PROMOTING PROPHECY COURSE

Bible Study Promotion Checklist

Below are just some ideas for how you might promote your own Prophecy Course classes or retreat.

Tactics

  1. Word-of-mouth invitations (everyone collects 10 no’s, spontaneous texting parties to invite address book contacts)
  2. Email blasts (save-the-date, look back at last event, registration now open, meet our teachers, thank you to our sponsors, testimonials from previous events, see our preparations, countdown to event)
  3. Blog on relevant topics: writing and posting, according to the event schedule
  4. In-gathering announcements
  5. Signage (marquis, sandwich boards, window clings, t-shirts)
  6. Church digital calendar, bulletin boards and mobile app
  7. Facebook, create the event and pin it to the top of the posts feed
  8. Instagram/Twitter/Pinterest/TikTok, change the bio to promote the event
  9. Paid promotional campaigns on other social media platforms
  10. Use hashtags (#city, #biblestudy, #churchname)
  11. Printed materials ("business card" invites, flyers, yard signs, billboard, posters)
  12. Local or industry-specific message boards, forums, event calendars and monthly publications
  13. Co-marketing initiatives with sponsors, vendors, partners, district, other ministries, churches or events
  14. Partnerships with other local influencers, faith-based networks or denomination websites

Two to Three Months Out

  1. Review Lessons Learned document capturing best-practices from previous Prophecy Course events
  2. Send/post/announce the save-the-date
  3. Schedule registration open in Eventbrite, Brushfire or your church's registration/RSVP form
  4. If there are going to be printed promotional materials, these should be designed and ordered at this time
  5. Make your personal invitations. Phone, text, email, letter, or postcard. How can you remove barriers to “No”? (e.g. offer to pay their entry fee if your church is charging for lunch, tell them about any promo codes, pay their hotel lodging, pick them up, etc.)

One Month Out

  1. Event to be posted in all platforms (social media, website, blog, etc.) including a link to your registration/RSVP page, if applicable. (Leverage free materials from the promo kit below!)
  2. Any paid advertising should be arranged by now.
  3. Include the event in email signatures, if applicable.
  4. Send three emails to the leads in your system database to invite them to Prophecy Course. Include a link to your registration page
    1. Email 1 goes to everyone
    2. Email 2 goes only to those who didn’t open Email 1
    3. Email 3 goes to everyone who opened Emails 1 and 2 but didn’t click
  5. Make/follow up with your personal invitations

Two Weeks Out

  1. Any printed promotional materials or signage should be on display.
  2. Have all volunteers shared materials from the promo kit?
  3. Tag partners and participants in social media posts. ("Looking forward to seeing @---!")
  4. Follow up with your personal invitations
  5. Send a note to attendees reminding, welcoming, building their enthusiasm
  6. Invite participants to spread the word about the event

One Week Out

  1. Daily social media posting
  2. Post-event survey should be created in SurveyMonkey (or other similar service) and waiting to be sent out to participants and event volunteers

Last Few Days

  1. Relax. Promotional efforts are calming down
  2. Share any last "getting ready" pictures to social media
  3. Email attendees one day prior to build excitement
  4. If there are volunteers or local partners who haven’t promoted the event yet, call them

During Event

  1. Take pictures/video during the event. A basic shot list might include arrival at check-in, event signage, shots of speakers while presenting, shots of volunteer meetings, candid shots of attendees, formal shots of attendees, anything unique about your event.
  2. Live-stream on social media: introductory talks, worship, real-time Q&A sessions, interviews, testimonials, etc.
  3. Email blast/social media of day one imagery
  4. Church app updates: real-time posting, tracking, and answering questions
  5. Announce the save-the-date for the next Prophecy Course

Post-Event (Within One Week)

  1. Thank You emails to participants and volunteers, including a post-event survey
  2. Thank You posts on social media
  3. Event debrief: Update Lessons Learned document by reviewing survey responses and making notes for next time
  4. Post photo album of images (social media, blogs, email, etc.)
  5. Announce the save-the-date for the next Prophecy Course