RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Communication is a critical part of effectively partnering with parents.  What's the best way to communicate with them?  Text?  Facebook?  Instagram?  Linkedin?

You might be surprised to know that a recent survey found that EMAIL is still the preferred medium with 72% of people choosing it over other avenues.

But there are some keys to getting parents to open your emails.
  
Mobile friendly.  55% of email opens happen on a mobile device.  Remember this when you create emails.  Be careful about attachments, videos and other content that might not be mobile friendly or take longer to open.

Make sure they know it's from you.  The name in the "from" field has to be recognizable.  Parents scan their emails looking for messages from people they know and trust.

Show them it's worth opening.  The subject line and preview text should work together to encourage parents to open the email.  Make it grab their attention.

Make it worth their time.  Send useful, timely, relevant messages.  This can be things like discussion questions from the weekend lesson, special announcements about upcoming events, parenting tips, etc.

Keep it short.  Don't send them a book.  Keep it short and simple.  Avoid long paragraphs.  Use bullet points. 

Email is still a great way to communicate with parents.  In fact, a recent survey of parents showed that they prefer email communication.

We all get tons of email, don't we.  Don't open your inbox for a few days and the emails begin overflowing. 

The parents you are trying to communicate with get lots of emails as well.  So, how do you get them to read your ministry emails?

Here's 3 secrets...

Maximize the subject line.
Use the subject line to grab their attention.
Keep it 50 characters or less.
Don't use the words need, help, or reminder.
Use words like announcing, invitation, your (ministry name) update, plans for, etc.

Highlight key information.
Highlight or bold key words or phrases.  This will help them catch vital information.

Keep it short. 
If the email is long, parents will check out.
Cut the fluff.  Communicate only essential information.
Use bullet points and short sentences. 

What are some other tips for communicating effectively with parents by email?  Share with us in the comment section below.

There are 6 changes taking place that you should continue to adapt to if you want to remain effective in Children's Ministry.

#1 - Communicating through social media is not an option - it is a must.  If you're going to effectively communicate with parents and volunteers, you must use it.  It will be expected and you will be hindered if you don't use it.

#2 - Mobile continues to grow rapidly - parents and volunteers will expect websites and tools that work mobile as well as desktop.  By 2017, mobile sales are predicted to grow by 87%!

#3 - Google+ is growing.  Yes, continue to use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. but also include Google in your communication strategy if you're not already.

#4 - Images, Images, Images!  Pictures will continue to grow as a key way to teach and communicate.  If a picture was worth a 1,000 words in 2013...it will be worth 2,000 words in 2014!

#5 - Video.  Video will continue to grow as a primary means of getting communication, training, and resourcing into the hands of parents and volunteers.

#6 - Podcasts - Podcasts are continuing to grow.  Training staff and volunteers while they are on the go will be essential.

Are you ready for these changes?

What do you need to change to get ready?

What other changes do you see on the horizon in 2014?

Share your thoughts with us below.