Know-How Exchange : Other

I work in the marketing and public relations field, and upon reflecting on your question, I'm not sure how many of the concepts are directly transferable to the ecclesiastical 'marketplace'.

Firstoff - what is you objective? To build the congregation? That's fine - but now consider where your worshipers will come from. Usually from the immediate neighborhoods - so that geographically defines your 'market'.

Also - talk to your current parishioners and ask them why they attend (gives you some tips as to messaging), and if they have ever invited anyone to come with them. I've lived in my community for 27 years and have never been invited to attend any of the dozen-or-so churches (except, perhaps, the Jehovah's Witnesses)

So your marketing is essentially outreach or invitation. In other words, draw them in and let them experience the fellowship and services (both religious and other types of services) your parish offers. I would hold off on the proselytism until someone indicates they are ready to hear it (that is, if your faith does that).

Also - a small flier with a brief history of the parish and description of the worship services helps someone get past that initial 'unawareness'. For example, I've been to weddings of many different faiths,and they seem to follow the same format. Same for Protestant and Catholic worship services. On the other hand, I went to a Bar Mitzvah and had no clue as to what was going on (meaning the conduct of the ceremony) - the family could have provided a brief program for the non-Jewish folks so we could follow along.

You might also consider doing open-invitation seminars in the evening that address some of the major issues people have to deal with in areas of day-to-day life: martial problems, raising children, divorce, death of a loved one, etc. The goal being to showcase the principles of your faith and perhaps provide a little comfort and guidance.

I have personally known many adults who reconnected with their faiths as they started to face some of the major questions and issues in life.

Again - your 'marketing' is different because you're trying to fill a spiritual void (I assume) - not 'sell' them something in the conventional (material) sense.

Hope this 'guidance' is of some help to you and your parish.