Text messaging is the quickest and most effective way to get voters to take action, whether you’re trying to get them to the polls, raise funds, or simply spark conversations. It’s got to be part of your outreach strategy.
What is Peer-to-Peer Texting?
P2P texting is sending one text at a time, typically to lots of people. It’s valuable for political campaigns, because it enables you to get a message out very quickly to lots of people while staying compliant with texting rules and regulations.
Tools like Text Request make it easy to send those messages fast, and below are five ways you can use P2P texting to win your campaign.
1. Build relationships and engage with your audience
A personal conversation opens up plenty of opportunities to build a connection with supporters, helping your campaign gain momentum and show there’s a real person behind your cause.
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P2P texting provides a private channel for you and your supporters to communicate. Your recipients will feel more comfortable voicing their concerns and opinions, especially when they can engage in 1:1 conversations. You just need a conversation starter, like “What issues do you care most about in the upcoming election?”
Texting is the preferred way for campaigns to manage those conversations at scale, and many voters’ preferred way to connect with your campaign.
2. Collect valuable data with polls and research
Without collecting data, you miss out on valuable information that can greatly improve your campaign and chances of winning.
P2P texting allows you to seamlessly conduct surveys and gather information. Start by determining which issues voters care about, and focus on educating and engaging the people who actively support you. To increase your chances, do the same for those you’re trying to win over.
Streamline your data collection process by sending out text messages that contain direct links to your surveys. Supporters are more likely to complete surveys and give you feedback, when you approach them casually and conversationally.
3. Effortlessly send out event invites and updates
How do you build hype around upcoming events? By texting your supporters, of course. Start by sending out an invitation with event details, like:
- Start and end times
- Parking
- Food and beverage options
- What to expect at the event
If supporters have questions about the event, they can respond within the same text conversation and get an answer almost immediately.
In the days leading up to the event, send out updates or follow-up texts to confirm participation. Then on the day of the event, text out reminders.
A text invitation can look something like this:
You: Hey, [Name]! Will we see you this Thursday at the luncheon? It’ll be from 11-1 in the ballroom of the Grand Hotel.
Supporter: Sounds good, see you there!
Voters want to meet your candidates, and conversational texting is the perfect way to connect them.
4. Promote fundraisers for your campaign
Ongoing and last-minute campaign fundraising has never been easier with texting. Supporters can opt to donate to your fundraiser directly from their phones with an amount of their choosing, and the best part is that you can initiate these two-way conversations on a massive scale.
Encourage supporters to opt-in by texting keywords to your campaign. They can text a keyword like ‘DONATE’ to receive texts about ongoing fundraisers that include a direct donation link. Supporters who have donated once are likely to donate again, and it’s crucial that you nurture these relationships.
Be sure to answer any questions they may have, or send any important information they might need. And of course, always remember to show your appreciation and thank your donors.
5. Get out the vote with P2P texting
Historically, this is where campaigns see the biggest impact, and you’ve got to make sure voters follow through on their support by showing up to the polls. Leading up to and on the day of election day, text supporters to get out the vote.
Go the extra mile by including the voter’s nearest polling station and what they can expect when they arrive. You can do the same thing the day of early voting, or with instructions on how to send mail-in ballots.
Remind voters of any documents they need to take, plus poll opening and closing times. If you make it easy for them, you’ll get a better turnout. Texting will help you do it.
Are you ready to include texting in your campaign outreach? Text Request offers all the tools you need to start your P2P campaign, along with free training and online guides. Contact a member of our team to get started today.
