VPB Tips and Tricks
- Memorize your script. The script is your survival guide; the campaign you are volunteering with gave it to you for a reason. Your script outlines why you’re calling and how to persuade them to join your cause. Are you recruiting additional volunteers? Is there an event coming up that you want people to attend? These questions are what organizers call “asks”. Asks are the language in your script that focuses on convincing people to help you achieve your goal.
- Master your ask. First, make sure your call feels like a normal conversation! The person answering the phone should know you’re a real person. Second, make sure your ask is clear and persuasive. Use a hard ask; your ask should get to the point by providing all the necessary details and encouraging people to say, “Yes, I will support your candidate! (or attend your virtual event, help make calls, etc.)” Assume they are going to say yes until you get a hard no. Avoid using a soft ask or an easy way for someone to quickly turn down and effectively ends your conversation. To summarize, an effective ask should always provide the key details about the event/candidate and make the person you’re calling want to attend or support.
- Fake it ’till you make it. If you make a mistake or stutter, apologize, and move on. We’re all human–it happens! Use your script to keep yourself on track and regain your confidence. The next call will be better!
- Make the most of your phone call. Every strong phone-bank script will include multiple asks in your conversations. If they want to attend your event or support your candidate, maybe they want to volunteer or place a yard sign. Take everything you can get!
- Be patient. Let me put this bluntly: some people can be jerks on the phone. Your phone call is interrupting their life (or at least they think it is). Some people will claim your campaign has called a thousand times. Some will claim they don’t have time to talk. To get someone to listen, you have to be patient. Often, these situations require improvising. If someone wants you off the phone, try empathizing:
- “I know it’s a busy night, so I won’t take much of your time. I’m calling because…”
- “If we have called you a few times, it’s only because this election is so important, and we need your support.”
- Remember: if they answered the phone, they probably have time to talk to you for a few minutes. Some people will be incredibly rude or hang up right after you say who you’re with. Do not take this personally! Make a note of people who ask to be taken off the call list to save yourself and other volunteers from another earful.
- Call with headphones! If you have headphones with a microphone, use them! You increase wasted time holding your phone up to your ear and putting down again between calls. Plus, your arm is bound to get tired.
- Use TurboVPB with Chrome. It’s free and increases your ability to make calls by saving 1-2 minutes to dial the next call or send a follow up text if someone doesn’t answer. https://turbovpb.com/
Let’s do this.
After reading these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an amazing phone-banker. If making calls ever feel overwhelming, remember: the work you’re doing matters to your campaign especially this year when we can’t go door to door. These phone calls are a critical way to connect with voters. Even if the person you call can’t volunteer or attend your event, they’ll leave the conversation thinking about your candidate. Your outreach makes a difference at the polls.
FAQs
I don’t want strangers to know my phone number.
There are several options if you prefer to make anonymous or “No Caller ID” calls:
- Use the Google Voice app and set up a voicemail explaining what candidate you’re working for and why you might have called them. https://voice.google.com/
- *Keep in mind, if you block your Caller ID, this could make the recipient less likely to answer.
Should I leave a voicemail if no one answers?
The virtual phone bank script will tell you if you should leave a message or not. Keep in mind that leaving voicemails could take time from calling other potential supporters. Use voicemails wisely.
When is the best time to reach people?
Phone banks are available 10:00 am until 8:00 pm. You will not be able to log in during other times. Ideally, the best time to call is late in the afternoon when people get home from work.