Call
The degree of your success in the letter-writing strategy depends on your follow-up phone call. The follow-up phone call is critical for three reasons:
- Most people suffer from information overload. Consequently, mail is easy to ignore or forget.
- Your time frame. You have to raise money in a short period of time. A follow-up phone call will help you get decisions as quickly as possible. The best suggestion is to call one week after you’ve dropped the letter in the mail.
- Courtesy to your ministry partners. Many people will want to help you but won’t unless you call to answer any questions and to get their decision. Your phone call takes the burden of response off them and puts it on you.
Follow-up Phone Conversation
Be sure to establish a specific time in the letter to get their decision.
When you ask for a response, do so directly. Then remain quiet until the person responds, even though this may feel uncomfortable. Talking more at this point will distract the person from making a decision.
If when you call your potential ministry partner has not made a decision, set another time to call within a day or two.
- Introduce yourself.
“Hello, Mr. ________. This is _________ calling. How are you?” Let him respond. Take a few moments to establish rapport, but be brief. - Refer to your letter and explain your summer plans. “As I mentioned in my letter, I am planning to go on a Spring Break mission project sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ.”
- Share what you hope to see God do as a result of your time
this summer. - Be very specific to ask for a definite response.
“In my letter I asked if you would be in a position to support me financially for the summer project. Have you had a chance to think about that?” (wait)
If an individual decides to support you, if at all possible arrange a time to stop by and pick up the check. If the person lives out of town, ask to have the check mailed in the self-addressed stamped envelope you enclosed with your letter.
If you arrange to have him send you a check and it doesn’t come, you will need to follow up with a phone call to see if it was lost in the mail.
Your ministry partner’s check must be made payable to Campus Crusade for Christ.
After getting a person’s decision, always ask him or her to refer you to other people who might like to invest in your ministry.
How to Get Additional Contacts
You can continue to add names to your list of potential ministry partners. Ask everyone you contact to give you names and telephone numbers of people they know who have a concern for reaching people for Christ.
- Who to ask for additional contacts: Ask everyone you contact. Both those who join your support team and those who are unable will want to help you complete your team.
- When to ask for additional contacts: DonÕt ask anyone for contacts until they have first made a decision about supporting you. If you don’t wait, your request for referrals will distract them from making their decision. But do ask everyone at the time they give you their decision, whether their decision is yes or no. If you get a decision on the phone, you will ask for contacts right then over the phone. If you get a decision while on an appointment, ask for contacts right then in person.
- How to ask for additional contacts:
Have your pen out and be ready to write. Say, “Mrs. ______, what are the names of your friends who have a heart for reaching people for Christ?” Assure the individual that his friends may not be able to help financially, but they may know others, and they will hopefully be encouraged to hear about your mission project. This gives the individual more freedom to refer you to others.