April = Get the Word Out!
{ April 29th, 2008 }
By Patricia Meyers
If asked, I’m sure you would say “Our VBS is open to everyone.” But is everyone actually invited? Aggressively pursuing visitors is a project. This month we’ll address that project by giving you some tips for inviting new children to this year’s VBS.
Begin by reviewing your past methods and successes. What worked well? What did not? Be very honest — this is no time for mincing words. After your review, brainstorm your plans for this year’s publicity.
There are tried and true methods, and there are dozens of other avenues to pursue. Here are some ideas that you may not have thought of:
Community Papers
If someone on your team is a good writer, community papers are often looking for articles. Perhaps you can do double duty: purchase a small ad and submit an article about how summer events give children exciting landmarks through the school-less season. There are also sections of the paper that list church activities for free.
Local Schools
Call local schools - perhaps there is a newsletter they send home at the end of school. If so, purchase an ad. (They are usually very inexpensive.) Or ask if they would send home a flyer with the kids. Do not assume that you will not be allowed to; call and ask. You might be surprised.
Flyers
Create a flyer to hand out at places where there is a concentration of children. We asked some children’s pastors where they have handed out flyers with great success. Answers included libraries, restaurants, ice cream shops, public swimming pools, day camp programs, daycares, before/after school programs, gymnastics gyms, tennis clubs, YMCAs, and neighborhoods around the church. Be sure to ask the organization if they mind you distributing your flyer there. And make your flyer bright, colorful, inviting and fun. Keep in mind that a flyer doesn’t have to be a full-sized sheet; it can be card-sized and be very effective.
Word of Mouth
The single most effective marketing tool is word of mouth. But how do you get people talking? Here are two proven techniques. Both have been tested in a variety of church sizes and demographics and have been extremely effective (really!).
1. Make your in-church announcements a hoot. Pull out the stops. Make them more like a commercial or mini-play rather than just an announcement. The more laughs you get, the more interest you’ll stimulate. Skits that are short, punchy, and powerful is the key. Be over-dramatic and funny; the crowd will love it. Or maybe have a puppet popping up from behind the drums. How about a couple of costumed characters throwing candy to the audience? A slide show of pictures from last year’s VBS flashing on the screen is an attention grabber as well.
2. Invest in a really terrific prize to be awarded to the child bringing the most visitors. Make flyers available for them to hand out to their soccer team, t-ball team, class (before school lets out for the summer), neighborhood, etc. You really have to over-do the “selling” of the contest. The parents need to be on board as much as the children. Encourage parents to be transporters of friends and neighbors. Make suggestions of extras the parents can do, like popsicles at their house before they deliver the kids back home, a trip to the park one day, etc. Money spent on a prize for the most visitors is money well spent. It could be the most productive advertising dollar of the year! As an added bonus, it makes everyone (including the kids) part of the evangelistic team. That is an excellent seed to sow in their hearts. Like the visitor contest idea? A similar contest among your workers would be an exciting challenge. Those that serve in your department need to be involved in inviting children to your church!
Promoting your VBS is crucial to attracting new children. Attracting new children to VBS is a great door opener to attracting new families to your church. What a great way to spread the Good News!