Summary: Cute videos in the main service simply do not produce results. A video spotlight can be good for your ministry, but don’t depend on a promo video to do the heavy lifting of recruiting for you.

On our last video, we talked about an important “Never Do” when it comes to recruiting. We discussed how the failure rate of the“Senior Pastor Pleading” is very high. Remember, there is no easy button when it comes to recruiting.

I want to share another particularly ineffective tactic for recruiting. Today’s reminder: cute videos in the main service simply do not produce results. You know what I am talking about, right? You might be sitting in your office with a box of tissues, but your average person sitting in the chair on a Sunday morning sees this as white noise.

It is just less effective. A cute video on a Sunday morning is the ineffective second cousin to having the senior pastor make a plea from the pulpit for volunteers. Now, do I want “stage time” for my ministry? Sure. Do I want a focused commercial about my area, absolutely. Do I want a brief shout out about my ministry area or a 30-60 second video spotlight? Sure! Why not? But I am placing little-to-no-stock that this will generate any lasting volunteers. I am just being realistic from a lot of experience.

The cute or emotional video shown during the service asking for volunteers has NEVER resulted in a mad rush of people looking to sign up in the atrium after service. I want to put out a quick caveat, however. Let’s say that there is a new family, a new couple or a new single at your church. They are looking for a way to get involved. A video could peak their interest and more. I get that. I want that and so do you. However, I have watched my team and teams all across the country put so much hope in a 30-second promo video and be disappointed that it seemed to fall flat.

Quick tip: Don’t depend on a promo video to do the heavy lifting of recruiting for you. It just doesn’t work. Bottom line: It all comes down to relationships and a personal ask. Be sure to check out LeadVolunteers.com as your one-stop-shop to help you recruit, train and retain volunteers.