If your church is looking to expand your ministry using Facebook, having an effective Facebook strategy for church events is a great place to start. There are many benefits to creating Facebook events for whatever your church has going on—from summer block parties to family movie nights.
You don’t have to be a social media expert to have a church Facebook strategy. All you need is a few simple tips to get you started!
When you hear “Facebook strategy,” you might think it involves a complicated spreadsheet and schedule. But when it comes to creating a Facebook strategy for your church’s events, you really just need to follow a few simple steps to optimize your listing.
Follow Facebook’s Prompts
This may seem obvious, but input all of the information that Facebook prompts you to—including the date, time, location, and description. This basic information not only correctly categorizes everything but also makes it easy for any viewer to find.
Write a Clear Event Description
When writing your event description, make sure any important details are crystal clear, such as what the event is and what people need to bring or do beforehand.
Remember: The people reading your event description might not have heard of your church before. Avoid using churchy language or insider information. Also remember that date, time, and location are all within the Facebook event itself, so no need to repeat that information in the description!
Add a Cover Image
While this might be an afterthought when creating your event, a cover image can speak volumes. It’s often the first thing people see when the event appears in their Feed, so make sure it includes some basic information like the name of the event. You don’t need to include every piece of information, but including one important part can catch viewers’ eye.
You can design your own Facebook event image in a site or tool like Canva, or you can choose an image from a previous event (e.g., from last year’s summer block party).
Open Up the Conversation
Allowing for people to write posts in the Discussion tab within your Facebook event can build excitement, foster community, and give you the chance to answer any questions people may have.
If you’re wary about what people might post, adjust your communication settings within the event to mark “Posts must be approved by a host.” This allows an admin on your Facebook account to approve each post before it goes live.
Encourage Invites from Members
Lastly, one of the major parts of creating a comprehensive Facebook strategy for church events is to have more people attend your events. To that end, encourage your members to invite their friends and family to the Facebook event.
While a personal, in-person invite might be the most effective form of outreach, an event on Facebook that comes from someone they know can open the door for conversation. You can encourage your members to invite their friends in person, and then follow up with the Facebook invite.
Communicating with your congregation or guests can be difficult, but articulating what you need to doesn't have to be painful. Use these FREE text, voice, and email blueprints to kick-start your church communication strategy.
