Malcolm Rivera
Phone banking is a canvassing tactic used in political campaigns to reach out to voters via phone calls. It involves assembling a group of volunteers who call voters to share information about a candidate, boost voter turnout, raise funds, or identify and target potential donors. Phone banking is a powerful way to engage with communities, gather insights, and drive support. It is often carried out using call center software, commercial phone banks, or voluntary phone banks. Volunteers use scripts to ask voters about their political affiliation, voting history, and support for specific candidates. The effectiveness of phone banking lies in its personal nature, allowing campaigns to connect with voters in a more efficient and meaningful way.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To reach out to voters or constituents for support or fundraising |
| Who | Volunteers, or paid agents |
| Method | Phone calls, using call center software, commercial phone banks, or voluntary phone banks |
| Tools | Dialers, manual dialers, text messages, call center software |
| Script | Yes, to ask voters about their political affiliation, voting history, and support for specific candidates |
| Data Collection | Yes, to gather insights, collect voter data, and identify voters |
| Effectiveness | More effective than posters, but less effective than door-to-door canvassing |
| Time Efficiency | Reaches more people in less time than door-to-door canvassing |
| Personal Touch | Yes, maintains a personal connection while working at scale |
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What You'll Learn
Volunteers
To maintain a positive and productive atmosphere, it is important to keep volunteers motivated and engaged. This can be achieved by creating a group setting where volunteers can interact, bond, and encourage each other. Choosing a fun and creative name for the volunteer group can also boost morale and foster a sense of camaraderie. Regularly sharing updates on campaign goals, progress, and expectations can help keep volunteers informed, aligned, and focused on their tasks.
Experienced callers can make a high volume of calls, so consistent support and feedback from campaign managers are crucial. Volunteers should be empowered to get involved and take ownership of their role in the campaign. With proper preparation, a positive attitude, and effective dealing with negativity, volunteers can master the art of phone banking and make a significant impact on the campaign's success.
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Scripting
Phone banking scripts are an essential element of political campaigns. They allow volunteers and staff to effectively convey the campaign's message and objectives to voters. Calling scripts ensure that critical points are covered in each call and help maintain a consistent message across the campaign. They also allow campaigns to gather important voter information, such as their preferences, which helps to understand what matters to them and improves community outreach.
When creating a phone banking script, it is important to keep in mind that it should be more about the voter than the campaign. This is especially true when cold-calling. A good script will focus on how the campaign can help or add value to the voter's life. For example, it can mention tangible benefits that the voter can gain if they support the campaign. It is also important to ask relevant questions and respond to any issues that voters may have.
> "Hi, this is [Name] with the [Candidate/Party] campaign. We’re calling today to ask if you’re interested in volunteering with our campaign. Our volunteers play a critical role in helping us spread the word about [Candidate/Party]’s message and connect with voters in our community. There are many ways to get involved, from making phone calls to knocking on doors to helping out at events."
Another example of a script is for voter persuasion:
> "Hello, can we count on your vote? ... Through phone banking, it would be possible to connect with supporters or voters through their phones in a more personal and efficient fashion."
It is also important to prepare volunteers for various scenarios they may encounter when making calls. For example, they should know how to respond if the voter does not pick up the phone, or if someone other than the voter answers. Volunteers should also be prepared for the possibility that some callers may be rude and know how to deal with negativity correctly.
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Data collection
Once the contact lists are compiled, the data collection process continues during the phone banking campaign itself. Volunteers or paid staff use scripts to guide conversations with voters, gathering insights on political affiliation, voting history, and support for specific candidates or programs. This information is crucial for understanding voter preferences and motivations. Additionally, phone bankers can identify potential volunteers and collect data to support volunteer recruitment efforts.
To streamline the data collection process, campaigns can utilize virtual phone banking software, such as CallHub or Open Virtual Phone Bank (OpenVPB). These tools enable volunteers to upload contact lists, make calls, and enter data efficiently, eliminating the need for manual data entry. Interactive tools like Interactive Voice Response (IVR) further enhance data collection by allowing recipients to provide responses through their phone keypads or voice, making surveys more accessible and efficient.
Another factor to consider is the choice between manual and automated dialing. Manual dialing allows callers to reach voters on their cell phones without the legal restrictions associated with political dialing laws. However, it is a slower process. On the other hand, automated dialing increases the number of calls made per hour and can integrate with CRM systems for quicker data analysis.
Overall, data collection in political phone banking is a multifaceted process that involves list compilation, script-guided conversations, and the strategic use of technology to optimize efficiency and gain valuable insights into voter behavior and preferences.
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Call etiquette
Phone banking is a canvassing tactic used for campaigns to reach out to voters for support or fundraising. It is a highly effective method for contacting voters, as it is more personal than other methods and reaches more people in less time.
- Prepare a script for volunteers to use, and ensure they are familiar with it. The script should be simple, with short sentences and only one question at a time, to ensure clear and distinct answers.
- Ensure that volunteers introduce themselves at the beginning of the call, stating their name, the campaign they are calling for, and the cause.
- Volunteers should use a polite tone, actively listen to the voter, and address them by name.
- If a volunteer is unsure about the answer to a voter's question, they should say that they don't know and need to check, rather than giving false information. They can then do a follow-up call after researching the answer.
- If the voter does not pick up, volunteers should follow the campaign's instructions, which may include leaving a voicemail or moving on to the next call.
- If someone other than the voter answers, volunteers should politely explain who they are trying to reach and for what purpose.
- If the voter asks the volunteer to call back another time, the volunteer should take note of when the voter will be available and add this information to their profile.
- Volunteers should be courteous and thank everyone for their time, even if the voter is rude or unreceptive.
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Fundraising
Phone banking is an effective method for political campaigns to raise funds. It involves volunteers making phone calls to potential voters to persuade them to donate to the campaign. This method is often used during election time for fundraising, as it allows campaigns to connect with supporters on a more personal level and efficiently reach a large number of people.
To identify potential donors, phone bankers use scripts to ask voters about their political affiliation, voting history, and support for specific candidates or programs. This information helps them target individuals who are likely to support their campaign financially. Phone banking also helps to follow up with existing donors and request additional contributions for grassroots fundraising efforts.
The success of phone banking for fundraising depends on good preparation and planning. Campaigns should consider their budget, goals, and campaign metrics. They should also compile accurate and detailed contact information for their target audience, organizing lists by demographics, voting history, or geographic location to ensure personalized outreach.
Additionally, maintaining a positive reputation is crucial for political dialing. Using appropriate scripts and call etiquette is essential to leaving a good impression on voters. It is also important to ensure that outbound numbers are not flagged as spam, as this can have serious negative consequences for the campaign.
Phone banking for fundraising can be done through in-person or virtual methods. In-person phone banking involves volunteers gathering in one place, such as a campaign office, and using prepared scripts and voter lists to make calls. Virtual phone banking utilizes digital tools, enabling volunteers to make calls from anywhere and allowing campaigns to expand their reach.
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Frequently asked questions
Phone banking is a canvassing tactic used for political campaigns to reach out to voters or constituents for support or fundraising. It involves volunteers calling lists of voters and talking to them about their campaign.
Phone banking is a powerful way to engage with communities, have meaningful conversations, gather insights, and drive support. It is also a good way to reach out to a large number of voters in a quick and efficient manner.
Phone bankers use scripts to ask voters about their political affiliation, voting history, and support for specific candidates or programs. They use this information to persuade undecided voters to take action, such as voting in general or voting for a specific candidate.
Volunteers should be trained on what to talk about and what feedback to store. They should also be prepared for different scenarios, such as what to do if the voter does not pick up the call or if someone other than the voter answers.
Some tips for a successful phone banking campaign include planning ahead, gathering a list of people to call, creating scripts for volunteers, deciding on call center tools, analyzing the data collected, and maintaining your reputation by using the right scripts and call etiquette.
