Marketing For Ministers- How to book yourself solid with speaking engagements.

by 35 replies
50
I have a newsletter list, and I do free audios, and I DONT do speaking engagements, but I am offered them at least a couple of times a month after people listen to my audios.

Now,

Invariably every church congregation has a large segment of members who are filled with anguish because they have a sense of "calling" to preach.

But most of them in my exoperience spend twenty years waiting for some outside force to drop speaking engagements in their lap, instead of actually going out and getting the gigs that will put them in front of the people who they feel so desperately need their message.

Every wanna be minister, should have a mailing list with a free audio, and they should ADVERTISE in it that they do speaking engagements.

They should encourage others to share their free audios and put even more people on their list who join for the free audios.

This will create a buzz, and people will say "Who is that guy"

"Well he says he is open for speaking engagements..."

If your newsletters even produce a half a percent response rate and you have a thousand people on it, you are going to stay booked solid before long.

That simple.

So if you are a person who feels a calling to preach or something like that- start a newsletter- hey people are looking for your message and they wont find it if you are in some room alone crying about how bad you want to minister, and waiting for a rainbow to appear.

Start a newsletter and take it by force.

Hope this helps someone.

-JD
#offline marketing #book #engagements #marketing #ministers #solid #speaking
  • Thanks Asian Cassanova...50 views and one "thanks", which is okay, I dont post for thanks, only for conversation and dialogue, but I find this to be stereo typical, and interesting to note once again.

    I am a christian believer, in fact in an hour I will be headed out to church, but in BUSINESS, I have found the christian "Market" to be the least appreciative in general.

    I told someone the other day that they would have a better chance selling web sites to "nail salons" than churches.

    And this post is a painful reminder of the lack of appreciation that market shows, another of 100 confirmations....when someone actually makes a strong statement to help them.... I guess its because many feel that getting someones best for free should be a GIVEN for them.

    Thanks for the confirmation. Its a lesson I've learned on many projects.

    Good thing I follow God and not the example set by man.

    To you asian cassanova I will speak the words Jesus spoke "There were seven healed, and only ONE came back and said thank you?"

    Thank you Asian cassanova, for being the one who didnt take for granted anothers true giving.

    As for those who took the wisdom but didnt contribute to the cause, you just missed your chance to subtly proclaim your faith in front of hundreds of thousands of people.... some just dont get the bigger picture.

    -JD
  • My dear friend John,

    I came across the thread the other day, and I hurriedly his "subscribe," but didn't have the time to post. I seriously forgot about the "Thanks" icon. You KNOW how I feel about you, and you have been an encouragement to me as I seek to share my own story.

    Long story short, I performed in my first church last month (a small, 30-40 member congregation, and I was ALIVE while I shared my story (not the same story, mind you, on TMF, but, a story about how Christ's forgiveness came alive in me against an abusive family member,)) and the response was OVERWHELMING.

    I found a "Pastor's" group on LinkedIn that I feel led to try to introduce myself on.

    I had to take a "job" in the meantime, but know that while there is some potential there, and it's God's provision in the "meantime," it is not my calling - seeing what I saw, last month, during my speaking engagement, is PART of my calling.

    Maybe, if we ever get a chance to chat again (or, even better - TALK) I'll share with you regarding a ministry that I am involved with - and it's coming to your area. It's a retreat style thing that really has helped me a lot. A friend just moved to Rogers to start it.

    Jeremy
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply

    • Aww John!

      If I were a minister looking for speaking engagements, I would have thanked you profusely!

      I too understand the power of audio and I think it is a brilliant idea by the way, just not what I need.

      I'm going to thank you for the brilliant idea now though, okay?

      Terra
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Hello everyone,

    nice advice but there is no need to worry if you want to be a good speaker even without newsletter.

    You just need to feel you can do it and you really CAN!

    I'm a not a good speaker but even then people listen to me so don't be scared!

    All the best And see you on top Erwin.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Jeremy, Miss. Terra, Erwin... Thanks.

      Jeremy, what a great guy!

      Guys, I have really given this thought, because last year when I started doing audios, people started asking me to guest speak and things, and before long, after having that happen several times, I began to think of the many people in churches I have been in who feel a calling to go out and speak to the masses, yet their belief is that "If God is ready for me to speak then he will send me invitations...".

      This is a marketing topic, not a religious one.

      But thats not what Jesus taught the disciples.

      He said to go and take it by force.

      The disciples were the greatest example of spreading a messages across the world through training and duplication (scaling out) that ever existed.

      We are to be as harmless as doves, but still yet as wise as serpents.

      Wisdom is this:

      Dont sit around praying for rainbows to jump in your lap...If you have a burning message then "SPREAD IT".

      Get camtasia, and sit in that same room and put your heartfelt message on audio and give it away for free.

      Now if your passionate message inspires others... then they will share it and your list will grow, and people will say "I want more audios" or "Can you come speak for my church...?"

      Thats why I wrote this because I have known this for awhile and someone else posted something that made me think "Maybe I should share it with Warriors", whereas I once thought "someday Im going to go to a christian forum and share this"...Honestly, I probably never will, but Im here now, and maybe some people could use it here too. No need to waste the nugget I have found.

      Thanks for responding, now see what your dialogue has inspired and how it could help someone?

      -JD

      Ps.At Jeremy.


      What a great story,

      Its interesting to note that when a message is truly ALIVE in you, then the response is overwhelming.

      Believe it or not, I learned that from Allen Says himself 12 years ago.

      I have written reports about stuff that was really ALIVE in me, and those are the ones that the response is overwhelming. Its amazing what that blessed energy can produce.... but it doesnt produce anything sitting inside of your head only, and it also produces only "little" if its just dead words with no energy behind them.

      There is a natural attraction that will happen when you put something out thats alive.

      Many people have messages in them that are ALIVE, and they dont realize how overwhelming the response would be if they put it out.

      Someone once told me that struggling inwardly, doesnt change anything outside of yourself. You have to move the circumstances that exist outside of yourbody to get anything done.

      GET THAT MESSAGE OUT OF YOUR BODY AND ON TAPE!

      Give it away and be overwhelmed with response instead of Anguish!

      Great story! Congrats on your first engagement buddy!

      -JD

      Again I want to say thank you for the dialogue, because without the confirmation that a message is wanted there is no need for me to expound and share something which I know will bless others.

      I think you know what the Bible says about casting your pearls.... This is a pearl.
  • John,
    I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to make another suggestion to add to yours.

    If you want to speak but are not yet being asked to churches or conferences -- consider visiting assisted living facilities. Many people spend their life attending church every Sunday and then find they're unable to drive or get out as much once they are older. Many assisted living homes would like to offer services but are unable to get anyone to volunteer their time.

    You won't make any money -- but you will receive experience and appreciation. If you spend some time visiting with these people you may also gain a lot of wisdom.

    Rose
    • [ 4 ] Thanks
  • Hey Rose, great idea. My mother worked in a nursing home for the last 3 years of her life, and they always had people coming in.

    You're in North Florida? I am in Dothan. Not too far away.
  • As always, more top quality from Mr Durham
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Jeremy,

    I'm on Amelia Island... about 30 minutes from Georgia.

    Rose
  • Amelia Island........that sounds VERY familiar. Very, Very familiar. Have you ever been tied in with the Bill Johnson gang from Bethel, or North Florida Tres Dias?
  • And,so....?
    • [1] reply
    • John,

      Great post. You're right - there are so many opportunities for people to speak and minister. In my experience a big part of the problem is that they want to sit and do nothing and wait to be 'discovered'.

      I played guitar at a large church here in Australia for many years, and there were no shortage of good musos in our church. But not many wanted to go and play in a small church to help out every now and then. Most just wanted to play on the big stage in front of lots of people.

      I have a lot of friends who are great preachers, but don't want to be seen as promoting themselves. So they do nothing and unfortunately no-one gets the benefit of their giftings.

      There are so many opportunities for lay-people to use blogs, social media, podcasts, You Tube etc to get their message out there. And the small churches are always looking for new speakers and new ideas.

      So much opportunity...so few want to do anything and step out of their comfort zone.

      Glad you've raised this. I've felt to start doing more in the area of teaching Christians about finance and you've confirmed for me that my strategy of using the internet is the way to go.

      Thanks

      Allan
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Well, it ain't "purty," as they say here in Alabama, but here is my message.

    Speaking Promo - YouTube
    What do you think? What do I need to do?

    (I want to get a few appearances underneath my belt first, and/or get a few ventures up to get some cash so that I can get a more "professional" video, complete with some scenes in it. My best friend (7 hours away) is a videographer, and could probably do something good for me.)

    Jeremy
  • Jeremy.

    Its late but I told you I would come check this out.

    I love your voice, I love your sincereity and I love YOU.

    Here's what I would suggest, and I dont think you need a high quality vid, just remove whatever that thing is leaning up against the wall, because you look fine. Just like a minster sitting in his home office, thats fine.

    Lower down the painting in the back ground and make it your back drop, people only see what shows up in the frame, you could look like you are in a million dollar office if you want. But this is fine.

    Just refine your sales message.

    Unforgiveness is the problem and you want to touch on that... but you MOSTLY want to talk about the benefits and the absolute POWER that forgiveness carries with it, and the absolute rich benefits that come to your life from it....and back it with scriptures. Give a mini sermon in your loss leader... Not so much a testimony.

    Basing it on one single testimony pigeon holes you as a guy who isnt necessarily real broad, he just learned a personal lesson about forgiveness. It seems more like a testimony from a lay person otherwise. Use some scripture and set yourself up as an authority.

    Remember, the first thing you show a person is the filter they will see you through for a long time, you can touch on your battle with unforgiveness after you delivering some uplifting benefit...but if you say that all upfront, you set yourself up to be viewed through the filter as a guy who struggles with forgiveness, and it will be hard to uplift. Rather be a master of the art of forgiving.... I dont know if I said that right, but I hope it makes sense.

    After you make people feel good and put yourself in that lense, you can say whatever you want and you will be hard pressed to lose anyone...

    I think people will respond to you.

    Here is a harsh truth...You may have vulnerability as a leader, but if you SHOW IT too much...you lose people. Its true, they have to look up to you to follow. We all know that Jimmy Swaggert is just a man, and his sins dont make him any less a good teacher, or inspiration....but now its hard not to view him as weak and lustful subconsciously, since he admitted it.... even though consciously we know he just messed up like any other man...on a deeper level we see him through filters we have to battle now...

    Leaders can have weakness, but they cant REVEAL IT.

    I have learned that too many times, getting comfortable with my people then allowing my self to express vulnerability... Guess what?

    They NEED to see you in that light, so they can benefit from what you have to share.

    Benefits
    Benefits
    Benefits

    Instead of taking so much about how you had unforgiveness in your life for so long, briefly mention it and focus on how POWERFUL life can be if you just learn to forgive.

    Now I know what you are thinking "But thats the message I want to deliver after I get to their church".

    Let me tell you why my brother Michael can pull 16 grand doing a training class local auto dealers months after month...

    He goes in and gives them a free 30 minute meeting first, and lets them see what they are getting... but thats not the big key!

    He told me this, and I apply it to my posts....its genius.

    Guess what part you want to give away as your loss leader?

    YOUR BEST NUGGETS!!!!

    Give the very BEST part of your teaching away in your loss leader....people will still need more details.

    Dont be afraid that you wont have anything left to say. Once you make that first impression you can barely break it.

    I do this in my posting...GIVE YOUR VERY BEST NUGGETS UP FRONT....dont hold them back until after you have been invited to the engagement. Talk about the power and the citations in the bible, and the benefits , benefits , benefits....and uplift with your loss leader.

    Make your loss leader the most powerful part of what you do!

    Give the BEST part of your message up front!

    Hope this helps.

    -JD
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • Thanks, John! I am glad you like my voice. I am actually going to compress it down, and maybe do it outside. I just haven't done it yet.

    Hey, isn't your brother a youth pastor? I wouldn't mind travelling to Arkansas for a weekend speaking engagement. Set it up! I'll even sleep on your couch. And, I'll eat WHATEVER you feed me. (This offer sounds better by the second - HA!)
  • Well, if I personally booked you, then you wouldnt learn how to book yourself.

    On another note Jeremy, I revised and added some things to my post above, sorry about editing on you, but you will get more out of it after the second read.

    I think the home office is fine. It seems more "pastoral".
  • Thanks, JD. I appreciate it.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • What I "will" do Jeremy though is teach you right on this thread to get your own gig... start a newsletter and get into a process whereby 90 days from now you are booking yourself up at least twice per month.

      If you will listen step by step and not give up when things are hard. It wont require much of my time, but it will require a good bit of yours.
  • That sounds great. I do have an engagement booked tentatively in January in Dickson (about 50 minutes west of Nashville.) I say tentatively - the deal is booked, but it depends on scheduling. January is going to be a busy month for me.

    Maybe you can drive over? Just a thought. Thanks for everything.
    • [1] reply
    • When I was younger I sold meat door to door in dickson, it was one of the better little country towns to sell in.

      For starters....lets look at the numbers.

      Just for georgia alone there are over 2000 listings on google for just the term georgia pentecostal churches

      pentecostal church georgia - Google Search

      Many pentecostal churches are smaller and more open to revivals, its a good way to start...you can target wheatever kind of church you want.

      Now lets look at this.

      If only 750 of those listings are actually unique pentecostal church web sites, then you have 750 people you can market to just from this one avenue.

      OMG I have to get of WF tonight...:rolleyes:.but...

      Out of 750 pentecostal churches in Georgia...

      If you could get half of them to open a free audio

      That would be 375 opens...

      Now your conversion might be pretty high, because MOST pentecostal churches are smaller than 100 members , but they have other churches from all over the area who come pack them to hear out of town speakers.

      Lets say for instance, just talking about this one avenue.... that you could get only 5 of those churches booking you every six months or so... for say a week, you are booked ten weeks per year.

      Then you are also in a network...and what happens at every revival or seminar... Yup "Other preachers come up and ask you to speak at their churches too".

      Thats just ONE avenue.

      These types of churches are very receptive to revivals and things that cause growth.

      Again this is just an example, and a start to get your mind turning.

      Its pretty logical that any guy who wants to preach or speak in churches can easily get started, and take their ministry by force.

      Ps. Our time is comin to hang out brother, right now I have so much going on with my kids that I pretty much work and dont socialize alot, if I dont focus on work and the case and keep my mind totally focused, I would lose it...once this storm is over I will probably be alot more sociable again.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • I am sure. You've shared with me in the past some of the things going on with kids/grandkids. I don't know the specifics, but, I do know the heart of a loving father. Restoration in all areas, friend.

    Yeah, that's some good information. Thanks!

    Jeremy
    • [1] reply
    • You ready to do something with it?

      Can you commit a date to me right now when you will have 3 fifteen minute excerpts of recorded messages that we can show people as a loss leader and get to making this training thread happen?

      Thats a ministry in itself.

      Wax on Wax off...this is the first step Danielsan!

      (Actually, taking action and making the first vid was a good first step)
  • I am.

    It won't be this week - I have a very busy upcoming week, and will be heading to serve at a retreat this week as well, and that will be a big affair.

    So, you think that I need 3 X 15 minute videos? That's a semi-tall order, but, I see what you're saying. I will get my Bible out and start researching the "other" side of my testimony (incorporating the Bible as just opposed to my story.)
    • [1] reply
    • Its a curriculum not a time line... That is the first step. Whenever you are ready lemme know.

      Edit:

      Make outlines, type out your thoughts like you are writing a book, typying like you would naturally speak

      Key: You are always going to type just a tad more eloquently than you speak.

      Now read it off the page... You are always going to be a little more nervous and pre occupied when reading onto a recording.

      While you are trying to sound as natural as possible, your pulse will raise and your pace will naturally pick up and move it along faster.

      This will make for a slightly "ultra" you, with just a bit more energy. You want it to be kind of energetic.

      You dont need a vid., unless you want one. An audio will do it with a single pictture of yourself on the web page where this will be listed and a short bio. (Squeeze page).

      This will require a strategy for ad copy on your page, but we arent there yet.

      Anyway, write your thoughts and read them. Thats the easiest way to keep it flowing high energy, and make sure you maintain continuity, focus, and clarity.
  • @ Tom, I think at times people can be so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.

    I will tell you when I got really serious about business and quit being a dreamer.

    My wife worked at a pawn shop, and I stayed at home for months, trying different business opportunities, and made a thousand here or a thousand there...no direction at all.

    Asnyway, we began to struggle financially and she became unnerved with me alot...

    I was telling my friend, "I dont get it, I give her massages , I cook for her, and tell her she is beautiful 20 gazillion times a day... How come she is always irritated?"

    He says "John, your woman already knows you are gracious... she appreciates that... but she isnt looking for that, she already knows it...she is rather looking for your GREATNESS. She knows your graciousness, she is waiting for your GREATNESS"

    I knew what he meant, and so I began to really take success more seriously and blew her away with accomplishments.

    In the case of a potential "Ministry"... You can be as holy as you want...but if you cant reach more than five people what good are you really doing with your message?

    Learn to market and sell... Tom is right...Jesus was the greatest MLMr of all time. He INVENTED the meaning of the word "downline".
    • [2] replies
    • John I just found this post. Anytime I see your name in a post I read it. I will come back and read the newer posts, I have to go spend time with my kids.

      I just wanted to add my/our experiences with dealing with Christian organizations, professions, Churches and christians.

      We started a Christian Non Profit organization that offered a unique service that saved families thousands of dollars per year off the cost of sending a child to college. Even with Youth for Christ having us speak at College Fairs, Christian schools shut their doors to us.

      My wife is a bestselling Amazon author. She has been quoted in the national media. She has her Phd in Biblical Counseling and is ordained. She cannot get one church, youth pastor or any other person dealing with young marrieds or marriage counselors to give her the time of day.

      Other than the few organizations that want her to pay her own expenses to get there and then speak for free.

      We have found Churches to be territorial and insecure. The speaking circuit tends to be a "Good Ol Boy" network. And why is it Christians feel the should get everything for free when dealing with other Christians? (I own a portrait studio and a printing company.)

      I'm amazed at how much free or almost free help Pastors turn down instead of helping their congregation. If the congregations knew what was being denied to them I wonder how they would react?
      • [1] reply
    • John,

      Appreciate the response. Since there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclisiastes if I remember), why not look where it is? I am not referring to only the bible. That's a good start but most of us can't even spell it let alone find one on premise.

      So go w/the annointed ones in this era. That's where they got their info anyway and don't even know it or won't tell anybody. If you really want to make it, do what the original guy did -walk around and talk. Pretty soon word of mouth will make you a bunch of money.

      Anyway, my pulpit just creaked so it is time to get off. Anytime you need someone to give a you can make money sermon let me know

      Tom


  • Banned
    [DELETED]
  • I realize this post is a bit old, but it's exactly what I was looking for today. Thanks, John! I have some audio tapes that will work for this, but hadn't thought to use them. I'm a bit slow. But I'm going to give it a shot and see where the Lord leads.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • I was just re-looking up Nik's WSO (positive vibe) on linkedin, Im thinking that linked in may be a good strategy to add to the arsenal for this type of thing as well.
  • Thanks JD for this great advice. I got to see this while searching Google for relevant info.

    I'm a Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

    Thanks
    Prince
    Lagos, Nigeria.




    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply

    • My father John Durham Sr. passed away last year in Monrovia Liberia, as a missionary, also preaching the Gospel , and setting up Churches, training ministers... He passed away doing what he was passionate about. I admire him greatly .

      So , anyway, I have a great connection to this subject, although I do not profess to be anything close to a minister...

      Glad you like the info. Havent seen this thread in a million years... Must have been on a roll one day. lol
  • Funny... I have been thinking of starting a bible study group recently, and was thinking about advertising in the local paper (which is actually pretty darn cheap).
Join the discussion

Next Topics on Trending Feed