I haven’t done any women’s ministry tips in a while, and so I thought today I would cover a topic that has been discussed a little bit in my Facebook Women’s Ministry Exchange Group in the comments on one of our posts. That topic is getting our women in our church groups to respond to text messages and emails. I have ladies ask me through messages a lot too about how to get their ladies to respond to simple text messages about whether they will be coming to a Bible study or an event for women’s ministry.
I think there are several things you can try, and today I will just be covering text messages, especially in regard to responding about an event. I think there are a few other things when it comes to emails, so I will focus on responding to text messages only.
Okay, ready to start?
Women’s Leader Text Tips
Make it short.
Nobody likes to read long texts, so be as concise as possible. Remember, your ladies will be reading this when they are on a break at work, or in the middle of cooking dinner, before they start up their car, or when they are dealing with their kids, etc. etc.
One glance should help them encompass everything you need to say.
Make that first line count.
The first line of a text message is gold. Those first few words of that line are what your ladies will see in their notifications and what you say in those first few words will determine if they think it is worth opening and reading the rest of the text or not, so make those first words count.
Avoid the hello’s and how are you doing today type things for your first line.
Use the quick confirmation way.
If you are having trouble with commitments to Bible studies and events, try using what doctors and dentists do for confirmations. A simple, type “C” to confirm if you will be attending. Or a type “Yes” or “No” as to whether you will be attending. It might not work on some people, but for others, they are used to confirming that way for appointments and engagements.
Note: Don’t use this one too early or far from your event, but as it gets closer, give it a try.
Send your text during business hours.
I believe 9 to 4 works best. Some people debate what business hours are. 8 to 5 or 9 to 4, but if you use the 9 to 4, you are covered. Don’t interrupt anyone’s evening and don’t text too early. Texting too early means they may see it, but it may go in and out of their brain because they are heading into their day and are likely to get busy and forget about it before they get a chance to reply.
Many people check their emails during lunch, so before lunch is a good time to send one. And many people check all their texts at the end of the workday when they get into their car to go home, so make sure yours gets in the mix. (If you know for sure someone works second shift or odd hours, you can adjust for that, but generally texting during business hours for your women’s ministry works better for the majority.
Make it personal.
Use the recipient’s name somewhere in the text, if possible, to be more personal. I discourage using it at the beginning because that takes away from those first words in that first line which is so important.
Be courteous.
Always be kind and courteous, but add a simple “Thanks in advance for responding” as your sign-off when you are requiring a response.
Okay, those are my simple tips for garnering some more responses from the women in your women’s ministry groups when they receive a text about something that is going on within your group. If you have some ideas to add, please hop over to my Julia Bettencourt Ramblings Facebook Page and add them to the comments on today’s post.
Have a lovely day,
Julia
