What Puppies Can Teach Us About Mobile Giving

Everyone loves puppies, but what do they have to do with church giving? You might be surprised by how much puppies can teach you about introducing mobile giving to your church.

Let Them Play With Their Toys

If there is one thing puppies love to do, it is play. Because you know how much they enjoy playtime, you buy them fun toys that can bring them hours of enjoyment. If you take away their toys, they will not be the same happy-go-lucky dogs that you know and love — which is why toy removal is generally reserved for punishment.

What is today’s “toy” of choice among your members? Smartphones. Not only do they use these mobile devices to play games and interact with their friends and family, but they also enjoy using their smartphones to do just about everything else. According to Pew Research Center:

64% of U.S. adults own a smartphone

57% do online banking using their smartphone

68% of smartphone owners keep up with breaking news stories on their device

67% of smartphone owners use their phone for turn-by-turn driving navigation

Why punish your church members by forcing them to put away their “toys”? By giving them the opportunity to use their smartphones for mobile giving, you allow them to stay in their comfort zone. Your members should not have to use other methods to give, like outdated options like cash or checks, when they can make every other type of financial transaction directly on their phone.

Train Your Members To Use Mobile Giving

Puppies have natural instincts, but in order to get them to behave well and live indoors with the family, training is involved. Even the most obedient puppy will still need to learn which behaviors are acceptable and which are not. If you want your puppy to grow up knowing how to do special tricks, you will definitely need to invest extra time into training.

Just like puppies need guidance to adapt to your world, your members are new to the idea of mobile giving technology. In order to make sure they get on board, you will need to train them on how to use this modern method. Give them a step-by-step demonstration of how to make a donation using their smartphone. Emphasize these benefits of using a mobile giving app:

• No need to remember to bring cash or a checkbook to service
• Ability to give from anywhere, at any time
• No waiting in line at a kiosk or memorizing text codes

Once you take the time to educate your members on the perks of mobile giving and how easy it is to use, they will be excited to start using the method to make offerings.

Say Thanks with a Treat

When puppies behave well or learn how to perform a trick, they get a reward. Whether it be a belly rub or a treat, their trainer or owner gives them something to say thank you for a job well done. This positive reinforcement goes a long way in teaching puppies correct behavior.

The same should be true when it comes to church giving. Don’t let your members give in a vacuum. When you see that they have made a donation using mobile giving, do something to show your appreciation. Send them a thank you card or email message. Stop them in person to let them know how happy you are that they are using the technology.

The more positive feedback your members receive after making an offering or donation to your church, the more likely they will be to continue using mobile giving in the future.