If you’ve ever felt like marketing is just tossing flyers into the wind and hoping something sticks—breathe. We’re going to simplify it and do it the right way.
As Christian entrepreneurs, we don’t just pray for growth—we plan for it.
Why? Because marketing is part of our stewardship. God gave us a message to carry and people to serve. That means it’s our job to make sure the people who need us actually know we exist.
So let’s start with a working definition:
Marketing is making sure the people who need your help know how to find you.
Wait—Marketing Isn’t the Same as Advertising?
Nope.
Advertising is the tool (flyer, ad, billboard, post).
Marketing is the strategy (where to put it, how to say it, who it’s for).
Think of it this way:
An ad is a seed. Marketing is planting it in good soil, at the right time, with the right message for the person who’s ready to grow.
What Makes a Strong Marketing Strategy?
Here’s the short version:
- Know who you serve.
- Know how you help.
- Know how to say it in a way they understand.
Marketing strategy = ideal message + ideal customer.
Start with your mission and vision. That tells you why you do what you do.
Then clarify who it helps and what problem it solves.
That’s where your strategy starts to take shape.
What Are the Right Channels?
You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be where your people are.
Think about where your ideal customer goes to get answers to the problems you solve.
A few examples:
- Website with strong SEO and clear content
- Facebook or Instagram posts and ads
- Helpful videos or webinars
- Email newsletters
- Direct mail (yes, people still check their mailbox)
- Downloadable guides or whitepapers
- Google Ads or Local Service Ads
- In-person networking (yep, old school still works)
Choose a few and do them well. It’s better to have three strong connections than thirty weak signals.
So, How Do I Actually Build a Strategy?
Let’s make it simple:
- Start with your mission.
What’s your calling? Who are you called to help? - Set a clear goal.
Is it leads, sales, signups, brand awareness? Pick one. - Understand your customer.
Talk to real customers. Lurk in forums. Read their comments. Listen more than you talk. - Create a message that connects.
Don’t just sell features—talk about their pain and the transformation you provide. - Pick your top 1–3 marketing channels.
Go where they already hang out. Be helpful, not salesy. - Track everything.
Use tags, unique links, ask “how did you find us?”—data is your friend. - Test, refine, repeat.
Don’t guess. Improve what works. Drop what doesn’t.
Final Thought: Strategy Is a Form of Service
Marketing isn’t about tricking people. It’s about serving people well and making their next step obvious.
When you market with clarity and integrity, people feel seen—not sold.
If your marketing is confusing, people won’t feel confident buying from you.
If your message is all about you, they’ll tune out.
But if your marketing sounds like them, they’ll lean in.
As Christian business owners, we get to lead with love and strategy.
And that’s a powerful combination.
—Lyle
