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If postcards 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.
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Film Text or email your video , then text or email it along with a personal 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.
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Consider integrating longer videos into your regular communication schedule. Maybe you substitute a few prayer letters a year with a couple video updates. Here are a few ways to maximize video updates:
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Video Calls
Maybe you're really wanting Want 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! call? Try a video call!
This can be a very dynamic way of giving donors an insider 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 Plus, you get a chance to engage them face-to-face (vs an email, phone call, text, or letter), it's far more effective. Connection is found in face-to-face moments. .
Let's say your ministry hosts a gathering once a week. What if you could use that consistent ministry activity as an opportunity to bring donors into the heart of the ministry? It takes some prep-work, but we've had donors say they love these types of video calls because it gives them a peek into the life of the ministry they're undergirding.
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Here are a few tips from a Reliant staffer who taught us how to do these types of calls: 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 the ministry location or event and introduce some 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 of 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 likeof a conversation instead of a monologue. Move to a quieter location to wrap up the call. 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 missionariesme.)
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Gifts with Meaning
- Small but meaningful gifts can be a treasure to some donors.
- Book (to facilitate discussion with your donor).
- Mug with the city in which you're ministering (Starbucks often sells these).
- Stone. From the city in which you're ministering. Or an Ebenezer stone.
- Key, sent to large donors who have been "key" to keeping you in the field and ministering.
- Spice mix from the country or people-group among whom you're ministering. Include a recipe and a story about that people group and how to pray for them.
- Bookmark (see photo below).
- Wooden spoon with a John 15:4 carved into it and a note. One field worker sends this to those who have committed to pray for her an hour every week.
- Reusable bag for grocery shopping. It says the word "worship" in 15 different languages.
- Art print of Psalm 6.
- Christmas ornament with the missionary and the people they minister among. *It's made out of paper and flat/inexpensive to mail.
- Luggage tags right before a move to a different ministry location. "As we go, you go with us."
- Postcard from someone you ministered to. Hand-written to personally thank the donor for mobilizing you to meet them with the gospel.
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Pro tip: Make 5-10 of these at a time to have on hand to send after a big special gift or when someone increases their giving.
Ministering to Your Donor
- 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.
Thank you Cards
Never underestimate the power of a hand-written thank you cardthe power of a hand-written thank you card! The standard is to send this within 48 hours of the gift.
Nonprofit thanks are often perfunctory, predictable, leaden, and unconvincing. Donors give to multiple causes. An average donor will see 10-20 thank you's a year and promptly forget them all. You want to be the thanks they can't forget.
Click here for 50 thank-you card prompts (thanks to Scott Morton, support-development coach). -development coach).
Behind on thank-you cards? Pick up packs of thank you cards from the Dollar Tree (8-10 notes in a pack) and "smoke a pack a day" by writing and sending a pack of notes in one day.
Snail Mail a
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Packet
Real mail can be such a delight. Here are ways to use mailed packets this in MTD:
- Mail a "welcome to the team"
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- packet to new donors
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- . Pro tip: Make 5-10 of these at a time to have on hand
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- for when a new donor starts giving.
- Send as a Thank you for meaningful special gifts.
- Mail as a special Christmas Card/ gift.
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This came in the mail from |
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a missionary to all their supporters. They were done with MTD and waiting to move internationally. |
Consider this idea for a Thank you card or as a Christmas Card/ gift.
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Key components that make your packet What makes this card stand out:
- Personal note - Although the thank you card in our example 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 cardexample. 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 her to minister among.
- Small, ministry-related gift - Included in the card was a hand-painted, wooden bookmark from the country where Ali is was going to serve. This was not a gift for the sake of a gift. It tied in directly to her area of ministry and served as a reminder to the supporter of where they will be ministering through their faithful giving. (Also see
- "You're on the List" insert - This served as a reminder of Ali's email prayer letter and to check if it's getting stuck in their spam or junk filters.
- 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).
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