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Often we do not live in the same city as all of our supporters. When we can't meet over coffee to catch up, then it's time to look at some creative ways to stay personally connected with our support team.
Consider each connection a "bucket filler." Some connections are more meaningful and, thus, hold more mass. Some are less meaningful. When constructing an annual plan with how you will connect with your support team, consider varying the types of connections so those buckets get filled.
Post Cards (and Greeting Cards)
Postcards can be a great way to quickly connect with supporters. Did you snap a fun pic at an event or a group selfie at a Bible Study? Share it with a few key supporters by sending it as a postcard! There are apps for your phone or computer that allow you to easily upload the photo, write a quick note and add the recipient's name/address. The company will then print, stamp and mail the card for you. SO. EASY!
A note on choosing a service that works for you: It’s always best to test out a new service by sending your first postcard to yourself.
Here are some postcard services (as of October 2020):
Service | Price | Postage | App? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TouchNote | $1.75 per postcard | Yes | Yes | One layout option. Can include words on the front of the card. Easy to use. |
| Easy Letter Sender | $0.64 per postcard | Yes | No | Not a fancy website. To send from the phone, you can probably use your phone’s browser to send a postcard to a single individual. From a Reliant missionary using this service, "To send a postcard to one person is easy." *It's a bit more complicated to send multiple cards to different addresses. Here are some things to know if you want to use Easy Letter Sender to mail a postcard to a list of people: To send to multiple recipients through Easy Letter Sender, click the orange "Add Recipient Addresses" button, then the green "Import list" button. Review your list before uploading and remove any double lines before importing (example: those who have two lines on their address, such as apartment numbers). The system doesn't save your list. So, you'll have to upload it every time you send out a postcard to a large list of people. But, that can be a healthy habit to have since our supporter's addresses change from time to time. Also, you won't be able to mail merge content (such as adding the recipient's name to the salutation in the message block). Note, this site is hosted on a parent site called Click2Mail. That side will allow you to mail merge and save address books, BUT it is very complicated and not recommended. |
| PrayerLetters.com | $0.88 per postcard | ? | Christian | Christian-owned company that has been serving missionaries for decades. They also print/send prayer letters. |
| Postagram | $2 per card | ? | Yes. App only. | FYI: Will only format the pic as a square “Instagram style” pic that is printed on hard paper so the pic can be popped out of the postcard. App only; no desktop version. |
| My Postcard | $2.29 per post card, $4 per greeting card. | ? | ? | Includes international. It’s a European company. Multiple layout options. |
| PostSnap | $2.75 | ? | Yes | Worldwide shipping. |
| Send Out Cards | $3.75 per greeting card | No | Yes | This one is a well-designed thank you card. *They also have a feature where you can set up a card campaign that sends cards automatically. This is a monthly fee. |
| ChalkLine | $0.94 per card | No | No | Christian-owned company that specializes in ministry letters and donor communication. Can help with designing a mailing piece. |
Video Messages
If post cards are too static for you, why not try a video message? One of the most exciting things for a supporter is to hear of someone’s life impacted by Christ as a result of their support in your ministry. As ministry event approaches (an outreach, Easter Sunday, Christmas campaign, evangelism event, worship night, etc), consider how you can take a quick video of how God is moving. *Pro tip: Record it on your phone and keep your vid under 60 seconds so you can text it to a few individual supporters with a message of thanks.
Some examples:
- Selfie video of you telling what God just did in Easter Sunday service (3 people came to Christ! We had the most people in attendance ever! The girl I’ve been reaching out to came to church/Bible study/home group for the first time!).
- Vid of one person you minister to talking about how they’ve been impacted by the ministry this week.
- Vid of you at an outreach event explaining what’s going on and why you’re excited about what God is going to do/ has done through the event.
- Video of a person you disciple thanking your supporters for empowering you to minister to them!
Film your video, then text or email it with a message of thanks to a few supporters (God will tell you which ones to send it to. Just ask!). Just remember, these don’t have to be slick or professional! Consider it like a FaceTime call. Let it be personable, short and full of energy. It’s a great, QUICK way to thank a few supporters while letting them experience a slice of the ministry they’re working so hard to support.
Video Calls
Maybe you're really wanting to connect one on one with a supporter, but are looking for something more creative than a phone call. Video calls are where it's at!
This is a great method when you're at a distance (not within driving distance of your supporter) and want to connect. It's also a very dynamic way of giving donors an insider look into your ministry. Any time you can engage a supporter face-to-face (vs an email, phone call, text or letter), it's far more effective. Connection is found in face-to-face moments.
- Here's how to do it:
- Let's say your ministry hosts a gathering once a week. You can use that consistent ministry activity as an opportunity to bring donors into the heart of the ministry. While on the video call, walk around and show the volunteers and the students while you talk about the vision of what you're doing and why you're doing it. Throughout the time, ask questions of your donor so it's more of a conversation instead of a monologue. You can even introduce the donor through the call to a couple volunteers as you walk along. Donors say they love these types of video calls because it gives them a great pic of what the ministry is doing and what it looks like. Your ministry partners will appreciate you taking the time out to give them a tour. They may even ask you to schedule another time so others can go on the tour as well! (This has actually happened to other missionaries.)
- A few things you'll want to do before the video call:
- Do schedule these calls with your supporters (vs randomly calling). This call takes a little more planning because I'm trying to get both husband and wife on the call (but maybe younger people who have more free time can get a call with no appointment-setting needed).
- A few minutes before the call, walk around at your event and ask people if you can introduce them on the call. Ask if they can say something short like "Hey, nice to see you!" You can also ask the volunteer or student a question to bring them out a little more on the call.
Is there a type of donor that's best for this type of video appointment? I think it could be done for whoever your priority people are.
- Do you do a financial ask on this call? If the Lord's leading you to ask this person to partner with you financially or increase their giving or connect you with others, this is a great way to make that ask face-to face! You can also use video calls to remind annual donors about why they love the ministry (*do this before they decide about annual giving for the next year). This sets you up to call back in a few months for the ask. You can use these video calls as a way to reconnect with supporters they haven't talked to in a while. A third way to use video calls is to keep you connected, in relationship with your supporters and keep their vision high for your ministry (this is especially crucial for your anchor donors and those who are close to falling off your team).
- What method or app do you use to make these calls? There are many apps out there that will host video calls. Here are some of the most common:
- Zoom. The new standard that even your Grandma knows how to use. Thanks COVID.
- Facetime. Super easy to use, but both users have to have an iphone/ ipad/ mac/ etc.
- Skype. Old school, yet versatile. Can call one or multiple people at a time. Can call on a phone (if the person has the Skype app installed on their phone) or can call a computer or tablet (must have the app installed as well). Older people (30's and up) will be more familiar with Skype than the younger generation.
- Google Hangouts. Also versatile. Can call one or multiple people at a time. Can call on a phone (if the person has the app installed on their phone) or can call a computer or tablet (must have the app installed as well). Younger people (30's and under) will be more familiar with Google Hangouts than the older generation.
- It's always a good rule of thumb to FIRST ASK YOUR DONOR what program/app they prefer to use. It will help if you're familiar with and have all 4 of the above mention programs already downloaded on your phone or tablet (it's a bit harder to walk around at an event with a laptop in your hand.... even harder to do that with a desktop. haha).
- Here's how to do it:
Gifts with Meaning
- gifts - small but meaningful. Book. City mug. Ebenezer stone.
Ministering 1:1
- Caring - If a donor tells you something, ask them about it later. Even set reminders so you'll reach back out to them after that event or thing in their life happened.
- Ministering - If someone asks you to pray for them, pray over them right there. Then follow up and ask how it's going. People appreciate being remembered.
Snail Mail a Thank You Packet
This one takes a little more work, printing and planning, but it can be a lot of fun. Great timing for this type of mailing is before holiday giving begins (think early November). Other fun times can be Valentines Day (who still sends valentines cards these days? They're so fun for a donor to receive. They really feel the love from you.), after someone starts giving, after a big special gift, or when someone increases their giving.
Below is an example of an unforgettable thank-you.
This came in the mail from a missionary who was done with MTD and waiting to move internationally.
Consider this idea for a Thank you card or as a Christmas Card/ gift.
What I love about this card:
- Email list insert - This reminds folks of Ali's prayer letter and to check if it's getting stuck in their spam or junk filters.
- Personal note - Although the thank you card was printed as a template, Ali still took the time to write a personal note on it. Hand-written, personal notes are key relationship-builders with supporters!
- Pics of smiling faces - Ali wisely got pics of the children she will be ministering among and has been able to use those pics in her MTD presentation and on other pieces, such as this Thank-you card. Supporters might not know these children personally, but seeing their faces helps build yet another connection between the supporter and the people whom they're sending you to minister among.
- Contact Info - On the back of the card, Ali gave a large, clear opportunity for supporters to stay connected with her through other avenues (Facebook & email).
