Jesus uses this language of, “Let those who have eyes to see, see.” Most of us have eyes don’t we? But how many of us actually see? The Light isn’t meant to blind us its meant to help us see…
Verse 1:
I was lost in my mind, couldn’t see the signs
Blinded by my own thoughts, I was running out of time
I was searching for answers, in all the wrong places
Hoping for a change, but it was all just empty spaces
Chorus:
Cause I didn’t see, what was right there all along
It was there in front of me, but I couldn’t see it strong
And now that it’s clear, everything’s changed
I should have seen it from the start, it’s so strange
Verse 2:
I was stuck in my ways, couldn’t break free
Trapped in my own fears, couldn’t see what was meant to be
I was chasing my dreams, but they were out of reach
And I couldn’t see the beauty, that was right there to be seen
Chorus:
Cause I didn’t see, what was right there all along
It was there in front of me, but I couldn’t see it strong
And now that it’s clear, everything’s changed
I should have seen it from the start, it’s so strange
Bridge:
But now I’m moving on, with a new found strength
And I’m seeing things differently, it’s a brand new length
And I’m grateful for the change, that I couldn’t see
Cause it opened my eyes and set my soul free
Chorus:
Cause I didn’t see, what was right there all along
It was there in front of me, but I couldn’t see it strong
And now that it’s clear, everything’s changed
I should have seen it from the start, it’s so strange
Outro:
So now I’m moving forward, with a new point of view
And I’m seeing things clearly, as I’m breaking through
And I’m grateful for the change, that I couldn’t see
No matter where you are or how big your congregation is, if you are a tech, production, or creative leader in the church, you are aware of how difficult it can be to get volunteers.
Many of you are doing this work as volunteers and are already struggling to manage your obligations, let alone run a Sunday service. It can sometimes feel like you lack the time or resources to pursue finding and leading individuals. Similar to you, I have encountered same problems in the 12 years that I have served and managed a Creative Ministry, and when I say “creative” I think you know what I mean, although we will get into that a little later, I don’t just mean the guy who dresses a little “colorful”, the stand out artist or vibe enneagram 4 (LOL)
What is a “Creative”?
What is a Creative?
A creative is someone who has a unique way of seeing the world. They have a great sense or intuition and often bring life to the party, always coming up with interesting stories and witty one-liners. They have a way of making even the dullest of situations feel charged with energy. They’re the type that people enjoy being around, they’re friendly and outgoing but also sensitive souls that tend to be very introspective.
These types tend to be creative and artistic, they have a rich inner world, they’re often poets and artists who like to explore the deeper aspects of life. They tend to be emotional and often show a wide range of feelings and emotions, they can be funny and make you laugh but at the same time they can be the ones that make you cry at a comedy show. They have a unique perspective on life, they can add a special touch to any situation.
In a nutshell, CREATIVES are multi-faceted, interesting and fun personalities with a touch of depth and depth and emotional intelligence. Big ideas and the vision for bigger things usually come easily, but you soon realize that you can never achieve them on your own. Actually, if you don’t have the necessary people in place, it could even be challenging to carry out regular weekly tasks.
I have four suggestions for you to keep in mind if you’re ready to start being serious about expanding your creative team and creative volunteers. As you are undoubtedly aware, finding volunteers is not always simple, nevermind these “Bezelels“. With these suggestions, though, you can be successful and you could even wonder why you didn’t start earlier. Over the years, they have served me well, so I’m eager to see how well they will serve you and your community.
1. Take A Genuine Interest In “these” types of people
I am aware of how hectic your Sunday mornings might be, but if you want to grow your team, you will need to spend time socializing outside of your tech booth, or away from your Mac editing suite.
So that your Sundays are spent more on developing relationships and less on work, get ready for the service earlier in the week. Of course, you could do this at other times during the week, but right now is your best chance. The circumstances are ideal—the audience is the correct one, the moment is right, and they are in the proper state of mind. Get out of your comfort zone and socialize. In the foyer, smile and say hello to them.
Remember their name, and make sure to address them by it the next time you speak with them. You should make an effort to show people that you are genuinely interested in them (NOT JUST THEIR GIFTS). Encourage them to communicate about themselves by being a good listener. You can build a bridge for someone to join your team if you take the time to get to know them and truly demonstrate your importance to them.
2. Invite Them To Something Great(er)
Speaking for myself as a church technologist and creative, we frequently enjoy playing the martyr.
“I work alone on all of this.” “I have to spend more time at the church than everyone else.” “I don’t remember the last time I had a Sunday off,” the person said.
Anyone who could be interested in volunteering will be put off by this exact type of presentation. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of this ministry. After all, you do adore this stuff, don’t you? Talk about how much fun operating the equipment can be. Tell people how important it is to establish a worshipful environment. Tell us how you used what you learnt to accomplish something amazing. Tell people how cool the cameras are. Show people the light and sound panels and communicate how fun it is to be part of the experience. This sounds more like an organization that a recruit would want to join.
Keep in mind that people will only naturally participate in something if it benefits them. You must thus invite them to an event that enhances their quality of life. Instead of inviting people to join you in your suffering, talk about this as a chance to accomplish something amazing. If you talk about how much you love participating in production or creative ministry to enough people, I’m ready to bet that others will approach you and beg to get involved.
3. Take On The Role of Coach in the team
Ever had an outstanding coach? What about a teacher who had a significant influence on your life? Years later, I can remember name the mentors who inspired me to improve or who assisted me in achieving a goal I never imagined I could. They are amazing to me since they had nothing to gain from my victory. Simply put, they found pleasure and joy in my success. As we seek out volunteers, this is the role that we must play. We must shift our attention away from the immediate task at hand and onto encouraging others to use their gifts for the glory of God.
Make expressions of praise your default language as you engage others. Be quick to compliment them on their good qualities, no matter how minor. Applaud them for using their talents to honor their Creator and lead people to Christ. Remind them of the significance of what they are doing. Make it simple to win and challenging to lose. Even when they do fail, be encouraging and make the mistake appear simple to fix. You are much more likely to keep someone coming back if you encourage them to try serving with you and work with them in this manner.
4. Do For One What You Can’t Do For All
You might be thinking that everything seems impossible at this moment. This would undoubtedly take a long time to execute. There is no way that you can spend time doing this for everyone because you are already overworked. Truthfully, you’re correct. This is not something you can do for everyone all the time. But I’d advise you to set aside some time to do this for just one person. Give to one person what you would like to give to everyone. If you only have time to meet one person, start with them even if you may want to get to know everyone in your church lobby.
It would be wiser to focus your efforts on one sincere conversation rather than spreading your enthusiasm for this mission to everyone. You could wish to enlist a group of ten new volunteers, but if you can’t effectively manage a small group, you’ll probably struggle to manage a larger one.
It’s best to start small and give it your all while recruiting. Even if you can’t meet for coffee with ten people every day of the week, scheduling one afternoon conversation is a step forward. Even though you might not be able to commit to sending many motivating texts throughout the week, try adding one to your calendar. Even if you might not have enough time, you can undoubtedly teach one person how to use the church’s technology, cameras or lights. Try being deliberate in this season, one person at a time, wherever you are on your journey. You’ll soon be able to reflect on your life and realize how much of an impact you’ve had on many others.
God’s provision is all we need, With His love, we’ll succeed. He’ll guide us through the darkest hour, With His power, we’ll never cower. His provision is all we need, Through His love, we’ll find our speed.
Show me colors I never thought I’d see, Like the shimmering gold of a summer sun, Or the bright, bold shades of a rainbow’s hue, That dance and play in the sky above.
Lead me to a land of possibility, Where every day is an adventure, Where the world is alive with vibrant energy, And the beauty of life is on full display.
Take me on a journey through fields of gold, Where the wheat sways gently in the breeze, Show me the majestic mountains that rise up high, And the sparkling streams that flow with ease.
And when the night falls and the stars come out to play, Lead me to a place where the fireflies dance, Where the night sky is alive with twinkling light, And the world is filled with wonder and chance.
So show me colors I never thought I’d see, And take me on a journey to a world of dreams, Where every day is filled with magic and wonder, And the beauty of life shines bright, it gleams.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re someone who is interested in creating content – whether it be for a blog, social media, or any other platform. And if you’re like me, you may have found the process of coming up with ideas, organizing them, and then actually putting them into words or pictures or video or music, to be a bit overwhelming at times, especially when there is a deadline at hand. New Years. Christmas. Easter and everyone in-between.
But fear not, my friend, because I am here to tell you that the content creation process doesn’t have to be so daunting. In fact, it can be downright enjoyable (yes, you read that right). ENJOYABLE!
Over the years, I have learned a thing or two about how to make the process of creating content more manageable, and I am excited to share those tips with you today.
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that the content creation process is just that – a process. It’s not something that happens overnight and it’s not something that you should try to rush through. Instead, try to embrace the journey and enjoy the ride.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the thought of creating content? Maybe you’re not sure where to start or what steps to take. If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with the content creation process, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
In this blog post, I’m going to break down the content creation process into three simple steps. By following these steps, you’ll be able to easily plan, create, and publish your content with confidence.
So, if you’re ready to streamline your content creation process and start creating amazing content, keep reading. I’ll guide you through each step and provide tips and tricks along the way.
What are the 3 steps of the Content Creation Process?
Creative
Content
Communications Platforms
The Content Creation process by Dean Cothill
On the one hand this is a chronological process but its also so important to look back and keep the flow going…
1. The Creative
So whether it’s a new ad campaign or sermon series, or new ideation project of any kind, this is where the magic happens.
In the creative space, there are no rules. Yes you heard me, no rules. No dream is too big, no idea is too crazy. This is creation in it purest form. Dream. Go Big. Get food and coffee for everyone. Get your favourite snacks and get the team in a beautiful place and come up with every idea under the sun.
Put it all on the wall. Every idea. Every single one.
The beauty of the creative process lies in its unpredictable nature. It is a journey of self-discovery, filled with twists and turns, highs and lows. It is a process that requires us to let go of our need for control and surrender to the unknown. It is in this surrender that we are able to tap into our true potential and create something truly beautiful and authentic. The creative process is a dance between the conscious and unconscious mind, a collaboration between the logical and the intuitive. It is a process that allows us to connect with our deepest desires and bring them to life. It is a journey that teaches us to trust ourselves and our vision, and to have faith in the unknown. In short, the creative process is a breathtaking, wondrous adventure that has the power to transform us and the world around us.
2. The Content
Graphics
Photos
Videos
Graphic Design
Interior Design
Copy
Here is where the method meets the madness. In the Creation Narrative in the book of Genesis we see that The Spirit hovers over the water and brings order to the chaos, the earth is formless and void. We can all the ideas in the world but if they aren’t ordered and structured, they will just remain ideas.
So you and your team have a CREATIVE LIST now, you then choose and grab the best ones that line up with what you guys wanna do, now the question is, how do you communicate those ideas to the world? Video maybe? Some still images? Blog posts? Each creative idea must find a “vessel”.
3. The Communications Platforms
Here quite simply, videos go to particular places (Social media platforms). Words go to particular places. Graphics also go somewhere else. If the team has decided that video is the medium that will be used, here are some questions then. As a team you guys have settled on which social media platforms you guys wanna and need to be on. You can read more here.
How long is the video?
Do we make one long video and break it down into smaller shorter content pieces? Can we :screen grab” images from the video?
Can we use the audio from the video for other platforms?
Will we shoot is 16×9 or rather look at specifics for short form video platforms?
Do we then take that video and grab still from it for social media posts?
How does the video then define the narrative for our copy and blogposts?
What goes on YouTube and what goes on IG or TikTok?
From the copy and voice overs we have created, how many tweets can we get?
All these questions inform our content creation funnel…
Content Creation Funnel by Dean Cothill
Here as we go down the funnel, the prices of content “become smaller” and the platforms for the communication process also changes. Audio goes here and video goes there, still go there and copy goes here. Here we will use various forms and make sure they work well together on that specific platform, like your blog or website. The “look and feel” of the video can be used for stage and interior design layouts. All the pieces of the puzzle slowly start to fit together.
So you have actually only created “1 piece of content”, a 3 minute video, but it informs everything else about the project and actually makes our lives much easier down the road.
In a nutshell – a content creation funnel is the creation and circulation of helpful content – blogs, social media posts, videos, newsletters – to current and prospective visitors and guests! (See image 1)
Other tips include to keep a running list of ideas. This could be a physical notebook, a document on your computer, or even just a list on your phone. Whenever an idea pops into your head, jot it down. This way, when it comes time to actually sit down and create content, you’ll have a wealth of ideas to choose from.
Finally, don’t be afraid to get brave and have fun with the process. Content creation should be an expression of your thoughts, ideas, and personality. Don’t worry about perfection or trying to please “everyone” – just focus on creating something that is authentic and true to you and your team.
So there you have it – a few tips to help make the content creation process a little easier and a lot more enjoyable. I hope they inspire you to embrace your creativity and start creating the content you’ve always dreamed of. Happy creating!
Have you ever found yourself feeling overwhelmed with all the tasks and responsibilities you have on your plate? Or have you ever noticed that you tend to procrastinate on certain tasks and projects, leading to last minute rushes and less than optimal results? If so, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. But there is a solution that can help you save time, increase productivity, and build momentum for your organization: developing routines and habits. We all know how it goes, new ideas, new vision boards, new decor and stage elements and at a crazy pace.
In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the benefits of establishing routines and habits, as well as providing tips on how to create and maintain them. By implementing these strategies, you’ll be able to streamline your daily tasks and make progress on your long-term goals with greater ease and efficiency. So if you’re ready to take control of your time and boost your productivity, keep reading!
This is a no-brainer for some things.
Think about the chaos that would ensue if every week, your church had to ask everyone if they could come to worship on Sunday and what time would work best for them. Based on the responses, the leaders would then decide on a time and let everyone know. Can you imagine the extra work that would involve? And the uncertainty of not knowing when you should show up would likely lead to inconsistent attendance. Instead, churches establish a routine of meeting at the same time(s) every week until further notice. This allows people to easily incorporate the weekly gathering into their schedules. So, by having a consistent routine, everyone benefits!
This same principle can be applied to almost all church communications.
Save time and energy by deciding on a weekly communication routine and sticking to it. This can include what goes on your website, what you post to social media, and what emails you send out. This way, you won’t have to make these decisions every week. Having a consistent routine will help you stay organized and keep your communication channels running smoothly. Make sure that you and your team are on the same page from the get-go.
Not only will a weekly communication routine help you stay organized and keep your communication channels running smoothly, it can also improve your church’s search engine optimization (SEO). This means that your website will rank higher in search results, bringing more visitors to your site. This is because search engines love fresh content, and the more consistent you are in producing and sharing it, the more people will see and share it. So, by developing a routine for your communication efforts, you can benefit both your internal organization and your online presence.
5 Things to Include in Your Weekly Creative Communications Rhythm
Every church is different. The resources, staff, volunteers and types of communication that work best for each church will vary. But somehow we all keep get the same message of DO MORE DO MORE! Slow down, take a deep breath and set it all out before you. It would be impossible to create a weekly communications rhythm that would work for every church. Instead, I’m going to propose some options or ideas to consider and build on for yourself and or your team. None of this is fool proof, we can only plan so much and we can only be so proactive, but I hope this helps…
1) The Message
I recommend sharing audio, video, notes, resources, and action steps from your weekend message as soon as possible after the gathering. Ideally, this can be done on Sunday afternoon if you’re crazy enough, I remember editing photos and videos during the sermon to get stories and visuals out before the end of the service, I was crazy enough to try test myself to see if I can finish editing and then still get to the front of the stage to pray for people, but Monday morning works too.
It’s best to create a separate post or article for each week’s message (instead of adding to an existing page). This way, you can easily share the post on your social channels and make it easier for people to find and access. By sharing this content, you’ll be able to engage with your community and provide valuable resources for them to continue learning and growing.
2) Newsletter
It’s important to keep your community informed about what’s happening at your church. We recommend sharing news and announcements on your website and via email. To make things easier, try doing this the day after you post your sermon to the website. That way, you can mention and link to the sermon materials in your newsletter. This will help your congregation stay in the loop and stay connected to the happenings of your church. By keeping everyone informed, you can foster a sense of community and keep your church running smoothly.
3) Devotionals (and even groups materials)
One way that churches can help their congregations stay focused on Jesus and the weekly theme is by writing and sharing daily devotions. Some churches do this for a short season, while others make it a regular part of their routine. You can also use devotional materials written by others. These devotionals can be shared on your website, via email, and on social media channels. This is a great way to keep your community engaged and connected, and to provide spiritual nourishment on a daily basis. Whether you write your own devotionals or use materials from others, we hope that these resources will help you grow in your faith and strengthen your connection with Jesus.
The Bible App is an amazing tool that’ll assist you and your local church do this really well.
4) Mid-week nugget
If your church is not publishing daily devotions, another option would be to post something in the middle of the week to encourage, inspire or challenge your congregation. This could be:
A blog post by the pastors
A short, 1-2 minute audio or video clip from the weekend message
A testimonial from a member of the congregation
Pictures, video or story of the people of your congregation living out their faith, responses from the weekend, kids church appraisal etc.
5) Weekend teaser
Want to build excitement for your upcoming weekend service? A great way to do this is by posting a question related to the message on your social channels. Friday afternoon is a good time to do this, as it gives people time to think about their response and engage with the content. When crafting your question, try to make it something that is easy for people to respond to. If it’s too personal or too theological, you may not get much engagement. By asking a thought-provoking question, you can spark conversation and interest in your upcoming service.
In conclusion, developing a weekly creative and communications rhythm can greatly benefit your church team. By establishing routines and habits, you can streamline your tasks and make progress on your long-term goals with greater ease and efficiency. Some strategies to consider include deciding on a weekly communication routine, sharing audio, video, notes, resources, and action steps from your weekend message, keeping your community informed about what’s happening at your church, writing and sharing daily devotions, and posting thought-provoking questions on social media. By implementing these strategies, you can foster a sense of community, stay organized and on track, and effectively communicate with your congregation. We hope that these tips will help you develop a weekly creative and communications rhythm that works for your church team.
Now that you know how to get onto Google Business and you’ve got that up and running…
Where to from here?
Google reviews are an important aspect of any local churches online presence. Not only do they help to improve the visibility of your church in search results, but they also serve as a trusted source of information for potential church visitors or guests. In today’s digital age, (church goers/seekers/christians/consumers) rely heavily on the opinions of others when making purchasing decisions, and Google reviews provide a platform for your “people” to share their experiences with your church. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why Google reviews are so important for your local listings and how they can help to drive traffic to your church.
Did you know… the number of Google reviews is one of the biggest factors in Google’s local search algorithm?
Take a moment and see for yourself:
Google “church in [your city].”
Look under the map at the “Local 3 Pack,” add together the number of reviews the 3 churches there have, and divide by 3 to get the average number of reviews.
Click the map in the Local 3 Pack to see the top 20 results in Google maps
Scroll down and take a look at how many reviews churches towards the bottom of the top 20 have.
Big difference, right?
How do you get more Google reviews for your church?
Glad you asked. Here are…
3 Ways to Get More Google Reviews for Your Church
1) Add a Google Business Profile icon/link in the header or footer of your website.
By placing social media icons that link to your church’s profiles on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, you can encourage members to review your Google Business Profile. Including these icons makes it easy for visitors to access and read all of the positive reviews that your church has already received. This simple step can help to drive traffic and engagement on your online profiles, as well as improve the overall visibility of your church in search results.
2) Post a request for reviews to social media.
One way to encourage your followers on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to leave reviews for your church is to post a request for reviews and include a link to your Google Business Profile. Remind people that by posting a review, they are not only sharing their positive experiences with your church, but they are also helping to improve your church’s search rankings and reach a wider audience online. Highlighting the specific ways in which your church has made an impact on people’s lives through the power of God can be a particularly effective way to motivate people to visit your church in person on Sunday.
3) Send email and/or texts to members asking them to post a review.
As it becomes increasingly difficult to reach people through social media channels, email and text message communication can be effective alternatives. Both of these mediums tend to have high open rates, and you can make your request for reviews more personalized in an email or text. When asking for reviews through email or text, be sure to include a link to your Google Business Profile and explain how the reviews will help your church achieve its mission. It’s also important to be mindful of Google’s efforts to combat fake reviews. If your church receives a large number of reviews in a short period of time, it may be flagged by Google’s algorithm as suspicious. To avoid this, it’s best to aim for a steady stream of reviews rather than a sudden influx.
To avoid triggering any red flags with Google’s algorithm, it’s best to gradually collect reviews from your congregation rather than sending a mass email all at once. A good goal is to aim for around 5 reviews per week. You can start by sending an email request to a small group of people, such as 20 individuals, and then assess the response after a week. If you receive a high number of reviews, such as 10, you can scale down the number of people you email the following week. On the other hand, if you only receive a few reviews, you can try increasing the number of people you email to see if that leads to more reviews. This approach allows you to adjust your strategy based on the response rate and ensure that you are collecting reviews at a natural and sustainable pace. Natural and organic is key here.
In today’s digital world, Google reviews are more critical than ever for local communities, businesses and churches. Not only do they help to improve the visibility of your church in search results, but they also serve as a trusted source of information for potential visitors and guests. By encouraging your people to leave reviews and actively managing your online reputation, you can build trust and credibility with potential guests and drive traffic to your community. So don’t underestimate the power of Google reviews – they are an essential part of any successful digital marketing strategy.
Gratitude is a powerful emotion that has the ability to transform our lives and relationships for the better. It can help us to appreciate the people, experiences, and things that bring joy and meaning to our lives. In this blog post, we will explore the many benefits of cultivating gratitude, and provide tips for how to make it a daily practice. By learning to express gratitude regularly, we can improve our mental and physical well-being, strengthen our relationships, and lead more fulfilling lives.
How to show gratitude online
One way to show gratitude to people online is to simply say “thank you” when they do something that you appreciate. This can be as simple as thanking someone for answering a question or providing a helpful suggestion. It’s important to be sincere and specific when expressing gratitude, so be sure to mention what you are thanking the person for and why you appreciate it.
Another way to show gratitude is to express your appreciation for someone’s character or actions. For example, you might say something like “I really appreciate your kindness and generosity” or “I’m so grateful for your support and encouragement.” By focusing on the person’s positive qualities, you can show that you value them as an individual and not just for what they have done for you.
A third way to show gratitude is to offer a small gesture of appreciation, such as sending a virtual gift or sending a handwritten note. These gestures can be especially meaningful if you are unable to be physically present with the person.
A fourth way to show gratitude is to simply be there for someone when they need it. Whether it’s offering a listening ear or providing practical assistance, being a supportive presence can mean a lot to someone who is going through a difficult time.
A fifth way to show gratitude is to make an effort to stay in touch with people, even when you are busy or live far apart. A simple message or phone call can go a long way in letting someone know that you care about them and value their friendship.
A sixth way to show gratitude is to celebrate the achievements and milestones of the people in your life. Whether it’s a big accomplishment or a small win, taking the time to acknowledge and celebrate someone’s success can mean a lot to them.
Finally, a seventh way to show gratitude is to simply be grateful and express your appreciation for the people in your life on a regular basis. This can be as simple as telling someone “I’m so glad to have you in my life” or sending a message to let them know that you are thinking of them. By expressing your gratitude frequently and consistently, you can strengthen your relationships and build deeper connections with the people in your life.
So let’s break it down…
“Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it.”
“I can’t thank you enough for your advice and guidance.”
“I’m grateful to you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.”
“I appreciate your willingness to lend a helping hand.”
“Thank you for being such a great support and encouragement.”
“I’m grateful for your kind words and encouragement.”
“Thank you for always being there for me and for your ongoing support.”
There you go, copy and paste these into a few chats…
Let’s have an attitude of gratitude, together, online.
“Google SEO” and Google Business isn’t something that should scare us off the bat, I’m going to try and simplify as much of it as possible as we go here.
“Google SEO” is important for a local community church in South Africa (or really any organization) because it helps to increase the visibility of their website in search engine results. This can be especially important for a small, local church because it can help more people in the community discover their church and learn about the services and events they offer. Additionally, having a strong online presence can help to establish credibility and make it easier for people to get in touch with the church or learn more about it. Overall, Google SEO can be a useful tool for helping a local community church in South Africa reach a wider audience and connect with more people in their community.
Why is “Google Business” important for my local church?
Having a Google My Business listing can be beneficial for your local church in several ways:
Increased visibility: Having a listing on Google My Business can help your church’s website show up higher in search results when people search for churches in your area.
Connect with your community: Google My Business allows you to share information about your church, such as your service times, location, and contact information, making it easier for people in your community to find and connect with you.
Online presence: Having a listing on Google My Business can help to establish your church’s online presence and make it easier for people to learn about your church and the services you offer.
Customer reviews: Google My Business allows customers to leave reviews of your church, which can help to build credibility and establish your church as a trusted place of worship in your community.
Insights: The Google My Business dashboard provides insights about how people are interacting with your listing, such as how many people have viewed your listing and how they found it. This can help you understand the effectiveness of your online presence and make any necessary adjustments.
How to setup Google Business for my local church
To set up your church’s Google My Business listing, follow these steps:
Go to the Google My Business website (https://www.google.com/business/) and click “Start now” to begin the process of creating a listing.
Enter your church’s name and address. If your church has a physical location that is open to the public, you can also add your phone number and website.
Choose the category that best describes your church (e.g., “church,” “place of worship,” etc.) and add any additional information about your church that you would like to include (e.g., services offered, mission statement, etc.).
Verify your listing by choosing the option that is most convenient for you. This may involve receiving a postcard in the mail with a verification code, or verifying by phone or email.
Once your listing has been verified, you can begin to manage it by logging in to the Google My Business dashboard. From here, you can add photos, update your hours of operation, and respond to customer reviews.
I hope this help answer some of your questions around some “Google SEO” and how it links up with setting up your “Google Business”. Here is another article related to why SEO is so key in more depth.
