Proclaiming/promoting all things Catholic via new advertising apostolate

[Dino]

I need your help. Your feedback and opinions, actually, on a new Catholic apostolate of mine called “The WORD Out.” I’m a senior advertising copywriter at a publishing firm and for the past year or so have been writing and designing promotional materials, on a freelance basis, for Catholic Churches and organizations. I’m seriously considering devoting my time to promoting all things Catholic full-time; this desire has been growing in me ever since experiencing a “reversion” of sorts a few years ago and an ever-increasing need to share my God-given talent and faith with others. I’ve read Pope John Paul II’s writings on the New Evangelization, and feel my apostolate is responding to his call to spread the Gospel message of Christ using many modern tools, specifically the media.

I invite you to visit www.adsforcatholics.com and let me know what you think: of the idea, the work samples, the Web site, the content, the message … Be honest, please. I’d like to know if there is a real need for this service outside of my parish community. The response/reaction I’ve received for the promotional work I’ve done thus far has been very positive, so I am hopeful this leads me to where I think I’m being called to.

Yes, there actually is TRUTH in advertising.

Thanks for your time!! I look forward to your feedback.

God’s blessings, Dino.

 

[coralewisjr]

What a relief to know that there is truth in advertising!

I suggest that you use sans serif font instead of the font you’re using. Also, I suggest that you use 12 point font at the smallest. I’m near-sighted and I’m sure that there are people out there whose eyesight is worse than mine.

It needs symbolic images. Crucifix, Madonna image, maybe Pope John Paul II’s cross, or a medal. Maybe an Eucharistic image would work since this is the Year of the Eucharist.

On “the last Word” webpage, the address needs to be completely left-aligned. Some of it is over on the right:
The Word
Out
5405
East Horton Road
Blissfield, Michigan 49228

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[Dino]

Corinne,

Thanks for taking the time to review the Web site. I appreciate your helpful comments.

What do you think of the concept, the idea of providing this service to parish communities to help get the word out about activities/events taking place – but using means beyond the customary blurb in the weekend bulletin that oftentimes get ignored or go unnoticed. For instance, when Steve Ray came to speak at our parish last week, I developed bulletin inserts, wrote a press release for the local newspaper, designed posters for nearby parishes, mentioned the event on Catholic radio, added his presentation to the online community calendar … all weeks prior to the event. It was met with great success (partly because Steve can pack 'em in; but also because people knew, through these modern marketing techniques, what was going on).

Protestants use modern day marketing frequently – I get postcards for the local Protestant church touting their events and inviting me and my family to join all the time. I believe it’s high time Catholics start to evangelize through these means as well.

Again, thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[coralewisjr]

Dino:

Corinne,

Thanks for taking the time to review the Web site. I appreciate your helpful comments.

What do you think of the concept, the idea of providing this service to parish communities to help get the word out about activities/events taking place – but using means beyond the customary blurb in the weekend bulletin that oftentimes get ignored or go unnoticed. For instance, when Steve Ray came to speak at our parish last week, I developed bulletin inserts, wrote a press release for the local newspaper, designed posters for nearby parishes, mentioned the event on Catholic radio, added his presentation to the online community calendar … all weeks prior to the event. It was met with great success (partly because Steve can pack 'em in; but also because people knew, through these modern marketing techniques, what was going on).

Protestants use modern day marketing frequently – I get postcards for the local Protestant church touting their events and inviting me and my family to join all the time. I believe it’s high time Catholics start to evangelize through these means as well.

Again, thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

You’re welcome.
When DH and I visited his family for Christmas, they had a snazzy advertisement for a Christmas play at a nearby Protestant church. It looked neat. (I can’t remember what it looked like or I’d be more descriptive) God bless you for doing this!

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[Dino]

Corinne,

I truly believe it’s my calling; I’m just following where the Holy Spirit is leading me. Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Anyone else care to share their opinion?

Dino.
Finally…the TRUTH in advertising.

 

[kmktexas]

Hi Dino,

This is a great initiative and one that is really needed.

Along with the feedback you have already received I want to add that your menu choices (on the left) might need sub-titles. They are creative but a bit cryptic. I had to click a few to find what I thought I was looking for.

The idea of direct mail is terrific. I live in a tiny town in TX (pop about 800) yet I drive past more than 10 Protestant Churches on the way to my own RC church. Two of those churches do an excellent job of direct marketing. These are individually addressed pieces, not bulk mail. Not only do we get invites to special events but we get personal invitations to regular services, to Bible studies and to youth group meetings. If your firm could help a parish to develop similar “invites” along with a program of welcoming those who respond, it could be amazing. I know that many of my neighbors are fallen away Catholics and one reason given for leaving is that they felt unwelcomed. Sometimes a person just needs to be asked back and made to feel welcome.

You might try to tap into parishes with an existing Legion of Mary group since one of their missions is to reach out to inactive and fallen away Catholics.

Best of luck and big success with this.

 

[KCT]

Have you contacted the Catholic Marketing Network? They may provide business leads. Also, there’s a Catholic business conference every year (a few years ago it was in Philly). You might drum up business that way.

–KCT

 

[Dino]

Kristine and KCT –

Thank you so much for your valuable (name removed by moderator)ut, suggestions – and time!!

KCT I am planning to send out my informational brochure to various organizations (Knights of Columbus, Catholic radio networks, Catholic schools and hospitals, several charitable organizations, etc.), including the Catholic Marketing Network and the Catholic Media Coalition. The “clients” are there, and I know I can reach them – the difficult part is to persuade them that marketing is another form of evangelization, and something they NEED to do to spread their message to their intended audience. It’s sad to see so many great parish events or ministries fail due to lack of participation or interest. Parishes and dioceses need to realize that a bulletin blurb that appears once or twice doesn’t always guarantee desired results.

I’m currently offering to write and design a bulletin flier insert/poster free to any parish – just for the asking. Just visit my Web site (a work in progress!!) at www.adsforcatholics and click on the FREE OFFER button.

Again, thanks for your time and God’s blessings,

Dino.
Finally … the TRUTH in advertising.