Door-to Door Campaigning - Part 3 - The Conversation

Part 3 - Conversations Win Elections
The conversation between you and the voter allows us to identify Liberal supporters.  It's the most effective form of  campaigning.

What is a good message?
A good message consists of 7 sentences or less that answers the question: "Why should I vote for Cathy Candidate?" A good message gives a reason to vote Liberal. 

How should conversations be conducted?
Your conversation can be constructed in the following 7 steps:

1. The Greeting  ("Hello!  How are you today? My name is Kevin Kanvasser.")
2. Why Am I Here? ("I'm canvassing on behalf of Cathy Candidate")  
3. The Introduction ("Cathy is our Liberal Candidate in the riding of Main Street - Bankton in the upcoming election.")
4. The Facts  ("Cathy is looking for your support on election day, Monday, February 29th."
5. The Handover ("I have this pamphlet which outlines Cathy's credentials and her values on key issues.")
6. The Ask  ("Can we count on your vote for Cathy Candidate, our Liberal candidate?")
7. Close ("Thank you very much for your time.  We'll see you on February 29th."

To recap:

1. "Hello!  How are you today?  My name is Kevin Kanvasser."
2. "I'm canvassing on behalf of Cathy Candidate.  
3. "Cathy is our Liberal Candidate for Main Street - Bankton in the upcoming federal election."
4. "Cathy is looking for your support on election day, Monday, February 29th."
5. "I have this pamphlet which outlines Cathy's credentials and her values on key issues"
6. "Can we count on your vote for Cathy Candidate, our Liberal Candidate on February 29th??"
7. "Thank you very much for your time.  We'll see you on February 29th."

Your Conversation
The above is a suggested script.  You may be more comfortable in a more engaging conversation.  Or, you may be equally comfortable with the above.  In the spaces below, try writing out your own script that you'd like to use.  
  
The Greeting  ("____________________________________________________________________________________________________")
Why Am I Here?  ("___________________________________________________________________________________________________")
The Introduction ("____________________________________________________________________________________________________")
The Facts  ("__________________________________________________________________________________________________")
The Handover ("_____________________________________________________________________________________________________")
The Ask "___________________________________________________________________________________________________")
The Close ("____________________________________________________________________________________________________")

Messaging (Other scripts)

• Err on the side of "more" rather than "less" - more information, more facts, more connection, more conversation. 
• Repeat, repeat, repeat - Repeat Cathy's name at least 4 times.  Include "Candidate" at least 3 times.  
• A good message is simple and clear. It's delivered in plain language, not in flowery phrases or artificial slogans.  It's a conversation.  Be yourself.  

Additional Messaging?

• Can we count on your vote for Cathy on Monday, February 29th?
• It's an exciting race but its going to be close and your vote can make all the difference.  

"The Ask!!"
Most important.  Our objective is to identify our supporters - people who will vote for Cathy Candidate on election day.  It's therefore very important that we ask for their vote! 

• NOT whether they'll be voting on election day ..... 
• NOT whether they'll consider voting Liberal on election day .....
• NOT their support .....

BUT

• Can we count on your vote for Cathy Candidate, our Liberal Candidate, on February 29th??"

Survey Questions
Part of our campaign effort will include survey questions on key issues of importance to Canadians.  You'll be given a sample script for these questions.  Make sure you include them in your conversations.  They're important to the campaign.  

Up Next?  
Parts 4 & 5 - The Follow-up - Keeping Track of Liberal Supporters and Those Irritating Situations!