Engaging visitors is a key part of any church communication strategy. While in-person interactions and communications are of the utmost importance, you can support your efforts with technology!
Your church management software can support your church’s communication strategy to engage visitors. And, best of all, many of these strategies involve automation, so they do not require any ongoing work from you or your office staff! Here are some ways to use your church management software to engage visitors so your church can continue sharing the Gospel.
Send Welcome Emails
Welcome emails are an important part of any church communication strategy, especially when it comes to engaging visitors. It’s important to note that you should only send emails to your visitors if they have explicitly agreed to receive marketing emails from your church. You can have them opt in via your website using a QR code, or check a box on your communication card.
Note from Pastor
After a person’s first visit, you can send that visitor a note from your pastor. You can make this email automated but personal. Have your pastor write a note signed with his name and contact information, encouraging visitors to reach out to him if they have any questions!
Next Steps
Identifying your next-step communications can help visitors understand how they can get involved further in the life of your church. You can share weekly events, such as Bible study groups or the dates of your next new member class.
No matter what your next steps are, make sure that it’s the logical next step for your visitors. You don’t want to ask a first-time visitor to set up recurring giving. Choose the next steps that have a low barrier to entry.
Follow Up
It is possible to follow up with your visitors without being creepy. You can use your follow-up emails to ask your visitors if they have any questions, would like to hear from the pastor, or are looking for ways to get involved. Sometimes, all people need to reach out is the invitation to ask questions!
Monitor Attendance
Most churches that use church management software utilize it to monitor attendance to accurately report trends. However, you can also monitor the attendance of your visitors—without seeming like Big Brother.
Monitoring your visitors’ attendance allows you to see who becomes a recurring visitor and who visited once. It will also help you notice if a visitor has previously visited your church but has not attended for some time, allowing you to engage him or her differently!
You can send emails to visitors after a certain number of visits to share the next steps with them, as shared above.
Tag Interests
If a visitor expresses interest in getting involved or volunteering, you can tag his or her profile with his or her interests, such as playing in the worship band or attending a women’s Bible study. This allows your visitors to stay in the loop with what they’re interested in and what’s relevant to them.
All of these can be easily done through Church360° Members, our people-focused church management software. Start your free trial today!
