Introduction

Public Relations Planning

Writing a Press Release

Connect Via the Web

Publicizing Your Event

Planning Guide for Events

Developing a Press Kit

Sample Newsletter Article

Sample Bulletin Article

Connect Via the Web

Tip #1: Use your Web site to help congregation members get to know you and the congregational nurse program.

Tip #2: Tie special messages around holidays (grief at holiday time, diet and exercise at Thanksgiving)

Tip #3: Write short stories about timely issues. For example, if the congregation is mourning the death of someone from a certain disease, it is a great time to offer information and resources to members via the Web.

Tip #4: Consider having an “Ask the Nurse” section on the Web site, where you could answer common questions. Maybe you could add a “Question of the Week” area on the site.

Tip #5: Post health and wellness event information - things happening in your congregation, in other parishes, and in the community (for example, blood drives, retreats, health fairs) - and update it frequently. The congregation AND community members will turn to you for timeline and helpful information.

Tip #6: After an event, post information about it. Who came? What did they learn? Who were the speakers? Where can folks get more information? Adding pictures will increase visitors to the Web page.

Tip #7: Make sure the Web site is helpful to other employees of the congregational. They are perfect ambassadors to let others know about the good work you are doing.

Tip #8: Keep changing the information on the site to give visitors a reason to reconnect to it. Link them directly to resources.

Tip #9: Make your Web page easy for everyone to use. Some individuals have more skill at using the Internet. Some are still a bit afraid of it.

For more information about designing effective Web sites for congregations, visit http://www.gospelcom.net/guide/resources/church-pages.php