When it comes to relaying information to your parishioners or the community, there’s nothing as important as good communication. Using the right communication channels is imperative for nonprofits. After all, if your message doesn’t reach your audience, it doesn’t matter how life-changing it is; they must hear your message to act on it.
But with so many communication channels available, which ones are the right ones for parishes?
The Top Communication Channel for Parishes: Home
When people search for information, the first place they go is the Internet…and the best place for them to find out more about you is on your website. According to a poll from the Nonprofit Marketing Guide, 80% of nonprofits find their own website is king when it comes to communicating with the world. Having an easy-to-navigate, mobile-friendly website is your number one priority; number two is making sure it’s consistently updated with your latest news and information. A blog, resources, information about you, and an easy way to learn more by contacting you should all be part of your website strategy—designed not only to bring people into the fold but to keep them there.
The Communication Channel Growing for Parishes: Social Media
Second only to their own website, 71% of nonprofits like churches use social media channels to communicate with the world. Social media is no longer just a “fun” way to reach out—it’s critical to your success. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram are hands-down the most popular channels (in that order) and should be a vital part of your parish’s strategy. Video, especially, has grown in popularity on all these platforms.
Possibly the Most Effective Communication Channel for Parishes: Email
In addition to putting information on your website and social channels, email remains one of the top three solutions for communication for nonprofits. Sixty-seven percent of nonprofits find it very useful, but it’s also often considered the most effective channel. Because email is pushed directly to users’ inboxes, parishes can engage with their audience using this channel most effectively. Of course, having a strong subject line and compelling reasons for emailing are always key.
The Secret Behind Good Communication
Other methods of communication remain for parishes such as events, print, and media relations, but today, none quite hold the power of a good website, social media, and email. To communicate most effectively, nonprofits should implement a time-tested solution. Contact ParishSOFT to discover how our software can help you and your parishioners to better track events and data better than ever. Ready to see our software in action for yourself? Register now for an upcoming demo or call 866-930-4774 x6 to learn more.
