Engage Volunteers and Improve Program Execution with Text Messaging
Text messaging is now more popular than making phone calls. A recent Pew Institute survey confirms that people from all age groups prefer to text. Americans ages 18-29 send and receive an astounding 88 text messages per day (compared to 17 phone calls).
In light of the texting revolution, how can your nonprofit take action to engage more volunteers? When it comes to volunteer management, last-minute changes can cause major headaches for both event coordinators and volunteers. If you still rely on phone calls or emails for these situations, you’re missing out on real-time volunteer management. Texting might be a better choice.
Text messaging is a widely used mode of communication. The latest research tells that phone users regardless of age prefer to communicate through text messages. According to an estimate, US citizens within the age group 18-29 have a daily consumption of over 80 messages a day, as compared to mobile calls.
Why You Should Send Text to Volunteers
Texting leads to better interaction given the fast-paced scenarios. For instance, Power Textor enables your volunteers to send quick updates or other members through the SMS platform. Volunteers receive and read the messages instantly as soon as they are sent.
SMS communication also comes in handy and your volunteers do not have to keep a check on their emails for the latest updates.
We have analyzed several circumstances when our bulk text messaging service could be of great help. Some of the reasons why nonprofits use Power Textor’s SMS marketing feature are:
- For First-Timers: In the face of a natural calamity, it is important not to waste time. During times of floods or earthquakes, you must contact volunteers instantly to continue with rescue operations. Power Textor helps to keep things organized and asks volunteers for help through SMS service.
- When an unforeseen situation occurs: Your outdoor event for a fundraiser is all set to start, and it suddenly starts raining. You will get calls from volunteers asking for the event status. Is it still on or postponed? In such a situation, you must decide instantly on your next move and get the message out.
Since you wouldn’t want your volunteers to reach the event venue only to return, a quick text update on the event cancellation will save you a lot of time and avoid the hassle.
- Lack of Man Power: It usually happens that during your most anticipated event - all of a sudden, some of the registered volunteers do not show up. That makes things panicky! This is a common situation in most businesses.
However, you do not need to go helpless. Rather than losing hope in the event, you can avail the feature of instant texting to request more volunteers or postpone the event.