tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post8956744993736994435..comments2023-08-08T04:19:26.974-07:00Comments on THE CALLADUS BLOG: Mistakes I'm making in communicating with the local communityCalladushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-53087424101626388002008-09-23T05:36:00.000-07:002008-09-23T05:36:00.000-07:00That helps. As a pastor starting a new church, yo...That helps. As a pastor starting a new church, you and I are very much in the same boat in many respects. It seems to me, when it comes to getting the word out, you are on the right track.<BR/><BR/>What has helped us is:<BR/><BR/>1. Develop Identity. I think you've got that. Get your logo on everything and everywhere.<BR/><BR/>2. Develop Campaign. Pick a 6 month theme or something like it. Have your mailings, blog, cards, news: everything, reflect that theme.<BR/><BR/>3. Develop Presence. Get involved in the Chamber of Commerce and local business groups. Do giveaways. Sponsor community gathering events.<BR/><BR/>4. Develop Patience. You've discovered what I've discovered. Everything doesn't work. I did magnets - Bombed for me.<BR/><BR/>I've been working on this for two years. This last weekend I had a guy mention to me at a community event we sponsored, say that he'd seen our logo before. I'd hope so! It is on my car, in his homeowners, on over 2,000 CDs we've given out across our county. <BR/><BR/>You may try Inboxpromotions.com. They do direct e-mail marketing. It isn't too pricey and will hit more homes than direct mail.<BR/><BR/>You know, it sucks, you are out in CA. I'd love to co-sponsor an event with you guys!Ken Hagler, Your Alaskan Realtorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12356950549649622483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-37583848730332743592008-09-22T21:33:00.000-07:002008-09-22T21:33:00.000-07:00Ken, our organization, CVAAS.org, isn't interested...Ken, our organization, CVAAS.org, isn't interested in prostelitizing. We don't target Christians in order to get them into our organization. (However, we're not shy in letting everyone know that religious people don't always speak for us.)<BR/><BR/>There could be between 1500 and 5000 non-religious (or "nones") in the San Joaquin Valley. Most of them think that they are the only ones here. Even after several years of a presence on the Internet, the Fresno Bee article reached several people for the first time ever. And that's just the people that read the paper on Monday.<BR/><BR/>Yes, networking and word of mouth is best. But at this point, I'm not even sure that spots on the 5, 6 and 11 PM news would be enough.Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-71126212580834681052008-09-22T18:57:00.000-07:002008-09-22T18:57:00.000-07:00I don't know about coffee shops. Every time I go ...I don't know about coffee shops. Every time I go into them they are full of Christians trying to "emerge." Then again, maybe that would be a good thing! ;)<BR/><BR/>Advertising is going to add up to big bucks. Word of mouth is still the most effective means. The power of networking is incredible. You might try a professionally done business card you could hand out connecting people to your site. <BR/><BR/>I guess you'd also have to determine what you're trying to get across. Do you want to simply find other skeptics/atheists? Do you want to "convert" others and if so, what value would you offer?<BR/><BR/>Just a few thoughts.Ken Hagler, Your Alaskan Realtorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12356950549649622483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-36363742643492404342008-09-21T22:29:00.000-07:002008-09-21T22:29:00.000-07:00I've been thinking about geographical targeting, a...I've been thinking about geographical targeting, and I wonder if it is worth it? <BR/><BR/>A Skeptic / Atheist group isn't like a company that sells new cars or vacuum cleaners or yard care. It isn't even like selling childcare products or things for newly-weds or empty-nesters.<BR/><BR/>Atheists and Skeptics, from what I can see, come from all demographics, from across the board, from all economic backgrounds.<BR/><BR/>But maybe I should be targeting coffee shops around the university? But I think that's an overworked cliche too.Calladushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620879847877868166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5736821.post-31582423690674695202008-09-21T17:47:00.000-07:002008-09-21T17:47:00.000-07:00Just wondering if ya'll have Homeowners Publicatio...Just wondering if ya'll have Homeowners Publications in your area? If you've got large subdivisions, this could be an effective way to target strategic areas for not too much $.<BR/><BR/>Thought I'd pass on what I've learned!Ken L. Haglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16767816363951455718noreply@blogger.com