grow & strengthen church membership using mobile texting

Support # 888-587-0010

Grow & Strengthen Membership

Using Mobile TextingPresenter: Russ J. Link

Director | [email protected]

Guest: Janet KornasSenior Product Development ManagerMidwest Regional [email protected]

© 2012 All rights reserved.

Support # 888-587-0010

Grow & Strengthen Membership

Using Mobile TextingToday’s Topics…


• Impact of Mobile Technology - Why it matters

• How to put it to use delivering YOUR message

• Texting Campaigns to Engage, Inform, & Interact

• Question & Answer Session

Support # 888-587-0010

Mobile Texting Basics


• Technology that enables sending and receiving of short typed messages to and from mobile phones

• A.K.A. Short Message Service (SMS)

• Message up to 160 characters (numbers & letters)

• Keeping it Short & Sweet

LOL = Laugh Out Loud

GR8 = Great

: ) = Happy Face

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The Mobile Impact


• 8 trillion texts sent last year

• SMS is the most widely used data application on the planet

• More than 72% of mobile phone users send and receive texts

• Not just kids… 25-35 year-olds make up a disproportionally larger amount of total text message users

Information provided by: CellPhones.org

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The Mobile Impact


Texting is HUGE and it’s only getting bigger!

Users Recruit & Train

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The Mobile Impact



Socially Driven

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The Mobile Impact



Cost & Availability

Photo Credit: Google Images

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The Mobile Impact



Lifetime Habit

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Is Your Medium As PowerfulAs Your Message?


Text Messaging is Powerful.

Text Messaging Is Personal.

Text Messaging Is Effective.

Text Messaging Is Far Reaching.

Engage your congregation. Inform congregation of events and schedule changes. Send daily bible verses or prayer requests. Interact with members during a service. Connect with study groups and youth. Collect prayer requests.

Support # 888-587-0010

SMS Relationship Cycle


Reach & Inform

Engage

Fellowship

Participation

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Explanation of Technology:


• Web-based platform makes it easy to manage

• Username / Password Protected

• Real-time or scheduled messages to individuals or groups

• Manage your messages and contacts

• Reporting Features

Support # 888-587-0010© 2012 All rights

reserved.

Keyword: Combination of letters and numbers (up to 50 characters) that can be text to your SMS number and receive a response.

Tip: Keep it short and easy to remember!

Keywords


reserved.

Campaign with Opt-In Keyword1. User texts the Campaign Keyword

Example: CHURCH

2. User receives a response message

Example: Thank you for joining our mobile program. Reply w/ YES to receive updates.

3. User replies with a Opt-In Keyword

Example: YES

4. User will be added to your contact list to receive additional updates


reserved.

Receive Daily Inspirational Quotes

GOAL: Collect contacts to receive daily inspirational messages from Church Pastor.

CALL TO ACTION: Text BIBLE to 444888 to receive daily inspirational messages from Pastor Dan.

TO: 444888BIBLE

RE:Today’s message from Pastor Dan “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD…” Jeremiah 9:11 . STOP2stop, msg&data rates may apply

Benefits: Provides inspiration and support to members on a daily basis, while keeping your message in their mind throughout the week. Reminds your audience of the presence of their faith in their daily lives, and encourages them to share with others.

Features Used: Keyword, Contact List, Reply Message, Broadcast.


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Build Contact List & Send Updates

Goal: Collect Contacts and sort them into groups to send updates, news, and alerts that pertain to church events.

Call to Action: Text CHURCHINFO to 444888 to receive news, updates, and important alerts about church events.

Benefits: Increase participation by reminding members of upcoming events and instantly informing them of schedule changes. Allows participants to receive messages that pertain to the events they’re involved / interested in.

Features Used: Keyword, Polling, Contact List, Reply Message, Broadcast.

TO: 444888CHURCHINFO RE: What events would you like to receive updates for? ReplyA. Services B. Choir C. Youth Group D. AllSTOP2stop, msg&data rates may apply


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Send Updates to Separate List

RE TO: 444888Youth

RE:We’ll send you texts about when the youth group meets, youth group trips, or any scheduled changes and cancellations. STOP2stop, msg&data rates may aply

RE TO: 444888Services

RE:We’ll send you texts about Wednesday night services including any cancellations or changes. STOP2stop, msg&data rates may aply

RE TO: 444888Choir

RE:We’ll send you texts about choir practice and events. STOP2stop, msg&data rates may aply


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Coordinate Fundraisers & Drive Donations

Goal: Gather volunteers and donations for a fundraising event (Pancake & Sausage Breakfast). Organize volunteers into separate contact list to communicate with each group. Collect donations in real-time.

Call to Action: Text PANCAKE to 444888 and find out how you can help with our annual Pancake & Sausage Breakfast. Volunteers & Donations Needed! Benefits: Increase participation and financial donations for church events. Quickly and easily communicate times, dates, and other information to appropriate volunteers. Features Used: Keyword, Opt-In Keyword, Contact List, Reply Message, Broadcast.

TO: 444888PANCAKE

RE:Thanks for supporting the Breakfast. Reply KITCHEN to help in kitchen. Reply SERVE to help serve food. Reply GIVE to make a financial donation. STOP2stop, msg&data


reserved.

Coordinate Fundraisers & Drive Donations

RE TO: 444888KITCHEN

RE:

Thank You for volunteering in the kitchen. We will need your help cooking and washing dishes. More info to follow by text. STOP2stop, msg&data rates may

FROM: 444888

Thanks again for volunteering in the kitchen during our Pancake Breakfast. Meet in church kitchen @ 6:00am on Sat., Sept 9th. We R counting on U. STOP2stop, msg&data rate

Example Automatic Reply Message sent to volunteers who signed up to work in the kitchen (based on their reply of KITCHEN).

Example Broadcast Messages sent to all volunteers who signed up to work in the Kitchen.


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Organize Volunteers & Drive Donations

Custom Mobile Donation / Tithing PagePledge Token can create a custom designed Mobile Donation page to allow donors to give directly from their mobile phones or your website. The custom design reflects the look and feel of your church or special event.

Mobile Donation Pages can be setup for special events, or made available for ongoing use to collect tithes and donations.

RE TO: 444888GIVE RE: To donate to the Pancake & Sausage Breakfast please visit www.v-post.com/give Any size donation is greatly appreciate! STOP2stop, msg&data rates may apply


reserved.

Collect Prayer Request

GOAL: Collect Prayer Requests and Forward to Pastor

CALL TO ACTION: Text ‘PRAY’ followed by a space and your prayer request to 444888

TO: 444888PRAY

RE:Your prayer request has been received by Pastor Dan. Reply YES to have your request shared w/ members. STOP2stop, msg&datd rates may apply

REPORTING: Can forward requests to Pastor Dan’s cell, email, or both.

Send Prayer Alert: Request may be send by SMS Broadcast to members on the prayer contact list.

Support # 888-587-0010

Other Ways to Utilize SMS:


• Birth, baptismal, death or new member announcements

• School announcements, including special events

• Student or parent reminders, such as trips, picture day, etc.

• Emergency alerts that affect members and community

• Childcare notification (during worship service)

• Communicate with board members and/or staff

Challenge: Think of ways to use this in own organization.

• Get feedback from members (keep your message relevant)

Support # 888-587-0010

Considerations:


• Does it fit the message style and ministry practiced at your church, or could it?

• Does your congregation use mobile phones and do they know how to use texting?

• Would a texting program fit within a special area of your ministry (Youth Group, Special Events, etc.)

• View mobile text messages as a way to enhance personal communication, not replace it.

Support # 888-587-0010

To Learn More:


• Visit our website @ www.PledgeToken.com/mobile-text

• Toll Free: 1-888-587-0010