Sunday, March 8, 2009

Ask and you may receive...but at least ask!

With e-mail almost as common as the cold, I am amazed that asking for an e-mail address has to be encouraged as a “think digital first” issue.

A church recently updated the way it keeps track of visitors. It designed and printed hundreds of cards asking visitors for a name, address and telephone number. And that was it! Someone at the design stage may have asked the question about adding an e-mail address and perhaps received the response: “People don’t like to give their email address.” That may be the case, but at least give them the option!

E-mail is one of the best and least threatening ways to keep engaging people. It’s less intrusive than a telephone call or personal visit and it gives a person control over the contact.

When I saw the card, my initial reaction was “someone didn’t think digital first.”

1 comment:

The Layman said...

Ian, I believe you have nailed it! What did Dr. Luther do to get folks attention about giving the church back to the people of the streets? He nailed those 95 thoughts where they could be read easily. Instead of worrying about the mansions on the hills he nailed it to the doors in the streets, so that folks could step forward and read it if they wished. Your blog works the same way, as it is there for the reading...if we wish, and it is the least threatening ways to keep engaging people. It is just one click away for those who truly understand the purpose of a Christian blog. I will pass your thoughts on to our congregation's outreach committee.