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Need advice on how to write to a Pastor... & get them to respond!

by ADD Guy
13 replies
I want to write (snail mail) to a list of pastors and offer them a free resource CD. My whole intent is to get them to request the CD via fax or web and then use the information contained. Part of the information I am giving them includes a free trial to a service that goes hand in hand with the free info.

I really want them to extend this free offer to all of their congregation. The second part of the offer, I was going to give them free bulletin inserts that extend the offer to the congregation..

Now, I want them to open their mail and respond + extend the offer & use the other free resources on the CD. How do I come across as not to pushy, sensitive to their influence, not trying to make them salesmen, etc..
#advice #pastor #respond #write
  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    First, you have to keep in mind that pastors already
    receive a TON of junk-mail. Your challenge will be
    to even get your letter opened.

    You'll have to make it as personal as possible by
    using a hand-written font, crooked stamp etc.

    And your next challenge will be to show the pastor
    how this will help him/her with his/her congregation.

    I have no idea of the mature of your product so
    that's the most I can say.

    -Pastor Ray Edwards
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  • Profile picture of the author ADD Guy
    Raydal - my product is internet filter / accountability software.
    The CD will contain all kinds of video, audio, articles for the pastor to use in keeping his congregation safe online & addressing internet pornography...

    handwritten font, crooked stamp, any other tips are welcome..
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    • Profile picture of the author robyna
      I agree with Raydal, you are going to have a tough time as pastors receive a LOT of junk mail. My husband is a pastor and we get it at home, too. People try to sell us everything from chairs to Bibles. Anything that is in a church is fair game for marketing to pastors.

      You are really talking about two very different audiences, as I am sure you know. A pastor has very different needs than just those sitting the pew.

      For pastors, I would suggest coming from the angle of making their life easier, making their workload lighter. If a pastor is doing his job right, he is wearing many different hats and is usually up to his eyeballs in work. Getting caught up in all the junk on the Internet just slows him down.

      The angle I would suggest for the congregation would be to focus on how your product will help them grow into a stronger Christian. Something that protects them on the Internet would certainly do that. This angle will appeal to a pastor (who wants to help their congregation to grow), too.

      I hope that helps. I'd be happy to answer any other questions you might have and even bounce them off of my husband.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Blaze
    Got a friend who is a pastor so will pass the thread url onto him and see what he say's

    Hopefully his input might help you!

    Mark Blaze
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  • Profile picture of the author ADD Guy
    Do you think that if I mailed them my CD they would open it and use it?

    Robyna- those are good points - appealing to the pastor's needs vs congregation.. I think my letter should address both.
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    • Profile picture of the author robyna
      Originally Posted by ADD Guy View Post

      Do you think that if I mailed them my CD they would open it and use it?

      Robyna- those are good points - appealing to the pastor's needs vs congregation.. I think my letter should address both.
      Glad they helped. Most people don't realize all that goes on with being a pastor. Until you live with one and see how insanely busy they are, you just don't know all the job entails.

      I'm not sure what size the churches are you are targeting but a pastor of a larger congregation will not deal with this sort of thing. They have business administrators (or something similar).

      Our church is about 100 people, which is small. But my husband lets his secretary deal with a lot of that type of stuff. If she thinks it is worthy of his attention, she will pass it on. If not, it goes in the trash. That is just one more thing for you to consider.
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  • Profile picture of the author Zentech
    Become a pastor. Not literally of course, but in your mind. Imagining yourself in that role, what would you want to see? What are your values and attitudes, and what are your goals? What are you trying to achieve every day in your work and how could this product that is being pitched to you help you do that? If it's an Internet filter, maybe you'd value it because it could help people stay on the spiritual path you recommened to them constantly.

    Figure all that out, write it down, and make yourself a pitch.

    I believe that the Golden Rule isn't just an ethical guideline, but a sales guideline as well. Sell unto others as you would have them sell unto you.
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  • Profile picture of the author ADD Guy
    I am targeting larger churches (which will be harder to get past the gatekeeper) 2000+

    There are a few obstacles to overcome: Getting the CD on the pastor's desk, Getting it opened, getting 2 minutes of his time to read my letter.

    Would a stamp on the envelope marked "confidential" get it to the desk & opened? How about an envelope that looked like an offering envelope? I don't want to be to gimmicky do I?

    To Zentech's point: The inside letter with a CD will be honest & personal in tone... I could explain how some Christians I know were involved in pornography... my passion to eradicate it from the church and how I am providing the pastor some tools to use and tools for his congregation.. stressing the benefits of a protected church - serving God effectively, etc etc...
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    • Profile picture of the author WiredCopy
      Originally Posted by ADD Guy View Post

      I am targeting larger churches (which will be harder to get past the gatekeeper) 2000+

      There are a few obstacles to overcome: Getting the CD on the pastor's desk, Getting it opened, getting 2 minutes of his time to read my letter.

      Would a stamp on the envelope marked "confidential" get it to the desk & opened? How about an envelope that looked like an offering envelope? I don't want to be to gimmicky do I?

      etc...
      FEDEX will get your CD straight onto the pastor's desk guaranteed. He'll think it must be important if you use this tactic.
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    • Profile picture of the author robyna
      I don't know how much time you have to research each church, not a lot I'm sure. I think you best bet for a larger church would be to address it to the business administrator. I used to be on staff at a church of about 2,000 and we had a guy that his title was "Business Administrator" and he dealt with just the type of thing you are talking about.

      In larger churches a pastor just deals with preaching and a few visits. That is it. That is one reason those churches do so well. The pastor can delegate a lot of tasks to a staff. IMO, addressing it to a "Business Administrator" would serve you better.

      As far as the inside content goes, focusing on Christian growth and protection from pornography would be good. Although the actual word "pornography" is a bit taboo for some older ministers. It is a very real problem for Christians, though. I got a M.A. for a seminary 10 years ago and I know it is a BIG problem that is pushed under the rug (even for ministers!).

      For a larger church with a younger staff the word won't be quite as intimidating. In fact the younger churches are starting to address this problem. Most larger churches are younger. A quick visit to their website will tell you if they are or not.

      Providing a freebie like a bulletin insert would also be good. Again using the word "pornography" in that would not be your best bet. But you could talk about protecting them from dangerous stuff on the Internet, etc. w/ using that word.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nathan Alexander
    My father-in-law is a pastor. I think there is a definite need for software like this. It can hold folks accountable - and the excuse to take the decision out of thair hands.

    I agree with what robyna said about the problem's existence. Christians (I count myself among them here) aren't exempt from sin. In many ways, they sin more, others less.

    Christians aren't given a pass, nor do they sin (necessarily) any less. But the problem exists, and I believe (personal opinion) there is a market for your stuff.

    But as Raydal said above, you've got challenges to get them to see it.

    For me? You might try headlines on the outside like, "Sin Inside", or "YOUR Sin Inside".

    "Sin In A Box" with a picture of the computer desktop inside - something like that.

    "Someone You Know Is Ashamed"

    "The sin beyond forgiving?" (No, but gets curiosity.)

    "Fact: SOMEONE (or 'x'% - whatever the facts are) in your congregation is in torture, but he'll need your help"

    OK, so these were just random thoughts about attention getting headlines. You may already be ahead here and really know your stuff. I offer it only because of personal experience with Christians that have struggled.

    Those headlines (or something like it) with "lumpy" mail (you could check out DOUBLE Your Direct Mail RESPONSE RATES with LUMPY MAIL - there are other avenues as well) could get your mailings noticed and in the right hands to be opened.

    The cost may justify it. That depends on your stats and costs of course. But I'm a big fan of lumy mail. Anyway, just my thoughts.

    FYI - Here's an article link I just found that's pretty good about lumpy mail: https://www.delivermagazine.com/colu...ad-generation/
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  • Profile picture of the author beccalynn
    It's all about honesty, sincerity and personalization. And, of course, what you're offering has to be of value to them. It's a tough one because like others mentioned, your target audience is already the target of many junk mail and advertising campaigns. Best of luck to you!
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  • Profile picture of the author ADD Guy
    Robyna - The business admin may or may not be a pastor. So would this person open up the mail and forward?? As far as using the word pornography, I think that it lessens the issue if you do not use it?? I could cite facts & stats to the fact that there are at least 100 guys in a 2000 person church who have a problem with it.

    Nathan - Some good tips. I visited lumpy mail - very much the same as 3D marketing. I like the computer idea... would be great to find a computer shaped CD mailer..
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