Online Outreach: Alignable

June 4th, 2025

Alignable is a social networking platform launched in 2014, designed specifically for small business owners. While often compared to LinkedIn, the two serve different purposes: LinkedIn is a career-focused network for individual professionals, while Alignable is centered on building business-to-business (B2B) connections in local affiliations. Churches can register as religious organizations to share their ministries and connect with others in this growing virtual community of nearly 10 million users.

This platform focuses on fostering connections within specific geographic regions, meaning some areas may have few or no churches represented, while others may have a strong presence. This creates a unique opportunity for churches to establish an early presence in their city or to collaborate with other ministries already active on Alignable. By connecting with like-minded businesses, nonprofits, service providers, and fellow churches, your congregation can maximize its local impact and strengthen its community involvement.

How to Get Started: The Basics of Using Alignable’s Free Guest Membership

Create a Church Profile
Sign up and create a church profile with your mission, services, and community outreach initiatives. Include an attractive banner photo along with your logo, and a link to your church’s website.
Network with Local Businesses
Connect with local businesses and organizations to build partnerships for mutual support, such as co-hosting events or sharing resources.
Promote Community Events
Use Alignable to share details of church events like fundraisers or volunteer opportunities. Create event listings and encourage local businesses to attend or promote them.
Collaborate on Outreach Projects
Engage with businesses and nonprofits to work on community projects like holiday drives or neighborhood cleanups. Post collaborative efforts on your page to encourage participation.
Offer Services to Local Businesses
Offer your church’s services, such as leadership development or spiritual support, to local businesses. Host networking or spiritual workshops for business owners.
Support Other Local Businesses
Promote and support businesses that align with your church’s values by leaving reviews and publicly recognizing their community contributions.
Request Referrals and Build Trust
Request and give referrals to increase visibility. Share testimonials that highlight how your church has impacted the community.
Use Direct Messaging to Connect
Reach out to local leaders, business owners, or ministers to discuss potential collaborations or how your church can serve the community.
Share Resources and Educational Content
Offer valuable resources, such as articles or videos, to local businesses on topics like mental health or leadership.
Engage in Local Discussions
Join discussions on Alignable’s groups or forums, offering a Christian perspective on local issues and initiatives. Share your church’s involvement and invite others to collaborate.

One essential group to start with is the Alignable Insider Community. In this group, you’ll have access to Insider Office Hours, for individualized help from Alignable experts. During Office Hours, members can connect live via Zoom to receive personalized guidance, ask questions, and get advice on topics such as networking strategies, maximizing the platform’s features, and growing their businesses.

Once you’ve tried Alignable’s free membership, you might consider a premium upgrade. There are three premium levels, from $29 to $89 per month, that will give you access to more advanced features and deeper insights into the network you are building. With each level, you are given monthly connection credits that can be used to send requests or messages to other users. Unused connection credits do not roll over from one month to the next, a policy that encourages members to interact consistently!

Another distinguishing feature on this platform is Alignable 360, an AI-powered networking coach. This service is designed to help users make smarter, more strategic connections. It provides personalized networking suggestions based on your profile, preferences, and responses to prompts. It can be used to request connections, make introductions, and even write content – though you should always personalize any AI-generated messages.

A key principle of success on Alignable – or any social media platform – is to give more than you take. This matches the Christian focus on service and servant leadership. You can invest in relationships by offering to introduce people within your network, and to reach out to those who interact with your profile, offering thanks and helpful information.

Another excellent way to build rapport on the site is by writing recommendations for people and organizations you truly appreciate. Do this voluntarily, without asking for anything in return, and the gesture will likely be repaid, as Alignable encourages a culture of reciprocity.

Be sure to take advantage of Alignable University, too. There are a variety of live sessions and replays that provide valuable networking and business growth insights. While free members have access to some of these resources, premium members get additional features and exclusive content within the platform.

Final Tips for Success on Alignable:

Be Consistent: Post regularly to keep your church’s profile active and relevant. Share updates about your church’s events, services, and community work.
Build Relationships: Alignable is a network designed for relationship-building. Take time to interact with other local leaders and businesses, both online and in person.
Stay Community-Focused: Keep your content and interactions centered on how your church is helping the community. Highlight local initiatives and how others can get involved.
Use Reviews and Referrals: Building a strong network of referrals can help your church gain credibility in the local area. Ask for reviews from people who’ve experienced your church’s services or events, and offer your referrals to others in return.

While Alignable is primarily a platform for businesses, churches can use it as a tool for connecting with local organizations, building partnerships, promoting events, and supporting community outreach efforts. By networking with local businesses, offering resources, and collaborating with other groups, churches can use Alignable to extend their mission, strengthen community ties, and increase their impact in the local area.