Great ideas. Unfortunately most canvassing I've been a part of for 30 years has been parachuting in. Knocking on doors in communities that I had no connection with at all. Buses from blue cities full of like minded folks arriving in deep red counties where we had zero understanding of their wants and needs. All the campaigns cared about were buts on seats and lit drops made.
Will, your points about a multi-layered approach to campaigning are absolutely essential. The over-reliance on a purely digital strategy is a critical mistake, and I agree more about the importance of redundancy. Campaigns seem to have forgotten the basic marketing principle of multiple "touches" and the value of "old school" tactics like face-to-face meetings. My latest Substack criticized DNC's latest digital communication strategy. The Promise and Peril of the DNC’s New Digital Strategy
To build on your excellent framework, I'd suggest a few additional points.
Consistent Contact: A single interaction with a voter is rarely enough to make a lasting impact. Campaigns must prioritize consistent pre- and post-canvassing contact to nurture a relationship with potential supporters. I think that may have happened in Sioux City's latest D victory.
Segmented Messaging: The power of tailored messaging is immense. Imagine the impact of sending a personalized letter to a teacher in a swing district while simultaneously targeting them with a specific ad on social media. This kind of coordinated, segmented approach across both digital and traditional platforms ensures your message resonates. This worked with my analog campaigns; it works today.
Canvassing Every Door: While targeted lists are the standard, they are often riddled with errors and can lead to volunteer burnout. Based on my own campaign work, I've seen the success of a more expansive approach: canvassing every door in purple areas. This strategy bypasses the frustration of bad data and ensures every potential voter is reached.
Yes I’ve canvassed and it’s often punishing ( also can be very rewarding but that’s infrequent). We live in asynchronous times: no one wants to be disturbed. Even cold calling (phone banks) I find arduous.
Communication is vital. Messaging should be succinct, crisp . People get so ever loving bogged down. Gotta repeat things a lot. Fighting authoritarianism is the BIG GOAL. Then avoiding splintering! Radio, tv, newspaper, all of the above are needed. But mostly BE SUCCINCT.
Thanks Will. I will cite your newsletter to my comments on Laura Belin's last piece, analyzing the Sioux City race. Readers would be interested in your take on the race. Readers who do not know Laura should read her @laurabelin.
This is excellent strategy. Now find me those folks under 75 who are willing to canvass. As a rural organizer and county chair our issue is overcoming fear of door knocking - who’s behind the door, do they have a gun? In a small rural red county these are real fears. How to overcome this anxiety? I will share this far and wide and work hard to train folks - wish me luck.
Great ideas. Unfortunately most canvassing I've been a part of for 30 years has been parachuting in. Knocking on doors in communities that I had no connection with at all. Buses from blue cities full of like minded folks arriving in deep red counties where we had zero understanding of their wants and needs. All the campaigns cared about were buts on seats and lit drops made.
Right - we need to stop having strangers talking to strangers.
Will, your points about a multi-layered approach to campaigning are absolutely essential. The over-reliance on a purely digital strategy is a critical mistake, and I agree more about the importance of redundancy. Campaigns seem to have forgotten the basic marketing principle of multiple "touches" and the value of "old school" tactics like face-to-face meetings. My latest Substack criticized DNC's latest digital communication strategy. The Promise and Peril of the DNC’s New Digital Strategy
To build on your excellent framework, I'd suggest a few additional points.
Consistent Contact: A single interaction with a voter is rarely enough to make a lasting impact. Campaigns must prioritize consistent pre- and post-canvassing contact to nurture a relationship with potential supporters. I think that may have happened in Sioux City's latest D victory.
Segmented Messaging: The power of tailored messaging is immense. Imagine the impact of sending a personalized letter to a teacher in a swing district while simultaneously targeting them with a specific ad on social media. This kind of coordinated, segmented approach across both digital and traditional platforms ensures your message resonates. This worked with my analog campaigns; it works today.
Canvassing Every Door: While targeted lists are the standard, they are often riddled with errors and can lead to volunteer burnout. Based on my own campaign work, I've seen the success of a more expansive approach: canvassing every door in purple areas. This strategy bypasses the frustration of bad data and ensures every potential voter is reached.
Great stuff! Amazon has also killed the knock success rate. I know. I knock weekly!
A plan like this is a great help for local, off-year races, so thanks for building it!
Definitely worth sharing (and I will!)
Jim4springfield.com (and on FB)
Yes I’ve canvassed and it’s often punishing ( also can be very rewarding but that’s infrequent). We live in asynchronous times: no one wants to be disturbed. Even cold calling (phone banks) I find arduous.
Communication is vital. Messaging should be succinct, crisp . People get so ever loving bogged down. Gotta repeat things a lot. Fighting authoritarianism is the BIG GOAL. Then avoiding splintering! Radio, tv, newspaper, all of the above are needed. But mostly BE SUCCINCT.
Hear ya!
Thanks Will. I will cite your newsletter to my comments on Laura Belin's last piece, analyzing the Sioux City race. Readers would be interested in your take on the race. Readers who do not know Laura should read her @laurabelin.
https://laurabelin.substack.com/p/ten-lessons-democrats-can-learn-from
We live in a new world and need to rethink how we go about campaigning. New tools for a new world.
This is excellent strategy. Now find me those folks under 75 who are willing to canvass. As a rural organizer and county chair our issue is overcoming fear of door knocking - who’s behind the door, do they have a gun? In a small rural red county these are real fears. How to overcome this anxiety? I will share this far and wide and work hard to train folks - wish me luck.
Hi Will, I'd like to share a couple data points I've gathered from canvassing for my on city council race. I emailed you from my gmail account.
Thanks Kris!