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How to Use the Event Announcements Tool in Connect

Create, Organize, and Promote Church Events Effortlessly

 

The Event Announcements Tool in Connect allows churches to highlight upcoming events, engage members, and streamline event signups. Whether you're promoting Sunday services, youth group meetups, or special outreach programs, this tool helps you keep everyone informed in an organized and visually appealing way.

1. What Is the Event Announcements Tool?

The Event Announcements Tool enables churches to:
✅ Promote upcoming events directly on the church website.
✅ Categorize events by ministry, audience, or type.
✅ Allow registrations by collecting emails from interested attendees.
✅ Gather feedback from church members about events.
✅ Improve event visibility with images and detailed descriptions.

💡 Why It Matters: A well-managed event section ensures your church stays connected with members and visitors, reducing miscommunication and increasing participation.

2. Adding the Event Announcements Tool to Your Panel

Step 1: Enable the Tool

  1. Log in to your Connect Dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Customize Tools.
  3. Click “Add Tool” and select Event Announcements.
  4. Click the down arrow next to the tool to open settings.

3. Customizing the Event Announcements Section

Step 2: Naming and Display Settings

  • Tool Title – This appears in the Connect panel.
    ✅ Example: “Upcoming Events” or “Church Happenings”
  • Visibility – Choose when the tool is available:
    • Always (Recommended for continuous event promotion.)
    • Working Hours Only (Limits visibility to office hours.)
    • After Hours Only (Hides events during work hours.)
  • Sorting Options – Choose how events are organized for users:
    • By Ministry (e.g., Youth, Worship, Small Groups.)
    • By Age Group (e.g., Kids, Teens, Adults.)
    • By Day of the Week (e.g., Wednesday Bible Study, Sunday Services.)

💡 Tip: Using categories and tags makes it easier for users to find events relevant to them.

4. Creating Event Categories (Tags)

Step 3: Organizing Events with Tags

Before adding events, create tags to categorize them.

To Add Tags:

  1. Click “New Tag”.
  2. Enter a Tag Name (e.g., Youth Events, Family Events, Adult Events).
  3. Assign a Color to the tag (for easy identification).
  4. Click Save.

💡 Example Tags for Churches:
✅ Sunday Worship (For weekly services)
✅ Youth Group (For middle/high schoolers)
✅ Men’s Ministry (For men’s small groups/events)
✅ Women’s Ministry (For women’s small groups/events)
✅ Outreach (For volunteer/community events)

5. Adding Events

Step 4: Creating a New Event

  1. Click “Add Event”.
  2. Select a Category (Tag) for the event.
  3. Enter the Date of the event.
  4. Name the Event – (e.g., Outdoor Family Fun Day).
  5. Write a Description – Provide details like location, schedule, and what to expect.
  6. Choose an Action Option:
    • 📨 Collect Emails (For signups & RSVPs.)
    • ✅ Collect Feedback (For post-event ratings.)
    • 🔼 Collect Votes (To let members vote on event ideas.)
  7. Click Save to finalize the event.

💡 Tip: The “Collect Emails” option is great for RSVP tracking. Users can enter their emails to register, and you’ll have a record of attendees.

6. Enhancing Events with Media

Step 5: Adding Images to Events

Adding images makes events more engaging and visually appealing.

To Upload an Image:

  1. Click “Edit” next to an event.
  2. Click “Add Media”.
  3. Choose from:
    • 📷 Upload an Image (Recommended: event flyers, group photos, speaker images.)
    • 🎥 Add a Video (Ideal for event promo videos.)
  4. Click Save to apply changes.

💡 Tip: A well-chosen image can increase event interest and boost attendance by making the announcement more compelling.

7. Saving and Testing the Event Announcements

Step 6: Save and Preview

  1. Click “Save” to apply all changes.
  2. Open your website and click the Event Announcements tool to test it.
  3. Ensure the following:
    ✅ Events are listed under the correct tags.
    ✅ Images and descriptions display correctly.
    ✅ Email collection or feedback options work properly.

8. Best Practices for Managing Events

✅ Keep event titles clear – Make them short and engaging.
✅ Use high-quality images – Helps grab attention and build excitement.
✅ Regularly update past events – Remove outdated ones to keep the list fresh.
✅ Encourage signups early – Use the email collection option to track attendance.
✅ Monitor event feedback – Improve future events by learning from attendee responses.

Next Steps

Now that your Event Announcements Tool is set up, explore other Connect tools to further engage visitors. Need help? Contact support@ministrydesigns.org or visit ministrydesigns.com.