Ready or Not, Year-End Giving is Here

Pastor, 

In about a month, we'll be singing Auld Lang Syne and hanging up 2012 calendars. 

If you haven't finalized your year-end giving plans yet, all hope is not lost. Yes, you are behind. And yes, you need to make some serious changes for 2012 (we'll get to that later). 

But the time it took you to read those last two sentences is all you are allowed to lecture yourself on dropping the ball. Right now, it's time for action. Did you know that almost 8% of the gifts that some churches and ministries process occur in the last 48 hours of the year? 

You've got about 33 days to make things happen. So, here are a couple of quick tips: 

1. Write and send an e-mail a week to people in your church. Send the first email out tomorrow, the 6th, the 15th, the 22nd and the 29th. There's nothing magic about sending five emails. But, when you send an email a week the last month of the year you are sure to stay top of mind in the thoughts of people finalizing their giving plans for 2011. 

Make your subject lines short and interesting. Limit your copy to 20 to 30 lines, but fill them with results, needs and your request. Be sure your "Give Now" link is at the top and bottom of the email along with additional links throughout the e-mail. Worry less about creating a perfect design and more about the message that is going to compel your people to give to you before year-end. 

2. Update your home and giving pages to have a clear ask for a gift before December 31. Make sure you have photos that are compelling -- eye contact, smiling faces, bright colors or great scenes that show the results of your work. One strong photo is worth far more than five mediocre ones. 

Give reasons for giving before December 31 -- start 2012 strong, launch a new program in the New Year and yes, the tax deduction. People say it doesn't matter -- but then they give en masse on Dec. 30 and 31 because of that one incentive. In this case, actions speak much louder than words. 

Or, you can let us plan it for you. We can show you exactly how to organize and execute a Year-End Giving initiative or a Christmas Offering. Just download the Giving Rocket Year-End Guide and receive a done-for-you process that you can start today. 

Let's end the year strong and get ready to do even more ministry in 2012! 

Anticipating great things, 

Duncan Dodds 
ChurchEngine.com 

ONE FINAL NOTE … Giving Rocket has literally helped hundreds of churches increase operational revenue in their churches. Big churches with 5,000+ attenders and small church plants with 25 people gathering in a living room. Churches that implement just a portion of what we send see an increase far greater than the cost of membership. To further remove the money barrier, we offer a one-month trial membership for $1. You can test out the system with no risk.




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