As a campaign manager, one essential job is ensuring that your volunteers are properly trained in canvassing techniques. Canvassing can be an extremely effective way to reach voters and persuade them to support your candidate, but only if it is done correctly.
But you might be wondering, what exactly is canvassing? Canvassing is the process of visiting potential voters in their homes or workplaces to persuade them to vote for your candidate. It is a very personal form of campaigning and can be extremely effective if done correctly. But if you are unsure how to properly train your volunteers for canvassing, a camping consulting firm will help you with the best tips to ensure your volunteers are properly prepared.
Tips For Effective Canvassing
Study the Script and Analyze the Turf
Volunteers for your political canvassing program will be more effective if they know what message to deliver and their destination. Reviewing the script with your volunteers before they go out on their assigned turf will help ensure they deliver the proper message. Furthermore, your volunteers should also have a good understanding of the demographics of the voters in their assigned area. This knowledge will help them to tailor their message and delivery better to appeal to these voters. Political consulting services will also help you understand the voting trends in the areas your volunteers will visit to create a more effective message.
Assign Each Customer a Staff Member's Phone Number for Direct Assistance
Make sure that each voter your volunteers speak with has a staff member's phone number to call should they have any questions or concerns. This will help create a more personal connection with the voter and make them feel their voice is being heard. Also, answer any questions the voter may have about your candidate or their policies.
Encourage Volunteers to Be Aware of Their Surroundings and Take Note of Anything Unusual
Volunteers can learn a lot about voters by paying attention to their surroundings. Is the voter's house well-kept? Are there any political yard signs? These clues can give you insight into a voter's leanings. Additionally, volunteers should be mindful of their surroundings at all times and take note of anything unusual. This includes people loitering in the area or vehicles that seem out of place. If anything seems suspicious, volunteers should report it to a staff member immediately.
Remind Volunteers Not To Focus Excessively On a Single Door
Most canvassers can visit 20 doors on average every hour. In light of this, staff members should urge volunteers to allocate one to three minutes to each door. In addition, long discussions with supporters or those who refuse to support the cause can divert some volunteers' time at the door. This causes these volunteers to fall behind and not reach their full potential for the day.
In many cases, it's advisable to move on to the next house after the voter has given you the information you require and thanked them for their time. Volunteers' efforts are probably more successful when they engage with potential voters rather than voters who have already made up their minds about who they will support. Last but not least, tell canvassing volunteers to go on to the next house after waiting no more than a minute for a voter to open their door! This will help keep volunteers' momentum up and avoid frustrating them.
It is More Important to Put Lights on Doors Than Mailboxes
Putting lit in mailboxes is an offense that carries serious sanctions for a campaign. Instead, volunteers should place walk cards or campaign information on door knobs or between the door and the weatherstrip seal. If you are unsure about the legality of placing campaign information on a door, consult with your political consulting firm. Their political campaign strategies will help you stay within the law while getting your message out there.
Make Sure To Thank Voters For Their Time After They Finish Volunteering!
After a long day of canvassing, make sure to thank your volunteers for their time and effort. This will help them feel appreciated and encourage them to come back and help in the future. Additionally, debrief your volunteers about their day. This will help you identify any problems and devise solutions to prevent them from happening again. Finally, ask your volunteers for feedback about their experience. This will help you improve your canvassing operation for future elections.
Read here to know Dos and Don’ts of political canvasing.
Final Verdict
Political canvassing is a great way to engage potential voters and get your message out there. By following these tips, and with the help of campaign consulting firms, you can confirm that your volunteers have a positive experience and that your campaign makes the most of its efforts.
