Creating a Ministry Communication Strategy

With a new school year looming nearer and nearer it’s go time for us in the youth ministry world. If you’re anything like me you’re wondering where the summer went! We’re working on calendars, churning out promo materials, focusing on leader training, planning kickoffs, re-configuring small groups, etc.

One thing I’ve noticed that gets overlooked in all the hustle is easily one of the most important: a communication strategy.

• With the plethora of mediums to communicate your message(s), which ones are the most effective?
• How much time do you want to spend on communication?
• What’s your budget?
• Are you going to change mediums for different audiences?
• What are those methods?

I believe it’s of crazy importance to figure out the most effective way to communicate your message. Is it print materials, social media, email, text, snail mail, phone calls, etc.? If you employ too many mediums, you’ll run yourself ragged (plus if event details change it will take a good chunk of time to update all).

Here are a few really important realizations I’ve had in this area:

1. Students don’t read email. Drop it. Parents do. Use it.
2. Students love their phones. Use it.
3. Social media is powerful.
4. Social media is passive (with exception of DM’s it can easily get lost in the mix).
5. Snail mail has its place every now and again.
6. Text messages will illicit faster responses than any other form of communication.
7. A phone call goes a long way.

So with that in mind, here’s my communication strategy for the upcoming fall semester:

Students

• Weekly
  • Text message
  • Social media (posts)
• Special Events
  • Snail Mail Invite
  • Social Media (Direct messages)
  • Phone Calls

Volunteers (Weekly)

• Text Message (adding short links for attachments if need be)

Parents

• Weekly
  • Social Media (posts)
• Monthly
  • Email Newsletters (Mailchimp)
• Special Events
  • Email
  • Snail Mail

This is what I believe will be the most effective in my community setting.

How about you? Do you have a communication strategy?

CC Image • Johan Larrson on Flickr