Would you like some free advertising for your church this Easter?

Easter is just three weeks away and church has entered the radar of many people who wouldn't usually come along. How are they going to hear about your church? Perhaps you're doing a letterbox drop, or taking out an advertisement in the local paper. Perhaps you've got your congregation trained and pumped for a doorknock blitz. Perhaps you've got one of the Outreach Media posters on display (the upcoming poster for April is a cracker!).

Here's a left-field suggestion for promoting your church - create a profile on Google Maps. A profile for your church on Google Maps will help people looking for a church this Easter not only find your church, but discover more about it.

First, a quick overview for beginners. Google Maps is a free tool that I have used many times to find my way from one place to another. By entering my location and destination, Google Maps will show me how to get from A to B, with different options if I'm driving, taking public transport or walking. I can even get directions that help me avoid tolls! Particularly helpful is the new Street View option where I can type in an address and see a photo taken from outside that location (no more driving up and down the street looking for number 34 - you already know what it looks like from the outside!). 

That's an overview of Google Maps, but what's that got to do with your church?

Firstly, people use Google (and Google Maps) to find places. Let's say you live in Ashfield and you want to find a church to go to on Good Friday (not wanting to promote a particular church, I randomly chose the first suburb I could think of starting with ‘A’: 'Ashfield’). In Google you type "church Ashfield", and what do you see? This:

A list of churches with web addresses, phone numbers, and a link to 'more'. So which one will I go to? I click on the link to 'more' for the first link - for St John's Anglican Church Ashfield.

Some basic information about the church is listed. However, as a 'business owner' (i.e. Pastor or interested parishoner), you can 'claim the business' (i.e. prove that you belong to the church) and add a whole lot more information. You can add contact details, photos, videos, opening hours (service times!), let people know where they can park etc.

Not everyone will find your church on Google. However, I think most churches would be surprised to learn how many visitors investigate their church online before visiting. It's not that surprising really - research fridges, restaurants and holiday destinations online, so why wouldn't we do some research before walking into a building full of strangers? For those who do look your church up online, it’s easy to provide them with them with information that will help them learn more about your church, and perhaps even make it along to a church service.

There are lots of ways to promote your church and its services this Easter - I'd love to hear what your church is doing (and I'm sure others would too!).

Next week: Inspirational Easter media resources.