don't go to your church awesome you just worked your tail off you put all just worked your tail off you put all just worked your tail off you put all these things together in motion and you

these things together in motion and you these things together in motion and you got a lot of people in the room what's got a lot of people in the room what's got a lot of people in the room what's the next step for the next step for the next step for them if you don't do anything it's okay them if you don't do anything it's okay them if you don't do anything it's okay we'll see you at Easter time I don't we'll see you at Easter time I don't we'll see you at Easter time I don't think that's a good answer so I'm think that's a good answer so I'm think that's a good answer so I'm thinking about what's going on in thinking about what's going on in thinking about what's going on in January that we can bring them back or January that we can bring them back or January that we can bring them back or how can we capture their information so how can we capture their information so how can we capture their information so we can invite them to something that's we can invite them to something that's we can invite them to something that's really uh you know attractive to them in really uh you know attractive to them in really uh you know attractive to them in January or February right because we may January or February right because we may January or February right because we may not see them till Easter which is the not see them till Easter which is the not see them till Easter which is the end of April or middle April so what do end of April or middle April so what do end of April or middle April so what do we can doing in January to to bring we can doing in January to to bring we can doing in January to to bring people back I'll tell you there's a people back I'll tell you there's a people back I'll tell you there's a couple churches that I I love what couple churches that I I love what couple churches that I I love what they've done before sometimes churches they've done before sometimes churches they've done before sometimes churches will give like a little gift and say hey will give like a little gift and say hey will give like a little gift and say hey we're jumping into a a new series it's we're jumping into a a new series it's we're jumping into a a new series it's about families and so here's a free about families and so here's a free about families and so here's a free thing come back in January because thing come back in January because thing come back in January because that's what we're going to talk about is that's what we're going to talk about is that's what we're going to talk about is how to have better relationships or how to have better relationships or how to have better relationships or something like that how to how to manage something like that how to how to manage something like that how to how to manage money or something whatever it is money or something whatever it is money or something whatever it is whatever you're going to talk about what whatever you're going to talk about what whatever you're going to talk about what are you doing to be intentional about are you doing to be intentional about are you doing to be intentional about bringing them back and I also think you bringing them back and I also think you bringing them back and I also think you you want to do something for the kids you want to do something for the kids you want to do something for the kids kids ministry should be really hot in kids ministry should be really hot in kids ministry should be really hot in January to get these kids to come back January to get these kids to come back January to get these kids to come back so they are falling in love with what so they are falling in love with what so they are falling in love with what they're what they're coming to at church they're what they're coming to at church they're what they're coming to at church because if you don't do anything about because if you don't do anything about because if you don't do anything about that the kids won't have a fun time that the kids won't have a fun time that the kids won't have a fun time guess what they're not coming back guess what they're not coming back guess what they're not coming back because Mom and Dad are not going to put because Mom and Dad are not going to put because Mom and Dad are not going to put them through that again they don't want them through that again they don't want them through that again they don't want to hear it in the car so make sure it's to hear it in the car so make sure it's to hear it in the car so make sure it's really attractive to kids and do really attractive to kids and do really attractive to kids and do something intentional in January oh so something intentional in January oh so something intentional in January oh so important yeah I'll comment on a couple important yeah I'll comment on a couple important yeah I'll comment on a couple of the things that you you shared there of the things that you you shared there of the things that you you shared there one is uh churches that don't set aside one is uh churches that don't set aside one is uh churches that don't set aside enough budget for Christmas Andor Easter

enough budget for Christmas Andor Easter enough budget for Christmas Andor Easter promotions and marketing or pulling off promotions and marketing or pulling off promotions and marketing or pulling off the best experience they can and I think the best experience they can and I think the best experience they can and I think a lot of that is because churches fail a lot of that is because churches fail a lot of that is because churches fail to sometimes consider those uh Seasons to sometimes consider those uh Seasons to sometimes consider those uh Seasons as Outreach or local missions as Outreach or local missions as Outreach or local missions opportunities so they see Christmas Eve opportunities so they see Christmas Eve opportunities so they see Christmas Eve as another church service they see as another church service they see as another church service they see Easter Sunday as just another church Easter Sunday as just another church Easter Sunday as just another church service and so since they're just service and so since they're just service and so since they're just another church service they don't really another church service they don't really another church service they don't really get a share of the local missions budget get a share of the local missions budget get a share of the local missions budget that's where in my churches we're taking that's where in my churches we're taking that's where in my churches we're taking money from local missions and putting it money from local missions and putting it money from local missions and putting it into our Christmas and our Easter budget into our Christmas and our Easter budget into our Christmas and our Easter budget uh in addition to an actual Christmas uh in addition to an actual Christmas uh in addition to an actual Christmas and Easter budget because we really want and Easter budget because we really want and Easter budget because we really want to take advantage of the missional to take advantage of the missional to take advantage of the missional opportunity that we have at Christmas opportunity that we have at Christmas opportunity that we have at Christmas and Easter so as a leadership team and Easter so as a leadership team and Easter so as a leadership team that's something that you're going to that's something that you're going to that's something that you're going to have to wrestle through you know is is have to wrestle through you know is is have to wrestle through you know is is what is an appropriate allocation of what is an appropriate allocation of what is an appropriate allocation of resources for these wideopen front door resources for these wideopen front door resources for these wideopen front door opportunities that we have to connect opportunities that we have to connect opportunities that we have to connect with people in our community that we with people in our community that we with people in our community that we might not otherwise have the opportunity might not otherwise have the opportunity might not otherwise have the opportunity to connect with and you know how do how to connect with and you know how do how to connect with and you know how do how do we invest in those appropriately so do we invest in those appropriately so do we invest in those appropriately so that's when it comes to the budget that's when it comes to the budget that's when it comes to the budget conversation I think that that's really conversation I think that that's really conversation I think that that's really where where I like to frame it now when where where I like to frame it now when where where I like to frame it now when it comes to the next step this is the it comes to the next step this is the it comes to the next step this is the most common thing I think people expect most common thing I think people expect most common thing I think people expect is that we get all these people to come is that we get all these people to come is that we get all these people to come to our Christmas Eve service and we're to our Christmas Eve service and we're to our Christmas Eve service and we're automatically turning them into Sunday automatically turning them into Sunday automatically turning them into Sunday morning church attendees and they're morning church attendees and they're morning church attendees and they're going to come to our next sermon series going to come to our next sermon series going to come to our next sermon series that starts in January and I think when that starts in January and I think when that starts in January and I think when we do that we set ourselves up for

we do that we set ourselves up for we do that we set ourselves up for disappointment more often than not um disappointment more often than not um disappointment more often than not um there is some value in a sermon series there is some value in a sermon series there is some value in a sermon series that's you know new year new you new that's you know new year new you new that's you know new year new you new starts Fresh Starts because there are starts Fresh Starts because there are starts Fresh Starts because there are going to be some people that are looking going to be some people that are looking going to be some people that are looking for that but what I like to do when I'm for that but what I like to do when I'm for that but what I like to do when I'm planning the next steps after a large planning the next steps after a large planning the next steps after a large event like a Christmas Eve service is event like a Christmas Eve service is event like a Christmas Eve service is what's a next step that's a oneoff event what's a next step that's a oneoff event what's a next step that's a oneoff event that actually increases the level of that actually increases the level of that actually increases the level of intimacy and connection that I can have intimacy and connection that I can have intimacy and connection that I can have with people so maybe it's a hey uh we're with people so maybe it's a hey uh we're with people so maybe it's a hey uh we're gonna do a a one-day get outof debt gonna do a a one-day get outof debt gonna do a a one-day get outof debt seminar in January right because you seminar in January right because you seminar in January right because you just spent all this money on Christmas just spent all this money on Christmas just spent all this money on Christmas uh your your Christmas gifts wacked up uh your your Christmas gifts wacked up uh your your Christmas gifts wacked up your credit cards you're totally broke your credit cards you're totally broke your credit cards you're totally broke you're going into the new year and you you're going into the new year and you you're going into the new year and you want to start fresh what if we do a you want to start fresh what if we do a you want to start fresh what if we do a you know a three-hour seminar on a Saturday know a three-hour seminar on a Saturday know a three-hour seminar on a Saturday morning on how to get out of debt and morning on how to get out of debt and morning on how to get out of debt and and maybe from there the next step is and maybe from there the next step is and maybe from there the next step is hey we're going to offer Financial Peace hey we're going to offer Financial Peace hey we're going to offer Financial Peace University or something of that nature University or something of that nature University or something of that nature that's the next step we're trying to that's the next step we're trying to that's the next step we're trying to increase the connectivity maybe it's increase the connectivity maybe it's increase the connectivity maybe it's something that is specific parent you something that is specific parent you something that is specific parent you know parenting oriented for the new year know parenting oriented for the new year know parenting oriented for the new year um maybe there's something fitness and um maybe there's something fitness and um maybe there's something fitness and health related that you can do in health related that you can do in health related that you can do in January know what the people in your January know what the people in your January know what the people in your community this goes back to the very community this goes back to the very community this goes back to the very beginning of our conversation know the beginning of our conversation know the beginning of our conversation know the people in your community and what their people in your community and what their people in your community and what their biggest hurts and Hang-Ups and needs for biggest hurts and Hang-Ups and needs for biggest hurts and Hang-Ups and needs for help are and then design something in help are and then design something in help are and then design something in January that actually scratches that January that actually scratches that January that actually scratches that itch for them that's going to be your itch for them that's going to be your itch for them that's going to be your best way to move them from hey we best way to move them from hey we best way to move them from hey we attended a a Christmas Eve service and

attended a a Christmas Eve service and attended a a Christmas Eve service and we didn't really get to know people we didn't really get to know people we didn't really get to know people because it's a one-way experience for because it's a one-way experience for because it's a one-way experience for most people but move them into a new most people but move them into a new most people but move them into a new environment where maybe there aren't environment where maybe there aren't environment where maybe there aren't going to be as many people rather than going to be as many people rather than going to be as many people rather than being I mean if your church is a if your being I mean if your church is a if your being I mean if your church is a if your church is a church of let's say 300 and church is a church of let's say 300 and church is a church of let's say 300 and you have 500 that come to your Christmas you have 500 that come to your Christmas you have 500 that come to your Christmas Eve service because that's what you Eve service because that's what you Eve service because that's what you normally do I want to move those people normally do I want to move those people normally do I want to move those people into an experience in January where into an experience in January where into an experience in January where there might only be 40 or 50 people in there might only be 40 or 50 people in there might only be 40 or 50 people in the room where they're sitting around the room where they're sitting around the room where they're sitting around tables and they actually have an tables and they actually have an tables and they actually have an opportunity to actually meet some people opportunity to actually meet some people opportunity to actually meet some people from the church initiate some from the church initiate some from the church initiate some relationships and then from there relationships and then from there relationships and then from there another call to action which brings that another call to action which brings that another call to action which brings that intimacy level even greater I've said intimacy level even greater I've said intimacy level even greater I've said this on this podcast before I'll say it this on this podcast before I'll say it this on this podcast before I'll say it again people will more likely walk again people will more likely walk again people will more likely walk through your doors on a Sunday morning through your doors on a Sunday morning through your doors on a Sunday morning when they know you like you and trust when they know you like you and trust when they know you like you and trust you so you've already built a little bit you so you've already built a little bit you so you've already built a little bit of trust and maybe likability at that of trust and maybe likability at that of trust and maybe likability at that Christmas Eve service what are the next Christmas Eve service what are the next Christmas Eve service what are the next things that you can put on your calendar things that you can put on your calendar things that you can put on your calendar that raise the level of knowing liking that raise the level of knowing liking that raise the level of knowing liking and trusting so that you can eventually and trusting so that you can eventually and trusting so that you can eventually move them into a Sunday Morning move them into a Sunday Morning move them into a Sunday Morning Experience you know one thing you can do Experience you know one thing you can do Experience you know one thing you can do just off the top of my head is utilize just off the top of my head is utilize just off the top of my head is utilize your app if you can somehow utilize your your app if you can somehow utilize your your app if you can somehow utilize your app in the services Christmas services app in the services Christmas services app in the services Christmas services you know maybe May it's a a poll or you know maybe May it's a a poll or you know maybe May it's a a poll or something like that now you've got them something like that now you've got them something like that now you've got them that downloaded your app and there that downloaded your app and there that downloaded your app and there there's a there's different companies there's a there's different companies there's a there's different companies that we work with Studio C is one of that we work with Studio C is one of that we work with Studio C is one of them where we can actually track some of them where we can actually track some of them where we can actually track some of that stuff where if they download the that stuff where if they download the that stuff where if they download the app now you know they're new you can do app now you know they're new you can do app now you know they're new you can do a push notification to them especially a push notification to them especially a push notification to them especially if you collect their email and an email

if you collect their email and an email if you collect their email and an email that follows up right after Christmas that follows up right after Christmas that follows up right after Christmas like hey take this you know two question like hey take this you know two question like hey take this you know two question survey or we want to learn more about survey or we want to learn more about survey or we want to learn more about how we can serve you and help you so how we can serve you and help you so how we can serve you and help you so there's just some things you you should there's just some things you you should there's just some things you you should be able to do in the Christmas services be able to do in the Christmas services be able to do in the Christmas services to capture the data of all people but to capture the data of all people but to capture the data of all people but specifically new people who was sitting specifically new people who was sitting specifically new people who was sitting in the room and then do something be in the room and then do something be in the room and then do something be strategic and do something about that to strategic and do something about that to strategic and do something about that to move them towards engagement because move them towards engagement because move them towards engagement because right that's what we're talking about we right that's what we're talking about we right that's what we're talking about we W to we want you said it perfectly it's W to we want you said it perfectly it's W to we want you said it perfectly it's they they like you they they trust you a they they like you they they trust you a they they like you they they trust you a little bit but they don't think you know little bit but they don't think you know little bit but they don't think you know them so how do you know them well the them so how do you know them well the them so how do you know them well the only way you know them is if you engage only way you know them is if you engage only way you know them is if you engage with them and ask them and so you know with them and ask them and so you know with them and ask them and so you know not everybody's going to want to do not everybody's going to want to do not everybody's going to want to do there we're not trying to get you know there we're not trying to get you know there we're not trying to get you know thousands of people to come to your thousands of people to come to your thousands of people to come to your church the next weekend it's not the church the next weekend it's not the church the next weekend it's not the point is trying to get that PE those point is trying to get that PE those point is trying to get that PE those people who really want to be who are people who really want to be who are people who really want to be who are moved by the Christmas experience at moved by the Christmas experience at moved by the Christmas experience at your church and we just don't want them your church and we just don't want them your church and we just don't want them to walk away going well that was neat I to walk away going well that was neat I to walk away going well that was neat I guess they invite me back I maybe we'll guess they invite me back I maybe we'll guess they invite me back I maybe we'll go Easter time you know we don't want go Easter time you know we don't want go Easter time you know we don't want that we want them coming back in January that we want them coming back in January that we want them coming back in January yeah so all the things that we've talked yeah so all the things that we've talked yeah so all the things that we've talked about this should be super obvious but about this should be super obvious but about this should be super obvious but all the things that we've talked about all the things that we've talked about all the things that we've talked about in Shar during the preparation for U in Shar during the preparation for U in Shar during the preparation for U your Christmas Eve service would also your Christmas Eve service would also your Christmas Eve service would also apply if your church is currently apply if your church is currently apply if your church is currently planning a fall festival fall Harvest planning a fall festival fall Harvest planning a fall festival fall Harvest trunker treat something of that nature trunker treat something of that nature trunker treat something of that nature so all the things that we discussed on so all the things that we discussed on so all the things that we discussed on this particular podcast episode make this particular podcast episode make this particular podcast episode make sure that you're applying those to all sure that you're applying those to all sure that you're applying those to all large Outreach initiatives that you have large Outreach initiatives that you have large Outreach initiatives that you have and in next week's episode we're going and in next week's episode we're going and in next week's episode we're going to be talking about planning Easter no

to be talking about planning Easter no to be talking about planning Easter no I'm just kidding not really but but by I'm just kidding not really but but by I'm just kidding not really but but by the time you finish planning your the time you finish planning your the time you finish planning your Christmas guess what you need to start Christmas guess what you need to start Christmas guess what you need to start planning your Easter planning your Easter planning your Easter well I'll tell you what I mean uh this well I'll tell you what I mean uh this well I'll tell you what I mean uh this is a game plan this is the road map and is a game plan this is the road map and is a game plan this is the road map and the game plan for every major kind of an the game plan for every major kind of an the game plan for every major kind of an event so if it is a Fall Fest or it's a event so if it is a Fall Fest or it's a event so if it is a Fall Fest or it's a Mother's Day thing or it's Easter or Mother's Day thing or it's Easter or Mother's Day thing or it's Easter or Christmas see here's I'll say this and Christmas see here's I'll say this and Christmas see here's I'll say this and we can probably end every church is we can probably end every church is we can probably end every church is going to be promoting Christmas and going to be promoting Christmas and going to be promoting Christmas and Easter kind of have to super important Easter kind of have to super important Easter kind of have to super important super duper important but what are those super duper important but what are those super duper important but what are those other events maybe it's a 50th other events maybe it's a 50th other events maybe it's a 50th Anniversary you're having next Anniversary you're having next Anniversary you're having next May right that no other church is May right that no other church is May right that no other church is celebrating but you and so you would celebrating but you and so you would celebrating but you and so you would want to pull out this game plan and want to pull out this game plan and want to pull out this game plan and implement it for that event as well so implement it for that event as well so implement it for that event as well so just be thinking about that put together just be thinking about that put together just be thinking about that put together that book that game plan book and so you that book that game plan book and so you that book that game plan book and so you got it pulled out you know four months got it pulled out you know four months got it pulled out you know four months in advance we're talking about this next in advance we're talking about this next in advance we're talking about this next thing or five months or whatever it is thing or five months or whatever it is thing or five months or whatever it is because we want to be prepared and and because we want to be prepared and and because we want to be prepared and and and do everything we talked about here and do everything we talked about here and do everything we talked about here you're going to have a much more you're going to have a much more you're going to have a much more successful experience I actually just successful experience I actually just successful experience I actually just thought of one more thing that I have to thought of one more thing that I have to thought of one more thing that I have to share I know you wanted the last word share I know you wanted the last word share I know you wanted the last word there but I'm going to give the last there but I'm going to give the last there but I'm going to give the last actually you one the question I asked actually you one the question I asked actually you one the question I asked you was common mistakes that that that you was common mistakes that that that you was common mistakes that that that churches make um here's I think a common churches make um here's I think a common churches make um here's I think a common mistake and one that you should avoid mistake and one that you should avoid mistake and one that you should avoid churches don't do an evaluation of the churches don't do an evaluation of the churches don't do an evaluation of the experience right after it happened so experience right after it happened so experience right after it happened so the reality is you can actually begin the reality is you can actually begin the reality is you can actually begin planning next Christmas right after this planning next Christmas right after this planning next Christmas right after this Christmas by doing an evaluation of the

Christmas by doing an evaluation of the Christmas by doing an evaluation of the event itself and how did it go A debrief event itself and how did it go A debrief event itself and how did it go A debrief with your team with key volun the same with your team with key volun the same with your team with key volun the same people that you brought in to help plan people that you brought in to help plan people that you brought in to help plan the experience can be the people or the experience can be the people or the experience can be the people or should be the people that help you should be the people that help you should be the people that help you debrief it I always use the the I I debrief it I always use the the I I debrief it I always use the the I I learned this from someone years ago ask learned this from someone years ago ask learned this from someone years ago ask four questions what went right what went four questions what went right what went four questions what went right what went wrong what was missing and what was wrong what was missing and what was wrong what was missing and what was confusing and you give everybody the confusing and you give everybody the confusing and you give everybody the opportunity to speak into that and you opportunity to speak into that and you opportunity to speak into that and you document that in January so that in July document that in January so that in July document that in January so that in July and August next year when you sit down and August next year when you sit down and August next year when you sit down and you start planning Christmas for and you start planning Christmas for and you start planning Christmas for 2025 you start with what were the things 2025 you start with what were the things 2025 you start with what were the things that went right last year are those that went right last year are those that went right last year are those things that we want to repeat what were things that we want to repeat what were things that we want to repeat what were the things that went wrong how do we the things that went wrong how do we the things that went wrong how do we make sure that we don't repeat those make sure that we don't repeat those make sure that we don't repeat those what was missing what was confusing how what was missing what was confusing how what was missing what was confusing how does that direct us next year when we're does that direct us next year when we're does that direct us next year when we're planning our Christmas Eve experience planning our Christmas Eve experience planning our Christmas Eve experience for our community so you know avoid for our community so you know avoid for our community so you know avoid missing the opportunity to do a debrief missing the opportunity to do a debrief missing the opportunity to do a debrief um in the church World We tend to like um in the church World We tend to like um in the church World We tend to like finish something and then we're running finish something and then we're running finish something and then we're running right on to the next thing and you can right on to the next thing and you can right on to the next thing and you can really do yourself and your team a great really do yourself and your team a great really do yourself and your team a great favor by spending some good time doing favor by spending some good time doing favor by spending some good time doing an evaluation of how things went open an evaluation of how things went open an evaluation of how things went open honest feedback ask those four questions honest feedback ask those four questions honest feedback ask those four questions so that you know you can get some honest so that you know you can get some honest so that you know you can get some honest feedback from the people who've been a feedback from the people who've been a feedback from the people who've been a part of putting it together yeah great part of putting it together yeah great part of putting it together yeah great advice okay all right well let's land on advice okay all right well let's land on advice okay all right well let's land on that thank you so much for tuning in to that thank you so much for tuning in to that thank you so much for tuning in to another episode of the missional another episode of the missional another episode of the missional marketing podcast we will not be talking marketing podcast we will not be talking marketing podcast we will not be talking about Easter in next week's episode but about Easter in next week's episode but about Easter in next week's episode but you can expect us to be talking about you can expect us to be talking about you can expect us to be talking about Easter very very soon uh if you haven't Easter very very soon uh if you haven't Easter very very soon uh if you haven't ever left us a rating or review wherever

ever left us a rating or review wherever ever left us a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast make sure that you listen to the podcast make sure that you listen to the podcast make sure that you do that and if you haven't subscribe you do that and if you haven't subscribe you do that and if you haven't subscribe you definitely want to do that so that you definitely want to do that so that you definitely want to do that so that you don't miss any future episodes uh you don't miss any future episodes uh you don't miss any future episodes uh until the next episode of the missional until the next episode of the missional until the next episode of the missional marketing podcast I'm Bart Blair and on marketing podcast I'm Bart Blair and on marketing podcast I'm Bart Blair and on behalf of Jason Hamrock thanks for behalf of Jason Hamrock thanks for behalf of Jason Hamrock thanks for tuning in