Try these follow-up methods to increase the odds of first-time guests returning to your church after Christmas.
Following up with Christmas guests is crucial. Once they leave your services, they are moving on to Christmas parties, presents and food! Then, once the Christmas holiday is over, they return to busy school and work schedules. A personal follow-up gesture will go a long way in increasing the odds of them returning to your church.
Here are six ideas for following up with Christmas guests:
1. Personal Phone Call. This is one of the single most effective ways to ensure your guests return for another visit. A simple phone call says the pastor of this church genuinely cares. And that matters, a lot, to your guests because this pastor might someday be their pastor.
If the senior pastor is not available, then a gender specific or stage-of-life pastor from your staff should place this call. If the guest has kids, for example, perhaps the children’s pastor could call. If the guest a single mom, then the women’s pastor would be a good choice.
2. Sincere Thank-You Card. Nothing says “Come Again” like a sincere thank you. With communication today being dominated by technology, a handwritten note is a genuine and unexpected way to say “Thank you” to your first-time guests. This personal investment says you care they visited and, more importantly, that you’d be happy to see them again.
3. Face-to-Face Meeting. Imagine that your guest is a man, brand new to the area, and someone from your men’s ministry calls and says, “Hey, I’d love to grab coffee with you this week.” During the meeting, get to know the guest and discover how he or she can get involved at your church.
4. Door Deliveries. While this method might seem outdated, you’d be surprised at the kind of impact a door delivery can make. Nothing says, “Welcome to our church” like a well thought-out gift (like a basket of quality chips and salsa). Keep the door visit short— it’s not a witnessing opportunity, it’s a welcoming one. And it works.
5. Welcome Video. Find the email address identified on the guest information card and send a welcome video the same day as the visit. The immediacy of the communication will make the guest feel valued. Personalize the email text and provide an easy way for them to contact your church. The email and video should describe why the church exists, the impact your church is making in the lives of people and how the guest can get involved.
6. Social Media Messages. Be sure to ask for Twitter and Facebook user names on your guest information card, and then “follow” or “friend” everyone who visits for the first time. This is an easy way to keep your guests informed in a casual and friendly way. Be intentional and express your gratitude for visiting your church via Facebook and Twitter.
