To Attract More Visitors, Start With the Bathrooms

Could your bathrooms pass the sniff test?

How you answer that and related questions can make all the difference when visitors decide whether your church is worth a second look.

When UU congregations think about attracting visitors the very next thought is often of advertising—to draw church shoppers in with big dramatic ads on radio and in the newspaper.

But there are things to do before placing that first ad, cautions Debbie Weiner, the UUA's director of public relations, marketing and information.

"When people call asking about advertising I ask them to first think about some other things," Weiner says. "Like what the bathroom smells like. And whether there's any place to park. And if anyone will say hello to visitors when they get there.

"Very few visitors stay simply because of advertising," Weiner says. "If you don't have a system to welcome them once they get there then you should save your money."

Before advertising, a congregation should look at its premises as a visitor would, she says. "I even suggest that members go visit another church and then come back and look at their own. Can they tell where to go? Are there cobwebs in the corner? Would they want to leave their toddler in the nursery?"

Weiner recommends that congregations do a physical audit of their facilities before spending money on advertising. A Facilities Audit form is available.

A congregation should also scrutinize its programs, she says. In the Order of Service spell out any abbreviations or acronyms that would be confusing to visitors. Eliminate inside jokes and references that might appear exclusive to singles such as : "Two more couples are needed for Dinner for Eight Thursday night . . ." And she recommends that congregations provide free child care for all events.

When the UU Community Church, Danville, IN (37 members), bought a former Presbyterian church, president Judi Hansen was thrilled, especially with the new RE space, but then she took a second look. "I overheard a couple of mothers talking and I realized it needed some work. We immediately went through it and threw away outdated toys, painted tables and chairs in bright colors, and then carpeted the floor. Everyone noticed the changes."

A book by Denver architect Robert A. Lee, First Impressions—How to Present an Inviting Church Facility, helps congregations make improvements. He suggests:

• Draw attention to the exterior in summer with mass plantings of inexpensive plants like petunias around the church sign or entryway.
• Designate reserved parking spaces for visitors.
• Create an inviting hospitality table.

At Cedar Lane UU Church, Bethesda, MD (865), a new illuminated sign is bringing in "all kinds of people," said the Rev. Alida M. DeCoster, associate minister. "We also have a website and a lot of visitors come because of that. Also, we created a visitor center and when we set it up it makes a very obvious and attractive place for visitors. These things have all been very productive for us."

Resources

First Impressions, book by Robert A. Lee
The Inviting Church, book by Roy Oswald
Both books are available from the UUA Bookstore, 800 215-9076

Facilities Audit Sheet

How do the following elements help or hinder the experience of visitors? How accessible are all spaces? What are your recommendations for improvements? Try to put yourself in the shoes of someone new to this space when making your observations.

Area/Item

Recommendations

 

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Exterior Signs
 

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Grounds
 

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Parking
 

_______________________________________________________
Building Entry
 

_______________________________________________________
Interior Signs
 

_______________________________________________________
Worship Area
 

_______________________________________________________
Religious Education Area
 

_______________________________________________________
Social Area
 

_______________________________________________________
Kitchen
 

_______________________________________________________
Rest Rooms
 

_______________________________________________________
Offices
 

_______________________________________________________
Bulletin Boards
 

_______________________________________________________
Other
 

_______________________________________________________
Notes:
 

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