Every church should try this 60-question social media audit
Over the last few years, I’ve been blessed to visit several churches across Texas as a social media specialist. It was during this time, I realized I didn’t like walking into a church blind. So I created a 10-question checklist for researching churches across social media channels.
The original checklist included basic questions:
When does the Sunday service begin?
Where is the church located?
Who is the pastor?
But my simple checklist morphed into something different when I began receiving requests to perform social media audits on local churches. Today, the checklist is 60 questions long, and it has become invaluable in my marketing ministry and personal search for a home church in Dallas.
Before you begin reading the questions below, I would like to state that this checklist is not a social media audit. The questions below often appear on audits, but a full social media audit dives deeper into branding, target audiences, goals, analytics, and more.
If you would like to discuss social media audits, please feel to reach out to me here.
How should your church use the social media checklist?
As your church continues to grow online, compare your social media pages and content against the checklist annually.
Make a note of the unanswered questions, then determine if the questions apply to your church (not all of them will).
For the questions that apply, determine if the communication gaps are solely on social media, or are they represented across communication channels?
Make the necessary changes to your social media accounts, content strategy, and linked communication channels. Don’t forget to add the changes to your church’s overall social media strategy.
Review your analytics monthly, quarterly, or annually to determine your audience’s reception to the revisions. Revise as necessary.
Sixty Question Social Media Checklist for Churches
Basic Profile Questions:
Does the page name have the word church in it?
If not, is it included in the username or page bio?
Is the denomination in the page name? Is it needed?
Is the church name and/or username the same across social media channels?
Does the church have a bio describing who they are?
Does the bio describe the church’s mission and values?
Is the church city identified in the bio or somewhere else on the page?
Does the church list its address on the page?
How does someone get in contact with the church?
What is the church’s website? Is the church website easy to find?
How quickly does the church respond to messages?
Does the church list service times in the bio or in the about section?
Who is the pastor? Is there a link to the pastor’s public page?
First-Time Visitor Questions:
How many campuses are there? Is there one near my home?
How many services are there?
What is the worship music style for each service?
What is the parking situation like?
Will I be able to find the church easily?
How should I dress for Sunday service?
What time does Sunday school begin?
What is the auditorium seating situation?
Is the church culturally diverse?
What is the demographic makeup of the church?
What is the history of the church?
What are the Sunday services like? How do I watch the previous Sundays?
Does the church publish Bible studies online?
If so, what is being taught?
What does their content tell me about Jesus? How is the church sharing the Gospel?
Have my friends checked-in at this church?
If so, what did they post about it?
What have the members said about the church?
Are there any testimonies from the members?
How is the church involved in the community?
What ministries are available through the church?
Who is on staff at the church?
Does the church have pages on other social media channels?
Does the church have a YouTube channel to subscribe to?
Content Questions:
Are there messages from the pastor outside of the live stream?
Does the church publish call-to-actions with each post?
Does the church provide links in the post copy to their website?
Does the church post behind-the-scenes content?
Does the content solely focus on the pastor (and nothing else)?
Does the church’s content inspire and encourage viewers throughout the week?
How often does the church share user-generated content?
Does the church extend Sunday’s message throughout the week?
Does the church respond to current events?
How does the church’s content target first-time visitors?
How does the church’s content appeal to unchristian viewers?
Does the church post video content with good audio and lighting?
Does the church use Instagram stories to inform their audience about the church?
Does the church publish a portion of Sunday services on other social media channels?
Excluding, Facebook & YouTube
Are there any outdated pinned posts?
Does the church post content daily?
If not, consistently?
Graphic & Photo Questions:
Does the church have a current cover photo on all social media channels?
If the profile photo is not the church logo, is it legible? Does it represent the church?
Is the profile photo and cover photo the same across social media channels?
Does the church have a good mix of graphics, photos, and text posts?
Does the church tag businesses, organizations, or public figures featured in their photos or graphics?
Are the people photos a representation of the entire church body?
Marketing Questions:
Does the church respond to all comments?
Does the church only post announcements?
Does the church have any Facebook groups for their ministries?
If so, are they tied to the church’s business page?
Does the church have ministry pages on social media?
If so, is the branding closely tied to the church’s brand?
Is the church name incorporated into the ministry name or username?
If you would like more content ideas or tips on how to take your church’s social media to the next level, subscribe to my weekly newsletter.
Found this article helpful? Share it with your friends.