Digital Evangelism
  • Home
    • Big Data
    • Social Media
  • BLOG
  • RESOURCES
    • RESOURCE MENU >
      • ADVENTIST IDENTITY GUIDELINES
      • BIG DATA RESOURCES
      • BRANDING, IMAGE & DESIGN RESOURCES
      • CHURCH/MINISTRY SPECIFIC RESOURCES
      • COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK BASICS
      • COURSES
      • EMAIL RESOURCES
      • GUIDANCE FOR HIRING SOCIAL MEDIA POSITIONS
      • PODCASTS
      • REPORTS & CASE STUDIES
      • SOCIAL MEDIA RESOURCES
      • (SOCIAL) VIDEO RESOURCES >
        • HOW TO START A VIDEO MINISTRY
      • TEXTING 4 CHURCHES
      • TRACKING & ANALTYICS
      • WATCH VIDEOS & TUTORIALS
      • WEBSITE TIPS
    • SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES
  • SEO
    • SEO TERMS
  • Digital Discipleship & Evangelism
  • COVID-19 RESOURCES
  • eNEWSLETTER

Blog

#DigitalEvangelism

The Rule of 7 and Why It Matters for Churches and Ministries

11/12/2018

 

Jamie Jean Schneider Domm

Digital Strategist for the North American Division. ​​​​​​​​

The “Rule of 7” states that a person needs to be exposed to a message at least seven times before they’ll take a desired action, such as register, RSVP, attend an event, read an article, or participate in some other meaningful way.
 
We should expect that our audiences experience marketing messaging and content overload just like us. It’s estimated that the average adult is exposed to over 3,000 marketing messages a day! Therein lies the challenge. To cut through the clutter, we must utilize a multi-channel, multi-platform approach. Also, consistency with your branding, as well a regular messaging schedule will maximize effectiveness. Channel refers to the communication medium, such as radio, print, TV, and social media. Platform refers to different kinds of social media such as Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram. Truly effective communication strategies work across all channels and platforms to reach people where they are, with one goal or message.

This is often referred to as integrated marketing and may utilize the following channels:
  • Print
  • Email
  • Social media
  • Radio
  • Television
  • Text messages
  • Websites
 
Social media should be part of a comprehensive communication strategy that incorporates both traditional media and digital, working together to maximize impact. In most cases, social media is not used in place of traditional forms of communication, but in addition, as a means of amplifying your message to a larger community.
 
For churches, you’ll most likely want to leverage: in-person interactions and conversations, website updates, text messages, flyers, podium announcements, emails, and your social media profiles. Together, all these efforts help communicate your church brand, and it’s important to consider how the combination of these communication tools reflects your message, mission, and, ultimately, Christ, hopefully drawing people to the gospel. Being strategic is just being intentional with how you orchestrate all the different ways to distribute information and using effective methods of presenting that information. If you find yourself struggling to make sure your membership is informed about events and opportunities, understanding and implementing this multi-channel principle will help improve awareness among your congregation.
 
But with the busyness of life, how can you ensure that your audience prioritizes your messages? Your content must be read before it can have any kind of life-changing effect. To stand out, your messages should communicate directly to the reader in a way that is relevant to their life, situation, or needs. Messaging like: “This will make your life easier/help you with a problem,” or “Here’s a chance to learn how to eat healthier/help the community,” or “Here’s an opportunity to gain some insight on that nagging question you have,” is strong, engaging content. 
 
It’s not enough to communicate often and in different ways; your messages will still not be effective unless they are framed in a way that meets the needs of your audience. Another way to think about this is to seek to understand the motivating desires and core values of your community. Then create programs, ministries, and content that serves them. Too often we create the programs and content that we assume our audience wants, and don’t end up with the results we were hoping for. When we combine a strong communications strategy with carefully chosen programs and messages, we can increase our chances of being successful.
 
Shape your ministry goals around the needs of your audience/community, then develop your communications strategy to achieve the desired results.
 
The main takeaway I want you to understand for your strategy is that repeated, consistent messaging from multiple communication channels is the key to having an informed audience or membership. In addition, those messages must serve your target audiences in a meaningful way.
 
We now have more resources than ever before to reach audiences and reinforce our message. But with all the digital clutter, it might take up to a thousand tries to reach someone just seven times! Therefore, it’s important to keep at it and develop relationships with those you are trying to serve. Post your questions in the comment section below!
 
Download our comprehensive guide to learn more about how to write for social media to get your content noticed. 
Raymond Magadhi
11/1/2021 12:59:04 am

Excellent inspirational work.
Keep it up.

Iris Smith link
12/18/2022 10:41:24 pm

Thank you for pointing out that joining a church signifies a formal commitment. My friend is working to develop a strong resolve to consistently carry out good deeds. I'll advise him to enroll in the church so that he can help the community spread kindness.

Steve Smith link
1/20/2023 07:04:26 pm

I'm glad you talked that you could have an effective production by implementing proper scheduling. My brother informed me the other day that he and his buddies are looking for a Christian TV ministry for their youth group journey with the word of God. He asked if I had thoughts on the best option to consider. I appreciate this valuable article, I'll tell him that it will be much better if they consult a trusted Christian TV ministry as they can provide information about their schedules.


Comments are closed.

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016

    Categories

    All
    A Allan Martin
    Adam Fenner
    Angeline Brauer
    Big Data
    Center For Online Evangelism
    Chris Matts
    Culture
    Data Science
    Data Tracking
    David Mwansa
    Design
    Digital Discipleship
    Digital Pew
    Digital Strategies Intern
    Dustin Comm
    Email Communications
    Erica Jones
    Event Registration
    Faith-hoyt
    Fundraising
    General
    Harvey Alférez
    Heidi Baumgartner
    James Gigante
    Jamie Schneider
    Jason Alexis
    Justin Khoe
    Kaleb Eisele
    Kimberly Luste Maran
    Marketing
    Member Care
    Michelle Diedrich
    Nick Wolfer
    Online Church
    Paul Hopkins
    Philanthropy
    Rachel Lemons Aitken
    Reaching Young Adults
    Rodney Brady
    SEO
    Social Media
    Stewardship
    Text Evangelism
    Video
    Volunteering
    Website
    Working From Home

    RSS Feed

Location

Hiding within those mounds of data is knowledge that could change the life of a patient, or change the world.

Atul Butte, Researcher
University of California, San Francisco

Contact Us

    Subscribe Today!

    We will use this email to send you updates on social media and big data initiatives.
Submit
Legal Notice   l   Privacy Policy
  • Home
    • Big Data
    • Social Media
  • BLOG
  • RESOURCES
    • RESOURCE MENU >
      • ADVENTIST IDENTITY GUIDELINES
      • BIG DATA RESOURCES
      • BRANDING, IMAGE & DESIGN RESOURCES
      • CHURCH/MINISTRY SPECIFIC RESOURCES
      • COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK BASICS
      • COURSES
      • EMAIL RESOURCES
      • GUIDANCE FOR HIRING SOCIAL MEDIA POSITIONS
      • PODCASTS
      • REPORTS & CASE STUDIES
      • SOCIAL MEDIA RESOURCES
      • (SOCIAL) VIDEO RESOURCES >
        • HOW TO START A VIDEO MINISTRY
      • TEXTING 4 CHURCHES
      • TRACKING & ANALTYICS
      • WATCH VIDEOS & TUTORIALS
      • WEBSITE TIPS
    • SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES
  • SEO
    • SEO TERMS
  • Digital Discipleship & Evangelism
  • COVID-19 RESOURCES
  • eNEWSLETTER