Holidays are a great time to re-connect with family and friends and especially our donors! There are a number of ways to do so, but here are a few ideas to keep in mind - especially when you consider re-connecting with your Top 20. Ideally, these ideas are best implemented before you send your EOYA in the mail, but doing so afterwards is also helpful.

• Send a Thanksgiving card along with a short, handwritten note about why you’re thankful for them. This should be a meaningful message of gratitude. The goal is to remind donors how valuable they are to you and the impact they are helping to make in the Kingdom. Please consider hand-addressing the envelope. A simple way to mail a card to your Top 20 is to pick up a pack of cards at the store. Keep it simple so you're more likely to do it.
• Send a photo of you and your ministry context!  Many donors like to hang pictures of the important people in their life on their refrigerator or bulletin board, so give them an opportunity! Many will hold on to these pictures all year!
• Send a personal text or email unrelated to your normal pattern of communication. Nothing makes relational connectedness happen more than making it apparent that you are thinking of them, so do it!
• Send a small gift connected to your ministry context. Donors are used to doing the giving, but why not return the favor and bless them with something that reminds them of your mission field!
• Include an extra dose of personal pictures at the end of the year. Personal, vibrant pictures make updates more personal and interesting, especially when they are of you.

Social Media 

With continual changes to Social Media algorithms and rules, it's important to be intentional about  re-connecting your friends and donors.  These interactions need are best received then they are relational and inspiring.  Have you noticed the Before-and-After posts?  What is happening in your location that visually shows the transformation of your work there.  

Here are ways to re-connect: 

• Consider posting daily for a week. Use words that reflect your journey in life, rather than opinions (which can be divisive).  Varying your posts will help you be noticed:
  • pictures
  • inspiration
  • family
  • goals that you are pursuing.  
  • Post key activities as events and allow your greater team the chance to visit you or cheer from a distance. 
• Respond to the responses friends give you.  Yes, likes are nice, but actual responses build deeper connection. 
• Go through your list of friends and donors who receive your updates . One by one find something that you like on their page, and then send a personal conversation starting message.  "Hi! I was thinking of you the other day. What's new?"
• Brag on friends and connections, tagging the individual and highlighting the great things they do. 
• Pay attention to the posts that get responses. 
• Never put your "ask" on Social Media. That stays in one-on-one correspondence like a letter or visit.  However, don't be afraid to ask for contact info in order to send a Christmas card.