I know it probably doesn’t feel like it, but Advent and Christmas will be here before you know it.
Is your ministry ready for the eyes of people looking online for an Advent or Christmas opportunity that’s right for them?
Yep, that’s right there is more to being ready then just planning the activity in the first place.
People need to know that this activity is available to them.
They usually need to know all of the details. And they must know them early on.
Click here for the video version of this post!
But first, some accolades.
First, can we acknowledge how much hard work you likely already put into getting your Advent and Christmas opportunities out there?
It is seriously no joke to put on multiple December activities in the first place, but to effectively get it out to your community through email early enough???
This deserves kudos.
If you also were able to get it out there in the newsletter, bulletin, a Facebook post, or Instagram post/story, you deserve even more accolades!
Seriously, pat yourself on the back or something. Treat yourself to a favorite beverage.
This takes effort and energy and we’re stoked you are making these digital ministry moves.
Give your events a home.
Now that you are used to spreading the word about your events online and offline, we want to rewire the way you think about online sharing.
Because while emails and Facebook posts, and Instagram stories are good, each of these things can easily be lost in a feed, inbox, or time.
What we would recommend is investing your digital ministry energy into a few evergreen methods of sharing. This way your Advent and Christmas opportunities can be viewed by as many people as possible.
Where to Share About Advent and Christmas:
New Cover Photo
Create a quick new cover photo in Canva with the opportunities, dates, and times listed on them and add this to your ministry Facebook page. This way whenever someone lands on your Facebook page, they will see your upcoming Advent and Christmas events.
Website
Add your opportunities to the homepage of your website. Make sure they are easily viewed upon first look. If you aren’t sure – ask someone who isn’t as used to your website to see what their eyes are drawn to first!
Social Media Video
Make a short < 2 minute video explaining what opportunities you have coming up. Post a version on your Facebook page and pin it. Post another version on your Instagram stories and add the videos to a highlight. This will ensure your video can be viewed long after other posts would have gotten lost in your feed. Make sure to include or add captions!
Text Messages
Tis the season to try something new!
If you already have your community members’ phone numbers in your system, why not try out a texting platform to keep them in the loop with all you have going on.
Emails can easily go unchecked or get lost, but most people will check their text messages daily or every few days at max.
Don’t abuse this power! A daily text would be way overboard for some people. Tread lightly at first so that you don’t get blocked for being spammy.
Note: Make Space for Questions
As you are putting your Advent and Christmas opportunities out there, make sure there is an easy way for people to reach out with questions.
Be sure to make note of anyone that does ask questions. It may be tempting to quickly answer it and move onto more important matters of planning, but this person’s inquiry might be the first time someone reaches out about a ministry event all year.
Christmas and Easter often have a way of bringing people out of the woodwork. Don’t miss an opportunity to share hope, healing, and light with someone who might not have experienced these things in a while.
People will be searching.
As we always remind you, December can be one of the loneliest, most-difficult months for people.
As they search for comfort, peace, meaning, and light in what can be a heavy season, make sure they come across your community with these important tips.