Srila Prabhupada Marathon Book Distribution follow-up
This December, devotees around the world are again intensifying their efforts for the distribution of Srila Prabhupada's books. But, all too often, the next step is missing — following up with the people who receive these books. Most of us appreciate the need for follow-up with contacts we make in various outreach efforts. but often, we lack the tools, resources and experience to implement an effective program. This is why the GBC Outreach Committee has made developing and promoting follow-up systems a top priority in its service to ISKCON.
To do this, we have begun gathering information on successful follow-up programs currently operating in ISKCON or being attempted. We're also working on a few pilot projects with a few ISKCON centers.
Anyone reading this who has some program they could share with us, please write to me – Pancharatna@gmail.com
Please also write to me if you would like to participate in one of our pilot experiments, especially during the Prabhupada Marathon. we are ready to support you with systems, forms, software and more.
Meanwhile, please read below for our suggested 5 steps of follow-up.
Thank you for all your efforts to spread Krishna consciousness around the world. And remember, when you plan the outreach, plan the follow-up
Your servant, Pancharatna Das ISKCON GBC Outreach Committee
Your servant,
Pancharatna Das
ISKCON GBC Outreach Committee
When you plan the outreach, plan the follow-up :
Five Step Process
01 – Set your Goals
o Where do you want to take people?
§ A special introductory program
§ A temple visit
§ Your facebook page
§ A home visit
o Consider how to help people take advantage of the books
o What are the next steps that are appropriate for each type of contact
02 – Define your offers
o What do you tell people who give you their contact info they will
receive?
§ A special downloadable product sent to their inbox
§ A special event like an introductory talk on the Gita
§ Something free and easy, like mailing list for future events
§ A discount for your store, restaurant, or course
§ [fill in the blank] ( Be Creative!
o Consider different offers for different types
§ Hot
· People who readily give information and express interest in follow-up
· We have a duty to keep them connected
§ Warm
· There interest is casual but they are open to follow-up and are willing to give contact info
· Make an offer
§ Reserved
· Very casual interest, not yet ready to give contact info
· Give them something they can take and follow-up with you if they choose
03 – Plan your stages
o Collecting info
§ What info to collect
§ How will you collect it (sign up sheet, form, tablet)
o First follow-up
§ What is the first thing they get – email, SMS?
o Ongoing follow-up
§ What are the next steps?
§ How to nurture interest?
04 – Assign roles and arrange resources
o Who are the different people involved
§ “Distributors” – Devotees making initial contact
§ “Coordinator” – The person organizing the follow-up
§ “Case manager” – Devotees who take responsibility for individuals
§ “Mentors” – Other devotees who can provide mentoring services
o What resources are needed
§ Create materials for Data collection
§ Create free gifts for first follow-up
§ Setup your database systems
§ Arrange for a Website designed for new-comers
§ Arrange a dedicated email address for follow-up and connect an auto-responder to it
§ Get your Facebook page up
05 – Implement and measure your success
o Define what to count
§ Those who sow the seedlings but fail to count if they are growing, will never be able to determine whether their gardening is successful or not.
§ If you count something you value it.
o Analyse your results
o Look at what’s working
o Refine and adapt
NOTE : We’re ready to help you with all of the above. Just write to Pancharatna@gmail.com
