Text-to-Connect for Guests: A Simple Workflow to Capture Info and Start a Relationship

5 min read

text visitors

"Text CONNECT to 55555."

You've seen it from the stage. A simple way for visitors to share their info without filling out a card.

The concept works: phones are already in hand, texting is frictionless, and you capture their number automatically.

But the keyword is just the beginning. What happens after they text determines whether it actually works.

How It Works

1. You set up a keyword with a text platform.

The keyword (CONNECT, VISIT, HELLO, your church name) is tied to a short code or phone number.

2. Visitor texts the keyword.

They send "CONNECT" to 55555 (or whatever number you're using).

3. Auto-response asks for info.

The system immediately replies, asking for their name and email.

4. Data flows into your database.

Their phone number is captured automatically. Name and email (if they provide it) get stored.

5. Follow-up begins.

Personal text, email sequence, whatever your process is.

That's the loop. Simple in theory. Let's make it work in practice.

Setting Up the Keyword

Choose a platform:

Use a texting platform like bltn or the texting feature in your church management system.

Look for:

Easy keyword setup
Auto-response capability
Integration with your database (or easy export)
Reasonable cost ($25-75/month for most churches)

Choose a keyword:

Keep it simple and memorable:

CONNECT
VISIT
HELLO
GUEST
Your church name (if it's short)

Avoid:

Long words
Confusing spellings
Keywords that could be mistyped

Choose a number:

Short codes (55555) are easier to remember but cost more. Long codes (10-digit phone numbers) are cheaper and work fine.

Test it yourself:

Before launching, text the keyword from your own phone. Does the auto-response work? Does data appear in your system?

The Auto-Response Sequence

Keep it short. You're asking for info via text—long forms don't work here.

Text 1 (immediate reply):

Thanks for connecting! What's your first name?

They reply with their name.

Text 2:

Great, [Name]! What's your email so we can stay in touch?

They reply with their email. (Some won't—that's okay. You have their phone number.)

Text 3:

Thanks! You'll hear from us soon. Glad you're here!

Done. Two questions max. Any more and drop-off increases.

The Stage Announcement

Keep the ask simple. Don't over-explain.

What to say:

"If you're new with us today, we'd love to connect with you. Just text CONNECT to 55555. That's CONNECT to 55555. We'll follow up this week."

What to show:

Display the keyword and number on screen in large, clear text.

Where else to promote:

In the bulletin (with visual of phone texting)
On the screen during pre-service slides
Verbally from the stage

Repeat the number. People don't catch it the first time.

What Happens After They Text

The text captures their info. Now someone needs to do something with it.

Within 24 hours:

Personal follow-up text from a real person (see "Visitor Follow-Up Texts" post)
Email welcome sequence triggered

Who monitors the replies:

Assign someone. If a visitor responds with a question or comment, a human should reply. Don't let it go to a dead inbox.

Integration with your database:

Ideally, the contact info flows automatically into your church management system or email tool. If not, someone manually enters it Monday morning.

The text is the handshake. The follow-up is the relationship.

Measuring Success

Track how many texts you receive each Sunday.

Typical results:

2-5% of attendees if well-promoted
Higher on guest-focused Sundays (Easter, Christmas, sermon series launch)
Lower if the announcement is buried or unclear

If numbers are low:

Is the announcement clear?
Is the number visible on screen long enough?
Is the keyword easy to remember?
Are visitors actually present, or is attendance mostly regulars?

If numbers fluctuate:

That's normal. Some weeks are higher than others. Look at monthly averages, not individual Sundays.

Common Mistakes

Mistake: Asking too many questions.

Name, email, address, phone, birthday, how did you hear about us... They drop off after two questions.

Keep it to: name + email. You already have their phone.

Mistake: No follow-up.

People text, you capture the number, and then nothing happens. That's worse than not having the system at all.

Assign someone to follow up every single week.

Mistake: Forgetting the human element.

Auto-responses are fine. But when someone replies with a question, a human needs to answer.

If your system is purely automated and no one monitors replies, you're missing the point.

Mistake: Hard-to-remember keyword.

"Text FIRSTCOMMUNITYCHURCHVISITORS" — nobody's typing that correctly.

Keep it to one word. CONNECT, HELLO, VISIT.

Mistake: Not testing.

You assume it works because you set it up once. Text the keyword yourself before you promote it. Every few months, test again.

Start Simple

If you're just getting started:

Pick a platform. Sign up for a trial.
Set up one keyword. CONNECT or your church name.
Create a 2-question auto-response. Name. Email.
Assign someone to follow up. Weekly, non-negotiable.
Announce it Sunday. One clear, simple call to action.

You can get fancier later—multiple keywords for different events, integration with your CRM, advanced automation. But start simple. Nail the basics first.

The Payoff

Done well, text-to-connect gives you:

Visitor phone numbers (without paper cards)
A frictionless first interaction
Data that flows into your follow-up system
A reason to reach out quickly ("Thanks for texting us!")

It's not magic. It's just a smoother entry point than "fill out this card and put it in the offering plate."

Want your text-to-connect data to sync with your email and communications workflow? bltn keeps your visitor follow-up connected. Try it free.