Tips & Ideas

Cost-Cutting Ideas for Conducting an Affordable Campaign

1. Radio, TV and Cable

• Inquire about special package deals.
• Consider buying airtime on cable. Cable time is much cheaper, but typically has a smaller audience.
• Be sure to negotiate the price for your airtime when making your buy.
• Try to finalize your purchase by negotiating a one-for-one placement of your spots as Public Service Announcements (PSA), for every paid spot that you buy.
• If you can’t afford TV, use radio. Radio packs a powerful punch and often is much cheaper in terms of airtime.
  

2. Billboards

• Possibly post billboards on the side of a building, barn, or location that will allow you free temporary postings. (NOTE: You can post a billboard yourself using heavy-duty wallpaper paste and sealing the paper with a clear water sealant.)
• Consider constructing your own temporary billboards (check with your city concerning sign code).
• Utilize the junior size billboard in your community as a way of saving costs.
  

3. Print Ads

• Consider running ads in community shopper publications rather than major newspapers to cut costs.
  

4. Neighborhood Flyer

• Use the neighborhood flyer in place of major media items that require leasing. Personalize the special inside panel on the flyer with information about your church and service times.
• Mass mail the neighborhood flyer or distribute it in an inexpensive community mailing/shopper.
  

5. Personal Items

• Utilize the personal items (neighborhood yard signs, bumper stickers, window stickers, etc.) as much as possible as a way of eliminating advertising lease costs of the major media items.
  

6. Work It and Pray Hard

• Involve your congregation as much as possible, utilizing their strengths and word-of-mouth communication with others. Back your efforts with prayer and God will honor it.
  

7. Do the Free Stuff

• Utilize volunteers and free local communiqués and publications whenever possible.
• Consider involving your youth group in neighborhood canvassing and distribution.
• Check with your church members for opportunities to save costs through their connections and resources.
  

8. Tracts

• Teach your congregation the art of how to effectively use tracts. The God Gives Hope tract packs a powerful message. Thousands of people accept Christ each year through the ministry of gospel tracts.
  

9. Reduce Your Target Size

• If you can’t afford to blitz your entire community, try narrowing your audience to a size that you can afford and effectively reach. You can always come back and reach other areas and neighborhoods later. The important thing is that you do something to spread the message of God’s hope.