Door-to-Door Campaigning
Door-to-door campaigns win elections.
It does not matter which office you are running for, your door-to-door campaign is your greatest voter contact tool - that is if you spend the proper amount of time doing it. There is no fast way to do this and no one else can effectively do it for you.
The voters have a hard time ignoring you when you are at their front door. You have control over your message at this point and you know the message is received. Most people running for elective office enjoy meeting and talking with people and most people enjoy talking to their representatives.
If you are having trouble with other parts of your campaign, talking with the people may give you the encouragement and strength to go on.
Most people will at least speak to you and many will actually be glad to see you.
Even at this, the physical act of walking neighborhoods, climbing up stairs and waiting for people to answer their doors after you have knocked can cause mental fatigue, as well as being physically taxing. You may also feel the pangs of rejection - rejection such as having some one slam a door in your face because you are of the wrong party in their estimation.
Some believe you don't have to knock on every door, that you can pick and choose as a strategy, but if you are not the incumbent and you do not know exactly which homes support you, then my suggestion is to knock on every door . . . I did, and I repeated it as many times as I had time for before the election.
Door-to-door Campaigns, for a November election, begin in June. Remember, covering thousands of homes takes time, so plan to spend as much time as you can on the street meeting your constituents.
Bring with you a printed street list or cards that list the voters in the order that they live on the street.
One important thing to remember is to not take notes on your conversation until after you have left this person's property. If they see you taking notes they will become defensive and you may lose a vote.
Don't knock on doors after dark. It is not safe for you and you will find that most people will not answer the door.
Park your car at one end of the block, walk up one side and down the other to return to your car. It is a most effective way to have your extra materials, food, drinks, etc, in your car.
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