This is the first of many worship graphics and sermon branding products coming to Church Communications Pro. This worship background series was designed by my great friend Becky Martin and is titled “The Beauty of Mothers” specifically for Mother’s Day on May 11th. The sermon slide details are listed below and keep an eye out for more series that will be coming soon!

THE BEAUTY OF MOTHERS | EXCLUSIVE CCP PRICE ONLY $20.00 USD:

This download includes the following:

• Title slide with title
• Title slide without title
• 3 Message point/Scripture slides with title
• 3 Message point/Scripture slides without title
• Song slide
• Style sheet with suggested fonts and colors (note: fonts not included)

Each of the above is provided as a JPEG file in 16:9 Aspect Ratio (1280×760).

For this worship graphic series, the following items also are available:

• 4:3 Aspect Ratio slides
• 5.5”x8.5” image suitable for bulletin/program cover
• 6”x4” image or larger (with bleed) for postcard or invitation cards
• Image for CD labels
• Layered psd file

To purchase any of these additional items, please contact Becky at mail(at)cottagedesign.com.
Design and Copyright by Cottage Design 2008

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We’ve called this magazine Quail Family. In the magazine, we wrote feature-style articles on each of our main ministries, focusing on individuals within those areas in order to put a “face to our church.” Instead of doing another direct-mail piece, or advertisement, we wanted to make something that was personal and inviting.

We printed 15,000 copies and this week mailed 5,000 to homes and apartments in a mile-radius of our church. We’ll also be asking our members to put them on their coffee tables, or in their businesses, and to use it as a tool to invite their friends, family, and neighbors to church.

Because of this, I worked hard to exclude time-sensitive information, such as events. I think the only thing that dates the magazine is the cover issue of “Winter 2007.”

If you’d like to download a copy of the magazine in PDF-format, click here (almost 2MB)

For the printing of the magazine, we used Steve Conklin of The Covington Group in Kansas City. I’ve used him for another project at Midwestern. He delivers an excellent product, with the best customer service I could ever ask for, at GREAT prices.

As far as design, we used David Gagne through MinistryMarketingCoach’s Design Services. David is a true professional. I knew the project was in good hands with him and he delivered a great product that I’m very proud of.

For photos, we used the gracious volunteer help of some church members who own a portrait studio in Oklahoma City – Kevin and Carolyn Whitaker of Whitaker Portrait Design. And for writing, we also used church volunteers — two professional writers.

When I get some time I’ll post some things I learned from doing the magazine. This, of course, isn’t the first magazine project I’ve been involved with, but I worked hard to make this into more of a community marketing/outreach tool for our church.

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Anyway, through the interview, I quickly realized, I had never done a radio interview … and that I could learn a lot from Paul’s experience.

So afterward, I emailed him a couple of questions and want to share his answers here. His answers are excellent and will help any pastor or minister prepare for a radio interview.

1. Please tell me about yourself.

I am a homeschooling father of three. I currently teach at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. I teach mostly radio broadcasting and production courses. I graduated from MBI in 1993 with a BA in Communications and received my MA in Communications from Northern Illinois University in 2003. Before teaching I was a senior producer for the Moody Broadcasting Network in Chicago. I currently am a freelance producer for Moody Radio’s Prime Time America and other programs.

I can be found online at www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ebenim and my radio pieces are posted at http://ebenimmedia.vox.com/.

2. How should a pastor prepare for a radio interview?

When a pastor is going to be interviewed for a print, internet, video or audio interview, there are only a few things that you should remember. First, ask the host/interviewer how long your answers should be (do they need short, general answers or more specific, detailed answers?)–then stick to it. Second, find out if the interview is live, being taped “as-if-live” or taped for sound bytes/exerpts. The more “live,” usually the more conversational; the more taped, the less conversational. Third, ask the interviewer what you ought to do if you make a mistake (if its being done live, you’ll need to recover as quickly as possible; if it is taped, you should be able to stop and restart again or correct the mistake as you go along). Fourth, if there are things you are uncomfortable about or really don’t want to talk about, don’t be afraid to tell that to the interviewer. If they are upright, they’ll honor your request. If they pop a question that you have requested not be included, kindly decline to answer the question and try to redirect the interview to material agreed to when it was setup. Finally, remember that a good interview is really nothing more than a conversation. Relax, talk about what you know and don’t be afraid to identify those things you don’t know when asked.

3. What tips can you offer for giving good quotes?

This is going to rely on what type of interview is being done and how long they want your answers to be. Regardless, as a producer, what I am looking for are quotes that start with a complete thought and have a definite ending. Be as concise as you can and let the interviewer ask for more detail if they want it. A good quote will also frequently include the question in the answer.

3. How can pastors and churches pitch stories to radio stations?

I think it starts with knowing what the station is currently doing. Listen and observe what topics are being covered on the station or program. Then, when you call or write with an idea, you can start with a common reference point. For example, if you are doing a series on grace and want to offer yourself as a guest on the local morning show, you might write something like this to the producer of the program:

“Dear ________, I have really enjoyed listening to your program this week and your recent interview with Rev. Smith on forgiveness. I am currently preaching through a series on grace that I think would build nicely on that interview. I pastor the __________ church in town and would be available to speak on this topic if you are interested. My latest sermon is posted on our website as an mp3 if you’d like to listen. Thanks again for your ministry…”

Whatever you do though, be honest with your intentions and motivations for wanting to do the interview. If you want to sell a book or get more people in your church, don’t try to hide it, but don’t be surprised if they are not as interested in interviewing you. Too many pastors want free publicity and media outlets are hesitant to assist them in that pursuit. Having said that, most producers and interviewers I know want to find Godly guests who want to really help people and are searching for men and women of God who can bring hope, encouragement and even challenge from God’s word and personal experience.

4. Any other information you’d like to give about how churches/pastors can get better exposure with radio stations?

Start small. Be available for the “little guys” and stations. Be faithful in little, and I believe God will allow you to be faithful in much. I would also ALWAYS have something to offer for free–not just a $19.95 resource, but a free resource; either online or by mail. A few last tips that will help lead to further interviews. First, don’t ever say “In my book…” or “On my website…” when you answer questions. Let the interviewer push your materials, you just answer the questions. Secondly, don’t read your own material or quote yourself. Be more conversational. Thirdly, don’t ask for the questions ahead of time; rather ask about what topics you should be prepared to discuss with the interviewer (most good interviewers won’t give you their questions anyway). Fourthly, don’t always call the station or program with an idea that you can talk about, offer other people and guests that you think would be good on other topics. Finally, thank the interviewer in an email
or note after the interview for their interest, it goes a long way.

***

Excellent advice, Paul … thanks!

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Penelope says: “Knowing what answer you’re going to give way before you have to field a question.”

Her trainer said: “Don’t try to prepare for every possible question that could arise. Determine the 6-8 topics that are likely to come up during your interview …” and then:

“Hone a key message for each topic.”
“Identify anecdotes you can tell that illustrate each message.”
“Prepare specific examples or compelling data to prove your point.”
“Think of clever analogies if appropriate.”

See also her post on how to talk with the press.

Moral of the story … like a good Boy Scout … always be prepared. 

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