KEYWORDS are specific words, such as “CONNECT,” “GIVE,” or “VBS” that people text to your church’s phone number (with a data texting plan) to prompt automated responses or links to be sent back. They unlock content, forms, and other requests without having to login to apps or remember specific websites.
The goal is always the same for pastors and church administrators: make it simple for people to connect. An even bigger win is connection that keeps your church database clean and the workload light. Churchteams Text-to-Church system keywords, “EVENTS” and “RESOURCES” give you this win.
Why should we use KEYWORDS for event registration?
The more steps or things to remember, like login or website info, the fewer people follow through when it comes to church engagment. Texting is familiar to most everyone in today’s tech-driven world, and using keywords to register for church events offers three major benefits:
- Convenience: Using text keywords to access event registrations is meeting people where they already are — on their phones.
- Data Accuracy: Because Churchteams recognizes the phone number of people already in the database, forms are auto-populated, reducing typos and duplicate records. And when someone who is not already in your database register, the system adds them in, saving you time on data entry.
- Automated Workflows: Once a keyword is texted and a form completed, Churchteams trigger a series of automated texts, emails and leader notifications for seamless follow-up.
What happens when people text EVENTS to our Text-to-Church number?
No more remebering specific keywords for specific events. When someone texts the word EVENTS to your church’s number (and you have a Churchteams Text-to-Church number), they get back a full list of open events at your church. Think of it as your digital bulletin. You help ensure that no event gets lost in the shuffle or forgotten by having a “Master Keyword.”
How should we use the keyword RESOURCES?
We recently introduced the “RESOURCES” keyword to help churches distinguish between things you do (Events) and things you use (Resources). The “RESOURCES” keyword acts as a digital library. Common ways to use this include:
- SERMONS: Save people time searching by providing a quick link to your sermon archive.
- BIBLE: Provide a link to devotional series or reading plans offered on Bible.com
- BIBLE STUDIES: Grant access to RightNow Media or other bible study tools you offer.
How do keyword texts help your church staff?
By utilizing these two distinct keywords, and promoting them, you offer a better user experince for your congregation. And your staff and minsitry leaders won’t struggle to remember specific keywords for specific events. You’ll only have to promote these two keywords and in turn, reduce your admin tasks. Keep the same content block with these keywords in all of your newsletters and social media posts.
Use this tutorial to learn how to turn any event or resource into a Keyword. You’ll also learn how to add events and resources to the Churchteams App.
