Top Five Door-to-Door Campaigning Tips

If you’ve never been door-to-door campaigning, it can seem quite intimidating. Weathered “knockers” know what to expect and are prepared for anything from the grandma who gives you cookies and refuses to let you leave, to the angry liberal who raises a ruckus and slams the door in your face. However, new knockers don’t have this advantage. Whether you’re a candidate getting ready for primaries, an activist trying to support a candidate or petition, or even a voter trying to understand the tactics of these strangers on your doorstep, the following tips will help you understand all the tricks of the knock.

1. 10 to 20; 1 out of 3

Don’t wait more than 10 to 20 seconds for someone to come to the door. Regardless, you’ll probably only get one out of every three knocks, so don’t be disappointed if not everyone comes to their door. The goal is to reach out to as many people as possible, so don’t waste time time trying to get any one person to open up.

2. Do Your Homework

Read the literature that you’re handing out. Brainstorm some of the potential questions and discussion topics that voters may ask when you approach them. However, don’t let the fact that you may not feel fully prepared to convince the most stalwart opponent keep you from knocking. Every time out is a learning experience. The fact that you believe in this enough to take time out of your day to knock on a stranger’s door often counts for a lot.

3. Say Goodbye to Grandma

There’s no need to feel obligated to stay at any one house for too long, no matter how much Grandma wants you to stay and talk with her. Don’t be afraid to politely listen, thank the person for his or her time, and move on.

4. Don’t Take Candy From Strangers

Avoid situations that may put you in harms way: don’t go into an apartment building by yourself, don’t enter houses no matter how persuasive the homeowners are, and don’t put yourself in any situation that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

5. Say “No” to War

Always conduct yourself politely and appropriately. You are trying to persuade someone of your position, not recruit them to war, so leave your weapons, your fighting words, and your intense argumentation at home. Smile and have fun. Door-to-door campaigning is a great opportunity to meet new people, and share something that you deeply believe in. Keep a positive outlook, and it will definitely work to your favor.

Now that you know what to expect and how to react when door-to-door campaigning, watch Executive Director Matt Robbins explain how to hone your campaign in the final, and most critical, period leading up to election day.