One of the first questions that's asked whenever a decision is made to host a Ministry event is 'how do we get the word out and let people know the event'? Unfortunately, most Ministries do not have a full time Marketing team that would handle the task of publicity for event. So the task of 'Marketing' a Ministry event falls into the hands of faithful Church volunteers.
With the explosion of Social Networks over the past few years, volunteers have access to a number of tools that can be used to make the Marketing process efficient, responsive, and easy at the same time controlling cost.
I am becoming a big fan of Facebook's Events application and find it very useful in marketing upcoming Ministry events.
Here are a few of the items that make this application worth a look:
1) Invitation can be sent to both Facebook and non-Facebook Friends
When creating an Event via Facebook, the Event application gives you ability to not only select Facebook friends to be invited, but allows you to enter in email addresses for non-Facebook people that you wish to invite to your event. The nice thing about this app is that guest that are not on Facebook still have the ability view and RSVP the Facebook Event invitation.
2) RSVP
Just like any event, it's a good thing to have an idea of how many people are planning to attend the event. The Facebook Event application contains an RSVP section that will allow guest to respond 'Attending', 'Maybe Attending', or 'Not Attending'. This is a good method to get a head count if additional event modifications are need based on attendance.
3) Updates to Guest
If additional information or event updates need to be communicated, the Facebook Event application has the ability to send updates to invited guests via Facebook or e-mail. This can be used to generate pre-event feedback, provide instructions, or communicate more information about the event.
4) Printable Guest List
Some events will require pre-registration. From the Events page, the administrator has the ability to print a Guest list which includes those that RSVP'd that they will be attending the Ministry event. Once the guest arrive, the guest list can be checked for pre-registration.
These are just a few of the useful features that have made me a fan of the Facebook Events application.
One of the major drawbacks of this application at this time is that funds cannot be collected for Events. Don't worry, this feature will soon be available according to Facebook sources.
Have you used this Facebook feature to advertise your Ministry event? Let us know the things that you like or dislike?
Related Article: Will Facebook Events Soon Compete With Eventbrite?
Image by JMG Studio
21 July 2009
Communicate Your Ministry Events via Facebook
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