Canvassing is a method of campaigning in which personal contact is made with potential voters to follow them to vote for a particular candidate or party. It is a key part of any political campaign and is considered to be one of the most effective ways of winning votes.
However, there’s more to canvassing than simply knocking on doors and asking people to vote for your candidate. To be fruitful, you need to understand the basics of how to canvas without turning potential voters off. Political consulting firms are the best to offer these services and make your campaign more efficient.
Here are some dos and don’ts of political canvassing to keep in mind.
Do’s and Don’ts of Political Canvassing – Don’t Miss This!
Canvassing Do’s
Know Your Voter’s Interests Before You Knock on Their Door
Your voter may be someone who participates in all midterms or just the presidential elections. They may be a first-time voter or someone voting for years. It’s important to know who you’re talking to before starting your pitch. This way, you can tailor your conversation accordingly and focus on the issues that matter most to them.
Categorize based on their level of knowledge, the issue you are discussing, and how they might vote. Have a script for each type of voter so you can be as effective as possible.
Keep a Positive Attitude and Look Nice, Motivated, and Presentable
This is your chance to make the best first impression on your voter if they are unfamiliar with your party. Make sure you’re looking your best and coming across as sincere, knowledgeable, and trustworthy.
Political campaign strategies from the top political consulting firms will always revolve around a great first impression. Also, keep in mind that people can spot a fake smile from a mile away. So if you’re not enthusiastic about the candidate or the issues, it will show.
Be careful not to sound too rehearsed either – voters can tell when you’re reading from a script, and it will make them less likely to trust you.
Plan Your Route and Stay On It
Canvassing can be tiring, but it’s essential to stick to your plan and not get sidetracked. It is especially important if you’re working with a team. Make sure every organizer knows the route they’re supposed to take and that they stay on it.
If you deviate from the plan, it will be harder to track who you’ve talked to and whether or not they’re likely to vote for your candidate. It will make it more challenging to follow up with voters after the initial conversation.
Update the Status After Each Door
It’s essential to keep track of who you talked to and their response. This way, you can follow up with them later and ensure that they cast their vote. The data you collect will also be useful for future campaigns. Record results include NH- Not Home, D- Declined, or S- Supporter.
A political field organizer uses a clipboard to keep track of the status of each door they knock on. A mobile canvassing app can make this process a lot easier by allowing you to update the status of each voter in real-time.
Use Scripts and Rehearse Them
So, what should you say when knocking on doors? You should have a script prepared for each type of voter. It is a technique for political canvassing that is inexpensive and easy to use for first-time canvassers. By having a script, you can make sure that you hit all the key points you want to make.
You should also rehearse your scripts before going out to canvas. This will help you sound natural and not too rehearsed when you’re talking to voters.
Have the Answers to Common Questions
Voters will often have questions about the candidate or the issues. You should make sure that you have answers to common questions so that you can address them quickly and effectively.
Some common questions include:
- Who is the candidate?
- What party are they from?
- What are their stances on the issues?
- Why should I vote for them?
Add them to your script so that you’re prepared to answer them when they come up.
Thank Them for Their Time
No matter the outcome of the conversation, make sure to thank the voter for their time. It shows that you obey their opinion and their right to vote. Even if they’re not interested in voting for your candidate, they may be more likely to do so in the future if you treat them with respect.
Canvassing Don’ts
Engage in Extended Conversations
You should avoid getting into extended conversations with voters. The goal is to have a brief conversation so that you can gather information and move on to the next door. Limit your time at each door to no more than 5 minutes.
This can be difficult, especially if you’re talking to someone who is passionate about the issues. However, it’s essential to be respectful of their time and move on to the next voter.
Start Interacting Without Confirming Their Name
Make sure that you confirm the voter’s name before interacting with them. This will help ensure that you’re talking to the right person and that they’re registered to vote. If you start interacting without confirming their name, they may think that you’re trying to trick them or that you’re not interested in talking to them.
Political campaign consultants ensure they have all the info they need before approaching a voter.
Give Incorrect Answers to Questions
It’s essential to ensure that you have the correct answers to questions about the candidate or the issues. If you don’t, you risk losing the voter’s trust. Make sure that you know the candidate’s stance on the issues and be prepared to answer any questions that the voter has.
Go Inside the House
Unless you’re invited, you should avoid going inside the house. This can make voters feel uncomfortable, and it may violate their personal space. If you need to go inside for any reason, make sure that you have the voter’s permission first.
Get Too Personal
You should avoid getting too personal with voters. It means that you shouldn’t ask about their personal life or opinions on issues unrelated to the campaign. Stick to the script and don’t veer off into other topics. It will help you stay on track and avoid any awkward conversations.
Conclusion
Political canvassing can be an effective way to reach voters and persuade them to vote for your candidate. However, there are some do’s and don’ts that you should keep in mind when doing it. Political consulting firm can help you make sure that you hit all the key points and avoid any awkward conversations. Make your campaign successful by following these tips!
