1) Welcome new visitors into your church family!
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You and your team have worked hard to develop a system to welcome visitors and to ensure they have a great experience from the moment they exit their vehicle to the moment 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 out a text message to them and let them know how much you appreciated them coming out to visit! A little bit goes a long way, and it is a nice reminder that they are a valued part of your church.
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Here are a few stats to consider:
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Your church visitor retention rate is highest when you follow up with visitors within 48 hours.
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Retention rates of first-time visitors are 34%, 2nd time visitors 51%, and 3rd time is 78% in fast-growing churches.
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85% of guests return if followed up within 36 hours
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60% of guests return if followed up within 72 hours
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15% of guests return if followed up within 7 days
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Here are a few stats to consider:
2) Help them get connected through easy-to-follow next steps
- 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 be a part of. 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, make sure to use our link shortener to maximize your communication!
3) Keep them informed with important information!
- The previous article stated that 98% of text messages are read within 1 minute of receiving them. Knowing this, utilizing mass texts could be your best tool for relaying important information to your congregation. Users can receive real-time updates, giving them the freedom to plan or ask follow-up questions.
4) Encourage them throughout the week!
- 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!
- Using your mass texting in tandem with Forms is a strong way to receive prayer requests or feedback from your congregation. First, build your form and once it is ready, copy your direct link and paste it into your text message! Make sure to take advantage of the Link Shortener and send out your form and watch the responses come in! Need more help? Check out our article: How to Share Your Form!
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