Church Social Media Marketing Strategies on a Minimal Budget

jamiecreative0
Aug 1
2 min read

How to Use What You Have — and Who You Have — to Reach More People

Marketing a church doesn’t have to mean massive ad spends or fancy production. At its core, church marketing is about telling the story of what God is doing in your community — and inviting others into it.

If your church is working with limited time, budget, or staff, this guide is for you. Here’s how to develop a simple, effective church marketing strategy using volunteers, consistency, and heart.

Start With Purpose, Not Platforms

Before you worry about what to post, decide why you’re posting.

Ask:

What do we want people to know about our church?
Who are we trying to reach? My view is, Social Media is a wonderful window into your church for people who might not currently attend; and then keep other communication for your regular attenders, such as newsletter email campaigns.
What does “success” look like for our church’s online presence?

Your strategy should support your mission — not distract from it.

Empower Volunteers With a Heart to Serve

You don’t need a professional media team to run effective church social media. But you do need a few willing people with a heart to serve and a smartphone.

Who to ask:

Youth or young adults with social media experience
Photographers, creatives, or writers in the congregation
Admin or pastoral staff already capturing moments behind the scenes

How to support them:

Create a content plan they can follow (include a checklist of what you want them to capture!)
Provide clear expectations (see table below)
Encourage creativity, aligned with with vision and values
Explain your brand, however this can be edited by someone who has a stronger grasp on Social Media/branding

Weekly Content Themes to Stay Consistent

Theme	Examples
Weekend Recap	Photos from Sunday, worship highlights, quotes from the sermon
Sermon Highlight	A powerful takeaway, Bible verse, or 30-sec video from the message
Encouraging Scripture	Bible verses with short reflection or encouragement
Behind the Scenes	Volunteers setting up, kids church, musicians rehearsing
Event Promotion	Upcoming gatherings, prayer nights, youth events
Testimony/Spotlight	Short quotes or stories from members or volunteers
Church Culture & Values	Posts that reflect the mission, vision, and what matters most to your church

Simple, Free Tools You Can Use

Canva – Create beautiful posts with free templates
Google Drive – Share and organise photos + content drafts
Meta Business Suite – Schedule Facebook + Instagram posts
Linktree or Website Button – Point people to key info (events, giving, contact)