Mastering Texts for Face-to-Face Appointments

Texting vs. Phone calls for face to face appointments — if you have been reading my blog on support raising or listening to me teach on support raising over the years — guess what? My thoughts have changed! I still maintain that asking for an appointment via phone is superior to asking via text message as it promotes relationship, and any time the word “finances” is read in a text it comes across like a billboard, at times drawing people away from responding. But a big fat caveat to that is this –texting to ask for an appointment totally makes more sense in a lot of situations. I have come to experience that there is nuance involved and we simply have to account for it. Also, text messaging for appointments with individuals needs a certain degree of finesse to pull off and come across relationally minded. With that in mind – here are some helpful sample texts for face to face appointments!

WARNING LABEL TO THE SAMPLE TEXTS FIRST

1. First off, an important distinction to be made here – THESE ARE TEXT MESSAGES…NOT social media direct messages (DMs). Yes, there is a difference and yes, it does matter. 

2. DMs are never going to be as warm as a text message and 1,000% less warm than a phone call. (Pause here and think back to any times you have had people solicit you on FB Messenger en mass for donations. If you have ever had that done to you, you know it’s definitely not relational.)  If you don’t have someone’s phone number, DM and ask them for their contact info, but don’t DM any of these samples below.

***Here’s a sample asking for number and contact information on DM: 

“Hi Christy! Hey, how is Adam doing?? Heard he had a tough fall and have been keeping him in my prayers. I hope he is on the mend. Wanted to ask — could I get your contact info? Phone number, Email address, and mailing address? Zach and I are about to embark on a ministry journey and grabbing contact information. Thanks Christy.” 

3. Don’t give too much information when sending a text message asking for a face to face appointment. Try to be as brief as possible while still giving needed information. Remember, you are asking for a face to face appointment, not for them to join your team. You do not want to make an ask in written form or have your face to face meeting over text. Save the details for the appointment. It’s easy to make this mistake and not realize you are doing it, and then all of the sudden you are asking someone for financial partnership in a text. OOOPS. (that’s not a good thing) 

4. It’s important to realize that there is a hierarchy of relationship when it comes to asking for appointments. Doing so over the phone or even in person is much warmer and relational than in a text. If you’re struggling with how to ask for an appointment – move down this list and start as high as you can!
   • Hierarchy of warmth and relationship in asking for Face to Face Appointments:
     1. In person
     2. Phone call / Phone call + invitation letter first == these options are always best! 
     3. Invitation letter + Text message
     4. Text message
     5. Email
     6. DM
5. NUANCE details. Just a few things to remember!
   • If you are reaching out to a boomer or a millennial for support — try calling! They will likely see it as more relational. You can always move into texting them if they don’t answer the phone after trying a few times.
   • If you are reaching out to a peer whom you text often – go ahead and text.
   • If you are reaching out to a person you haven’t spoken to in awhile, try sending an invitation letter first and then texting.
   • If you are trying to reach a pastor/church– this is a different process all together! Go to the search bar and type in “pastor” and you’ll find a lot of articles on the subject.

TEXT SAMPLES

TEXT SAMPLE 1:

“Hey Pete! Do you have time for a quick 2-3 minute phone call?”

(**Always my preferred option for a text message. Use the text to lead to the phone call. If they don’t answer you in a text, you still have the ability to call them later that evening or even the next day – just don’t wait too long. You can also try texting again.) 

TEXT SAMPLE 2: (*No invitation letter prior)

TEXT SAMPLE 3:  (*Invitation letter prior)

Hi Rosie! Its been a minute. How are you guys? Hope you are doing well and congrats again on Emmerson’s graduation. 💓  Hey question — Zach and I would love to share with you guys about our move and ministry in Estonia, as well as invite you to partner with us, whether that be through prayer or finances or just staying in touch with our newsletter/communication pieces. We are here until January 4th, so you just let me know when would be best and if you are available / interested. Much love to you guys!!❤️❤️”

TEXT SAMPLE 4: (*Invitation letter prior)

NOTES

**One of these sample texts mentions “no pressure”. I left this phrase in because that can be helpful in some circumstances. I personally wouldn’t over-use anything that completely gets them out of considering financial support as an important option. I hear phrases from workers all the time like “prayer is more important” or saying during an appointment “consider support and pray about it” or “if you don’t want to it’s no big deal” — which are misleading statements and not always helpful. True, prayer is important but the best prayer partner is typically the one who is giving (Matthew 6:21). True you want someone to consider partnering but don’t throw that phrase into an appointment when now is the time to make the big ask, and they have been prompted to consider prior to your appointment. And finally, plainly said it’s not true that if they don’t want to support it’s not a big deal — even though we should hold yeses and no’s loosely in our hearts — it is a big deal if they join your team! Think through these phrases giving people outs carefully, and don’t overuse them. 

I hope this post and samples are helpful! – JF