Dean Cothill

Tag: what is SEO

  • How to Develop a Weekly Creative and Communications Rhythm in your teams

    How to Develop a Weekly Creative and Communications Rhythm in your teams

    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.

  • How can our church get more local reviews on Google Business?

    How can our church get more local reviews on Google Business?

    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.

    Let’s stay in touch

    Grace and Peace

    Dean

  • Let’s show some gratitude online…

    Let’s show some gratitude online…

    Less grumpy, more gratitude.

    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…

    1. “Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it.”
    2. “I can’t thank you enough for your advice and guidance.”
    3. “I’m grateful to you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.”
    4. “I appreciate your willingness to lend a helping hand.”
    5. “Thank you for being such a great support and encouragement.”
    6. “I’m grateful for your kind words and encouragement.”
    7. “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.

    Grace and peace

    Dean

  • 25 Ways to Promote your Church’s New Years Vision on Social Media

    25 Ways to Promote your Church’s New Years Vision on Social Media

    Vision Sunday is around the corner isn’t it? What’s the word? What’s the statement that’s being plastered everywhere? Where are we going as a church this year? Whats the plan? Here a couple of ideas to try and nudge you and your team in the right direction…

    Right away… Let go!

    1) Use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp etc to recruit a virtual DREAM TEAM, people in your church who are engaged in social media and will help lead efforts to promote the Christmas production. Call them your social media INFLUENCERS (LOL) if you will…

    2) Create a social media promotional schedule in Google Docs. Share it with your dream team, get their input, add to it & improve it based on their input. Make a WhatsApp group if you want to share details quickly…

    3) Create a Facebook event for your activation or the start of your years service(s).

    4) Post the event to your church’s Facebook page, invite guests, invite your friends. (Your church does have a Facebook page, right?) Right? See more here.

    5) You & your virtual dream team share the event on your personal Facebook profiles & encourage others to do the same. Share. Share. Share.

    6) Post the event to any other social media profiles your church may have (Twitter, Instagram, etc)

    7) You & your virtual dream team share your church’s post promoting the event on your personal profiles (Twitter, Instagram, etc)

    8 ) Run a Facebook ad to promote your Christmas production. Boost or promote the post and get more engagement

    Create a promotional video for your Christmas service, and…

    9) Put the promotional video on YouTube, TikTok and Facebook, see number 10.

    10) Share the YouTube video on your church’s Facebook page.

    11) You & your virtual dream team share the YouTube video on your personal Facebook profiles and encourage others to do the same. Send the link on your WhatsApp groups and get as many people sharing…

    12) Share the video to any other social media profiles your church may have (Twitter, Instagram, etc)

    13) You & your dream street team share your church’s video promoting the event on your personal accounts on those same social platforms (Twitter, Instagram, etc)

    Reach out to other local organizations

    14) Find local online guides that have an event calendar. Submit your event, embed or link to the YouTube video. Local churches in PE will be familiar with http://pechurchnet.co.za/

    15) Find the Facebook pages for your city, chamber of commerce, & other local community organizations. “Like” their page. Then post the Facebook event to their wall if you can do that in a non-spammy way. Make friends. Be nice. Get the word out…

    16) Find on other social platforms (Twitter, Instagram, etc) profiles for your city, chamber of commerce, & other local community organizations. Send them a DM & ask if they would share your post about your Christmas production. Really make it a community event.

    If your Activation or Vision Sunday services span more than one Sunday…

    17) Post pics from the first day/night to your church’s Facebook page. Be sure to tag as many people as you can. Tagging will cause those pics to show up on those people’s profiles for them and their friends to see.

    18) You and your dream team share those pics on your Facebook profiles. Tag tag tag.

    19) Post some of the pics to your church’s other social profiles (Twitter, Instagram, etc)

    20) You and the dream team, share those pics. Personally.

    21) Create a video that includes footage from the opening day & short comments from people afterwards saying good things about it. Post the video to YouTube.

    22) Share the opening day/night video on your church’s Facebook pages and groups…

    23) You & your virtual dream team share the opening night video on your personal Facebook profiles & encourage others to do the same.

    24) Share the opening night video using your church’s other social accounts (Twitter, Instagram, etc).

    25) You & your virtual dream team share your church’s posts of the opening day/night video on other social accounts (Twitter, Instagram, TikTok etc).

  • Why is SEO important for my local church?

    Why is SEO important for my local church?

    I started in the Methodist Church as a bight eyes bushy tailed 19 year old, for 9 years being a youth, young adults and worship pastor in Johannesburg and then here in Port Elizabeth (South Africa). I then changed jobs a little and then found myself in a non-denominational church for 5 years being the Online Church Pastor. (A video for another day – LOL). One church had 1000 members a service, other services we were hoping for 20 people to arrive, yes, 20! and then pre pandemic we had 2000 people per service 3 times a Sunday…

    It doesn’t matter if you’re a large church or a small church—if your website isn’t getting traffic, it’s not going to be successful. And unfortunately, getting people to visit your website is not as easy as it used to be. Search engine optimization (SEO) has become more important than ever in order for churches to get the attention of their target audiences. That’s why I’ve put together this list of five reasons why SEO is essential for churches and online churches today:

    SEO is important for increasing traffic to your church website

    Search engine optimization is important because it helps you to rank higher in search engines, like Google. This will increase the amount of traffic your website gets, which is the most effective way to drive more sales and leads. Having a high ranking on Google can also help you get more exposure through organic traffic and social media channels.

    If you want to grow your church and online church, SEO is one of the best ways to achieve this goal. Because it takes time for results, it’s an ideal long term strategy for any church pastor and creative team who doesn’t want their success dependent on short term gains from promotions or paid advertising campaigns. (So much money spent on Facebook Ads, and sometimes even more now port pandemic)

    SEO provides a higher ROI than traditional marketing

    SEO is a long-term strategy, so it’s more cost effective. SEO provides better ROI than traditional marketing. Printing 5000 flyers at the robots or local mall will only go so far. There are only 5000 of them, we don’t know who actually sees these flyers and it ends there. We have all had that one post that goes a little viral, and it just goes much further than we ever thought it could’ve.

    SEO is more targeted than traditional marketing: When you use SEO to target your audience, you can reach them when they are ready to buy and convert on your website. This is not possible with other forms of advertising, which means that the people who see your ad are much more likely to visit your church or event in the future.

    Local Church SEO is more measurable than traditional marketing: Because Google Analytics tracks all of the information about how users interact with websites, it makes sense for us to know if our efforts are paying off or not! and here we can then innovate and pivot if we need to.

    SEO builds trust and credibility

    Search engines are known for their good taste. If a website is well-known and respected, it’ll rank higher in search results. This means that you will be rewarded for the time and effort you’ve put into building trust with your audience.

    After all, if you’re an established church that built a good reputation online, why would people not trust you and your team?

    SEO helps build credibility among potential congregation or community members and helps them see that you’re trustworthy—a church they can rely on.

    SEO increases your market share

    So terrible to think like this but, Jesus has called us to go fishing, and let’s catch so much fish that the nets break… Search engine optimization is a long-term strategy. You can’t expect to see results overnight. That said, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, SEO can increase your market share—and the amount of fish you catch. Peter, Paul and John spent many nights on the water… How many nights you spending online?

    It helps you reach new members through organic search engine placement. Not only do unique visitors come from local searches, but those who visit your website will be more likely to actually check you out online for a church service or visit you in person.

    Search engines help drive traffic back to your site so that visitors stay on it longer—which means they’ll get more value out of their experience with you and are more likely to return again later on down the road, online or in person.

    SEO has the best ROI over time

    SEO has the best ROI over time. We in ministry for the long run, yeah?

    While PPC can be a great short-term strategy, it’s important to understand that with SEO, you’re investing in your church online presence for the long term. In other words, as you grow and invest in your church online, so too will your investment in SEO grow and pay off over time. So if you’re looking for a quick win that’ll help you get started on this journey, look elsewhere—SEO is a long game that requires patience and dedication but will eventually reap rewards if you stick with it.

    There are many benefits to using search engine optimization (SEO) in your church.

    Search engine optimization is an essential part of every churches marketing strategy. It is the best return on investment (ROI) and has many long-term benefits to your church.

    SEO is a low cost marketing strategy that increases your “market” share, which will lead to more people attending church and getting connected to community in the long run.

    Conclusion

    As you can see, SEO is an essential part of any local churches’ marketing strategy. It provides many benefits that other types of marketing don’t have—including higher returns on investment and greater trust in your “brand”. If you still aren’t convinced that SEO is right for your church, then consider the fact that it has the best ROI over time because there are no upfront costs involved! That means you can start seeing results right away without having to spend big bucks first. So what are you waiting for? Start implementing these strategies today!

    Church leaders (and maybe even business owners), I hope this helps…

    Contact me if you have any questions about SEO and other online presence management things.

    Much love

    Dean