As a church, it’s important to consider the best approach to media production in order to effectively reach and engage your community. However, the conventional approach to media is likely not the best fit for your church. This approach typically involves hiring a full-time media team or individual, spending a lot of money on advertising, making poor purchases of audio-visual equipment, and relying on free social media platforms for live streaming. These mistakes can lead to poor-quality media and a lack of return on investment.

One common mistake that churches make is hiring a full-time media team or individual, such as a graphic designer, to handle all aspects of media production in-house. While this approach may seem like the most efficient way to manage media, it is not always the best fit for smaller churches. For churches with less than 2,000 regularly attending members, it is unlikely that there will be enough work to justify the cost of a full-time media team or individual. Hiring in-house staff also comes with additional costs, such as benefits and training, that may not be feasible for smaller churches. Additionally, there is a risk that the in-house staff will not have the expertise or experience necessary to effectively produce high-quality media.

Another mistake that many churches make is spending too much money on advertising that is not effective. This can include both digital advertising, such as boosting posts on social media or purchasing ads from platforms like Facebook and Google, and traditional print advertising, such as mailing out large quantities of flyers or handouts. While it is important for churches to reach out to their communities and promote their events and services, it is crucial to carefully consider the best methods for doing so. In many cases, churches may find that alternative methods, such as using social media and building relationships with local organizations, are more effective and cost-efficient.

Another issue that churches may encounter is making poor purchases of audio-visual equipment, such as cameras and live-streaming gear. With the increasing affordability of this type of equipment, it is tempting to make purchases without fully researching the quality and capabilities of the products. However, choosing low-quality equipment can result in poor-quality media and a lack of return on investment. Instead, churches should take the time to carefully research and compare different products to ensure that they are making a wise investment.

Finally, many churches rely on free social media platforms for their live-streaming needs. While this may seem like a convenient and cost-effective solution, there are several potential drawbacks to this approach. One major concern is the lack of control that churches have over the live-streaming experience. Platforms like Facebook and YouTube may experience technical issues or may censor certain content, leading to a disrupted or censored live stream. Additionally, these platforms may display ads or other content that is not appropriate for a church setting.

In conclusion, it is important for churches to carefully consider their approach to media and explore alternative options that may better suit their needs. This may include outsourcing media production to a trusted partner, carefully considering the most effective methods of advertising, researching and investing in high-quality audio-visual equipment, and using paid live-streaming platforms that offer more control and a more professional experience. By avoiding the common mistakes of the conventional approach to church media, your church can effectively reach and engage your community through high-quality media production.