Social Media Guide for Churches 2024

Jono Long • September 22, 2024

Growing your church is not easy, but there are certain strategies that can help you. For one, social media has become a powerful tool for churches to connect with their congregations and reach new audiences. A well-managed social media presence can help your church share its message, promote events, and engage with the community in meaningful ways. Understanding how to use social media effectively is essential for building and maintaining an online presence.

Creating a successful social media strategy involves several key steps. From setting up your accounts to creating engaging content and tracking your performance, each part of the process plays a crucial role in your overall success. You need to know which platforms to use, how to create posts that resonate with your audience, and how to measure your efforts to ensure you are reaching your goals.

We specialize in helping churches navigate the complexities of social media. In this guide, we will walk you through the essential steps to creating and maintaining an effective social media presence for your church in 2024. By following these steps, you can connect with your community, share your mission, and grow your online influence.

Setting Up Your Social Media Accounts

The first step in building your church's online presence is setting up your social media accounts. Begin by choosing the right platforms. Popular options include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Each platform serves a different purpose and audience. Facebook is great for community building and event promotion, while Instagram is ideal for sharing photos and short videos.

Create accounts with consistent branding. Use your church's logo and colors in profile and cover images. Ensure your bio is complete with essential information like service times, contact details, and a link to your website. Clarity and consistency build trust and make it easier for people to recognize your church across different platforms.

Once your accounts are set up, familiarize yourself with each platform’s features. Learn how to create posts, use hashtags, and interact with followers. Take advantage of free tools provided by platforms, such as scheduling options and analytics. This groundwork allows you to manage your accounts more effectively and engage with your community right from the start.

Creating Engaging Content

Creating engaging content is crucial for keeping your audience interested and active. Begin by posting a mix of content types. Share photos, videos, inspirational quotes, and event announcements. This variety keeps your feed exciting and encourages followers to interact with your posts.

Plan a content calendar to stay organized. Decide what types of posts to share and when to share them. Regular postings help maintain a lively and engaging social media presence. Aim to post at least a few times a week to keep your audience engaged.

Use stories and live videos to connect in real-time. Share behind-the-scenes looks at church events, introduce church staff, or broadcast live during services. This real-time interaction can make your followers feel more connected to your church. Additionally, include calls-to-action in your posts. Encourage people to comment, like, share, or visit your website for more details. Engaging content captures attention and fosters a sense of community among your followers.

Growing and Engaging Your Audience

Growing your audience involves attracting new followers and keeping them engaged. Start by promoting your social media accounts during services and community events. Encourage your congregation to follow and share your pages. Word of mouth is powerful and can quickly expand your reach.

Collaborate with local businesses and organizations. Cross-promote each other's events and services. This collaboration can introduce your church to new audiences who might be interested in your message and activities.

Run targeted ads to reach specific groups. Platforms like Facebook allow you to define your target audience based on interests, demographics, and location. Even a small budget can significantly increase your visibility. Also, interact with your followers by responding to comments and messages. This creates a sense of community and shows that you value their engagement.

Tracking and Analyzing Your Performance

Tracking and analyzing your social media performance helps you understand what works and what needs improvement. Use the analytics tools available on each platform to monitor your progress. Look at metrics like likes, shares, comments, and follower growth.

Analyze which types of posts receive the most engagement. Identify patterns and preferences among your audience. This information can guide your future content creation, helping you focus on topics and formats that resonate most.

Benchmark your progress over time. Set specific goals for growth and engagement, and compare your results monthly or quarterly. Adjust your strategy based on these insights. For example, if videos get more views than photos, consider producing more video content. Regular analysis helps you stay on track and continually improve your social media presence.

Conclusion

Building a strong social media presence for your church involves setting up accounts, creating engaging content, growing your audience, and tracking performance. Each step helps you connect with your community, share your message, and fulfill your church's mission online.

For expert assistance in launching and managing your social media, contact Faithworks Marketing. Our specialized church social media management services can help your church thrive in the digital space and engage more meaningfully with your congregation. Reach out today to take your church’s social media to the next level.

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AI, Side Hustles, Creative Ministry, and $10K Google Grants: What Every Pastor Needs to Know

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For many pastors today, ministry is both a calling and a financial challenge. As the cost of living rises and church salaries remain modest, more pastors are turning to side hustles and creative income streams to provide for their families. This trend is shaping what many believe will define the next generation of church leaders: bivocational ministry. In a recent episode of The Pro Church Marketing Podcast, host Luke Clayton sat down with Jono Long , founder of Faithworks Marketing, to discuss their parallel journeys from ministry to entrepreneurship. Together, they shared practical strategies for church marketing, candid lessons from business, and encouragement for pastors who feel caught between calling and provision. Ministry Meets Entrepreneurship Both Luke and Jono began in full-time ministry, but financial realities forced them to adapt. Jono, a youth pastor in Georgia, found himself with five kids, a wife at home, and a salary that wasn’t enough to make ends meet. Out of necessity, he turned to social media management for local businesses. What started as a $300-a-month side hustle eventually grew into Faithworks Marketing , an agency serving churches across the country. Luke’s path was similar but marked by burnout. As a communications director at a large church and school, he was responsible for everything creative—websites, graphics, video, and media. With no budget to outsource and a workload that never stopped, he eventually hit a breaking point. Stepping away cold turkey, he launched his own creative business, Increase Creative , which now helps churches with websites, branding, and podcast production. Their stories reflect a growing trend: ministry leaders are often entrepreneurs at heart, using their creativity and problem-solving skills to build businesses that support both their families and the church. Why Bivocational Ministry is the New Normal While many pastors once saw bivocational work as a backup plan, it is quickly becoming the new reality. Church salaries often fall short of providing financial stability, especially for families. Meanwhile, the American cost of living continues to rise. This creates tension for pastors who want to devote themselves fully to ministry but also need to provide for their loved ones. Luke and Jono both noted the guilt factor many pastors feel when pursuing side income, as if it means they are less committed to the church. In reality, bivocational work can be freeing. As Jono shared, when pastors are less dependent on their church paycheck, they can lead with boldness, making decisions based on conviction rather than fear of losing their job. Unlocking the Power of Google Ad Grants One of the most practical tools for churches that Jono highlighted is the Google Ad Grant , which gives qualifying nonprofits up to $10,000 per month in free advertising . Many churches don’t take advantage of it, or they try but see little success. The most common reason: their websites lack content. “Church websites often have only a few words, a mission statement, and service times,” Jono explained. “That will never work for the grant.” Practical tips for churches to maximize the grant include: Create content-rich pages : Google rewards sites with valuable answers to common questions. Leverage sermons : Transcribe and summarize sermons into blog posts to boost SEO. Target felt needs : Ads about prayer, anxiety, or salvation resonate deeply with people searching online. By building a content-driven website and strategically using the grant, churches can expand their reach far beyond Sunday morning. SEO, AI, and the Future of Church Marketing The digital landscape is changing fast. With Google’s AI Overviews now answering many search queries directly, fewer people are clicking through to websites. For churches, this makes content strategy more important than ever . “Good content still wins,” Jono said. “Whether AI-generated or human-written, Google rewards sites that provide thoughtful, helpful answers.” For churches, this means focusing on practical, biblical content that speaks to real needs in their community. Lessons from the Trenches of Business Both Luke and Jono were quick to admit their mistakes. For Luke, the biggest was hiring too fast, taking on employees before his business could sustain them. For Jono, it was diving into websites and SEO without fully understanding them, learning through trial and error. Their honesty underscores an important truth: entrepreneurship is messy. But both emphasized that failure is part of the journey, and perseverance often matters more than a perfect business plan. Creative Side Hustles for Pastors Pastors and ministry leaders often have more marketable skills than they realize. Jono shared how he started a DJ and photo booth company, hiring youth pastors and worship leaders to serve at weddings and proms. Their stage presence, comfort with sound systems, and ability to engage people made them natural fits. Luke, meanwhile, has leaned into podcast production, helping churches launch and manage their shows. Both are examples of how ministry skills—communication, leadership, problem-solving—translate into entrepreneurial ventures. From web design to coaching, from content creation to event services, pastors have opportunities to create side income streams that complement their ministry instead of distracting from it. The conversation between Luke and Jono highlights a new reality: bivocational ministry is here to stay. Pastors no longer have to choose between serving the church and providing for their families. By embracing entrepreneurship, leveraging tools like Google Ad Grants, and using their transferable skills, pastors can thrive both spiritually and financially. The message is clear: you can do ministry, build a business, and serve God faithfully—all at the same time. 🔗 Learn more about Faithworks Marketing: https://faithworksmarketing.com 🔗 Connect with Luke Clayton and explore coaching for bivocational pastors: https://jlukeclayton.com/