Tell Stories in Your Church Email For More Engagement | Maddie Hall

[Music] [Music] what's your main point from the church what's your main point from the church what's your main point from the church and I think this is kind of one of the and I think this is kind of one of the and I think this is kind of one of the things that I've been on lately is our things that I've been on lately is our things that I've been on lately is our main purpose and call to action as a main purpose and call to action as a main purpose and call to action as a church is like you said love people and church is like you said love people and church is like you said love people and tell them about Christ it's not to get tell them about Christ it's not to get tell them about Christ it's not to get them to sign up for some random X Y or Z them to sign up for some random X Y or Z them to sign up for some random X Y or Z right and so if we think about it from right and so if we think about it from right and so if we think about it from that angle then then it's like okay I'll that angle then then it's like okay I'll that angle then then it's like okay I'll just put one story in there you know just put one story in there you know just put one story in there you know this is season three episode 31 of the this is season three episode 31 of the this is season three episode 31 of the missional marketing podcast thanks so missional marketing podcast thanks so missional marketing podcast thanks so much for tuning in today my name is Bart much for tuning in today my name is Bart much for tuning in today my name is Bart Blair and it's my privilege to welcome Blair and it's my privilege to welcome Blair and it's my privilege to welcome you to another episode of the show our you to another episode of the show our you to another episode of the show our goal with this podcast is to help your goal with this podcast is to help your goal with this podcast is to help your church grow by leveraging digital church grow by leveraging digital church grow by leveraging digital marketing and effective Communications marketing and effective Communications marketing and effective Communications and no matter what seat you sit in on and no matter what seat you sit in on and no matter what seat you sit in on the bus at your church if you have a the bus at your church if you have a the bus at your church if you have a hand in the communications in the hand in the communications in the hand in the communications in the marketing this podcast is made just for marketing this podcast is made just for marketing this podcast is made just for you maybe you're the senior pastor maybe you maybe you're the senior pastor maybe you maybe you're the senior pastor maybe an executive Pastor maybe you're a an executive Pastor maybe you're a an executive Pastor maybe you're a church communications director maybe church communications director maybe church communications director maybe you're a Church secretary or you're a Church secretary or you're a Church secretary or Administrative Assistant maybe you're a Administrative Assistant maybe you're a Administrative Assistant maybe you're a volunteer who's just responsible for the volunteer who's just responsible for the volunteer who's just responsible for the website and some social media we website and some social media we website and some social media we certainly hope that the content that certainly hope that the content that certainly hope that the content that we're creating for you on this podcast we're creating for you on this podcast we're creating for you on this podcast is helpful and it's really helping you is helpful and it's really helping you is helpful and it's really helping you do your job better if you haven't ever do your job better if you haven't ever do your job better if you haven't ever checked out our website checked out our website checked out our website missionalmarketing.com I want to missionalmarketing.com I want to missionalmarketing.com I want to encourage you to do that not only will encourage you to do that not only will encourage you to do that not only will you find a boatload of information about you find a boatload of information about you find a boatload of information about the the services that we offer to the the services that we offer to the the services that we offer to churches and how we help churches but we churches and how we help churches but we churches and how we help churches but we have a really really deep rich library have a really really deep rich library have a really really deep rich library of blog content on all kinds of of blog content on all kinds of of blog content on all kinds of different topics related to marketing different topics related to marketing different topics related to marketing Communications websites social media the Communications websites social media the Communications websites social media the ton there's just tons and tons of ton there's just tons and tons of ton there's just tons and tons of content there and information that you

content there and information that you content there and information that you might find to be very helpful as you're might find to be very helpful as you're might find to be very helpful as you're trying to get better at doing what you trying to get better at doing what you trying to get better at doing what you do for the sake of God's Kingdom in your do for the sake of God's Kingdom in your do for the sake of God's Kingdom in your local church now this week our episode local church now this week our episode local church now this week our episode is one that we kind of brought in house is one that we kind of brought in house is one that we kind of brought in house where we brought in one of our teammates where we brought in one of our teammates where we brought in one of our teammates Maddie Hall who is a Communications Maddie Hall who is a Communications Maddie Hall who is a Communications coach for missional marketing she's a coach for missional marketing she's a coach for missional marketing she's a former communications director at a former communications director at a former communications director at a fairly large Church in the Indianapolis fairly large Church in the Indianapolis fairly large Church in the Indianapolis area and we've had her on our team for area and we've had her on our team for area and we've had her on our team for the last few years and she churches all the last few years and she churches all the last few years and she churches all around the country helping them be around the country helping them be around the country helping them be better at church Communications and at better at church Communications and at better at church Communications and at marketing and this week's episode is a marketing and this week's episode is a marketing and this week's episode is a conversation that's kind of related to conversation that's kind of related to conversation that's kind of related to the last episode that we released which the last episode that we released which the last episode that we released which was on email this one we're also talking was on email this one we're also talking was on email this one we're also talking about email and the next episode that we about email and the next episode that we about email and the next episode that we release we're talking about email why release we're talking about email why release we're talking about email why email email email well email is one of the most important well email is one of the most important well email is one of the most important tools that you have in your Arsenal as a tools that you have in your Arsenal as a tools that you have in your Arsenal as a church communications director it's one church communications director it's one church communications director it's one of the ways that you're communicating of the ways that you're communicating of the ways that you're communicating who you are and what you offer to the who you are and what you offer to the who you are and what you offer to the people who are both inside your church people who are both inside your church people who are both inside your church and also outside the church in this and also outside the church in this and also outside the church in this week's episode we're focusing in on how week's episode we're focusing in on how week's episode we're focusing in on how to make your Weekly Newsletter a more to make your Weekly Newsletter a more to make your Weekly Newsletter a more effective tool for communicating the effective tool for communicating the effective tool for communicating the mission the vision the values of your mission the vision the values of your mission the vision the values of your church and engaging with people in your church and engaging with people in your church and engaging with people in your church I think that you're going to find church I think that you're going to find church I think that you're going to find this conversation to be really this conversation to be really this conversation to be really insightful Maddie is really sharp and insightful Maddie is really sharp and insightful Maddie is really sharp and she's got a lot of very very practical she's got a lot of very very practical she's got a lot of very very practical uh experience in doing what she's uh experience in doing what she's uh experience in doing what she's talking about here she's not just a talking about here she's not just a talking about here she's not just a theorist she is a practitioner so we're theorist she is a practitioner so we're theorist she is a practitioner so we're going to learn from her and try to put going to learn from her and try to put going to learn from her and try to put some things into practice that we some things into practice that we some things into practice that we learned from Maddie learned from Maddie learned from Maddie um again we want to thank you for tuning

um again we want to thank you for tuning um again we want to thank you for tuning in to the podcast if you haven't yet in to the podcast if you haven't yet in to the podcast if you haven't yet subscribed where you listen we'd subscribed where you listen we'd subscribed where you listen we'd appreciate you doing that we'd also appreciate you doing that we'd also appreciate you doing that we'd also appreciate you leaving us a rating or a appreciate you leaving us a rating or a appreciate you leaving us a rating or a review wherever you listen or if you're review wherever you listen or if you're review wherever you listen or if you're watching on our YouTube channel that watching on our YouTube channel that watching on our YouTube channel that really helps get the word out about the really helps get the word out about the really helps get the word out about the podcast you know how the algorithms work podcast you know how the algorithms work podcast you know how the algorithms work the more you like share and review the the more you like share and review the the more you like share and review the more people will find our our podcast more people will find our our podcast more people will find our our podcast and we just really appreciate you and we just really appreciate you and we just really appreciate you participating in that way and if there's participating in that way and if there's participating in that way and if there's anything that Jason or I can do for you anything that Jason or I can do for you anything that Jason or I can do for you make sure that you click over to our make sure that you click over to our make sure that you click over to our website hit the about us link uh on the website hit the about us link uh on the website hit the about us link uh on the menu bar on the nav bar and there's a menu bar on the nav bar and there's a menu bar on the nav bar and there's a contact link and you can set up an contact link and you can set up an contact link and you can set up an appointment to meet with one of us or appointment to meet with one of us or appointment to meet with one of us or one of our capable teammates like Maddie one of our capable teammates like Maddie one of our capable teammates like Maddie so that we can help you do your job in so that we can help you do your job in so that we can help you do your job in the best way possible we are all about the best way possible we are all about the best way possible we are all about helping God's kingdom expand throughout helping God's kingdom expand throughout helping God's kingdom expand throughout the world and we believe that digital the world and we believe that digital the world and we believe that digital methods are a great way to do that and methods are a great way to do that and methods are a great way to do that and we want to support you in whatever we we want to support you in whatever we we want to support you in whatever we can anyway thanks again for tuning in to can anyway thanks again for tuning in to can anyway thanks again for tuning in to this week's episode uh here is Jason this week's episode uh here is Jason this week's episode uh here is Jason Hamrock the CEO of missional marketing Hamrock the CEO of missional marketing Hamrock the CEO of missional marketing and our interview with Maddie Hall and our interview with Maddie Hall and our interview with Maddie Hall well Maddie Hall welcome to the show how well Maddie Hall welcome to the show how well Maddie Hall welcome to the show how you doing you doing you doing hey good to be here back to the show welcome back to the back to the show welcome back to the show this is not Maddie's first time on show this is not Maddie's first time on show this is not Maddie's first time on the podcast although the first time was the podcast although the first time was the podcast although the first time was a long time ago yes I don't remember how a long time ago yes I don't remember how a long time ago yes I don't remember how long ago long ago long ago I don't either but we're glad I don't either but we're glad I don't either but we're glad how many years almost two years yeah two how many years almost two years yeah two how many years almost two years yeah two years ago okay well Patty for our years ago okay well Patty for our years ago okay well Patty for our listeners would you just take a minute listeners would you just take a minute listeners would you just take a minute and kind of share uh who you are and and and kind of share uh who you are and and and kind of share uh who you are and and your background in church Communications

your background in church Communications your background in church Communications and just a little bit about yourself and just a little bit about yourself and just a little bit about yourself that'd be great that'd be great that'd be great yeah absolutely so I work alongside Bart yeah absolutely so I work alongside Bart yeah absolutely so I work alongside Bart and Jason at missional marketing which and Jason at missional marketing which and Jason at missional marketing which is fun glad to be able to do that I am is fun glad to be able to do that I am is fun glad to be able to do that I am one of our one of our one of our uh coaches help churches with marketing uh coaches help churches with marketing uh coaches help churches with marketing strategy marketing Communications strategy marketing Communications strategy marketing Communications digital marketing all the places that digital marketing all the places that digital marketing all the places that churches need to be communicating with churches need to be communicating with churches need to be communicating with with the people right so I've been doing with the people right so I've been doing with the people right so I've been doing Church Communications since Church Communications since Church Communications since gosh man almost 10 years now which is gosh man almost 10 years now which is gosh man almost 10 years now which is crazy never thought that I would be crazy never thought that I would be crazy never thought that I would be working at a church my husband's a working at a church my husband's a working at a church my husband's a pastor my dad's a pastor and I thought pastor my dad's a pastor and I thought pastor my dad's a pastor and I thought that they had that figured out they that they had that figured out they that they had that figured out they didn't need me in the mix didn't need me in the mix didn't need me in the mix but uh one thing led to another and I but uh one thing led to another and I but uh one thing led to another and I ended up as the communications director ended up as the communications director ended up as the communications director at a church in Indianapolis and at a church in Indianapolis and at a church in Indianapolis and um um um I've been on the mission marketing team I've been on the mission marketing team I've been on the mission marketing team for about two and a half years and it's for about two and a half years and it's for about two and a half years and it's just been a really good fit I get to use just been a really good fit I get to use just been a really good fit I get to use it you know I'm really passionate about it you know I'm really passionate about it you know I'm really passionate about passionate about the marketplace and how passionate about the marketplace and how passionate about the marketplace and how to use tools that we would use in the to use tools that we would use in the to use tools that we would use in the business world business world business world for churches and just really get to to for churches and just really get to to for churches and just really get to to marry both of those things here at marry both of those things here at marry both of those things here at missional marketing missional marketing missional marketing yeah yeah Maddie she's selling herself yeah yeah Maddie she's selling herself yeah yeah Maddie she's selling herself shirt she's one of our lead coaches like shirt she's one of our lead coaches like shirt she's one of our lead coaches like she gets to actually lead the coaches she gets to actually lead the coaches she gets to actually lead the coaches because she's talented and she knows because she's talented and she knows because she's talented and she knows what she's talking about and uh we're

what she's talking about and uh we're what she's talking about and uh we're pumped to have her on our team and she pumped to have her on our team and she pumped to have her on our team and she gets to oversee a lot of churches gets to oversee a lot of churches gets to oversee a lot of churches um and as as her you know she's pretty um and as as her you know she's pretty um and as as her you know she's pretty vast in all of the stuff she knows but vast in all of the stuff she knows but vast in all of the stuff she knows but today I want to kind of dial into one today I want to kind of dial into one today I want to kind of dial into one particular topic which I think is particular topic which I think is particular topic which I think is incredibly important uh for our incredibly important uh for our incredibly important uh for our listeners to hear this because every listeners to hear this because every listeners to hear this because every Church pretty much every Church does Church pretty much every Church does Church pretty much every Church does this activity this activity this activity and what you're going to talk about is and what you're going to talk about is and what you're going to talk about is how do you do what you're doing now and how do you do what you're doing now and how do you do what you're doing now and make it a whole lot more effective make it a whole lot more effective make it a whole lot more effective and the one thing that every Church does and the one thing that every Church does and the one thing that every Church does pretty much on a weekly basis or they pretty much on a weekly basis or they pretty much on a weekly basis or they should is they send out an e newsletter should is they send out an e newsletter should is they send out an e newsletter of some sort and some kind of an of some sort and some kind of an of some sort and some kind of an announcement and everybody in every announcement and everybody in every announcement and everybody in every church has their own way of doing that church has their own way of doing that church has their own way of doing that uh their own style their own you know uh uh their own style their own you know uh uh their own style their own you know uh terms of how many things they put inside terms of how many things they put inside terms of how many things they put inside their newsletter what they say sometimes their newsletter what they say sometimes their newsletter what they say sometimes they're just a they just throw up on they're just a they just throw up on they're just a they just throw up on people and there's like 30 different people and there's like 30 different people and there's like 30 different announcements other times it's just one announcements other times it's just one announcements other times it's just one or two and so today I want to talk about or two and so today I want to talk about or two and so today I want to talk about how do you actually use your newsletter how do you actually use your newsletter how do you actually use your newsletter uh more effectively and in particular uh more effectively and in particular uh more effectively and in particular more story based and so today's topic is more story based and so today's topic is more story based and so today's topic is about story based emails Maddie take a about story based emails Maddie take a about story based emails Maddie take a minute and just explain to our audience minute and just explain to our audience minute and just explain to our audience about what does that mean when you talk about what does that mean when you talk about what does that mean when you talk about a story based email about a story based email about a story based email yeah sure let me I'll back it up even a yeah sure let me I'll back it up even a yeah sure let me I'll back it up even a little bit a little bit more because you little bit a little bit more because you little bit a little bit more because you said you know everybody's kind of said you know everybody's kind of said you know everybody's kind of sending out newsletter well when you sending out newsletter well when you sending out newsletter well when you think newsletter like you kind of think

think newsletter like you kind of think think newsletter like you kind of think like oh it's kind of some updates here's like oh it's kind of some updates here's like oh it's kind of some updates here's what's happening here here's what's what's happening here here's what's what's happening here here's what's happening over here and happening over here and happening over here and um the story based email is taking um the story based email is taking um the story based email is taking what's happening in your church the what's happening in your church the what's happening in your church the changes that you've been able to make in changes that you've been able to make in changes that you've been able to make in your community in your world the changes your community in your world the changes your community in your world the changes that you've seen in the people that are that you've seen in the people that are that you've seen in the people that are at your church and sharing that at your church and sharing that at your church and sharing that information with the other people in the information with the other people in the information with the other people in the church right it's taking the the good church right it's taking the the good church right it's taking the the good that you've seen happen in your church that you've seen happen in your church that you've seen happen in your church and use it to Market to other people and and use it to Market to other people and and use it to Market to other people and say like this happened to this person say like this happened to this person say like this happened to this person because of you and we want to see more because of you and we want to see more because of you and we want to see more change like that or this happened change like that or this happened change like that or this happened because because because um of this this event in our church and um of this this event in our church and um of this this event in our church and this this could also be your story this this could also be your story this this could also be your story um so it's getting at the heartstrings um so it's getting at the heartstrings um so it's getting at the heartstrings of people more so than in just saying of people more so than in just saying of people more so than in just saying well we're doing this by the way did you well we're doing this by the way did you well we're doing this by the way did you know we're doing this by the way look at know we're doing this by the way look at know we're doing this by the way look at us we're doing this too oh and we're us we're doing this too oh and we're us we're doing this too oh and we're doing this and it's saying hey like it's doing this and it's saying hey like it's doing this and it's saying hey like it's not about us it's about the people not about us it's about the people not about us it's about the people and and so story based email is one way and and so story based email is one way and and so story based email is one way to do that to do that to do that so for example so for example so for example um if you have Alpha um if you have Alpha um if you have Alpha you do alpha if you don't know what you do alpha if you don't know what you do alpha if you don't know what Alpha is go look it up but it's it's a Alpha is go look it up but it's it's a Alpha is go look it up but it's it's a pretty much a curriculum that actually pretty much a curriculum that actually pretty much a curriculum that actually helps people navigate helps people navigate helps people navigate who God is and it's a really really who God is and it's a really really who God is and it's a really really powerful course so what you're saying powerful course so what you're saying powerful course so what you're saying instead of just hey Alpha's happening instead of just hey Alpha's happening instead of just hey Alpha's happening and it starts this Wednesday at 7 pm in and it starts this Wednesday at 7 pm in and it starts this Wednesday at 7 pm in room b152 you know

room b152 you know room b152 you know um sign up here what you're what you're um sign up here what you're what you're um sign up here what you're what you're saying is saying is saying is maybe go find somebody who's been maybe go find somebody who's been maybe go find somebody who's been through Alpha and they could tell their through Alpha and they could tell their through Alpha and they could tell their story about how they didn't know God story about how they didn't know God story about how they didn't know God before Alpha and now they do know God before Alpha and now they do know God before Alpha and now they do know God and they're following Jesus as a result and they're following Jesus as a result and they're following Jesus as a result of it and you tell that story to promote of it and you tell that story to promote of it and you tell that story to promote the upcoming Alpha is that what you're the upcoming Alpha is that what you're the upcoming Alpha is that what you're saying absolutely yeah because because saying absolutely yeah because because saying absolutely yeah because because why do why do I want to go to some why do why do I want to go to some why do why do I want to go to some random program I have never heard about random program I have never heard about random program I have never heard about and that starts at 7 pm on a Wednesday and that starts at 7 pm on a Wednesday and that starts at 7 pm on a Wednesday like I've got so many other things that like I've got so many other things that like I've got so many other things that I could do on Wednesday night like your I could do on Wednesday night like your I could do on Wednesday night like your church particularly like if it's a brand church particularly like if it's a brand church particularly like if it's a brand new program you know for your church new program you know for your church new program you know for your church like I I need to know more than 7 P.M on like I I need to know more than 7 P.M on like I I need to know more than 7 P.M on Wednesday you know I want to know that Wednesday you know I want to know that Wednesday you know I want to know that I've talked to that maybe I know that I've talked to that maybe I know that I've talked to that maybe I know that person that happened to be in the story person that happened to be in the story person that happened to be in the story or I I'm connected to them somehow you or I I'm connected to them somehow you or I I'm connected to them somehow you know because we're talking about story know because we're talking about story know because we're talking about story based email in this podcast we're really based email in this podcast we're really based email in this podcast we're really talking about talking about talking about um internal marketing this is these um internal marketing this is these um internal marketing this is these these people are already on your list I these people are already on your list I these people are already on your list I mean like I could go on and on about how mean like I could go on and on about how mean like I could go on and on about how to use emails Reach people that you know to use emails Reach people that you know to use emails Reach people that you know maybe don't don't know about Alpha but maybe don't don't know about Alpha but maybe don't don't know about Alpha but could really benefit from alpha but when could really benefit from alpha but when could really benefit from alpha but when we talk about using uh and this you know we talk about using uh and this you know we talk about using uh and this you know in in this particular scenario it's in in this particular scenario it's in in this particular scenario it's people that are already on your list people that are already on your list people that are already on your list right they're already subscribed and now right they're already subscribed and now right they're already subscribed and now story story based marketing works for story story based marketing works for story story based marketing works for yeah

yeah yeah pretty much anything right but pretty much anything right but pretty much anything right but um when we talk about kind of our Weekly um when we talk about kind of our Weekly um when we talk about kind of our Weekly Newsletter how does it work with Alpha Newsletter how does it work with Alpha Newsletter how does it work with Alpha so or any any activity or event so or any any activity or event so or any any activity or event um so it's saying hey let's send this um so it's saying hey let's send this um so it's saying hey let's send this email out and the main thing is going to email out and the main thing is going to email out and the main thing is going to be a promo for Alpha but be a promo for Alpha but be a promo for Alpha but it's gonna be a picture and and here's a it's gonna be a picture and and here's a it's gonna be a picture and and here's a important piece so maybe it's three important piece so maybe it's three important piece so maybe it's three paragraphs just include one paragraph in paragraphs just include one paragraph in paragraphs just include one paragraph in that email don't include all three that email don't include all three that email don't include all three paragraphs because what you want people paragraphs because what you want people paragraphs because what you want people to do is not only open the email you to do is not only open the email you to do is not only open the email you want them to click through to your want them to click through to your want them to click through to your website you know so that first paragraph website you know so that first paragraph website you know so that first paragraph should be strong enough that people are should be strong enough that people are should be strong enough that people are like well wait what happened like they like well wait what happened like they like well wait what happened like they went to the first two weeks Alpha and went to the first two weeks Alpha and went to the first two weeks Alpha and like did they fall off did they go to like did they fall off did they go to like did they fall off did they go to the rest of the weeks did they end up the rest of the weeks did they end up the rest of the weeks did they end up accepting Christ like I want to know accepting Christ like I want to know accepting Christ like I want to know more so either it clicked through to the more so either it clicked through to the more so either it clicked through to the rest of that story which would live on a rest of that story which would live on a rest of that story which would live on a Blog which Blog which Blog which um um um gosh we could talk so much about Vlogs gosh we could talk so much about Vlogs gosh we could talk so much about Vlogs right and how to use that or it goes to right and how to use that or it goes to right and how to use that or it goes to a video where people can watch the rest a video where people can watch the rest a video where people can watch the rest of watch the video of watch the video of watch the video so you're you so you're basically like so you're you so you're basically like so you're you so you're basically like the the first word of that is story the the first word of that is story the the first word of that is story right and I as you were saying that I right and I as you were saying that I right and I as you were saying that I was thinking of was thinking of was thinking of everybody loves Chick-fil-A everybody loves Chick-fil-A everybody loves Chick-fil-A so Chick-fil-A can run a a TV commercial so Chick-fil-A can run a a TV commercial so Chick-fil-A can run a a TV commercial just put a chicken sandwich on there and just put a chicken sandwich on there and just put a chicken sandwich on there and you you start drooling but you notice you you start drooling but you notice you you start drooling but you notice what Chick-fil-A does in their what Chick-fil-A does in their what Chick-fil-A does in their commercials they tell a story commercials they tell a story commercials they tell a story right now they're doing video and it's a

right now they're doing video and it's a right now they're doing video and it's a commercial but you ever notice that commercial but you ever notice that commercial but you ever notice that there's two people are sitting on the there's two people are sitting on the there's two people are sitting on the couch and they're kind of sharing a couch and they're kind of sharing a couch and they're kind of sharing a story and that makes you that makes you story and that makes you that makes you story and that makes you that makes you think differently about chicks it's like think differently about chicks it's like think differently about chicks it's like why do they do that this is kind of a why do they do that this is kind of a why do they do that this is kind of a similar thing it's like instead of just similar thing it's like instead of just similar thing it's like instead of just making this announcement it's like come making this announcement it's like come making this announcement it's like come buy a chicken sandwich it's the story buy a chicken sandwich it's the story buy a chicken sandwich it's the story behind why Chick-fil-A is different and behind why Chick-fil-A is different and behind why Chick-fil-A is different and it's about a community and they have it's about a community and they have it's about a community and they have really good food really good food really good food when they're using they're using the when they're using they're using the when they're using they're using the story to reinforce the vision and the story to reinforce the vision and the story to reinforce the vision and the values of the organization right which values of the organization right which values of the organization right which it's one thing to put a list of it's one thing to put a list of it's one thing to put a list of announcements together and sign up links announcements together and sign up links announcements together and sign up links and send that out to people it's another and send that out to people it's another and send that out to people it's another thing to actually use the story-based thing to actually use the story-based thing to actually use the story-based email framework to continuously email framework to continuously email framework to continuously reinforce the things that you as a reinforce the things that you as a reinforce the things that you as a church are your core values and I think church are your core values and I think church are your core values and I think that that's it's a great opportunity now that that's it's a great opportunity now that that's it's a great opportunity now for just a second for just a second for just a second um Maddie let me let me pretend that I'm um Maddie let me let me pretend that I'm um Maddie let me let me pretend that I'm the communications director that's the communications director that's the communications director that's listening to this number one I want you listening to this number one I want you listening to this number one I want you to tell me what's wrong with the way I'm to tell me what's wrong with the way I'm to tell me what's wrong with the way I'm doing the emails now hey I shared with doing the emails now hey I shared with doing the emails now hey I shared with you before we started this this call you before we started this this call you before we started this this call with one of the churches that I'm with one of the churches that I'm with one of the churches that I'm working with that has a 53 open rate working with that has a 53 open rate working with that has a 53 open rate on our weekly emails and honestly on our weekly emails and honestly on our weekly emails and honestly there's nothing in it except for there's nothing in it except for there's nothing in it except for announcements so there's a part of me announcements so there's a part of me announcements so there's a part of me that's kind of like well I've got a that's kind of like well I've got a that's kind of like well I've got a really good open rate now I did tell you really good open rate now I did tell you really good open rate now I did tell you that my engagement rate is not nearly as that my engagement rate is not nearly as that my engagement rate is not nearly as good as the open rate it's a three good as the open rate it's a three good as the open rate it's a three percent engagement rate with a with a 50 percent engagement rate with a with a 50 percent engagement rate with a with a 50 open rate so maybe that's a problem open rate so maybe that's a problem open rate so maybe that's a problem there but what's wrong with the way I'm there but what's wrong with the way I'm there but what's wrong with the way I'm doing it now and boy Natty it just

doing it now and boy Natty it just doing it now and boy Natty it just sounds like a whole lot of work ah well it is it is I won't lie you know ah well it is it is I won't lie you know it it sometimes can be difficult to get it it sometimes can be difficult to get it it sometimes can be difficult to get the stories right it's like how do I you the stories right it's like how do I you the stories right it's like how do I you know how do I even the kid seems doing know how do I even the kid seems doing know how do I even the kid seems doing so much and the group's team's doing so so much and the group's team's doing so so much and the group's team's doing so much and how do I track down these much and how do I track down these much and how do I track down these stories and that is one of the issues stories and that is one of the issues stories and that is one of the issues that we we do run into like just church that we we do run into like just church that we we do run into like just church in general I work with a lot of churches in general I work with a lot of churches in general I work with a lot of churches like Jason said and time and time again like Jason said and time and time again like Jason said and time and time again it's like how do we get these stories it's like how do we get these stories it's like how do we get these stories how do we get these stories we've tried how do we get these stories we've tried how do we get these stories we've tried this link we've tried this link and I this link we've tried this link and I this link we've tried this link and I would say would say would say where you spend time you're going to see where you spend time you're going to see where you spend time you're going to see benefits right it's just like stretching benefits right it's just like stretching benefits right it's just like stretching like I'm I'm very inflexible okay that's like I'm I'm very inflexible okay that's like I'm I'm very inflexible okay that's just my husband's super flexible I wish just my husband's super flexible I wish just my husband's super flexible I wish I had his jeans right but I know like I had his jeans right but I know like I had his jeans right but I know like I know that my dad is still really I know that my dad is still really I know that my dad is still really inflexible and it hasn't super helped inflexible and it hasn't super helped inflexible and it hasn't super helped him in in his as he's aged so that's him in in his as he's aged so that's him in in his as he's aged so that's something that I'm like you know what something that I'm like you know what something that I'm like you know what that's important to me that's important to me that's important to me so I'm going to put in the work and put so I'm going to put in the work and put so I'm going to put in the work and put in the time so that I see results okay in the time so that I see results okay in the time so that I see results okay so maybe that seems like a silly example so maybe that seems like a silly example so maybe that seems like a silly example silly comparison one that's on the top silly comparison one that's on the top silly comparison one that's on the top of my mind but when I put the time in of my mind but when I put the time in of my mind but when I put the time in I I see results so when you when you I I see results so when you when you I I see results so when you when you think about think about think about um engagement in an email that's really um engagement in an email that's really um engagement in an email that's really what you want right you want somebody to what you want right you want somebody to what you want right you want somebody to click on it and not just get lost in the click on it and not just get lost in the click on it and not just get lost in the weeds right you want them to click on it weeds right you want them to click on it weeds right you want them to click on it and then do what's in that email or and then do what's in that email or and then do what's in that email or engage with what's in that email Okay so engage with what's in that email Okay so engage with what's in that email Okay so So Stories putting the work in finding

So Stories putting the work in finding So Stories putting the work in finding the stories and say I'm gonna find a the stories and say I'm gonna find a the stories and say I'm gonna find a story a week like or I'm gonna create a story a week like or I'm gonna create a story a week like or I'm gonna create a system so that my kids team knows how to system so that my kids team knows how to system so that my kids team knows how to tell me this tell me stories that are tell me this tell me stories that are tell me this tell me stories that are happening or in in a staff meeting once happening or in in a staff meeting once happening or in in a staff meeting once a month we're gonna spend 15 minutes and a month we're gonna spend 15 minutes and a month we're gonna spend 15 minutes and everybody's gonna tell me everybody's gonna tell me everybody's gonna tell me um a story and here's here's a little um a story and here's here's a little um a story and here's here's a little tidbit of what I used to do when I was tidbit of what I used to do when I was tidbit of what I used to do when I was on a church staff on a church staff on a church staff um and even now I serve as um and even now I serve as um and even now I serve as Communications Communications Communications um director at a couple churches that's um director at a couple churches that's um director at a couple churches that's one of the programs that we do here at one of the programs that we do here at one of the programs that we do here at missional marketing is stepping in and missional marketing is stepping in and missional marketing is stepping in and as the communications director at as the communications director at as the communications director at churches and churches and churches and I'll sit in a in a meeting and I'll just I'll sit in a in a meeting and I'll just I'll sit in a in a meeting and I'll just listen all these different Ministries listen all these different Ministries listen all these different Ministries are are are um saying hey here's our update here's um saying hey here's our update here's um saying hey here's our update here's our update here's our update last time I our update here's our update last time I our update here's our update last time I sat in it Stephanie staff meeting I sat in it Stephanie staff meeting I sat in it Stephanie staff meeting I walked away with 27 story ideas walked away with 27 story ideas walked away with 27 story ideas okay there's a two-hour staff meeting 27 okay there's a two-hour staff meeting 27 okay there's a two-hour staff meeting 27 story ideas right all I did was take story ideas right all I did was take story ideas right all I did was take notes now now I have to follow up with notes now now I have to follow up with notes now now I have to follow up with those people but there are other people those people but there are other people those people but there are other people on my team so I can just say hey so on my team so I can just say hey so on my team so I can just say hey so there you go that 27 story ideas about there you go that 27 story ideas about there you go that 27 story ideas about sets me up for at least half the year sets me up for at least half the year sets me up for at least half the year right so right so right so um I would say it's work but but it's um I would say it's work but but it's um I would say it's work but but it's worth it right worth it right worth it right um and then to address kind of your um and then to address kind of your um and then to address kind of your other question about other question about other question about you know I'm already getting a good open you know I'm already getting a good open you know I'm already getting a good open rate rate rate um I do I have a similar situation I um I do I have a similar situation I um I do I have a similar situation I that I'm thinking of right now I have a that I'm thinking of right now I have a that I'm thinking of right now I have a church that does have a good opening church that does have a good opening church that does have a good opening part of that is consistency like you part of that is consistency like you part of that is consistency like you open up any random article that talks to

open up any random article that talks to open up any random article that talks to you about email marketing they're you about email marketing they're you about email marketing they're probably going to say one of the things probably going to say one of the things probably going to say one of the things that you could do is send that email at that you could do is send that email at that you could do is send that email at the same time and the same day each week the same time and the same day each week the same time and the same day each week okay we're gonna send it on Tuesdays at okay we're gonna send it on Tuesdays at okay we're gonna send it on Tuesdays at noon all right like we're gonna send it noon all right like we're gonna send it noon all right like we're gonna send it on the front part of the week we're on the front part of the week we're on the front part of the week we're gonna send it when people have time gonna send it when people have time gonna send it when people have time they're taking their lunch break they're they're taking their lunch break they're they're taking their lunch break they're able to get that email and read it you able to get that email and read it you able to get that email and read it you know know know um so um so um so so with consistency you likely would so with consistency you likely would so with consistency you likely would have have a decent open rate have have a decent open rate have have a decent open rate um also with people that are subscribed um also with people that are subscribed um also with people that are subscribed to your list like you want those people to your list like you want those people to your list like you want those people to actually you know want your want your to actually you know want your want your to actually you know want your want your information that also helps with your information that also helps with your information that also helps with your open rate open rate open rate um but yeah I'll take you back to where um but yeah I'll take you back to where um but yeah I'll take you back to where you already took it which is engagement you already took it which is engagement you already took it which is engagement and click through and also and click through and also and click through and also um um um what what people how much time people what what people how much time people what what people how much time people actually spend looking at the email so I actually spend looking at the email so I actually spend looking at the email so I I might click it just because I'm going I might click it just because I'm going I might click it just because I'm going through my email and I'm going to delete through my email and I'm going to delete through my email and I'm going to delete it quickly all right but if there's it quickly all right but if there's it quickly all right but if there's something there that catches my something there that catches my something there that catches my attention like oh there's a video there attention like oh there's a video there attention like oh there's a video there you know they're like and that's you know they're like and that's you know they're like and that's something that I would encourage you to something that I would encourage you to something that I would encourage you to do too is do too is do too is once a once a month we're gonna try to once a once a month we're gonna try to once a once a month we're gonna try to do a video that would be and and that do a video that would be and and that do a video that would be and and that would be LinkedIn to the to to our would be LinkedIn to the to to our would be LinkedIn to the to to our blogger or however you have it set up blogger or however you have it set up blogger or however you have it set up but as part of these stories it doesn't but as part of these stories it doesn't but as part of these stories it doesn't always have to be a new story like let's always have to be a new story like let's always have to be a new story like let's say you share a story from the weekend say you share a story from the weekend say you share a story from the weekend I think it's totally fine to use that I think it's totally fine to use that I think it's totally fine to use that story in the email also you're catching story in the email also you're catching story in the email also you're catching a different audience and on social media

a different audience and on social media a different audience and on social media and on social media absolutely right if and on social media absolutely right if and on social media absolutely right if we think people come to church one and a we think people come to church one and a we think people come to church one and a half times a month half times a month half times a month you maybe didn't even see the video they you maybe didn't even see the video they you maybe didn't even see the video they may maybe weren't even there you know so may maybe weren't even there you know so may maybe weren't even there you know so it's maybe less work than you think it's maybe less work than you think it's maybe less work than you think um and also what one thing about what um and also what one thing about what um and also what one thing about what the content of your email by putting you the content of your email by putting you the content of your email by putting you know kind of the old school thing was know kind of the old school thing was know kind of the old school thing was hey look let's put let's just blast the hey look let's put let's just blast the hey look let's put let's just blast the information out there let's get it all information out there let's get it all information out there let's get it all out there out there out there and then they can can choose pick and and then they can can choose pick and and then they can can choose pick and choose what they want to do choose what they want to do choose what they want to do well really you're diluting your content well really you're diluting your content well really you're diluting your content and so instead of choosing from this and so instead of choosing from this and so instead of choosing from this massive list people choose nothing massive list people choose nothing massive list people choose nothing they just end up doing nothing because they just end up doing nothing because they just end up doing nothing because it's so much they're like I don't know it's so much they're like I don't know it's so much they're like I don't know what to do what to do what to do you know and so they end up just saying you know and so they end up just saying you know and so they end up just saying no no they'll send me another email when no no they'll send me another email when no no they'll send me another email when they need me to knit when they need me they need me to knit when they need me they need me to knit when they need me you know and they don't read that one you know and they don't read that one you know and they don't read that one either either either do you think that uh so because yeah for do you think that uh so because yeah for do you think that uh so because yeah for a lot of people they've got to create a lot of people they've got to create a lot of people they've got to create the call you're as a communication the call you're as a communication the call you're as a communication director your job is to help director your job is to help director your job is to help communicate and so one of those things communicate and so one of those things communicate and so one of those things might be is trying to train up the staff might be is trying to train up the staff might be is trying to train up the staff to say to say to say keep your eyes on what God's doing in keep your eyes on what God's doing in keep your eyes on what God's doing in the church on change lives because the church on change lives because the church on change lives because you're helping me do my job and you're you're helping me do my job and you're you're helping me do my job and you're helping me not only do my job but also helping me not only do my job but also helping me not only do my job but also help people and when I when I when you help people and when I when I when you help people and when I when I when you were saying that I was thinking that a were saying that I was thinking that a were saying that I was thinking that a an email newsletter even though it is an email newsletter even though it is an email newsletter even though it is for kind of an internal thing it doesn't for kind of an internal thing it doesn't for kind of an internal thing it doesn't have to be that way have to be that way have to be that way it could also be a tool that somebody

it could also be a tool that somebody it could also be a tool that somebody could share for that email or if they go could share for that email or if they go could share for that email or if they go to the website they could forward a to the website they could forward a to the website they could forward a share widget if it's a cool change life share widget if it's a cool change life share widget if it's a cool change life story and you know somebody down the story and you know somebody down the story and you know somebody down the street who's you know a friend of yours street who's you know a friend of yours street who's you know a friend of yours that's going through that same kind of a that's going through that same kind of a that's going through that same kind of a struggle struggle struggle so it can turn into something way more so it can turn into something way more so it can turn into something way more than just communicating now saying all than just communicating now saying all than just communicating now saying all that though my question is this that though my question is this that though my question is this do you have to you know so people that do you have to you know so people that do you have to you know so people that are just doing weekly email newsletters are just doing weekly email newsletters are just doing weekly email newsletters do you have to do it every week or could do you have to do it every week or could do you have to do it every week or could somebody like start off with a goal to somebody like start off with a goal to somebody like start off with a goal to say hey at least once a month we're say hey at least once a month we're say hey at least once a month we're going to have our newsletter be story going to have our newsletter be story going to have our newsletter be story based and eventually we'll have it twice based and eventually we'll have it twice based and eventually we'll have it twice you know twice a month and then three you know twice a month and then three you know twice a month and then three and then eventually four can you can you and then eventually four can you can you and then eventually four can you can you build up to that build up to that build up to that yeah absolutely I would say start with yeah absolutely I would say start with yeah absolutely I would say start with what start with what you have right I what start with what you have right I what start with what you have right I mean if I go back to the stretching like mean if I go back to the stretching like mean if I go back to the stretching like if I if I stretch once a week that's if I if I stretch once a week that's if I if I stretch once a week that's better than than not stretching at all better than than not stretching at all better than than not stretching at all right and so I would say absolutely if right and so I would say absolutely if right and so I would say absolutely if you can provide one story a month start you can provide one story a month start you can provide one story a month start there if you could probably one story there if you could probably one story there if you could probably one story every two months start there like it's every two months start there like it's every two months start there like it's it's as much as you can do it's as much as you can do it's as much as you can do um and even with the churches that I um and even with the churches that I um and even with the churches that I work with a lot of times what I'll even work with a lot of times what I'll even work with a lot of times what I'll even recommend is hey let's do three stories recommend is hey let's do three stories recommend is hey let's do three stories these are churches that have the the these are churches that have the the these are churches that have the the capability to do this let's do three capability to do this let's do three capability to do this let's do three stories a month and then on that fourth stories a month and then on that fourth stories a month and then on that fourth Sunday let's do uh what's coming up Sunday let's do uh what's coming up Sunday let's do uh what's coming up and we'll provide a little bit of this and we'll provide a little bit of this and we'll provide a little bit of this activity this activity this activity activity this activity this activity activity this activity this activity this activity right so the framework

this activity right so the framework this activity right so the framework that I recommend is a story with one that I recommend is a story with one that I recommend is a story with one we'll call it announcement at the bottom we'll call it announcement at the bottom we'll call it announcement at the bottom the purpose of that whole email is not the purpose of that whole email is not the purpose of that whole email is not that announcement at the bottom but like that announcement at the bottom but like that announcement at the bottom but like it might be so Easter when we're it might be so Easter when we're it might be so Easter when we're recording this Easter is coming up right recording this Easter is coming up right recording this Easter is coming up right so we might have a story about an invite so we might have a story about an invite so we might have a story about an invite um and how an invite to someone for um and how an invite to someone for um and how an invite to someone for Easter changed their life and they've Easter changed their life and they've Easter changed their life and they've been coming to the church for the last been coming to the church for the last been coming to the church for the last year well that announcement at the year well that announcement at the year well that announcement at the bottom might be like hey our Easter bottom might be like hey our Easter bottom might be like hey our Easter services are at 9 11 and 1 this year you services are at 9 11 and 1 this year you services are at 9 11 and 1 this year you know so it's related kind of to to that know so it's related kind of to to that know so it's related kind of to to that story story story uh and then on that fourth Sunday or uh and then on that fourth Sunday or uh and then on that fourth Sunday or excuse me not Sunday but fourth email excuse me not Sunday but fourth email excuse me not Sunday but fourth email that goes out that week would be that goes out that week would be that goes out that week would be what's happening and I would never do what's happening and I would never do what's happening and I would never do more than four that's just kind of my more than four that's just kind of my more than four that's just kind of my rule as we look through how people rule as we look through how people rule as we look through how people actually scroll through emails actually scroll through emails actually scroll through emails um and how much they'll actually click um and how much they'll actually click um and how much they'll actually click on right because think about it I mean I on right because think about it I mean I on right because think about it I mean I I probably am not going to click out I probably am not going to click out I probably am not going to click out more than once out of an email I'm I more than once out of an email I'm I more than once out of an email I'm I might but it's unlikely right we've also might but it's unlikely right we've also might but it's unlikely right we've also you know I've also been able to track you know I've also been able to track you know I've also been able to track this with one particular Church this with one particular Church this with one particular Church um for quite a while almost almost oh um for quite a while almost almost oh um for quite a while almost almost oh gosh almost two years actually we've gosh almost two years actually we've gosh almost two years actually we've been tracking every single email that's been tracking every single email that's been tracking every single email that's been sent there are open rates or been sent there are open rates or been sent there are open rates or click-through rates they're uh what's click-through rates they're uh what's click-through rates they're uh what's been engaging what's not been engaging been engaging what's not been engaging been engaging what's not been engaging what should we change

what should we change what should we change um um um if I'm not mistaken that that's a big if I'm not mistaken that that's a big if I'm not mistaken that that's a big church with a lot of programs right church with a lot of programs right church with a lot of programs right oh it's a big church with a lot of oh it's a big church with a lot of oh it's a big church with a lot of programs so I I'm just I'm hearing programs so I I'm just I'm hearing programs so I I'm just I'm hearing I it's almost like they're in the room I it's almost like they're in the room I it's almost like they're in the room with me I'm hearing all the with me I'm hearing all the with me I'm hearing all the communications directors in the world go communications directors in the world go communications directors in the world go but Maddie but Maddie but Maddie if I if I know that if I post events and if I if I know that if I post events and if I if I know that if I post events and activities on social media and a activities on social media and a activities on social media and a fraction of the people that are on fraction of the people that are on fraction of the people that are on social media ever see them because the social media ever see them because the social media ever see them because the way that the algorithms work against me way that the algorithms work against me way that the algorithms work against me and I'm limited with how many and I'm limited with how many and I'm limited with how many announcements I can get from the announcements I can get from the announcements I can get from the platform at church on Sunday the email platform at church on Sunday the email platform at church on Sunday the email to me seems like the last ditch effort to me seems like the last ditch effort to me seems like the last ditch effort that I have to communicate to everyone that I have to communicate to everyone that I have to communicate to everyone what's going on in my church and so I what's going on in my church and so I what's going on in my church and so I don't want to derail our conversation don't want to derail our conversation don't want to derail our conversation here about the story based email being here about the story based email being here about the story based email being the primary point of our conversation the primary point of our conversation the primary point of our conversation but you're saying that if I'm doing a but you're saying that if I'm doing a but you're saying that if I'm doing a story based email I'm actually story based email I'm actually story based email I'm actually significantly limiting the amount of significantly limiting the amount of significantly limiting the amount of additional content that I'm including in additional content that I'm including in additional content that I'm including in that email so that email so that email so how do I find the balance there between how do I find the balance there between how do I find the balance there between telling good stories and increasing that telling good stories and increasing that telling good stories and increasing that engagement but also making sure that I'm engagement but also making sure that I'm engagement but also making sure that I'm effectively communicating to people in effectively communicating to people in effectively communicating to people in the church what they need to know and the church what they need to know and the church what they need to know and when they need to know it when they need to know it when they need to know it well yeah go ahead Jason I've got an well yeah go ahead Jason I've got an well yeah go ahead Jason I've got an idea so um I I think what you're saying idea so um I I think what you're saying idea so um I I think what you're saying Maddie is and this is true that in your Maddie is and this is true that in your Maddie is and this is true that in your church God is moving we hope so if God church God is moving we hope so if God church God is moving we hope so if God is moving lives are being changed there is moving lives are being changed there is moving lives are being changed there are stories out there but what I think are stories out there but what I think are stories out there but what I think maybe

maybe maybe what you're so what you're saying is go what you're so what you're saying is go what you're so what you're saying is go find that story wrap that event around find that story wrap that event around find that story wrap that event around that story somehow if you can't do that that story somehow if you can't do that that story somehow if you can't do that at least make it more creative instead at least make it more creative instead at least make it more creative instead of having the pancake breakfast for of having the pancake breakfast for of having the pancake breakfast for men's on Saturday morning and you're men's on Saturday morning and you're men's on Saturday morning and you're just saying that pancakes 9 A.M you know just saying that pancakes 9 A.M you know just saying that pancakes 9 A.M you know bring a friend why don't you tell a bring a friend why don't you tell a bring a friend why don't you tell a story like you could say hey dads story like you could say hey dads story like you could say hey dads have you ever wanted to spend more time have you ever wanted to spend more time have you ever wanted to spend more time with your son and you know you just kind with your son and you know you just kind with your son and you know you just kind of share more of a like a cool idea like of share more of a like a cool idea like of share more of a like a cool idea like what it would be like for you to have what it would be like for you to have what it would be like for you to have more time with yourself well we have got more time with yourself well we have got more time with yourself well we have got a great you know you're kind of dads a great you know you're kind of dads a great you know you're kind of dads that do that will have more you know that do that will have more you know that do that will have more you know kids will enjoy that and say yes to that kids will enjoy that and say yes to that kids will enjoy that and say yes to that and you you share you do some research and you you share you do some research and you you share you do some research and you actually have more of a of a and you actually have more of a of a and you actually have more of a of a story so you could see yourself as the story so you could see yourself as the story so you could see yourself as the reader in that story I want to spend reader in that story I want to spend reader in that story I want to spend more time with my son I'll totally come more time with my son I'll totally come more time with my son I'll totally come to that that pancake thing but if you to that that pancake thing but if you to that that pancake thing but if you just invite me to the pancake thing just invite me to the pancake thing just invite me to the pancake thing without any other feelings behind it or without any other feelings behind it or without any other feelings behind it or any kind of emotion or drive towards it any kind of emotion or drive towards it any kind of emotion or drive towards it I probably will just skim over it yeah I probably will just skim over it yeah I probably will just skim over it yeah and what you just brought up Jason is and what you just brought up Jason is and what you just brought up Jason is another way to do it kind of say saying another way to do it kind of say saying another way to do it kind of say saying using stats and data to say hey when Dad using stats and data to say hey when Dad using stats and data to say hey when Dad spend times with their sons this happens spend times with their sons this happens spend times with their sons this happens this happens this is you know this is this happens this is you know this is this happens this is you know this is proven you know and you can also and now proven you know and you can also and now proven you know and you can also and now I would recommend I would recommend I would recommend yes yeah you just opened up a big can of yes yeah you just opened up a big can of yes yeah you just opened up a big can of worms sorry um but um but I would recommend with

I would recommend with I would recommend with if it's something very specific let's if it's something very specific let's if it's something very specific let's keep the pancake breakfast dads and Sons keep the pancake breakfast dads and Sons keep the pancake breakfast dads and Sons let's say it's a father son Father let's say it's a father son Father let's say it's a father son Father Figure and Son pancake breakfast the Figure and Son pancake breakfast the Figure and Son pancake breakfast the student Ministry is putting on right student Ministry is putting on right student Ministry is putting on right and so that's let's just say that's six and so that's let's just say that's six and so that's let's just say that's six to 12th graders and that's react with to 12th graders and that's react with to 12th graders and that's react with dads right so dads right so dads right so um if you're if you're Church you that's um if you're if you're Church you that's um if you're if you're Church you that's where you have to evaluate and say what where you have to evaluate and say what where you have to evaluate and say what are our Church's core values what do we are our Church's core values what do we are our Church's core values what do we you know are we a family-centric church you know are we a family-centric church you know are we a family-centric church is that our number is that our number is that our number is that our number is that our number is that our number one if that's your number one one if that's your number one one if that's your number one then father then father then father Sun pancake breakfast probably merits a Sun pancake breakfast probably merits a Sun pancake breakfast probably merits a story in that Weekly email with a story story in that Weekly email with a story story in that Weekly email with a story and then uh pushing people to to and then uh pushing people to to and then uh pushing people to to register right register right register right um but you know getting that that story um but you know getting that that story um but you know getting that that story and saying this is and saying this is and saying this is Jim and this is his son Jason and Jim and this is his son Jason and Jim and this is his son Jason and they're going together and they went they're going together and they went they're going together and they went last year and here's what here's why last year and here's what here's why last year and here's what here's why they're coming back and in the meantime they're coming back and in the meantime they're coming back and in the meantime in between the pancake breakfast and in between the pancake breakfast and in between the pancake breakfast and this last year like their relationship this last year like their relationship this last year like their relationship has grown it's developed you know and has grown it's developed you know and has grown it's developed you know and and telling kind of following Jim and and telling kind of following Jim and and telling kind of following Jim and Jason over that year but outside of the Jason over that year but outside of the Jason over that year but outside of the The Weekly Newsletter that you know The Weekly Newsletter that you know The Weekly Newsletter that you know that's what BART was kind of asking that's what BART was kind of asking that's what BART was kind of asking there's well if we can only do a story there's well if we can only do a story there's well if we can only do a story in one announcement or even when you do in one announcement or even when you do in one announcement or even when you do the uh end of month email and there's the uh end of month email and there's the uh end of month email and there's only four announcements like what about only four announcements like what about only four announcements like what about everything else right what what about everything else right what what about everything else right what what about all those people so there's kind of two

all those people so there's kind of two all those people so there's kind of two things that I would say there one is things that I would say there one is things that I would say there one is what again like what are you what are what again like what are you what are what again like what are you what are your main focuses as a church that's your main focuses as a church that's your main focuses as a church that's where that's where you as the where that's where you as the where that's where you as the communications director that's your job communications director that's your job communications director that's your job your job is to push forward what your your job is to push forward what your your job is to push forward what your main mission and values are of the main mission and values are of the main mission and values are of the church and so church and so church and so like you have to get your um supervisors like you have to get your um supervisors like you have to get your um supervisors to buy in and be okay with that because to buy in and be okay with that because to buy in and be okay with that because you need the authority authority to say you need the authority authority to say you need the authority authority to say to to to um um um mops mothers of preschoolers now you mops mothers of preschoolers now you mops mothers of preschoolers now you know like hey that's awesome Ministry know like hey that's awesome Ministry know like hey that's awesome Ministry but we we know that 75 of our moms work but we we know that 75 of our moms work but we we know that 75 of our moms work I mean I don't know I'm making this up I mean I don't know I'm making this up I mean I don't know I'm making this up right this this could be a bad example right this this could be a bad example right this this could be a bad example but so uh something during the day that but so uh something during the day that but so uh something during the day that happens at 9 30 that's more of a niche happens at 9 30 that's more of a niche happens at 9 30 that's more of a niche like it's not really gonna work for all like it's not really gonna work for all like it's not really gonna work for all of our families so so then your goal is of our families so so then your goal is of our families so so then your goal is not just to say no like and that is a not just to say no like and that is a not just to say no like and that is a that I think Communications teams that I think Communications teams that I think Communications teams get a bad rap because it's like these get a bad rap because it's like these get a bad rap because it's like these Ministries think well communication Ministries think well communication Ministries think well communication seems you can tell me now I'm just gonna seems you can tell me now I'm just gonna seems you can tell me now I'm just gonna go do it myself you know and that's the go do it myself you know and that's the go do it myself you know and that's the opposite of what you want your goal is opposite of what you want your goal is opposite of what you want your goal is to help them communicate so that they to help them communicate so that they to help them communicate so that they end up with more people right so let's end up with more people right so let's end up with more people right so let's so back to the pancake breakfast so back to the pancake breakfast so back to the pancake breakfast I would send targeted emails then to I would send targeted emails then to I would send targeted emails then to that to those dads and to the moms of that to those dads and to the moms of that to those dads and to the moms of those kids to say hey moms here's why those kids to say hey moms here's why those kids to say hey moms here's why you need your husband and son at the you need your husband and son at the you need your husband and son at the pancake breakfast hey dads here's why pancake breakfast hey dads here's why pancake breakfast hey dads here's why you need to bring your son to the you need to bring your son to the you need to bring your son to the pancake breakfast and you're using it's

pancake breakfast and you're using it's pancake breakfast and you're using it's multiple stories from the pancake multiple stories from the pancake multiple stories from the pancake breakfast along with breakfast along with breakfast along with um data to back up why you need to do um data to back up why you need to do um data to back up why you need to do that so that's where I said you opened a that so that's where I said you opened a that so that's where I said you opened a can of worms because that's where I end can of worms because that's where I end can of worms because that's where I end up getting up getting up getting getting to with with Ministries is getting to with with Ministries is getting to with with Ministries is because they'll say I have to have a because they'll say I have to have a because they'll say I have to have a stage announcement I have to have an stage announcement I have to have an stage announcement I have to have an email I have to have X Y or Z email I have to have X Y or Z email I have to have X Y or Z and I you know we're I'm I'm running and I you know we're I'm I'm running and I you know we're I'm I'm running tests right now that just proves so tests right now that just proves so tests right now that just proves so often here's a here's a good stat for often here's a here's a good stat for often here's a here's a good stat for you I had a church that did you I had a church that did you I had a church that did um um um a campaign for for Global mission trips a campaign for for Global mission trips a campaign for for Global mission trips I I told them you're gonna send emails I I told them you're gonna send emails I I told them you're gonna send emails to people that have been on mission to people that have been on mission to people that have been on mission trips before okay that's going to be one trips before okay that's going to be one trips before okay that's going to be one of the things that you do and we're of the things that you do and we're of the things that you do and we're going to have targeted emails to these going to have targeted emails to these going to have targeted emails to these they've had about a 40 open rate on they've had about a 40 open rate on they've had about a 40 open rate on those emails those emails those emails we also had them do stage announcements we also had them do stage announcements we also had them do stage announcements and all those other things and all those other things and all those other things anytime they did a stage announcement anytime they did a stage announcement anytime they did a stage announcement that the highest click-through rate to that the highest click-through rate to that the highest click-through rate to the website was two percent so you're the website was two percent so you're the website was two percent so you're thinking that email went to those was thinking that email went to those was thinking that email went to those was only to people that went to Global trips only to people that went to Global trips only to people that went to Global trips right the the stage announcement was to right the the stage announcement was to right the the stage announcement was to all these people like it could have been all these people like it could have been all these people like it could have been anybody like we had so anybody like we had so anybody like we had so and this was a rather large church so and this was a rather large church so and this was a rather large church so two percent of people ended up being two percent of people ended up being two percent of people ended up being you know just a fraction of who opened you know just a fraction of who opened you know just a fraction of who opened that email even though that email went that email even though that email went that email even though that email went to fewer people to fewer people to fewer people so I that's where that's your answer bar so I that's where that's your answer bar so I that's where that's your answer bar is is pushing your Ministries to is is pushing your Ministries to is is pushing your Ministries to say you know what we're gonna get with

say you know what we're gonna get with say you know what we're gonna get with just the people that this really affects just the people that this really affects just the people that this really affects and have them be our main main sellers and have them be our main main sellers and have them be our main main sellers so like I use mops for example so like I use mops for example so like I use mops for example we're going to connect with those moms we're going to connect with those moms we're going to connect with those moms and say like who can you text who can and say like who can you text who can and say like who can you text who can you say hey we really want you to be a you say hey we really want you to be a you say hey we really want you to be a part of mops or where where in your part of mops or where where in your part of mops or where where in your community do moms who community do moms who community do moms who um um um don't work where do they hang out don't work where do they hang out don't work where do they hang out you know where we and and how can you you know where we and and how can you you know where we and and how can you get involved in those in those places get involved in those in those places get involved in those in those places um so it's really um so it's really um so it's really instead of the I probably said this last instead of the I probably said this last instead of the I probably said this last time I was on the podcast instead of the time I was on the podcast instead of the time I was on the podcast instead of the traditional marketing funnel kind of of traditional marketing funnel kind of of traditional marketing funnel kind of of let's just tell everybody and then let's just tell everybody and then let's just tell everybody and then eventually a few people will come you eventually a few people will come you eventually a few people will come you flip that upside down so that we say flip that upside down so that we say flip that upside down so that we say we're going to start with the people we're going to start with the people we're going to start with the people that we know are really invested and that we know are really invested and that we know are really invested and we're going to work with those people to we're going to work with those people to we're going to work with those people to get a much larger base at the bottom get a much larger base at the bottom get a much larger base at the bottom yeah I've heard you say that it's so yeah I've heard you say that it's so yeah I've heard you say that it's so brilliant I love that upside down model brilliant I love that upside down model brilliant I love that upside down model so in essence what you're saying is know so in essence what you're saying is know so in essence what you're saying is know your audience your audience your audience because when you send out a email blast because when you send out a email blast because when you send out a email blast and we'll use the the pancake breakfast and we'll use the the pancake breakfast and we'll use the the pancake breakfast and you're sending it to a single gal and you're sending it to a single gal and you're sending it to a single gal you're what you're saying is we don't you're what you're saying is we don't you're what you're saying is we don't know who you are know who you are know who you are and we want to just throw everything at and we want to just throw everything at and we want to just throw everything at you you're sending me you you're sending me you you're sending me a dad who works something on Mob of a dad who works something on Mob of a dad who works something on Mob of course I'm not going to engage duh so course I'm not going to engage duh so course I'm not going to engage duh so what you're wait I think what you're what you're wait I think what you're what you're wait I think what you're saying is can you start off with saying is can you start off with saying is can you start off with creating stories when you're

creating stories when you're creating stories when you're communicating your email in your e communicating your email in your e communicating your email in your e newsletter and build to the point where newsletter and build to the point where newsletter and build to the point where you actually know your audience and you actually know your audience and you actually know your audience and you've been you've been able to segment you've been you've been able to segment you've been you've been able to segment your audience so that you can tailor your audience so that you can tailor your audience so that you can tailor that message straight to them because that message straight to them because that message straight to them because you're going to get the best result out you're going to get the best result out you're going to get the best result out of that is that that's kind of what of that is that that's kind of what of that is that that's kind of what you're saying I think absolutely and and you're saying I think absolutely and and you're saying I think absolutely and and another reason that uses story is if I another reason that uses story is if I another reason that uses story is if I see a story in the anus that says see a story in the anus that says see a story in the anus that says you know more details about a father and you know more details about a father and you know more details about a father and a son that went to a pancake breakfast a son that went to a pancake breakfast a son that went to a pancake breakfast and the impact they had on their life and the impact they had on their life and the impact they had on their life I'm going to engage with that and read I'm going to engage with that and read I'm going to engage with that and read that because I'm interested I want to that because I'm interested I want to that because I'm interested I want to know about that even though I don't I know about that even though I don't I know about that even though I don't I have no Sons like I'm not gonna nobody have no Sons like I'm not gonna nobody have no Sons like I'm not gonna nobody in my family is going to the pancake in my family is going to the pancake in my family is going to the pancake breakfast breakfast breakfast but it's still an engaging story and I'm but it's still an engaging story and I'm but it's still an engaging story and I'm I'm excited that my church is able to I'm excited that my church is able to I'm excited that my church is able to make that type of impact on my community make that type of impact on my community make that type of impact on my community yeah uh whereas if I see pancake yeah uh whereas if I see pancake yeah uh whereas if I see pancake breakfast this Saturday 9 A.M I'm like breakfast this Saturday 9 A.M I'm like breakfast this Saturday 9 A.M I'm like okay cool I have no Sons like next what okay cool I have no Sons like next what okay cool I have no Sons like next what else you know what I mean but if I see else you know what I mean but if I see else you know what I mean but if I see the story I say oh my gosh that's that's the story I say oh my gosh that's that's the story I say oh my gosh that's that's so cool like you know what I do know so cool like you know what I do know so cool like you know what I do know like you know what my neighbors like you know what my neighbors like you know what my neighbors they they do have others you know that'd they they do have others you know that'd they they do have others you know that'd be really great for them like that story be really great for them like that story be really great for them like that story was really cool I might even go tell my was really cool I might even go tell my was really cool I might even go tell my neighbor like my church just sent me neighbor like my church just sent me neighbor like my church just sent me this story like that was so cool like this story like that was so cool like this story like that was so cool like you know and then you know and then you know and then now I'm engaged with your email Beyond now I'm engaged with your email Beyond now I'm engaged with your email Beyond just opening and clicking through well just opening and clicking through well just opening and clicking through well that goes back to what I mentioned that goes back to what I mentioned that goes back to what I mentioned earlier is that even though you may not earlier is that even though you may not earlier is that even though you may not have a husband and or a son to

have a husband and or a son to have a husband and or a son to participate in the pancake breakfast it participate in the pancake breakfast it participate in the pancake breakfast it is reinforcing the value and the mission is reinforcing the value and the mission is reinforcing the value and the mission of the church and you are a part of the of the church and you are a part of the of the church and you are a part of the church so whatever the values are and church so whatever the values are and church so whatever the values are and whatever the mission and the purpose of whatever the mission and the purpose of whatever the mission and the purpose of the church is you're still a part of the church is you're still a part of the church is you're still a part of that even though that particular event that even though that particular event that even though that particular event or that activity might not pertain to or that activity might not pertain to or that activity might not pertain to you specifically and what that's what you specifically and what that's what you specifically and what that's what that that story reinforces Maddie let me that that story reinforces Maddie let me that that story reinforces Maddie let me ask you another question because I'm ask you another question because I'm ask you another question because I'm watching the clock here and I want to watching the clock here and I want to watching the clock here and I want to make sure that we have time to talk make sure that we have time to talk make sure that we have time to talk about this in addition to about this in addition to about this in addition to simply telling stories I know that simply telling stories I know that simply telling stories I know that you're doing some other creative things you're doing some other creative things you're doing some other creative things with church emails that are maybe not with church emails that are maybe not with church emails that are maybe not exactly storytelling but they're a exactly storytelling but they're a exactly storytelling but they're a little bit out of the box and they're little bit out of the box and they're little bit out of the box and they're designed uh to increase the engagement designed uh to increase the engagement designed uh to increase the engagement uh with your emails can you share some uh with your emails can you share some uh with your emails can you share some of the other ideas that that you're of the other ideas that that you're of the other ideas that that you're doing some of the other things that doing some of the other things that doing some of the other things that you're doing with some Churches you're you're doing with some Churches you're you're doing with some Churches you're working with working with working with yeah one of the things that we're doing yeah one of the things that we're doing yeah one of the things that we're doing we call a top three and the idea is get we call a top three and the idea is get we call a top three and the idea is get to know your pastors more than you maybe to know your pastors more than you maybe to know your pastors more than you maybe do you know I I happen to work with do you know I I happen to work with do you know I I happen to work with larger churches that's kind of just the larger churches that's kind of just the larger churches that's kind of just the bucket of folks that I work with bucket of folks that I work with bucket of folks that I work with um I think this works for churches of um I think this works for churches of um I think this works for churches of all sizes however all sizes however all sizes however um this is so the idea is that alongside um this is so the idea is that alongside um this is so the idea is that alongside that story that story that story um you would pair it with a pastor's top um you would pair it with a pastor's top um you would pair it with a pastor's top three and it's maybe maybe start with three and it's maybe maybe start with three and it's maybe maybe start with what are you watching what are you what are you watching what are you what are you watching what are you reading what are you listening to so reading what are you listening to so reading what are you listening to so maybe it's uh you know I'm reading this maybe it's uh you know I'm reading this maybe it's uh you know I'm reading this book I'm watching this show you know and book I'm watching this show you know and book I'm watching this show you know and and that just helps people to say I

and that just helps people to say I and that just helps people to say I already feel like I know you because I already feel like I know you because I already feel like I know you because I see you on the stage making or giving see you on the stage making or giving see you on the stage making or giving the message each weekend well if you're the message each weekend well if you're the message each weekend well if you're if you're at a larger Church you may not if you're at a larger Church you may not if you're at a larger Church you may not have the opportunity to to meet that have the opportunity to to meet that have the opportunity to to meet that Pastor in the lobby very often you know Pastor in the lobby very often you know Pastor in the lobby very often you know or interact with that person outside of or interact with that person outside of or interact with that person outside of kind of from the from the stage so this kind of from the from the stage so this kind of from the from the stage so this makes that person more human you know in makes that person more human you know in makes that person more human you know in a sense of oh my gosh what like he he he a sense of oh my gosh what like he he he a sense of oh my gosh what like he he he was he was listening to Encanto because was he was listening to Encanto because was he was listening to Encanto because he has three kids like of course like he has three kids like of course like he has three kids like of course like I'm listening to that right now you know I'm listening to that right now you know I'm listening to that right now you know um and then it starts to just uh um and then it starts to just uh um and then it starts to just uh you start to build a relationship even you start to build a relationship even you start to build a relationship even though even though you you don't maybe though even though you you don't maybe though even though you you don't maybe see or have a face-to-face conversation see or have a face-to-face conversation see or have a face-to-face conversation as often and I mean like I said it as often and I mean like I said it as often and I mean like I said it doesn't really matter whether the church doesn't really matter whether the church doesn't really matter whether the church is large or small because is large or small because is large or small because even if I see the pastor in the lobby even if I see the pastor in the lobby even if I see the pastor in the lobby every weekend and I talk to him about every weekend and I talk to him about every weekend and I talk to him about maybe I talk to him about like hey you maybe I talk to him about like hey you maybe I talk to him about like hey you know we went to this quick out over the know we went to this quick out over the know we went to this quick out over the weekend super cool whatever but I don't weekend super cool whatever but I don't weekend super cool whatever but I don't know what he's maybe reading as far as know what he's maybe reading as far as know what he's maybe reading as far as what how he's growing and learning more what how he's growing and learning more what how he's growing and learning more about what he's then teaching us on the about what he's then teaching us on the about what he's then teaching us on the weekend and I want to know that you know weekend and I want to know that you know weekend and I want to know that you know that that to me gives me more trust in that that to me gives me more trust in that that to me gives me more trust in that person so so yeah we call it top that person so so yeah we call it top that person so so yeah we call it top three we like I said watching reading three we like I said watching reading three we like I said watching reading listening but we've we've done listening but we've we've done listening but we've we've done um themed ones where maybe it's um themed ones where maybe it's um themed ones where maybe it's Christmas on the holidays you know what

Christmas on the holidays you know what Christmas on the holidays you know what are your top three things you like to do are your top three things you like to do are your top three things you like to do with your family with your family with your family um and we we switch it out not always um and we we switch it out not always um and we we switch it out not always maybe the lead pastor but maybe it's a maybe the lead pastor but maybe it's a maybe the lead pastor but maybe it's a campus Pastor or maybe you know it could campus Pastor or maybe you know it could campus Pastor or maybe you know it could be any Pastor that be any Pastor that be any Pastor that that has face with people that it would that has face with people that it would that has face with people that it would make sense to do that with make sense to do that with make sense to do that with so that's one of the things that we're so that's one of the things that we're so that's one of the things that we're doing doing doing we're also talking a little bit we just we're also talking a little bit we just we're also talking a little bit we just kind of I'm saying this now even though kind of I'm saying this now even though kind of I'm saying this now even though we're on the early stages of it but it I we're on the early stages of it but it I we're on the early stages of it but it I mean it'll make sense to you guys it mean it'll make sense to you guys it mean it'll make sense to you guys it inner making the engagement inner making the engagement inner making the engagement cross-channel so saying in social media cross-channel so saying in social media cross-channel so saying in social media asking people questions and then saying asking people questions and then saying asking people questions and then saying all right we're gonna we're gonna put all right we're gonna we're gonna put all right we're gonna we're gonna put the answers to these questions in our the answers to these questions in our the answers to these questions in our email and then oh you want to subscribe email and then oh you want to subscribe email and then oh you want to subscribe to the email here you go this is how you to the email here you go this is how you to the email here you go this is how you subscribe to the email so we're able to subscribe to the email so we're able to subscribe to the email so we're able to take engagement from one platform into take engagement from one platform into take engagement from one platform into the email just like you might drop your the email just like you might drop your the email just like you might drop your social channels at the bottom of your social channels at the bottom of your social channels at the bottom of your email you know it's just kind of the email you know it's just kind of the email you know it's just kind of the opposite so I don't have a whole lot of opposite so I don't have a whole lot of opposite so I don't have a whole lot of stats on that yet but it's something stats on that yet but it's something stats on that yet but it's something that we're on the early stages on wow that we're on the early stages on wow that we're on the early stages on wow yeah yeah yeah Jason I'm Jason Jason I'm gonna put you Jason I'm Jason Jason I'm gonna put you Jason I'm Jason Jason I'm gonna put you on the spot but because I like to do on the spot but because I like to do on the spot but because I like to do that that that um what's something that as a um what's something that as a um what's something that as a communications director something communications director something communications director something creative that you did with your Church's creative that you did with your Church's creative that you did with your Church's emails to keep people engaged can you emails to keep people engaged can you emails to keep people engaged can you think of anything off the top of your think of anything off the top of your think of anything off the top of your head or did you just throw up on people head or did you just throw up on people head or did you just throw up on people with all your announcements yeah we with all your announcements yeah we with all your announcements yeah we probably threw up on people probably threw up on people probably threw up on people um well simple like

um well simple like um well simple like Trey we fought hard against throwing up Trey we fought hard against throwing up Trey we fought hard against throwing up on people so we we tried to limit it to on people so we we tried to limit it to on people so we we tried to limit it to like two or three things and that's it like two or three things and that's it like two or three things and that's it and you know if you wanted you know we'd and you know if you wanted you know we'd and you know if you wanted you know we'd always have a link out to like always have a link out to like always have a link out to like upcoming events and things of that upcoming events and things of that upcoming events and things of that nature nature nature um but we never really got into stories um but we never really got into stories um but we never really got into stories it was kind of too early for that but we it was kind of too early for that but we it was kind of too early for that but we tried to just be very careful with how tried to just be very careful with how tried to just be very careful with how much announcement we were making much announcement we were making much announcement we were making um it's come a long way since I was in um it's come a long way since I was in um it's come a long way since I was in that space because now we can you know that space because now we can you know that space because now we can you know you can really tailor it you can tell you can really tailor it you can tell you can really tailor it you can tell now we have a way because now we have now we have a way because now we have now we have a way because now we have way more creative people like Maddie who way more creative people like Maddie who way more creative people like Maddie who are doing that to be not only story are doing that to be not only story are doing that to be not only story based but also like we were just kind of based but also like we were just kind of based but also like we were just kind of mentioned earlier of of actually knowing mentioned earlier of of actually knowing mentioned earlier of of actually knowing your audience and I'll use a perfect your audience and I'll use a perfect your audience and I'll use a perfect another perfect example that is like you another perfect example that is like you another perfect example that is like you you don't know people when you're when you don't know people when you're when you don't know people when you're when you're saying we're having all all you're saying we're having all all you're saying we're having all all Church baptisms coming up or something Church baptisms coming up or something Church baptisms coming up or something like that and you're saying you need to like that and you're saying you need to like that and you're saying you need to get baptized and you're like dude I got get baptized and you're like dude I got get baptized and you're like dude I got baptized like 10 years ago you know you baptized like 10 years ago you know you baptized like 10 years ago you know you don't even know who I am right it's a don't even know who I am right it's a don't even know who I am right it's a perfect example of where churches can go perfect example of where churches can go perfect example of where churches can go and use tools to help you better know and use tools to help you better know and use tools to help you better know your people and then just Target that your people and then just Target that your people and then just Target that message now that's obviously churches message now that's obviously churches message now that's obviously churches that have gone deeper in that space that have gone deeper in that space that have gone deeper in that space sizes doesn't matter it's about and I sizes doesn't matter it's about and I sizes doesn't matter it's about and I will say if your database can't do that will say if your database can't do that will say if your database can't do that you need a new database go ahead and you need a new database go ahead and you need a new database go ahead and start that conversation right now start that conversation right now start that conversation right now exactly yeah your database yeah it is it exactly yeah your database yeah it is it exactly yeah your database yeah it is it is a little tricky especially like I'll is a little tricky especially like I'll is a little tricky especially like I'll use an example uh if you use Planning

use an example uh if you use Planning use an example uh if you use Planning Center as your church management Center as your church management Center as your church management software which I would bet that a software which I would bet that a software which I would bet that a significant percentage of the churches significant percentage of the churches significant percentage of the churches that that are you know listening to this that that are you know listening to this that that are you know listening to this podcast would you can track all that in podcast would you can track all that in podcast would you can track all that in your database but most of those churches your database but most of those churches your database but most of those churches are not using Planning Center as their are not using Planning Center as their are not using Planning Center as their email platform they're using MailChimp email platform they're using MailChimp email platform they're using MailChimp or Constant Contact or something of that or Constant Contact or something of that or Constant Contact or something of that nature so it does get a little bit nature so it does get a little bit nature so it does get a little bit laborious to maintain those MailChimp or laborious to maintain those MailChimp or laborious to maintain those MailChimp or constant contact lists constant contact lists constant contact lists um but it is doable you can do it you've um but it is doable you can do it you've um but it is doable you can do it you've just got to put the effort into it and just got to put the effort into it and just got to put the effort into it and then work hard to keep it up to date I then work hard to keep it up to date I then work hard to keep it up to date I shared with Maddie before uh before we shared with Maddie before uh before we shared with Maddie before uh before we started recording one of the things that started recording one of the things that started recording one of the things that that I'm working with a church that is that I'm working with a church that is that I'm working with a church that is really wanting to see an increase in really wanting to see an increase in really wanting to see an increase in their volunteering in the church I mean their volunteering in the church I mean their volunteering in the church I mean what church doesn't need more Children's what church doesn't need more Children's what church doesn't need more Children's Ministry volunteers we need more parking Ministry volunteers we need more parking Ministry volunteers we need more parking lot volunteers we need more people lot volunteers we need more people lot volunteers we need more people serving coffee we need more small group serving coffee we need more small group serving coffee we need more small group leaders like whatever it is every church leaders like whatever it is every church leaders like whatever it is every church needs more volunteers and so what we're needs more volunteers and so what we're needs more volunteers and so what we're going to do is we're going to start going to do is we're going to start going to do is we're going to start doing doing doing um a twice a month volunteer Spotlight um a twice a month volunteer Spotlight um a twice a month volunteer Spotlight so the story that we're going to tell in so the story that we're going to tell in so the story that we're going to tell in the email is actually telling the story the email is actually telling the story the email is actually telling the story of someone who's been serving on a of someone who's been serving on a of someone who's been serving on a specific team for some specific length specific team for some specific length specific team for some specific length of time and we're not specifically going of time and we're not specifically going of time and we're not specifically going to have a call to action to say hey sign to have a call to action to say hey sign to have a call to action to say hey sign up for the children's ministry because up for the children's ministry because up for the children's ministry because Maddie just told her story but we want Maddie just told her story but we want Maddie just told her story but we want to highlight and celebrate the to highlight and celebrate the to highlight and celebrate the volunteers in the church who have been volunteers in the church who have been volunteers in the church who have been committed and who are doing it again it committed and who are doing it again it committed and who are doing it again it it reinforces one of the values in the it reinforces one of the values in the it reinforces one of the values in the church which is you know involvement and church which is you know involvement and church which is you know involvement and engagement in in using your gifts and engagement in in using your gifts and engagement in in using your gifts and talents for the sake of the kingdom it

talents for the sake of the kingdom it talents for the sake of the kingdom it also gives us a great story to tell also gives us a great story to tell also gives us a great story to tell every couple of weeks when we throw that every couple of weeks when we throw that every couple of weeks when we throw that in the email now what I hadn't thought in the email now what I hadn't thought in the email now what I hadn't thought about before and I'm thinking about this about before and I'm thinking about this about before and I'm thinking about this now after you talk about this Maddie is now after you talk about this Maddie is now after you talk about this Maddie is actually actually actually doing those profiles those those doing those profiles those those doing those profiles those those volunteer spotlights as a blog post and volunteer spotlights as a blog post and volunteer spotlights as a blog post and actually just telling part of the story actually just telling part of the story actually just telling part of the story in the email and linking over to the in the email and linking over to the in the email and linking over to the blog post I haven't thought about that I blog post I haven't thought about that I blog post I haven't thought about that I might do a little a b testing uh over might do a little a b testing uh over might do a little a b testing uh over the course of the next few months you the course of the next few months you the course of the next few months you know because I think we're going to do know because I think we're going to do know because I think we're going to do it twice a month and so maybe I'll tell it twice a month and so maybe I'll tell it twice a month and so maybe I'll tell the whole story in the email once and the whole story in the email once and the whole story in the email once and then I'll tell part of the story in the then I'll tell part of the story in the then I'll tell part of the story in the email once with a link to the blog and email once with a link to the blog and email once with a link to the blog and test that out for a little while and see test that out for a little while and see test that out for a little while and see how that goes I'll keep you posted how that goes I'll keep you posted how that goes I'll keep you posted that's a good idea would you link to that's a good idea would you link to that's a good idea would you link to anything in the blog or we just once anything in the blog or we just once anything in the blog or we just once they got there or do you think you'll they got there or do you think you'll they got there or do you think you'll just leave it as is just leave it as is just leave it as is um I don't know I've got to think um I don't know I've got to think um I don't know I've got to think through that a little bit I think that through that a little bit I think that through that a little bit I think that you know we do have some uh some forms you know we do have some uh some forms you know we do have some uh some forms that people can fill out if they're that people can fill out if they're that people can fill out if they're interested in getting information about interested in getting information about interested in getting information about volunteering in a specific Ministry so volunteering in a specific Ministry so volunteering in a specific Ministry so we'll probably link to that that's to we'll probably link to that that's to we'll probably link to that that's to that form that form that form um maybe you know one of the ways that um maybe you know one of the ways that um maybe you know one of the ways that in this particular Church you get in this particular Church you get in this particular Church you get onboarded into Ministries is through a onboarded into Ministries is through a onboarded into Ministries is through a membership class called all in so you membership class called all in so you membership class called all in so you know maybe we'll we'll include links to know maybe we'll we'll include links to know maybe we'll we'll include links to win the next all in class is taking win the next all in class is taking win the next all in class is taking place so someone could register for the place so someone could register for the place so someone could register for the all-in class if they want to do that all-in class if they want to do that all-in class if they want to do that they want to kind of take it to the next they want to kind of take it to the next they want to kind of take it to the next level I'll experiment with it with a few level I'll experiment with it with a few level I'll experiment with it with a few different things and see what works different things and see what works different things and see what works yeah you have to let us know yeah you have to let us know yeah you have to let us know I will okay well we probably need to I will okay well we probably need to I will okay well we probably need to land This Plane so land This Plane so land This Plane so um Maddie thanks for uh for pouring into

um Maddie thanks for uh for pouring into um Maddie thanks for uh for pouring into this and and helping The Big C Church this and and helping The Big C Church this and and helping The Big C Church get better but helping smaller churches get better but helping smaller churches get better but helping smaller churches uh get better at this as well so uh get better at this as well so uh get better at this as well so hopefully we uh you know as you guys are hopefully we uh you know as you guys are hopefully we uh you know as you guys are listening to this you would take some of listening to this you would take some of listening to this you would take some of this advice and run with it and just as this advice and run with it and just as this advice and run with it and just as bad as you're saying you don't have to bad as you're saying you don't have to bad as you're saying you don't have to like hit a home run every time right like hit a home run every time right like hit a home run every time right just start off with something and and just start off with something and and just start off with something and and experiment with it and you might fail experiment with it and you might fail experiment with it and you might fail but that's that's how you get better so but that's that's how you get better so but that's that's how you get better so push through your failure keep learning push through your failure keep learning push through your failure keep learning keep getting better because God is doing keep getting better because God is doing keep getting better because God is doing some amazing things in your church you some amazing things in your church you some amazing things in your church you just gotta investigate and find out what just gotta investigate and find out what just gotta investigate and find out what those are those stories and then build a those are those stories and then build a those are those stories and then build a new email a story based email right new email a story based email right new email a story based email right yeah absolutely that's that's well said yeah absolutely that's that's well said yeah absolutely that's that's well said and I'll just I'll throw this last and I'll just I'll throw this last and I'll just I'll throw this last little thought at you as we wrap up that little thought at you as we wrap up that little thought at you as we wrap up that you mentioned the Chick-fil-A you mentioned the Chick-fil-A you mentioned the Chick-fil-A commercials and the story they're we commercials and the story they're we commercials and the story they're we know Chick-fil-A sells chicken like I I know Chick-fil-A sells chicken like I I know Chick-fil-A sells chicken like I I get that that's kind of a common thing get that that's kind of a common thing get that that's kind of a common thing that most people know but like they that most people know but like they that most people know but like they weren't selling the chicken in in that weren't selling the chicken in in that weren't selling the chicken in in that in that commercial like you said right in that commercial like you said right in that commercial like you said right they were just telling a story about they were just telling a story about they were just telling a story about something that happened in their something that happened in their something that happened in their restaurant restaurant restaurant okay like think about it from that angle okay like think about it from that angle okay like think about it from that angle what's your main point from the church what's your main point from the church what's your main point from the church and I think this is kind of one of the and I think this is kind of one of the and I think this is kind of one of the things that I've been on lately is our things that I've been on lately is our things that I've been on lately is our main purpose and call to action as a main purpose and call to action as a main purpose and call to action as a church is like you said love people and church is like you said love people and church is like you said love people and tell them about Christ tell them about Christ tell them about Christ it's not to get them to sign up for some it's not to get them to sign up for some it's not to get them to sign up for some random X Y or Z right and so if we think random X Y or Z right and so if we think random X Y or Z right and so if we think about it from that angle then then it's about it from that angle then then it's about it from that angle then then it's like okay I'll just put one story in like okay I'll just put one story in like okay I'll just put one story in there you know and we'll work on getting

there you know and we'll work on getting there you know and we'll work on getting the information out about but everything the information out about but everything the information out about but everything else in different ways else in different ways else in different ways thanks for thanks for having me on thanks for thanks for having me on thanks for thanks for having me on Maddie thanks for hanging out with us Maddie thanks for hanging out with us Maddie thanks for hanging out with us it's been fun