1) Welcome new visitors into your church family!

1. You and your team have worked hard to develop a system to welcome visitors and ensure they have a great experience from when they exit their vehicle to when they exit your building. But did you know that your follow-up with them is just as important as their in-person experience?

   After they have attended one of your services, send them a text message and let them know how much you appreciate their visit! A little bit goes a long way, and it is a nice reminder that they are a valued part of your church.

   1. Here are a few stats to consider:

      1. Your church visitor retention rate is highest when you follow up with visitors within 48 hours.

      2. Retention rates of first-time visitors are 34%, 2nd time visitors 51%, and 3rd time is 78% in fast-growing churches.

      3. 85% of guests return if followed up within 36 hours

      4. 60% of guests return if followed up within 72 hours

      5. 15% of guests return if followed up within 7 days​​

2) Help them get connected through easy-to-follow next steps

1. Do you have a Next Steps Class? Is a small group event coming up? As church leaders, we know something exciting is always coming up for people to participate in. So why not send out some text messages? When sending texts, make sure they are short and make the call to action simple and easy to access. If you are including a link in your text, use our link shortener to maximize your communication!

3) Keep them informed with important information! 

1. The previous article stated that 90% of text messages are read within 15 minute and 98% are opened overall! Knowing this, utilizing mass texts could be your best tool for relaying important information to your congregation. Users can receive real-time updates, allowing them to plan or ask follow-up questions.

4) Encourage them throughout the week!

1. Caring for your congregation isn't exclusive to Sunday! Something as simple as sending a text message during the week is a great way to let your church know that you're thinking of and praying for them. It could be weekly installments of a Bible reading plan or a quick reminder that you're praying for them and are excited to see them on Sunday! Whatever you choose to do, your congregation will know that you care. 

5) Collect and Respond to Prayer Requests and Feedback! 

1. ​Sending a mass text that links to a form is a tremendously effective method for receiving prayer requests or feedback from your community.
   
   Once you've created your form, copy your direct link and paste it into your text message! Take advantage of the Link Shortener, then send your text and watch the form responses roll in!
   
   Need more help? Check out our article: How to Share Your Form!

Updated December 20, 2024 20:02