How often do you go to a restaurant or movie without checking websites or reviews? In today’s world, guests and visitors will be well acquainted with your church before they even turn into the parking lot. You can take steps to make sure you are showing hospitality to people you haven’t even met—yet.
- Check your website. Your website will be one of the first ways visitors learn about your church and ministry. If it is outdated or hard to navigate, it can be a turnoff. Check to make sure there aren’t outdated photos or calendars. Invest in help to clean up your website if you don’t have the knowhow. A website doesn’t have to be complicated. A basic, well-designed page with service times and locations will do the job. If your social media accounts are more up to date than your website, keep your site simple and link out to social media.
- Keep advertisements clean and professional. If you cannot afford to hire a graphic designer to create your flyers, banners, or social media posts, use free online services like Canva. Images should be simple and words should be straightforward. This is no time for puns or being clever. A direct “You’re invited to our Easter Celebration” is fine. Make sure to include all the essentials—name of your church, address, website, and worship times.
- Be a friendly face. If you are handing out invitations or flyers, be kind and respectful to business owners and school officials, even if they will not allow you to post flyers or send them home with students. Showing grace and humility can make a huge impact.
- Check your answering machine or service. If someone calls to ask a question, how does your voicemail sound? If the recording sounds scratchy or unfriendly, rerecord it. Take the time to record messages as many times as necessary to sound friendly and welcoming. Update your messaging with Holy Week and Easter worship times. Return messages right away.
- Spruce things up. Make sure the lawn is mowed and plant flowers. Wash windows and vacuum. Make sure all lights in the parking lot and in the building are working. Touch up peeling paint.
- Keep social media accounts current and post frequently. Gather a stockpile of ready-to-go messages that you can post throughout the days leading up to Easter. Make sure each contains an invitation to Easter services and all additional events like an Easter egg hunt or pancake breakfast. Consider paying to boost posts or buy ads on social media.
- Invite a non-member who you know and trust to visit your church like secret shopper and offer feedback. Tell that person specifically what you’re looking for: How easy was it to find a place to sit? How many people greeted you? Were you confused about the service or what to do after the service?
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