I found this Google-generated advertisement in an RSS Feed this morning.
I clicked it.
And then this is what I saw:
I just don’t know if that “worked” for me. I wonder what an un-churched person’s response would have been?
Walk with me here: You see that advertisement about “hypocrisy” and then you see this image above as you click on through.
[Click the thumbnail to the right for a full screen look]
Does it work for you? Thoughts?
brett barner says
Good intentions, I’m sure, but yikes!
Brad Davis Seal says
Doesn’t work for me. Might be a great church but I don’t want to visit their website again.
John Saddington says
yup.
PaulSteinbrueck says
The landing page ought to be a continuation of the message in the ad, and there doesn’t appear to be any relationship at all.
I also don’t really get what “free babysitting” page is promoting. Is it for free babysitting during worship services? A parents’ night out? Mom’s morning out? Free day care?
I was curious, but the page doesn’t appear to be on their site any more.
John Saddington says
agree on the continaution part.
Scott Magdalein says
Doesn’t work for me. 🙂
John Saddington says
what about a red hoodie?
Scott Magdalein says
If it worked for the chick that got eaten by the wolf, I think I can pull it off. 😉
Brad Parler says
I’m not a huge fan of this either, but I know that I’m not who their targeting. One of the most successful outreaches that our church does is called Fantastic Friday – where we have Kids Church on a Friday Night – we play games, have a message, and feed them too. Last Friday we had one knowing that Parents that could not get a babysitter but who would like to go out before Valentines Day would take advantage of the event.
John Saddington says
oh sweet.
Nick Shoemaker says
I don’t like it. I’m with Paul on this one- the ad doesn’t flow with the landing page.
The ad was catchy, yes, but to give mental-whiplash to the user is Cyber Suicide.
The font, Birth of a Hero I believe, is not great for web layout, and should have only been used in the title/logo.
The site is a good start- way better than this site. (Screen shot- WARNING- it made me nearly gag.)
Ryan Spilhaus says
Amen on the Birth of a Hero…the grunge doesn’t really work here…
John Saddington says
dude. that site is the shiznit.
Kyle Reed says
Nope, not at all. I am weary of any advertisements. And I think this is exactly why. Because they never deliver.
John Saddington says
some may…. but who knows.
Josh says
It seems they listened, I went to their website and the ad is no long on the front page. The ad yes was pretty scary, but related well to mothers. I think they could have worded things a little different to grab attention.
John Saddington says
power to the people?
Brad Parler says
word!
Jenn Hudson says
I dont think the ad related “well” to mothers at all, I think it was highly degrading and a turn off. just my opinion. I also think the graphic was misleading. if anything, this looks like an ad for super nanny gone wild. Most moms don’t run around wearing suits and lipstick. i mean, really? Maybe ones who work on wallstreet, but not in suburbiaville.
My suggestion for church (or any) marketing is that they not leave it up to the ‘web guy’ for ideas on how to reach women or moms, or any niche group for that matter. Add a creative female to the round table to help in the decision process – to be sure this kind of disconnect does not happen.
btw: NOT a fan of Billboard signs and ads that have statements, quoting “God.” Quote his red letter words, quote the bible, but don’t make up random stuff that you feel and put God’s name on it.
ok .thanks. i’m done.
John Saddington says
ah. yes. i’m in agreement with you. some of those billboards are quite disturbing.
Josh Armstrong says
yeah, it made me a little “uneasy” look at it all. I am sorry that a church would use this. It makes me a little sad
John Saddington says
a little?
Herb says
I think the problem is that the ad adwords ad linked to their generic page, which had, as part of a rotating content frame, that crazy image.
If the adwords ad went to a page specifically talking about hypocrisy in the church, then it would have been cool.
The image itself speaks loudly, with few words, to the stressful life of mothers, a life we men are generally oblivious to. I wish they had not taken it down so that I could have seen what happens when you click that image. Maybe it went to a mother’s ministry page?
John Saddington says
targetting linking might be better.
Ancoti says
Didn’t work for me, but I am not a frantic mother. Maybe you have to be in the target audience.
John Saddington says
i am a frantic father.
PhillipGibb says
that was scary.
no – it did not work for me, besides it was misleading.
John Saddington says
agreed
Graham says
Yeah… this doesn’t work for me either…
John Saddington says
🙁
Josh says
I am curious whether you have any examples of good/great google adwords/facebook advertising by churches?
We have had good results through google originally, though we don’t really need them anymore. However I have been thinking about strategic evangelism focused advertising. (topical/situational style stuff)