Something that's been tugging at my heart recently is that as Catholics, we have to market differently.

The industry is becoming saturated by tactics that manipulate people for personal gain and bots that have stripped marketing of its humanity and leave us questioning what is true and what is generated.

Catholics have always been called to be different. And that's becoming no less true in marketing.

Just as "they'll know we are Christians by our love," someone should be able to look at our marketing and see and feel a difference.

Because here's my radical thought:

When we market like Jesus would, our marketing becomes an act of service. It becomes just as much a part of our ministry as the actual work He called us to.

In other words, when we do it right, I believe our marketing alone can (and should) bring people closer to Jesus, even if they never actually buy our products, go on our retreats, read our books, etc.

I want to teach you how to market that way.

So this month, I've unofficially declared it to be "Marketing as Ministry Month."

Not just because "marketing," "ministry, and "month" all start with M's (though I am a sucker for alliteration)...

...but also because May is FULL of feast days for marketers.

St. Joseph the Worker. World Communications Sunday. More apostles' feast days than any other month of the year. St. Bernardine of Siena, patron of communications. Pentecost Sunday.

The Church is preparing us to be sent out.

And I want to equip you to do that in your marketing.

So to celebrate, you're going to see me in your inbox a bit more this month (probably 2-3x per week).

You'll walk away from this month convicted of your marketing mission and with the basic tools to start putting it into action.

We'll be:

• Breaking down the lie that marketing has to be evil or sleazy
• Convicting you that marketing can be holy and just as much a part of your call from the Lord (I'll show you where it says that in the Bible!)
• Figuring out the gaps that are holding up your current approach to marketing
• Discovering the unlikely place to find the best and most effective blueprint for marketing as a Catholic
• Developing a habit of praying over our marketing and the people it will reach
• Discussing the #1 thing that every Catholic business or ministry needs to have to market well, but most don't
• Learning the three stages of marketing (most people only focus on the second one, which is why it doesn't work)
• Setting you up with the 5 basic, practical elements of a marketing plan you'll actually use

All of these ^ will make your marketing more effective so you get results.

But even more importantly, they will all help to make your marketing bring people closer to Jesus at the same time.

I don't want this to be something you just follow along with passively, though.

"Those are great ideas!" doesn't actually change your marketing into ministry.

So, each email in this series will end with a challenge.

Something small for you to do to put this into practice, so your marketing at the end of May looks different than it is now.

And as if better marketing wasn't enough of a motivation...

...there will be a prize if you complete all of the challenges!

Towards the end of the month, I'll be relaunching something I haven't been able to offer for almost a year.

Something for the people who don't want to market like the world, but still want to grow their business or ministry.

Something for the people who are really ready to do the work to create a comprehensive marketing plan that feels holy, authentic, and works better, but don't know where to start.

Something that will help you go from "I hate marketing" to "Marketing is fun and exciting now."

(Seriously. Someone actually told me that ^ after the last time I offered this.)

So keep track of all your challenge answers, and if you send them to me at the end, you'll get a coupon for 10% off.

It's going to be a great May! I'll see you in your inbox on Thursday for the first installment of Marketing as Ministry Month where we'll be breaking down exactly why good marketing is essential if you're a Catholic business owner or ministry leader. (Hint: Because there's souls on the line.)

For His greater glory,

Emily

P.S. We're kicking off "Marketing as Ministry Month" here in the newsletter! This month, I'll be in your inbox a bit more sharing tips on how your marketing itself can actually bring people closer to Jesus. Invite three friends to join us, and I'll send you my free marketing plan basics workbook!