5 Text Messages Every Church Should Send
Text Messaging is the most effective way to reach your church. SMS has a 98% open rate, meaning everyone opens and reads nearly every SMS message sent to them!
Though there are many messages you could send, below are 5 messages that every church should be sending. And since timing is everything when it comes to texting, we'll also share the best (and worst) times to send these messages.
1. The New Guest Follow-up Text
Best time
Immediately after someone has visited your church for the first time. Ideally within a couple of hours of attending the worship service. Learn how to automate these texts using ChurchTrac Processes ›
Worst time
Anything after 24 hours. The service is no longer fresh on their mind and they're busy with the new week. Once that 24-hour window has passed, you've missed your opportunity.
2. The New Guest Invite Back Text
Best time
Towards the end of the week. Thursdays are good since they potentially haven't made their weekend plans yet. Receiving an invite like this is a nice little reminder.
Worst time
Too early in the week or on the weekend. If you invite them back too early, they may forget. If you invite them back too late, they may have already made plans.
3. Missing you text
Best time
If you're keeping track of attendance, it's good to reach out if someone hasn't been there in a couple of weeks. ChurchTrac actually makes this really easy with our built-in absentee report. Learn how to generate Attendance Reports ›
Worst time
Immediately after someone has missed an event or service. Texting people immediately after each time they've missed can get annoying very quickly. What we're concerned about is a prolonged period of absence, not an occasional miss.
4. Birthday Text
Best time
The day of their birthday ?
Worst time
Anytime after their birthday. Belated birthday messages are bad. Sending a belated birthday text is worse than just not sending a text at all.
5. How can I pray for you Text
Best time
M-F from 5 pm to 7 pm is the most ideal time. You'll catch most of your people when they get off work without messaging them too late in the evening. Saturdays after 10:30 am is also a great time.
Worst time
Before 10 am on Saturdays is not a good time to message your people. Many families like to sleep in. The last thing you want to do is wake up church people that are trying to catch up on much-needed rest.
Takeaway
Text messaging is the #1 best way to communicate with your church people. These 5 texts alone will help you better connect with guests and serve your congregation. Just remember: content may be king, but timing is everything.