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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to your Questions
CHURCH LOGO BRANDING FOR 20+ YRS 

Discover answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Your one-stop page to discover answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Church Branding. Click on questions to get answers and links to pages and downloads. Be Known for Something church branding agency helps you be known for something relevant and need! Discover your thread along with answers to church communication issues. With 20+ years of helping churches, we have answers!

We also have video answers to the top frequently asked questions.

Most Influential Church Branding Agency Award - Be Known for Something

Church Branding

What is Church Branding?

Branding is consistently controlling what you’re known for (thread) and associating visual controls (logo, fonts, colors, designs) so you’re recognized and chosen for meeting needs. It allows congregation (internal audience) and community (external reach) to engage with your ministries because you’re known for something they find relevant and needed.

Done properly through our process, it provides the language for why your congregation attends so they can communicate it for word-of-mouth promotion. Since the thread (what you’re known for) quickly connects to the Gospel, your church branding is a foundation for evangelism and discipleship. Discover your thread!

Is there a difference between a Brand and a Rebrand?

Branding (controlled messaging and visuals to be known for something relevant and needed) often refers to the initial attempt of being known for something. However, even an existing church (not controlling a brand thread or logo), is known for something that’s out of your control (decided separately/differently).

Your perception (brand) should be identified so it unifies what your congregation (internal) and community (external) believe. That’s why many call our process a rebrand (redoing/improving your brand).

Rebranding also refers to a redesign process when a church doesn’t like its current brand (logo, tagline, etc). Every brand/rebrand in our process starts with understanding audiences (demographics) in order to develop communication personas with their needs, concerns, and goals. Then a thread becomes an outward-facing tagline that engages as a benefit — the thread IS your brand. A visual brand (logo, colors, fonts) is then associated with your thread.

Is Church Branding scriptural?

Our team strives to maintain scriptural integrity with our work. Jesus told His followers they’d be known for Love (John 13:35). That’s a controlled brand message for the Church. Being known FOR something is critical (and must be received as love). Sadly, when the world is asked about the church’s perception they answer what we’re against. We need to understand needs and offer solutions. Controlling that positive perception that Jesus referred to is Church Branding.

We’ll never suggest watering Biblical messages down. We want the local church to reconnect with their community (external reach area) by revitalizing reputation (perception). Let’s work together so the Church is known FOR something relevant and needed (thread).

Discovering a thread unites ministries, calms messaging, and engages people who need Christ. We believe church branding is effective evangelism. Reaching the community, saying less so they listen more, and using that engagement to talk about Jesus. Much like Jesus did when the women approached Him at the well (John 4). He engaged with her about Water (her immediate need) and then connected to the eternal (John 4:14c “water springing up… for eternal life”).

Churches are also known for things that sound “churchy”. A third to half of a community will ignore ministry messaging because they don’t want to listen to a church. Instead, we need to be “wise like serpents” (Matt 10:16) to engage immediate needs to share the Gospel. Why discover your thread? To evangelize biblically (Matt 28:19).

What is a “thread”?

Every church must discover their thread: THE benefit of attending their local church (a thread is used internally to shape promotional language and externally to give a community a great relevant reason to engage).

An effective thread (brand positioning, tagline, or slogan) is:

  • assumes a particular group from the community (currently in your congregation) called Personas
  • 3-5 words that represent a unique solution to an audience’s felt need or a path to a prominent goal
  • must be easy to remember and use
  • unites ministries so you’re a branded house, not a house of brands
  • easily connects to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

A thread is what you become known for as it’s woven through the fabric of every ministry. Our process helps you discover yours.

Church Branding Agency

What makes Be Known for Something unique?

Our Be Known for Something process is unique. It’s based on our bestselling book “Be Known For Something | Reconnect with Community by Revitalizing Your Church’s Reputation” which was authored by Mark MacDonald (our founder and lead strategist) who is:

  • an ordained Pastor of Communication
  • 35+ decades of agency experience
  • has published 800+ church communication articles
  • appeared on dozens of podcasts and interviews
  • keynote and workshop speaker at many national church conferences
  • has influenced 1000s of Pastors who regularly say great things about us

In 2020, Be Known for Something was recognized as North America’s most influential church branding agency (adding to our other creative and branding awards over our 20+ years).

Our process has helped 1000s of churches connect with communities to effectively evangelize. You can view some of our work here.

Mark also brings his knowledge as Executive Director of Center for Church Communication (influencing 10,000 churches) and from working with the 3000 Florida Baptist Churches (as former Strategic Communication Catalyst). The Be Known for Something creative team maintains the highest standards for its designers, writers, and strategists.

We’ve also developed the “fastest way to a church brand” with their one-of-a-kind Branding Retreat. Our clients love us! Read some testimonials.

What Denominations do you work with?

Many churches find affinity with like-minded churches in the form of denominations and networks. Some outside of these networks as non-denominational. Be Known for Something works with evangelical churches preaching the biblical gospel (the power of Jesus to save in John 3:16).

Occasionally we engage with churches that hold different secondary doctrines from our team. Our process doesn’t correct or endorse any secondary doctrine, or suggest how churches should minister. We simply want you to be known for something relevant and needed in order to share the love of Christ and, through faith alone, their reach area will discover a much better Way. Jesus.

Our Services (Frequently Asked Questions)

What’s the fastest way to a brand or rebrand?

We have several ways to Discover your Thread:

Timeframes:

Our Be Known for Something agency process (Discover your Audience, Build your Brand, Communication Strategy) typically takes 6-9 months (depending on schedule and deadlines). We also have ways to speed the process up. Groups are six, 1-hr sessions. Coaching can be over several months (you decide)!

The fastest way to a church brand? Probably one of the most asked frequently asked questions! It’s our Branding Retreat where we use a leadership retreat to unify ministries, explore audiences, and discover a thread. We even (as time allows) start discussing Communication Strategy for your tools (website, print, email, etc).

I like my logo. Is that enough for a Church Brand?

Probably not. Many believe their brand is a logo. This isn’t accurate. Your thread (what you’re known for) is actually your church brand. Your logo is just a visual reminder of the thread.

You need to discover your thread.

If you love your church logo but don’t have a thread, you’re allowing everyone to decide what you’re known for (from different messaging, perceptions, and materials). This isn’t a controlled brand. Our process can help you discover your thread to accompany the logo and, as needed, help you with communication strategy and tools.

When pricing includes logo development — and you don’t need it — we’ll adjust the package’s price.

We have talented creatives, can you coach them?

Yes! Everything we practice and teach on a regular basis (church branding, communication tool management, team oversight, effective communication strategy, etc) is offered through our coaching retainers. You decide how long engagements will be.

We want to teach you how to do this for yourself!

I can’t find a particular project listed here; do you do custom work?

Try the website search function (upper right) to make sure. Still can’t find it? No problem. If it’s in branding, communication, design, writing, or strategy, we probably can custom-develop a project for you. Please request it here.

Previous Work

Can I see your previous Church Branding projects?

For sure (always one of our frequently asked questions)! We love our award-winning church branding work — almost as much as our clients do! Here’s a portfolio of some of our work (remember our clients maintain their brand and communication process after we’ve completed our work; so it may look different than when we completed our work).

Can I contact your previous clients for testimonials?

You can imagine how many requests we get to do this. It would drive our clients crazy with calls and emails! To make it better for our clients, we’ve requested testimonials at the end of projects. Read them.

Can I search through your 800+ Church Comm articles?

Yes! National publications have requested and published our 800+ articles. Most are published on our website too. You can search by clicking on the magnifying glass (upper right; search for keywords, tags, ideas, etc).

Want an article written on a particular subject for yourself or a publication? Request it here.

Who will I work with? Great frequently asked questions!

Will I work directly with Mark MacDonald? Will there be anyone else?

As his schedule allows, Mark usually is your primary account contact. Even when another team member produces work as part of your contract, Mark interacts creatively behind the scenes and presents the work to you.

This leadership consistency creates an effective relationship with one of the leading church branding strategists, bestselling author, and senior creative director who has worked with hundreds of churches. And you’ll get to work with him!

Can I have a free call with Mark before I decide?

For sure! If you’re trying to decide what product, package, or service is best for you or your organization, Mark would like to talk.

He also likes meeting Pastors, Ministry Leaders, and Entrepreneurs! Schedule a discovery call here.

However, if you’re looking for consultation, advice, direction, or leadership on a particular issue in your organization, schedule a 1-hr consultation here.

In-Person vs Video?

Do you offer services via Zoom? Or do you require travel?

Zoom options are available for many of our engagements. However, a few of our packages have components that are best provided in person.

We enjoy traveling, love attending churches, and meeting leadership in person if possible (at least once or twice in our agency process).

You’ll save travel expenses for all zoom engagements.

Where is your agency located? Is travel included in prices?

Be Known for Something has team members across the US. Mark MacDonald is located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Travel (flights, hotel, meals, ground transportation, etc) is not included in pricing unless requested. 

Pricing Frequently Asked Questions

What are your prices? What do they include?

Thanks for asking! We have several pricing documents (see below for links). Descriptions of each process, product, and service are detailed with each. Travel (flights, hotel, meals, ground transportation, etc), shipping, and taxes are billed extra. We also create custom packages based on budget and deadlines.

Do you coach on an hourly basis?

Yes. We prefer to offer our coaching in one of our retainers (it’s more economical), but we understand how restrictive budgets or deadlines require hourly coaching.

You can schedule 1-hour coaching here.

Can I have a free call with Mark before I decide?

For sure! If you’re trying to decide what product, package, or service is best for you or your organization, Mark would like to talk. Plus, he enjoys meeting Pastors, Ministry Leaders, and Entrepreneurs! Schedule a free discovery call here.

NOTE: If you’re looking for consultation, advice, direction, or leadership on a particular issue in your organization, schedule a 1-hr consultation here.

Help me convince Leadership

Do you have a PDF to sell your agency to my leaders?

Yes! We understand that it’s not always you making the final decision. Here’s a printable scope document download that explains our Agency process with examples of our work.

Pricing is not in the Scope Document but is available at the following links:

If you need something else (like a phone call), please contact us.

Products and Services Questions?

Video Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is Church Branding?

Why Do I Need Branding?

Do I Need a Church Thread?

Church Branding Products

Are you known for the right thing? The Frequently Asked Question that must be answered!

We do most of the work for you

Be Known for Something Church Branding Process

AGENCY


Proven church branding process: audience & thread discovery, logo, and complete communication strategy. 


Components

Brand Assessment
Demographics
Mystery Visit
Leadership Summit
Personas
Thread Discovery
Logo Suite
Style Guide
Comm Strategy
Digital Hub
Tools Coaching

Discover Audience
Build Your Brand
Communication Strategy

Process Info
Process Pricing
Be Known for Something Agency | Church Logo Branding

Let’s do the work together

Be Known For Something Church Branding Retreat

RETREAT


Unify ministries in a fast-paced intensive audience and thread discovery to fast-track church branding.


Components

Demographics
ChMS Analysis
Personas
Thread Discovery
Leadership Unity
Initial Strategy
Ministry Dreaming
BKFS Swag

3 Fun Workshop Days


Optional Add-ons
Mystery Visit
Logo Package
Focus Groups
Followup Retainers
Retreat Info
Retreat Pricing
Be Known for Something Agency | Church Logo Branding

Learn with other churches

Be Known for Something Groups

GROUPS


Learn in a cohort-style group. Meet others, solve problems, & discover church branding strategies in six 1-hr sessions.


Components

Limited Size
Zoom-based
Worksheets
Homework
Email QnA
Expert-Led

Group Topics


Branding
Website
Strategy

Group Dates
Group Curriculum
Groups: Register
Be Known for Something Agency | Church Logo Branding

Be guided by an expert

Be Known For Something Church Branding Retreat

COACH


Heart-of-a-teacher Communication & Branding Coach who’ll guide, motivate, & encourage in best practices.


Components

Branding
Comm Strategy
Campaigns
Generosity
Comm Tools
Social Channels
Focus Groups
Demographics
much more…

Package Discounts


Accountability
Ongoing
Empowerment

Coaching Info
Coaching Pricing
Be Known for Something Agency | Church Logo Branding

Search your frequently asked questions in our 800+ Articles