Volunteer recruitment is one of those tasks where repetition is key. I read an interesting article about the role of repetition when it comes to persuasion. Essentially, we have to remember the elements of human nature when hoping to persuade someone to volunteer, participate, or contribute.
It’s not that people don’t want to do what we’re asking. Sometimes they just don’t get it yet. With repetition, people may need to hear the request three or four times before a connection in their brain says, “Hey, I think I want to try that.”
Repetition & Volunteer Recruitment
Persuasion can be exhausting. Ever spent an hour calling through a list of parents, trying to get them to volunteer? Of course you have! It takes a lot out of most of us.
I think it’s this way because we often feel as if we’re selling ourselves. We have a lot invested in our church and children’s ministry. So to hear “no” or not get any answers or callbacks is personally difficult.
Sometimes we tend to give up too early, or we don’t ask often enough. People need to see a video a few times or hear two or three different stories of life change before they step up. So find a way to separate the ask from you personally, and then do it often.
Just because someone said no six months ago? That doesn’t mean they’ll say no when you ask again…or when you ask about a different role.
For repetition to really work with volunteer recruitment, it’s important for you to create a kidmin brand. (Research backs this up!) Then be consistent in the way you communicate specific needs to congregants and parents.
The familiarity of your children’s ministry brand is what makes people more inclined to say yes. So when it comes to persuasion, your image or brand is just as important as how or when you ask.
