Building a Contact List for the Long Haul

When we start out on the mission field and begin the process of raising our support, the one thing we need to do and be faithful with is building our contact list. When I first started out 20 years ago, I began with a contact list, but I did not realize how important it was. Throughout the years, I have discovered how vital it is. In most cases, it is the foundation God gives to you on which you build your mission. 

Building a healthy contact list is more than a list of people who could give you money. It is a list of different types of relationships in which you are in. This is your circle of influence. Having a contact list will help you be faithful in your relationships and your communication with individuals. These are people who could be intercessors, supporters, and people who care about you.
If you haven’t already, please read my article, “How Many Supporters should a Missionary Have?”  It will communicate the value of those relationships you have.
Before you start, I want to make one thing clear. The bigger your contact list is, the better. I have talked to so many missionaries who are struggling with their finances. When I ask them the question, “What do you think is a good number of people have on your contact list?” I have had people say that 10 or 25 people are really good. But, honestly, those numbers are way too low.
When starting out, I tell people to target at least 200 people and then build from there. Of course, if you come up with more than 200 people, that is even better. I know for some of you, it may seem overwhelming. Well, it is not as hard as it looks. Here are some steps to build your contact list.

1. Start with your Wedding list. Pretend you will get married and assume that money is not a consideration on your wedding list. Who would you invite? Your family and friends! Write them down on the list.
2. Social Media list. How many Facebook friends do you have? How about your contacts in LinkedIn? Who is in your circles your, Google Plus? Add them to your list.
3. Anyone else. Maybe you have some people in your college, high school, church, or work that, for some reason, is not in the first two. Then this is where you had their names in the mix.
4. Vet your list. It is time to go back and look through your entire list. Is there someone on the list that would get upset to get your newsletter? Go through your whole list and look at each name one at a time. Ask yourself the question, “Would our relationship be damaged if they received my newsletter?” Now, if you spend more than five seconds on a name, you are overthinking it. Keep that person on a list before you start making excuses why they shouldn’t be on the list. In most cases, the people I am talking about are family members who don’t quite understand your calling into missions. In some cases, it may be others. But if you know it would damage your relationship, then go ahead and take them off the list.
5. Collect contact info. Now that you have your list, you want to collect everyone’s contact info. And when I mean contact info, I mean everything.

• Mailing address
• Email addresses (Work and personal)
• Home number
• Cell number
• Skype name
• Name of spouse and children
• Connected through Social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Etc)
• Website

The more information you have for your contacts, the better. You will find that people will move or change their email addresses. When that happens, you have other ways to contact them to update your information.
Also, know that different people prefer to communicate in different ways. Some reply quickly to text. Others may respond better to email. And others like to get phone calls. The more ways to communicate to your contact list, the more effective your communication will become.
I know some of you may be thinking this is a lot of work. I want to say yes, it is. Depending on your situation, this will take you about 30 to 40 hours of work. But if you are looking at financing your future in missions, it is a minimal price to pay.

Now that you have a list what do you do?

1. Learn how to write effective newsletters!. CLICK HERE.
2. Announcing Changes & Transitions. CLICK HERE 
3. Maximizing Appointments & Visiting Teams! Click here for tips. 

​God has a call on your life. May God continue to help you as you walk in your calling.

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