Automated follow-up with first-time visitors

Purpose

1.1. Ensure every first-time visitor to the Anglican church receives timely, personalized follow-up, increasing engagement, supporting integration into church life, and improving retention.
1.2. Gather visitor preferences, prayer requests, and feedback in an automated manner.
1.3. Encourage ongoing communication, invite visitors to specific next events, and enroll them in welcome/new member processes.
1.4. Provide automated resource sharing (e.g., welcome packets, church vision) and gather interest in ministries or groups.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New visitor entry logged in church CRM or online form submission.
2.2. First-time check-in via attendance app or digital kiosk.
2.3. SMS/WhatsApp opt-in from visitor phone number.
2.4. Entry of visitor email to newsletter or communication list.

Platform Variants

3.1. Twilio (Programmable Messaging API)
• Feature/Setting: Send SMS follow-up on new contact; configure using Message resource with webhook trigger.
3.2. SendGrid (Transactional Email API)
• Feature/Setting: Create a templated follow-up welcome email; use "Dynamic Templates" with API v3/mail/send endpoint on trigger.
3.3. Mailchimp (Automations & Audience API)
• Feature/Setting: Auto-add new visitors to a welcome sequence; configure with "Journey Builder" and "Add Contact" endpoint.
3.4. Slack (Incoming Webhooks API)
• Feature/Setting: Notify church staff of each new visitor follow-up; configure Incoming Webhook with channel assignment.
3.5. Google Sheets (Sheets API)
• Feature/Setting: Log visitor information and follow-up status; create row per submission via "spreadsheets.values.append".
3.6. HubSpot CRM (Contacts API)
• Feature/Setting: Auto-create lead/contact for every visitor; use "Create or Update Contact" endpoint on new form submission.
3.7. Salesforce (Process Builder, REST API)
• Feature/Setting: Trigger workflow for first-time visitor object; configure process to send email/SMS using "createRecord" and "sendEmail".
3.8. Microsoft Outlook (Graph API)
• Feature/Setting: Auto-send welcome email via "sendMail"; monitor shared mailbox for responses.
3.9. WhatsApp Business (Cloud API)
• Feature/Setting: Deliver templated welcome messages; use "/messages" endpoint with phone number as variable.
3.10. Zoom (Meeting API, Webinar API)
• Feature/Setting: Invite visitors to intro webinars; trigger with "Create Meeting" for contact and "Invite via Email".
3.11. Church Community Builder (API)
• Feature/Setting: Log visits and assign automated follow-up tasks; use "Add Individual" and "Add Process Queue".
3.12. Planning Center (People API)
• Feature/Setting: Record first-time attendee; initialize "Workflow" with contact details using API endpoint.
3.13. Pipedrive (Deals/Contacts API)
• Feature/Setting: Auto-create new contact for tracking; use "POST /persons".
3.14. Airtable (Automation/REST API)
• Feature/Setting: Add visitor record and trigger email; configure with "Create Record" and scheduled script.
3.15. Facebook Messenger (Send API)
• Feature/Setting: Send automated welcome via Messenger Bot; employ "messages" node with custom payload.
3.16. Intercom (Contacts API, Messages API)
• Feature/Setting: Start conversation and push intro message; set up "Create User" then "Send Message".
3.17. Zoho CRM (Workflow Rules/API)
• Feature/Setting: Insert visitor as Lead; enable workflow to send follow-up via "insertRecords" and "sendMail".
3.18. ActiveCampaign (Automations API)
• Feature/Setting: Add visitor to welcome sequence; use "contact/sync" and "automation/add".
3.19. Constant Contact (Email Campaign API)
• Feature/Setting: Schedule personalized welcome; configure with "Add Contact" and "Create Campaign" APIs.
3.20. Eventbrite (Webhook & Email API)
• Feature/Setting: Register visitors for upcoming events; use attendee webhook for trigger and ticket confirmation email.

Benefits

4.1. Ensures consistent, timely outreach to every first-time visitor.
4.2. Reduces manual workload for staff and volunteers.
4.3. Increases visitor engagement, satisfaction, and follow-through.
4.4. Automates data capture and integrates with downstream ministry processes.
4.5. Enhances analytics for visitor retention and communication effectiveness.