I'm doing my first phonebanking this weekend.

[whitewomenforobama]

Any advice?

[writes3000]

1. 1) Relax. 2) Don't be surprised when most people don't pick up the phone.

3) You will speak to more NICE people than irritated people.

4) Be yourself.

5) Be warm, kind and Barack-like. No arguing.

You'll feel great about doing it.

[crispini]

2. You'll have a script -- that will be easy.

Just smile and don't get flustered when people get short with you -- this time of year, especially swing states, people have gotten a zillion phone calls already. Just keep on being polite! :D

[whitewomenforobama]

6. Unfortunately,

I won't have a script. I'm in Texas, and my precinct chair asked me to help out, and is sending me a list tomorrow morning of undecideds and people who haven't voted yet in our precinct. I've seen that the Obama site offers scripts, but I don't think I can get one without signing up for a list of names on the site, and I can't take on any more than I already have to call.

I've wanted to phonebank for months, but am insanely shy, and haven't been able to talk myself into it yet. My precinct chair had asked, and I'd been putting off answering, because I didn't want to say no, but couldn't quite say yes. But then on Wednesday night, during the live portion of Obama's 30-minute ad, he looked in the camera and asked us to vote and go door to door, and before I knew what I was doing, I emailed my precinct chair back and told him I would do it. I figured if Obama can wake up every morning and be brave, I can suck it up and be brave for a weekend.

So here I am, anxious about the calls I have to make tomorrow, and no idea what to say. I'd be grateful for any advice and/or moral support. I'm in Texas, so we haven't gotten any calls, and I don't even know what one sounds like. Eeek!

[Coexist]

12. Here is what I say:

"Hi, is ________ there?"

Hi, my name is ________ and I'm a volunteer for the Obama campaign, can you tell me, have you decided who you're going to vote for in November?"

if Obama (likely with your lists)

"Great, thanks for your support, do you know about early voting?"

give info if they want it, if not

"Okay, do you know where you vote on November 4th?" give location and hours, keep SOS precint locater page up on your laptop.

"Do you need assistance at the polls?"

"Would you be interested in helping out as a volunteer in our final push to GOTV?"


If not an obama supporter,

"Thanks and have a nice day"

[whitewomenforobama]

14. Thanks! /nt

[grantcart]

17. the key is, after a brief introduction, is to get them to talk

If somebody is for Obama then encourage them to vote early in the day. The Obama campaign is going to keep checking who didn't vote and if people vote early it is a big big help.

if they are not voting for Obama just say, "well in that case let me wish you a good day - we didn't want to over look you".

if they are not sure - ask them, "Well if you could have a minute with Senator Obama and Senator McCain what would you tell them is the most important thing that you want the next President to make sure that they do?"

The person your calling will then tell you what is important to them and tell you how they want to be convinced.

For example they may say something like "I am a teacher so education is important to me".

At that point if you know Obama's position that would help then share it. If you don't know the answer simply say "That makes a lot of sense to me and a lot of people feel that way. My main concern is __________ and this is why I am voting for Senator Obama ________." Then make a note of what the issue is and pass the information back to the Obama campaign and they will have somebody who has a particular background call the voter - in this case another teacher."


Hope that helps.

[whitewomenforobama]

22. great advice, thanks!! /nt

[zanne]

24. I'm very much an introvert and I phonebank.

I just start out with "May I please speak to so-and-so"? If there is more than one person listed for a number, ask for either/or. Once you've talked to one, ask about the other one.

I always have a script, but I just ask what the message is that day and wing it. In other words, if you're getting out the vote, remind them that Election Day is coming and ask them if they're planning on going to the polls. Then ask if you can count on their vote for Obama. If they need more info than you can give them, refer them to the website. In my experience, they don't really want more information.

Don't be discouraged if (when) you get people who won't pick up the phone, or people who hang up on you after you've introduced yourself and why you're calling. Remember, they can't see you over the phone, so it's alot easier for them to be rude. But so what? It can't hurt you.

Finally, keep your sense of humor. Finding something to laugh about with people is golden.

I think you'll enjoy your phonebanking experience. Congratulations and good luck!

[whitewomenforobama]

28. I'm glad to know

another introvert has had success with this, it's intimidating, but I'm excited, and going to get started soon. Thanks!

[Coexist]

3. Keep it simple, their scripts are good, but cut some words out if you find them awkward.

you will be contacting people who have already said they support Obama, so just have the poll times/dates at hand, and if you have a real smile on your face, they can hear it in your voice.

And don't stress over all the Not Homes. It happens.

Thanks! and good luck.

[Cha]

15. Thanks for the advice, FLDem..

I may be doing some of that myself.

[Coexist]

18. Pretty please, zidzi?!

[Cha]

21. From New York to

Pennsylvania..We'll engage those precious voters:patriot::patriot:

[hisownpetard]

4. Yes. Use the "script" as a guide, but adjust it so that it feels like the way you usually talk.

The main thing is for you to sound sincere (which you are) and comfortable
(which may take a couple of calls).

I've done a lot of phone banking this election. Initially, I made some
minor changes to the script, taking out phrases like "How are you doing?"
and other things which seemed to be 'filler' and a waste of time (theirs and mine).

Many people are well informed on the issues at this point, so it's best to get
right to the point. In this busy world, I think people appreciate that.

Don't get discouraged if you get someone who hangs up on you! (There aren't many).
It's all worth it, when you connect with someone who says, "I've been wanting to
get involved but just didn't know how" or volunteers to go to the nearest Obama office
and asks, "Can I bring my husband/kids/mother?"

Hell, yeah! Bring the whole neighborhood. This is the election that got the entire
country involved and, hopefully, we're all gonna celebrate together on Nov. 5th!

Good for you for volunteering. You're gonna feel so good that you did. Guaranteed!!

[Turn CO Blue]

5. Well, what I tell people

is to review the script that they give you, and then reword in your own words. Keep it natural and light, but not perky. Smile. People can hear a smile through the phone, but they can also hear forced cheer and/or timidity.


Here's my script:

Hi I'm tcb, a neighbor of yours here in Broomfield, and I'm calling to see if we can count on your support for Obama and Udall on Tuesday?

(Yes) Okay, great! As you know, Colorado is a really important swing state; it may come down to just 2000 votes.

~ ~ I see that you have a mail in ballot, have you had a chance to mail that in?
YES - well great!
NO - well, due to the short mailing time, the campaign is now recommending that you drop it off in person at (give address for correct polling place)


~ ~ I see that you DO NOT have a mail-in ballot, so did you have a chance to go to early vote?
YES - well great!
NO - well, the ballot is our longest in 100 years, so we're recommending that you read-up and prepare your cheat sheet ahead of time.

(IF voted already) Can we count on you to help us out for a couple of hours on Monday or Tuesday?


If McCain supporter - thank you for your time.

If undecided - what are the biggest issues that stand out in your mind this year? (Try to speak to that issue if you're comfortable, or recommend that they go to the website to read up on that/those issues)


That's my whole training class that I give to new callers...(other than showing them the codes on the script)

tcb in Colorado

[whitewomenforobama]

7. Thank you!

A rough script is exactly what I need, this is great. I figured I'd stick with the script pretty closely for the first few, until I'm comfortable enough to start using my own words.

Thank you, everyone!!!

:yourock:

[jillan]

8. Smile when you talk.

People will hear it in your voice.

[whitewomenforobama]

9. Good idea

Hopefully they won't hear me nervously biting my fingernails for the first few, but from reports I've gotten from others, I truly believe it'll start to be fun, and my smile will be sincere.

I'm kind of excited now, thanks!!

[Turn CO Blue]

11. It only takes four calls to get past that. After four, it's easy.

Also, you will get a whole lot of "not home" - sometimes 70, 80 or 90%. That's the way it goes.

[whitewomenforobama]

13. So if they're not home

do you leave a version of the script on their voicemail? Maybe just some voting info -- locations and times, and the phone number of the local HQ if they have questions?

[Turn CO Blue]

20. Ask the person giving you the list if they want you to

leave messages and what to say. We haven't been leaving messages in our office, because the callback rate is like .1%.

But they may have decided to do so to give information to tell the voter about where to vote. I haven't seen our script in a few days, so that would be something that I could see them changing.

[eridani]

25. There is usually an answering machine message attached to the script

If there isn't, ask the person running the phonebanking whether s/he wants you to leave messages.

[whitewomenforobama]

10. You guys are great, thanks so much!! /nt

[parabolabear]

16. talk to other volunteers...

everyone is very friendly, funny and positive at my hq (ny). have a great time :) you might get addicted to volunteering!

[crispini]

19. Since you're in Texas, and you're going to be calling your neighbors...

make sure you push "vote straight Democrat" and/or "Do you know about our downballot races?" And make sure you know who else is going to be on the ticket. Realistically, Obama has very little chance of taking our state (that's why there's no campaign here). But if more Obama voters vote downballot we could make a big difference to local State House and senate races... this is a big deal because we could take back control of the Texas State House.

What county are you in?

[whitewomenforobama]

23. Thanks, crispini,

I'm in Travis County -- Austin. Obama support is pretty strong here, and I have little doubt our county will go to him. Still, it is Texas.

[crispini]

26. Oh, you should have no problems phonebanking then! :)

Make sure you drop by the Texas forum to say HI to all the good folks from Travis! We have plenty of good activists down there! :D

[whitewomenforobama]

27. Thanks again,

I seem to forget there is a Texas forum, I'll be sure to drop in and say "howdy."