Blog Layout

6 Tips to Successfuly Employ Email Marketing

Jono Long • January 11, 2022

Slowly but surely, social media and influencer marketing have encroached and are taking over the digital marketing landscape. Sure, there are already well-established digital marketing techniques around, but these are just two of the newer strategies that will surely be here to stay. Of course, one might assume that long-time marketing strategies like email marketing will soon die out because of these new strategies, but that's not true. The only reason so many people find email marketing not to work is that they're not doing it right.


That said, if you are looking to utilize email marketing, here are what you must do to ensure success:


1. Set Your Goals


Whether you're working on an email marketing campaign for your business or your personal use, you need to start by writing down what you want to achieve. It's easy to get caught up in the idea of just getting started, but nothing takes off without a clear goal. Define what you want to accomplish with your email marketing, the kind of results you're looking for, and the tools you plan to use to get the job done.


2. Write an Email Copy


For your email marketing to be effective, you need to write something that your audiences will want to open and read. This means that you need to not only get their attention but also hold it for longer than a few seconds. It's okay to include a bit of humor in your emails, but it's important to keep your email copy readable and simple.


3. Build a Mailing List


If you want your email marketing campaign to be effective and produce results, you need to build your mailing list first. By only sending your email to a select group, you'll be able to stay in touch with your target audience. And, of course, you'll be able to manage the list a lot easier in the long run.


4 . Create an Email Newsletter Template


Email marketing is effective when you manage to send emails in a timely manner. This means that you'll need to create an email template and schedule your emails to go out at a predetermined time. This way, you'll be able to ensure that your emails go out on time and reach your audience.


5. Set Up a Tracking Tool


You'll need to set up a tracking tool for your email marketing campaign as well. It's important that you monitor the number of total emails sent and opened by your mailing list. This way, you'll know for certain if your campaign is worth continuing.


6. Test, Test, Test


The most important part of your email marketing campaign is testing. There's a lot that you can learn by testing different factors, including your subject line, the time you send your emails, your email copy, and the list of people you send it to.


Conclusion


Setting up an email marketing campaign can be challenging, but it's not impossible. By keeping these things in mind, you'll be able to ensure that your email marketing goes smoothly. That said, always remember to experiment! You never know if a specific campaign will work unless you try it out for yourself. Also, feel free to reach out to digital marketing agencies if you need further help. They can ensure that your efforts are made right, maximizing results.


Faithworks Marketing offers marketing services for churches and nonprofits. If you are looking for
digital marketing for churches in Georgia, reach out to us today!

Jono Long

Digital Marketer for 10 years. Formerly a Youth Pastor for 21 years.

A man with a beard is sitting in a chair wearing a hat.

Latest Posts

By Jono Long February 19, 2025
The mission of the church has always been to reach people with the gospel, but the methods of doing so have evolved. In the past, word-of-mouth, community events, and print media were the primary ways churches engaged with their communities. Today, however, people spend a significant portion of their lives online, making digital platforms the new mission field. Despite this shift, some pastors and church leaders resist the idea of marketing, believing it to be unspiritual or unnecessary. However, as Pastor George Ashford of Journey Church in Columbia, SC, explains in a recent episode of the Pro Church Marketing Podcast , evangelism has always been about meeting people where they are—and in 2025, that place is social media. This blog will explore why churches need to embrace digital marketing, how Journey Church successfully uses social media for outreach, and practical steps your church can take to expand its online presence. The Misconception About Church Marketing One of the biggest pushbacks against digital marketing in churches is the belief that "we don’t need marketing, we just need to preach the word." Many pastors see social media outreach as unnecessary, or worse, a distraction from traditional evangelism. However, as Pastor Ashford pointed out in the podcast, evangelism has always been about going where the people are . John Wesley, one of the founding figures of the Methodist movement, didn’t wait for people to come to a church building—he went into fields, coal mines, and public squares to preach. The same principle applies today: if people are spending hours on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, then churches must be there too. Critics of church marketing often don’t realize that many of the methods they already use—flyers, event invitations, and even a church website—are forms of marketing. Digital platforms simply allow churches to do the same thing more effectively and on a larger scale . How Journey Church Uses Digital Marketing Effectively Journey Church, under the leadership of Pastor George Ashford, has embraced digital marketing as an essential tool for reaching people. Their approach includes: ✅ Social Media Outreach – Journey Church actively shares sermon clips, event promotions, and ministry highlights on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok . This ensures their message reaches beyond just those who attend on Sundays. ✅ YouTube Testimonies – The church created a "Journey Responsible Church" YouTube page featuring real-life testimonies on topics like mental health, addiction, and domestic violence . These videos are not just about promoting the church but providing valuable content that helps people . ✅ Online Giving Strategy – By establishing a strong online giving system before the COVID-19 pandemic, Journey Church was able to sustain financial support even when in-person attendance was not possible. ✅ Quality Over Quantity – They prioritize good sound and video quality to make sure their messages are heard clearly and professionally. As Pastor Ashford said, “If people can’t hear you, then your message is lost.” These strategies have allowed Journey Church to grow in both reach and impact —all by leveraging the power of digital marketing. Key Strategies for Churches to Improve Their Online Presence If your church is new to digital marketing, here are five key steps to help you get started: 1. Embrace Social Media Your church doesn’t have to be on every platform, but it should at least have an active presence on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Each platform serves a different purpose: Facebook – Best for engaging with church members, sharing announcements, and live streaming. YouTube – Perfect for sermon uploads, Bible studies, and testimonials. Instagram/TikTok – Ideal for short, engaging clips that attract younger audiences. 2. Be Consistent A social media page that only posts once every few months isn’t effective. Create a schedule for regular posts, whether it’s daily, weekly, or bi-weekly . 3. Prioritize Quality Good lighting, clear audio, and engaging visuals make a difference. Invest in a good microphone and camera or partner with a company like Faithworks to ensure high-quality content. 4. Encourage Online Giving Digital giving is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity. Services like Tithe.ly, Pushpay, and PayPal allow members to give from anywhere . As Pastor Ashford pointed out, 50% of Journey Church’s weekly giving now comes from online sources. 5. Track Your Progress Use analytics tools to track engagement. Facebook and YouTube provide insights on views, shares, and comments , helping you understand what type of content resonates most with your audience. Overcoming Fear and Resistance Many churches hesitate to embrace digital marketing because they fear change or feel overwhelmed by technology. However, as Pastor Ashford pointed out, resistance to social media often comes from fear of being left behind . He shared a humorous but profound analogy: "If someone tells me social media marketing isn’t necessary, I ask them—do you still have a big, old-school TV in your house? Probably not. Technology has changed, and so should the church." Churches that fail to adapt are missing out on reaching an entire generation that consumes content primarily through digital platforms. Instead of rejecting social media, churches should use it as a tool to expand their impact . Conclusion The message of the gospel is timeless, but the methods of sharing it must evolve. Social media is not a replacement for evangelism—it is a tool for evangelism. As Pastor Ashford passionately emphasized in the podcast: "Just do it!" Don’t wait until everything is perfect. Start small, stay consistent, and use every tool at your disposal to reach more people for Christ. By embracing digital marketing, your church can extend its reach, engage its community, and fulfill its mission in the modern world. If your church needs help with social media marketing, consider partnering with experts like Faithworks to ensure your content is professional, engaging, and effective. Also, check out Journey Church’s YouTube channel (search for Journey Responsible Church ) to see a great example of how a church can use digital platforms to make an impact. 🔹 What’s one step your church can take today to improve its online presence? Let us know in the comments!
Church's Online Presence
By Jono Long February 16, 2025
Learn why a clear online presence is vital for your church's growth. Discover key elements and strategies to enhance your reach and engagement.
website
By Jono Long February 11, 2025
Discover how visual content can capture attention and boost engagement on church websites. Learn tips for choosing effective visuals and measuring success.
SEO
By Jono Long February 4, 2025
Learn how churches can tackle SEO challenges with local SEO, improved website performance, and engaging content strategies for better online presence.
Social Media
By Jono Long January 28, 2025
Discover simple ways to boost church attendance using engaging social media content and strategies to connect with your community. Read more!
Advertising
By Jono Long January 21, 2025
Learn how advertising for churches can move your audience from awareness to active participation. Explore strategies and tips for success. Read on!
By Jono Long January 17, 2025
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
church community online
By Jono Long January 14, 2025
Discover fun online activities to connect your church community through virtual events, social media, and digital storytelling. Read on to know more!
Google Ad Grant
By Jono Long January 7, 2025
Learn how to use Google Ad Grant for reaching more people. Set up campaigns, create ads, and measure success with simple tips. Read on to know more!
By Jono Long January 3, 2025
As churches navigate an ever-evolving cultural and technological landscape, reaching communities effectively requires innovation, intentionality, and an unwavering commitment to serving people where they are. In this episode of the Pro Church Marketing Podcast, host Jono Long sat down with Doug Garasic, pastor of Rust City Church in Ohio, to discuss what it means to truly impact communities in meaningful ways. Their conversation offered a wealth of insights for pastors and church leaders ready to embrace bold outreach strategies and sustainable growth. The Foundation: “Known Before Needed” One of the standout principles Doug shared is that churches must be “known before needed.” In times of personal crisis or pivotal life moments, people look to the church. Doug emphasized that making an impact requires consistent presence and visibility in the community. This visibility isn’t about flashy marketing or gimmicks—it’s about meeting tangible needs and building trust over time. For example, Rust City Church moved beyond traditional outreach methods like backpack giveaways, which were already saturated in their area. Instead, they asked local schools what they truly needed. The answer? Support for teachers. The church transformed a school library into a spa day for faculty and staff, complete with massages, gift cards, and supplies. This disruption of expectations created a memorable and meaningful experience, leaving a lasting impression of care and support. Building Outreach on Intentionality A key takeaway from Doug’s story is the importance of intentionality. Churches must resist the urge to replicate what others are doing and instead focus on real community needs. Before launching an outreach effort, Rust City Church asks, “What’s not being done that needs to be done?” This intentional approach not only avoids redundancy but ensures their actions resonate with the people they serve. One innovative example is their "Black Friday Survival Kit" initiative. Instead of focusing on shoppers, they provided lattes, snacks, and stress-relief items to mall employees working on the busiest day of the year. Simple yet impactful, this initiative highlighted the church’s creativity in identifying overlooked segments of the community. Sustaining Momentum: Less is More Doug highlighted the danger of burnout for both church leaders and members. To combat this, Rust City Church focuses on doing fewer events but executing them with greater impact. By choosing two to four key outreach initiatives annually and dedicating their full resources to them, they ensure each event is impactful, memorable, and sustainable. Doug also shared an essential leadership principle: every successful initiative needs a “champion” within the congregation and an external “coach” for guidance. This dual structure helps churches maintain energy, focus, and excellence without overwhelming their teams. Learning from Failures Not every effort yields the desired results, as Doug candidly admitted. In one instance, Rust City Church gave away a fully remodeled home to a family in need, only to have the family sell the house within weeks. While disheartening, the experience reinforced the importance of learning from mistakes and seeking guidance from organizations with more experience in similar efforts. “Cracking the code” of impactful outreach requires patience, trial, and humility. It’s about aligning passion with processes to create enduring change. Marketing Beyond the Walls For Doug, effective church marketing isn’t about flashy ads or exaggerated promises. He describes the dangers of “monster truck marketing”—overblown promotions that fail to deliver genuine impact. Instead, he advocates for sharing authentic stories of community engagement. By amplifying the meaningful work churches are already doing, they not only attract people but also build a reputation as a vital and trustworthy presence in the community. Playing the Long Game Doug’s advice for 2025 is clear: churches must embrace the long game. The goal isn’t to fill seats overnight but to create a culture of care and service that naturally attracts people when they’re ready for spiritual growth. As Doug puts it, “Even people who don’t attend our church should be glad we’re here.” For pastors and leaders looking to make a deeper impact in their communities, the principles shared in this conversation offer a roadmap: be intentional, prioritize sustainability, embrace innovation, and always lead with love. 
More Posts
Share by: