I have an exciting job here at American Church, Inc. Every day, I learn a little more each day about how churches are doing across the country. I talk to many kind folks in Arkansas and Tennessee. No sooner do I pick up the southern drawl, I find myself speaking to a Massachusetts church with an entirely different accent – both in speech and life.
Yes, churches are as different from each other in so many ways; yet in many ways they are so much the same. Many churches I talk to are struggling with their membership. Giving is on the decline, and they are focused mostly on making ends meet.
But back to my exciting position here at ACI. I have the privilege of helping churches turn things around. First, it’s a way of communicating with members and friends that stimulates participation and a buy in of what’s going on inside the doors of the church. If there was a “churchy” word for marketing, that’s what I’m talking about.
Sure, you can purchase a simple envelope and place it in the pew. But, ask yourself, “How is the envelope working for me? What can I do to make that simple envelope more effective in its desired outcome of securing needed funds for the church?”
Are you ready to make it work? Think of the envelope as a billboard. Make it colorful. Tell your story and your need to get something to go inside that envelope. This isn’t the time to be bashful. Most people want to give – they just want to give to “something” other than next month’s gas bill.
Is your “billboard” (envelope) getting crowded? We can help. ACI offers a remittance envelope that can handle 4 sides of copy and a credit card number that’s totally hidden by a full flap.
But, what if people don’t see that fancy envelope buried behind the Hymnal or the Bible in the pew? Here’s a solution. Send your envelopes directly to member’s homes. Now you are really getting somewhere. There are so many reasons to consider this solution. First, people are reminded of your church’s needs on a regular basis. Second, you can send along other information that tells your story (most of the time for the same postage). Plus, you get the added bonus of an up-to-date, clean as a whistle mailing list, compliments of ACI.
Let’s go one more step and set up additional regular mailed communication with your members to go a little deeper into your unique message. Send a card, a letter, a statement of how you’re doing financially – anything you choose. ACI can print and mail virtually anything you want at a very low cost.
Now, we are doing that church word for marketing. Can you take one more solution? I believe you can, especially because you are probably reading this message on a computer. Maybe you guessed it. Online Giving.
If you aren’t already doing it, you will soon. Why not be ahead of the curve and add ACI Online Giving to a giving option for members and friends right from your church website. To reach people with your message, you have to use the right tools. The newest tool is electronic, and really should have it in your toolbox. Sound expensive? It’s not. Sound complicated? It’s easy.
Helping you make giving and communication easy and affordable is what I’m here for. In fact, there’s a whole team of us here at ACI with your best interest at heart, your stewardship and communication. Call us today, 1-800-446-3035!
Post written by Gina Schumer, Senior Sales and Marketing Representative
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