5 Ways Churches Can Retain Guests More Effectively Online

Many churches and Christian ministries are missing out on a massive opportunity to grow both their in-person and online services. This missed opportunity is causing some churches to get so caught up in retaining guests through traditional methods that they forget to tap in to retaining new guests from around the entire world online. What’s this massive opportunity that can help churches like yours retain guests more effectively online? Digital content marketing.

In this post, I’ll explain the importance of digital content marketing as a modern church assimilation process and 5 practical ways you can start adapting it for your church today. These tips can help you grow a loyal, online church congregation or even help drive new people to your physical church/event from your area. Plus, it can all be done with less than $100/month!

How Online Content Marketing Can Help You Retain More Guests In-Person and Online

Of course, growing and retaining your church following would be amazing, right? But even more importantly, digital content marketing can help guide your potential following where they are already at online to your church (and Jesus) by being the one to solve their questions and problems that they’re already experiencing.

Think about it like this…

Ally has been recently struggling with feelings of not having a calling or purpose in this life. She then does a quick search on Google (or social media) for advice. She searches, “What’s my purpose in life?” and BOOM! Your blog post pops up within the first handful of search results titled “How to find your purpose in life through Jesus.”

Related Post: Why Social Media SEO is important now more than ever (and how to show up in social media search results)

She has heard of Jesus but has never really considered herself much of a Christian. However, she’s open to exploring different options as long as it helps her find a solution to feeling purposeless in life. Your article captures her attention, so she clicks on it and realizes that Jesus has the potential to give her a new purpose and calling in life. She’s really intrigued now.

She’s now more curious about Jesus and how following Him can help give her purpose and meaning. Then, at the bottom of the blog article, she sees a graphic from your church promoting your online church service that says, “Find meaning and purpose alongside other Christians exploring their faith. Join us online every Sunday!”

She clicks the button, and it takes her to a page on your website where she can watch the online service or enter her email or phone number to receive reminders of upcoming church services that she can join online. She is so excited to see what it’s all about. Plus, now you have her email and/or phone number that you can use to help keep your church front and center in her mind with occasional, encouraging emails or text messages.

BOOM! Just like that… you’ve got a new follower. This is just a small example of everything that digital marketing can do to help you obtain and retain new followers from around the entire world.

Related post: 6 Church Growth Strategies that will TRIPLE Online Visitors

5 Ways to Retain Guests Around The World Through Digital Content Marketing

1. Create a Search-Friendly Blog or YouTube Channel

In today's digital era, visibility is key. By optimizing your blog or YouTube channel for search engines, you significantly increase the chances of attracting and retaining guests.

Use relevant keywords, compelling titles, and engaging descriptions to improve your content's search rankings. Consistently producing high-quality, informative, and relevant content can establish you as a go-to resource in your niche, encouraging visitors to return for more insightful information.

When your church helps solve people’s burning questions or real problems through your blog or YouTube channel, this also helps your church to be seen as an established “thought leader” in their eyes. They will naturally begin to turn to your church for other questions or problems they may be experiencing since you’ve established some trust with them.

You can then encourage your blog or YouTube channel visitors to take a next step to sign up for a “lead magnet” (see point #4 below) or enter their email or phone number to receive occasional updates about your upcoming online services or events.

2. Utilize Automated Email Marketing or Text Funnels to Obtain and Retain Visitors

Automated email marketing and text funnels are powerful tools for nurturing relationships with your guests. By sending timely, relevant, and personalized content, you can keep your audience engaged and interested. Whether it's a welcome series for new subscribers, regular updates, or exclusive content, these automated communications can help maintain a connection with your audience, encouraging them to revisit your digital platforms.

3. Use Social Media to Keep Your Guests Engaged Throughout the Week

Because of the latest social algorithms, social media is no longer very effective as a primary tool to drive people to your website. Instead, it’s better to focus your social media efforts on keeping your following engaged and connected throughout the week.

Related post: 8 Church Social Media Trends You NEED to Start Applying ASAP

Social media platforms offer a great way to interact with your audience and keep them engaged daily between Sunday services. Engaging posts, live sessions, interactive polls, and behind-the-scenes content can all contribute to a valuable online presence. These efforts not only retain guests but also foster a sense of community and loyalty, making your digital space a regular part of their online routine.

Need some inspiration on what to post each month on social media that actually engages your audience? Download my free 30-day social media plan for churches that includes 30 social media post ideas that I’ve personally found to be effective for my church.

4. Create "Lead Magnets" That Help Solve Your Visitors' Burning Questions or Problems

Lead magnets are valuable resources offered for free in exchange for contact information (usually email), effectively turning casual visitors into potential loyal followers. By addressing your visitors' most pressing questions or problems with ebooks, guides, checklists, or webinars, you provide immediate value and establish credibility. These resources encourage visitors to engage more deeply with your brand and return for further insights and solutions.

Also, from a marketing perspective, it’s super valuable when someone provides you their email in exchange for a free download. It allows you to keep in direct contact with them and encourage them to return to your website or church service through more engaging email content. This has proven to be (and is STILL) super effective compared to trying to reach your social media followers on platforms with uncertain algorithms and limitations that are out of your control.

Typically, you would enroll them into an automated email workflow after sending them their requested lead magnet. This helps keep your new contacts engaged with your church.

You can see an example of how this can be used at the bottom of this post!

5. Create an Engaging Online Community for Biblical Support, Encouragement, or Advice Throughout the Week

Online community popularity is on the rise. Especially among younger generations. Reports show that Gen Z is turning to online communities to find close friendships and interact with them.

Building an online community centered around spiritual support, encouragement, or advice can be particularly effective in retaining guests. Such a community offers a platform for members to share experiences, seek guidance, and find solace, creating a strong emotional bond with the community surrounding your church. By facilitating meaningful connections and discussions, you not only provide a valuable service but also cultivate a loyal and engaged audience that values the sense of belonging and support your platform offers.

This can be done by creating a private group through a variety of platforms like Facebook Groups, Discord, Twitch, or Instagram’s recent “Group Profile” feature.

4 SEO Hacks That Will Help Your Church Show Up in Google Search Results

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