Ad campaigns can also be run for any public event such as an open house, or film screening for a church or reading room.
- Why are we doing Facebook advertising for churches?
- What is the purpose of the ad campaign?
- What information do I need to provide? New!
- Where and when do I send my lecture flyer, and where does it appear?
- When will my ad campaign run?
- What does the advertising cost?
- How do I review the event page?
- Can we use the flyer as the Facebook ad? New!
- How are event page headers and ads designed? New!
- Can I change the ads or event page?
- Who is the ad campaign targeting?
- How many users will ads reach?
- Does it make a difference how long our ads run?
- What does the ad program and an increased budget cover?
- Do we need to increase the budget if we are having a joint lecture?
- How can I monitor progress of my ad campaign and can I see it?
- What results should I expect from Facebook ads?
- What if we already have a Facebook church page?
- What if we already have an event page?
- What else can I do?
- Where do I send my ad contribution, and what if we do not have an advertising budget?
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Will I be receiving an invoice?
1. Why are we doing Facebook advertising for churches?
Facebook is a great way to reach people new to Christian Science, and also dedicated church members and attendees. Prayer that Heals Facebook has nearly 6,500 fans, and a majority of new users are non-Christian Scientists. Ads reached 204,000 Facebook users with over 2,900 online responses to lecture events in 2021.
2. What is the purpose of the ad?
Although Facebook ad campaigns are promoting lectures and encouraging RSVPs, the main purpose is for the Joint Media Committee to help SoCal churches raise awareness of Christian Science and of lectures in their areas.
Sample ad:
3. What information do I need to provide? New!
Normally, just your flyer and amount of your budget. However, a full description of your lecture is helpful to encourage users new to Christian Science to attend. We may use flyer information in conjunction with the ChristianScience.com lecturer page to create a full event description and ad. Typically, a Facebook event page description and ad copy is already available from past lectures.
4. Where and when do I send my lecture flyer, and where does it appear?
Please send a pdf at least one month ahead to contact@prayerthatheals.org for the Website event page, with a copy to tinareedjohnson@gmail. If a jpg or png file is available, please email that as well for posting on the Facebook event page. It is important that we receive information as soon as possible so we can get your Facebook ad campaign ready in time.
The flyer will be posted on the Discussion tab for your event page closer to the lecture date. All of the pertinent information is included in the event description and in the ad campaign.
5. When will my ad campaign run?
Ad campaigns are based on an event date. Ads need to run with enough time before the event to set up the event page, ad campaign, and to get the best results. We start an ad campaign no later than one week before your lecture.
6. What does the advertising cost?
The minimum ad budget is $300 per ad campaign.
A higher ad budget of $600 per ad campaign will reach additional users.
Note: Facebook advertising rates vary based on location and other factors which are out of our control. Rates or policies may change at any time affecting the number of users reached.
7. How do I review the event page?
An email is sent to you with the event page link and ad copy for your review a couple of weeks before your lecture. A Facebook account is not needed to view the page. You may view current and past events here: http://facebook.com/prayerthatheals/events.
Sample event page:
8. Can we use the flyer as the Facebook ad?
Please note that your flyer will be posted on your event page closer to the date of the lecture. However, flyers do not meet Facebook design requirements and cannot be used in event page headers or ads.
9. How are event page headers and ads designed?
Facebook event pages and ad campaigns are separate and have different requirements. We are not able to use your flyer as an image per above.
We have seen that the best results are achieved when a suitable, inspirational image for your event page and ad campaign is used. We choose a stock image for both the page and ads.
Ad copy or text is written to encourage online responses. It may include information from your flyer. We typically create multiple ads with different sets of ad copy to ensure the best results. You have an opportunity to review the ad copy before your ad campaign starts.
10. Can I change the ads or event page?
If you would like to change the ad copy or event description, please be aware that there is a quick turnaround time on any changes. There is no charge for one-time changes or corrections.
Note that ad copy is tested and may change occasionally to improve ad performance. We need flexibility with the copy and images to get the best results. Ads are designed to get click throughs to your Website and will not have all of the details. Ads are continuously monitored for cost, engagement and responses.
To make a change to the ad or event page, please reply all to the email your church received about Facebook advertising with details.
11. Who is the ad targeting?
Facebook users 21+ in the general area surrounding the church or lecture location. Most of these users are new to Christian Science. Users are invited to become fans of the main page to receive notifications of future events. Targeting, including geographic areas, may be changed at any time based on factors such as past or current performance, budget and Facebook changes.
12. How many users will the ad reach?
Reach depends upon the ad budget. For a minimum budget of $300, an estimate of 1,500 users and up may be reached.
13. Does it make a difference how long our ads run?
No. Online ads are completely different than print ads in terms of the number of users reached, and does not depend upon how long an ad campaign runs. Your ad budget covers the Facebook ad cost which is spread out evenly per day, until the date of your lecture, or the day before. The amount of time your ad campaign runs does not affect the number of users that see the ads.
14. What does the ad program and an increased budget cover?
When a church contributes $300 (the minimal amount for an ad), Facebook is paid $150 for the ad cost, and $150 pays our consultant for creating a Facebook event page, planning, creating and managing the ad campaign, continuous monitoring of the event page and ad, responding to comments, ad adjustments to get better responses, and tracking and reporting results. Lecture replays are also posted on Prayer that Heals social media, and invitations are sent to any users that have responded to the ads or posts to like the main Facebook page.
When the budget is increased to $600, we can potentially reach twice as many users and receive twice as many responses/RSVPs because we are doubling the amount paid to Facebook for ads and can reach more users.
15. Do we need to increase the budget if we are having a joint lecture?
We request that each sponsoring church contribute a minimum of $300 for a joint lecture. Funds contributed by each church allow us to reach more Facebook users and help to ensure coverage for each sponsoring church.
16. How can I monitor progress of my ad and can I see it?
View your event page periodically to view responses. The Facebook event page link is included in an email to you prior to the ad campaign running. The page link is also accessible under the Events tab in the top navigation of the main Prayer that Heals Facebook page. The event is also posted to the main page when the event page is created.
If you are not being targeted by the ad you will not see it while it is running.
The administrator of our Facebook page receives notifications when users respond to the ad. Ads are monitored carefully in order to respond to comments on the ads and event pages. You will receive an email with the ad statistics after the campaign has ended. This service is included in the cost of advertising.
17. What results should I expect from the ad?
A budget of under $600 allows for a basic Facebook ad campaign. Results (number of users reached and RSVP numbers) vary based on multiple factors, including Facebook algorithms (which help determine cost per user reached and can be more expensive in some areas). The way to reach more people is to increase the budget. The number of people reached corresponds directly with the number of responses.
Users that have engaged with an ad are invited to follow the main Prayer that Heals Facebook page. Users that like our page may receive future notices of Facebook events and daily posts, so the efforts to advertise individual lectures are beyond what you see reported. There is a ripple effect, and the results are magnified.
Facebook users that respond are not assured to attend any event. Many users are simply expressing their interest, thereby accomplishing our awareness goal.
18. What if we already have a Facebook church page?
There are two types of Facebook pages involved in Facebook advertising: a main page for your church/reading room, and an event page specific to each lecture. If you have your own church Facebook page, we should be able to link it to our event page as a co-host. This will increase event exposure to your page followers and allow you to post to the event page. Please let us know the link to your Facebook page by replying all to our emails and coordinate any posting with our social media consultant before the ad process starts.
19. What if we already have an event page?
At this point, our policy is to create an event page and advertise it under Prayer that Heals. If you already have an event page, please let us know so that we can co-host your event.
If you are planning to run Facebook ads for your page, please let us know so our plan can be adjusted accordingly.
In order to create your own event page, you need to own a Facebook page. Churches and societies are encouraged to have their own page in order to post information specific to their church. If you need help, you may contact our social media consultant for page management services. (Email: tinareedjohnson@gmail.com)
20. What else can I do?
Join us in prayer to know that your ads will be well received by the public, and that your lecture will bless our communities.
Church members or attendees with Facebook accounts should be encouraged to participate on the Facebook page for their event. The lectures that are more successful on Facebook, have members sharing, commenting, liking, and inviting others. This engagement helps encourage non-Christian Scientists and friends to respond.
Like the main Prayer that Heals Facebook page to support our Internet marketing efforts, and receive notifications of new events in SoCal.
Please let us know results or fruitage from the advertising campaign. We appreciate hearing the number of attendees from Facebook ads, or viewers of online lectures. This feedback helps us maintain this advertising program.
This is a basic ad campaign that is being provided by Joint Media and our online marketing consultant as a service to our local churches. Any church can contribute funds to the ad program if they wish to increase the reach of their ad campaign to additional Facebook users. A treasurer remittance form is attached to the initial advertising email. Print form.
Sign up to receive Joint Media email newsletters in order to receive more communication about advertising efforts.
Be sure to add our social media consultant, Tina Johnson, to your email contact list tinareedjohnson@gmail.com
One ad will not necessarily encourage users to attend a lecture or event. Similar to a print ad, it takes several attempts to reach people for them to take action. Facebook advertising should be done in conjunction with branch church advertising. Churches and societies will ideally consider other forms of advertising including church listings in directories (print and online), local mailings, online calendar listings, their own social media presence, press releases, radio ads, newspaper ads, etc. in order to reach more people in their area.
21. Where do I send my ad contribution, and what if we do not have an advertising budget?
The basic ad cost is $300, and you have the option of paying an additional $300 to potentially double the number of users reached and ad responses. A check can be sent directly to the Joint Media Committee of Southern California, P O Box 846, Los Angeles, CA 90078-0846. Please include a "Remittance Form for Church Treasurer" and keep a copy for your records. Print form. If your church or society does not have funds for advertising, Joint Media will kindly fund your ad ($300).
22. Will I be receiving an invoice?
You will not be receiving an invoice through Tina Johnson or Joint Media. Please submit a Treasurer Remittance Form with your payment to the Joint Media Committee and keep a copy for your records. See "Print form" in the question above.
Last Update: 1/5/23
Please direct further questions to tinareedjohnson@gmail.com | Website: tinareedjohnson.com