Information Easy as PIE

One of the most frustrating challenges churches face is how to assimilate so much information in a way that the congregation will remember it and become engaged. Just getting the vast amounts of information out to the church members is challenging enough. The other side of the coin is how to present it in a way that they will remember it. One church I served on staff at, came up with over 15 ways to present information to the congregants from verbal announcements to live video streams to 4 page bulletins with inserts included. It can be frustrating to assimilate information simply because most people get overloaded daily with information wherever they go. 

People typically retain only 10% of what they read. You can only put so much information in the church bulletin and then hope people even read it at best, much less retain the information they read. Stand up announcements by staff or volunteers became popular in churches and it did help streamline the process and make it more interesting. People typically retain 20% of what they hear.

One method I have seen that works very well is using the church web site for presenting information about events and calendars. But you have to be careful how you present it there also. A static web site with text only will get you the same results as the bulletin did. So, add in some graphics and video and sound and people  along with your information and you have better retention. People typically retain 50% of what they see and hear. 

Routing your members to the church web site has great potential for greater retention. First of all, that is the first place people go for information about everything. They are already used to surfing the web for information. Second, if used right, can be more stimulating and captivating with graphics, sound, links, and clicks. Thirdly, your space is unlimited unlike the printed material used that can only fit so much information.

If you are going to send people to your web site, try using the PIE method. 

• Make sure that your web information is PRECISE. A down side of web information is the time people spend on a page. It can be very short if the information is not presently right. So, be precise and to the point and get your message across quickly. 

• Make sure your web information is INFORMATIVE. Keep your web information clean and uncluttered. Only present pertinent information for that particular event or announcement that people will need to know to participate and engage. Give details that will get them all the way from interest in the event to how to sign up and get there.

• Make sure your web information is EASY to locate. After too many clicks to find the details, people will give up and go to another page or log off. Organize your web with easy to follow menus and labels. If you are verbally announcing an event in church, then use the exact same words in your web information. Example: You announce information verbally about Wednesday Night Programs but on the web you call it "First Church" University or Academy , people may not associate those two together and find it. The bottom line is make your web information easy as PIE.

Your comments! Suggestions!