Category Archives: Top 12 Tuesdays

12 Things that are better homemade

Posted on by
3

I love good food.  I hate paying for bad food.  Thus, I love cooking.  And once you start cooking, you realize just how bad some of the things you eat all the time really are.  Try some of these homemade treats and you’ll see what I mean!

  1. BBQ Rub – What’s the secret to good bar-b-que?  Ahh… that’s a secret!  But ONE of the secrets is a good dry rub.  A good rub is something you create on your own, but Alton Brown gives a good formula for success – 8 parts brown sugar, 3 parts kosher salt, 1 part chili powder, 1 part “secret ingredients”.  Mix your own and have fun experimenting!
  2. Pizza – $12 for a piece of cardboard with fake cheese?  (But delivery is free!)  No thanks.  I’d rather make my own.
  3. Jelly – Sure, it’s a lot of work, but worth it!  Plus, it makes great gifts!
  4. Pancakes – Ummm… pancakes!!  Yea, we all make them, but the box mixes taste like, well, box.  Try mixing your own.
  5. Brownies – Again box mixes = box taste.  Make sure to let these cool completely before you cut them.  These are the best thing you will ever bake.
  6. Salsa – You can’t beat the taste of fresh salsa.  No recipe here – just throw tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, a little garlic, lime, and salt in a food processor and near instant salsa!
  7. Whipped Cream – 1 cup cream + 2 tbsp sugar + 1 tsp vanilla + mixer on high = the reason I need to wear sansabelt pants!
  8. Marinara Sauce – Maybe a little over an hour, but better than anything in a jar!
  9. Ciabatta Bread – Yes, homemade bread.  Worth it?  Try it and find out.
  10. Refried Beans – Make these and you’ll never go back to the can.
  11. Biscuits – No, not from a can.  Not from a baking mix.  From scratch.  Recipes don’t matter as much as technique – be gentle and you will be rewarded.
  12. Marshmallows – Homemade marshmallows?  Worth it?  You can’t roast these, but you can make any hot cocoa into a luxury experience!

12 Common Marketing Mistakes by Churches

Posted on by
3
  1. Thinking they don’t need to market – Marketing is for business, and the church isn’t a business, right?  Wrong!  The church has a responsibility to deliver the message of Christ.  Marketing that message makes it accessible and attractive to those who need to hear it.
  2. Confusing advertising with marketing – Advertising is only part of the larger marketing picture.  Marketing encompasses everything that communicates a message about the church.  This can be everything from bulletins and newsletters to attractive signage and landscaping.  Churches need to make sure they look at everything from a marketing perspective.
  3. Having an out of date website – The church website is the first place a visitor will visit in today’s society.  A good website is easy to navigate, provides clear information, and has the latest updates on events and services.
  4. Not taking advantage of free press – Local newspapers and community newsletters love to print articles about local churches!  Developing a relationship with local reporters is a great way to build a good reputation in the community.
  5. Not including members in marketing – Not only do many members have marketing experience, but many are also willing to help.  Even if it is something as simple as printing signs for member’s yards it is important for churches to get members involved.
  6. Not being consistent with graphics – If you use one logo here and another logo there and are constantly changing fonts and graphics it is hard for people to recognize when something is from your church.  Consistent graphics give a professional look that conveys excellence.
  7. Using inside terms – What does “Promise Land” mean and where is the “Epworth Garden”?  Names are nice and help us not feel so industrial, but we need to remember that not everyone will immediately recognize what our terms mean.  When using terms, make sure to include a short definition.  A well labeled map is a great resource.
  8. Trying to be someone they are not – If your church sings hymns and the pastor and choir wear robes, don’t advertise yourself as “casual and contemporary”.  Not everyone is looking for the latest and greatest in contemporary worship.  Some people are looking for a church with traditional roots.  Be who you are and do what you do well.
  9. Not marketing on site – Pay attention to interior signage, bulletins, etc.  Is your church easy to get around?  Do you have a place for people to get more information easily without feeling pressured?  Make sure what you offer on site matches what you advertise off site.
  10. Not tracking effective methods – Did you mailer work?  How do you know?  Find ways to track the effectiveness of advertisements.  It can be as easy as a line in the register that says “How did you hear about us?” or a separate website address on a mailer (e.g. – christmas.yourchurch.org on your Christmas mailer).
  11. Not following through – You have visitors!  Great!  Now what do you do?  Make sure you have a well thought out plan on how to help your visitors find the information they need and get connected to your ministries.
  12. Not planning ahead – Churches think about Easter and Christmas, but not much else.  If you plan ahead you can provide consistent marketing for all your events and take advantage of free press opportunities throughout the year.