A few months ago, we released a super-practical, done-for-you product. It’s a short, mailable, booklet you can personalize and send to people who make donations to your church. Take a look, but keep reading…
We designed this to be a simple solution. Whenever you see that someone made a first time donation to your church, grab one (they come in a case of 48), personalize the included thank you note, and put it in the envelope. Send it in the mail, and you’ve gone a long way to personally thanking someone for their donation. Here’s the website where you can get more information and order.
Today, we’re giving away a case of 48 of these booklets. Simply answer this question in the comments and you’ll be entered to win.
What do you do when someone gives money to your church for the first time?
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We follow up immediately with a packet sent to them in the mail that includes a letter thanking them for giving, an additional giving envelope, and a “Generosity Ladder” book by Nelson Searcy.
Hey Jamey! How long have you been doing that system? Have you seen a difference/increase in giving since you started it?
We normally send them a first-time givers form letter, saying thank you for giving for the first time to our church and it explains how the contribution will be used for the glory of God’s kingdom.
Hi Derrick! Is that system working well for you? Do you currently have online giving available as well?
send them one of your booklets! great product you guys. we are using it and love it!!
Thanks Mark! We appreciate you! What would you say to the Pastors out there who are afraid to acknowledge the givers in their church? What has been your experience?
At this point nothing in particular.
Hey Mark! Thanks for stopping by. Acknowledging people for giving is a foreign idea it would seem. But we’re on a mission to change that. Is this a new idea for you? Do you think it would go over well with your people?
I send them a handwritten thank you and a what happens when you give booklet.
Hey Chris! That’s what I’m talking about right there!! How’s it working for you guys so far?
At this point, not much but we clearly understand the need for that to change.Winning the books would allow for the opportunity to demonstrate their effectiveness as a tool and then open the door for regular and continued use of the books as a part of a comprehensive strategy.
Hi Michael! Point well made.
What we do….we do a hand written note from me, thanking them for their gift and letting them know that they made an important spiritual decision to give. We follow up a few weeks later with an email.
Hey Bobby! You’ve got the right idea! …Turn those donors into disciples. Nice!
We currently send first-time givers a letter thanking them for giving, explaining why their giving matters, and explaining the next steps in giving – online giving.
I’d love to win the case of books!
Sounds like you’ve got a great system in place, Jason! Do you currently get good feedback from it?
we have been using these for a few months now and it has changed the effectiveness of our 1st time giver followup in so many ways…more than I ever thought. It’s some of THE BEST money we invest in people as a church each week. LOVE IT. -Pastor Zak
We appreciate you Zak!
First time givers form letter from my office (business administrator), plus a hand-written note from our lead pastor. Both sent within a few days.
We’ve ordered (and received) 3 cases of your booklets. We plan to send them to our top 144 givers when we mail Q2 giving statements. I’d love to be able to send another 48… just sayin’!
Hey Cris! How long have you been using your current system?
Form letters from my office – about a year I guess. Hand-written notes from the pastor – maybe 3 months? I think both were born of suggestions from the GR webinars (thanks Casey).
Here’s something that we do that really helps the lead pastor with his note writing. He wrote on a note card one time. We scanned it and made a REALLY good copy. Now we can print that on the same note cards and it totally looks like he hand wrote it. He uses a pen in the same ink to hand-write the addressee names and it looks great – doesn’t look like a copy at all.
Would love to check out a sample… or a case!
Hi Brian! Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment!
We sent out a letter thanking them for their contribution, congratulating them on making this spiritual decision, and include a handwritten note of encouragement. We also include an invite to our latest series and may include other items depending on if this donation was also in connection with a first time visit or not.
Hey Scott! That’s good stuff!
We send a hand-written note from our lead pastor… something we learned at the Giving Rocket tour in ATL in January. Thanks Casey!
Hey Andy! We love hearing hearing that!! The tour was fun. Glad you’re putting what you learned there to use! Have you used the booklets yet?
Not yet, but they seem like a great idea!
This is a bit embarrassing, but we have not done anything but thank God! I am midway into my first month of Giving Rocket and having a system for first-time givers has been new learning for me. I would love the booklets!
Adam, don’t be embarrassed one bit!! We’re so proud of the steps you’re making to help your church have more money for ministry! One step at a time you’ll get there.
Well, up to now, we deposit it.
Hi Gale! These booklets are a great place to start then!
Still wrestling with people that believe that following up with givers is not necessary. We are slowly implementing the giving rocket system and it’s just a matter of time before we send cards, letters, and other communication pieces to them to keep the vision alive and moving forward.
Good for you, Scott! Slow and steady wins the race.
Up until about three months ago, we offered no follow-up to first time givers. After attending the GR Tour in Chicago, we immediately started sending thank-you notes when people gave for the first time. What a novel idea: saying “Thanks” when people give to your ministry!
HA! Love what you said here, Ashton, “What a novel idea: saying “Thanks” when people give to your ministry!” …That’s how we feel! It’s not only the polite thing to do, it just makes sense!
Congrats to Brian Moon! (We used Random.org to randomly select the winner.) Thank you all for participating!
We send them a letter from me, the pastor, thanking them for their gift and encouraging them to continue to give pointing them to automating the important. We also send them a Radiant Life coffee mug with some fun stuff inside.
Thanks for the shout out for my book The Generosity Ladder. Wanted to let everyone at Giving Rocket know that http://www.Direct2Church.com has my book at 50% off in bulk! That’s cheaper than my author discount…hey, wait a minute….