[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4947156/height/45/width/450/theme/standard/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/” height=”45″ width=”450″]It’s a real challenge if a church simply doesn’t want to talk to you! But here is a creative and I hope successful solution that was inspired by a question from one of the BDMs. The podcast goes over the plan and below is the text to go with it>
I just got this question from one of the RISO DSMs:
On some of my recent calls to churches I have been asked to go to their website and email them.
If I truly cannot get an audience any other way, how would you suggest I respond to a website email request as in the link below?
http://www.thecaringchurch.com/contact-us/
And here is my answer:
Great question! Actually, this could be quite good because it gives you an opportunity to show them you are interested in serving them, not just selling to them.
Before you answer, (I’m sure you did this, but just in case), be sure you look over their website carefully. I did and it is an impressive church with a LOT going on (a significant school attached, the Pastor part of larger organizations) many opportunities here.
Overall I would keep in mind the church is EXTREMELY conservative, professional and proud of its heritage.
Some ideas for what you might say and offer to them in an email:
To the Church Communications Director or Business Administrator,
Thank you for the opportunity to connect via email! I know your time is extremely valuable and I don’t want to waste it.
I’ve looked at your website and am extremely impressed with the history of your church and your current ministries, particularly in your school and community outreach.
The company I work with RISO, Inc. has provided very cost-effective, time-saving, and environmentally-wise printing equipment (these are not copiers) to churches and schools for many years and we’d like the opportunity to share them with you.
To introduce our products and how we want to help your church be successful in its communication ministry, I’d like to share two resources with you. These e-books are written by Yvon Prehn of Effective Church Communications and are free downloads for you:
The 3 big printing challenges of the Church and how to solve them
http://wp.me/pDky9-6vM
Declining church attendance and how your communications can help turn that around
http://wp.me/pDky9-6A8
I would love to get your feedback if these were helpful. You can email me at: YOUR EMAIL
(you could also embed any resource links you’d want).
I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you in person and discuss with you how we might help your church become more effective in your communication ministry and help to grow your church through it.
Best regards,
etc., and your contact info
It will be interesting to see how they respond. Keep in mind many church offices are closed this week or open only on a very limited basis until Jan. 3.
Final advice
You don’t even need to wait until a church tells you to contact them through their website–this is a great way to reach out and make a first contact. Do a google search for local churches, go to their websites and look for the “Contact Me” link.
You find lots of great prospecting opportunities and it beats walking the streets in the winter cold!
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