Transcript Document

Calling for Change:
The Skill and Art of Political Calls
The Phone
• “I don't even have voice mail or answering machines anymore. I hate the phone… If I go to hell, it will be a
small closet with a telephone in it, and I will be doomed and destined for eternity to return phone calls.”
Drew Barrymore
• “That's the great thing about a tractor. You can't really hear the phone ring.”
Jeff Foxworthy
• “At least in Russia, you cannot just go and tap into someone's phone conversation without a warrant
issued by court. That's more or less the way a civilized society should go about fighting terrorism.”
Vladimir Putin
The Phone
• “Basketball is my passion, I love it. But my family and friends mean everything to me. That's what's
important. I need my phone so I can keep in contact with them at all times.”
LeBron James
• “Remember that as a teenager you are in the last stage of your life when you will be happy to hear the
phone is for you.”
Fran Lebowitz
• “I see people putting text messages on the phone…and I think, 'Why don't you just call?’”
William Shatner
The Breakdown
1. Phone Banks: Crucial to Campaigns
2. Setting up on Liberalist
3. Tips and Tricks for Phone Banking
4. Making Every Call Count
What’s a ‘virtual’ phone bank (VPB)?
The many advantages
•Customizable •Security
•Integration
•Reporting
•No data entry •Universal
•Caller Profile
Are VPBs useful? Simply put? Yes.
How do I get my VPB started?
It’s just 5 simple steps
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
my.liberalist.ca
Click “login”
Shared Contacts vs My Voters
Click “Virtual Phone Bank”
Select your phone bank / enter the code
What are the elements of a VPB?
2
1
Rob A Smith 3
VAN ID: 1234567 4
5
6
1. ‘My Voters’ tab
2. ‘Shared Contacts’ tab
3. The Contact name
4. The Van ID
5. The Phone number
6. The Progress bar
(613) 123-4567
How do I use the phone bank?
Were you able to speak to Rob
1
2
3
4
1. The contact options
3. The VPB script
2. Save – Next Household 4. The Survey Question
How do I talk about a phone bank?
how callers typically see
calling
what successful calling should be
how receivers see calling done
poorly

fearful

nuisance

honest/open

informative/new

boring, repetitive

unwanted

straightforward

thought-provoking

unpleasant


interesting/helpful

time/cost-saving

pressurised

different/innovative

opportunity/advantage

thoughtful/reasoned

credible/reliable

prepared/informed

demonstrable/referenced

professional/business-like

efficient/structured

respectful

enthusiastic/up-beat

unimaginative

rejections

thankless

confrontational

unproductive

demoralizing

unhappy

numbers game






indiscriminate,
unprepared
pressurising
tricky, shifty
dishonest
reject, repel callers
shady, evasive
contrived

insulting

patronizing

disrespectful
How do I do a phone bank well?
THE BIG ONES
• BUILD TRUST
• BE PERSONABLE
• BE PREPARED
• YOU ARE A VOLUNTEER (DON’T OVER DO IT)
• SELL DOWN (ASK THE HARDER QUESTIONS FIRST)
• HAVE FUN AND SMILE
What are the “don’t”s?
• Don’t read the script; it’s a guide not a crutch
• Don’t forget the ‘ask’; data, data, data
• Don’t bullshit; if you don’t know say so
• Don’t lie, mislead or make it up on the fly
• Don’t be the equivalent of human junk mail
What are the “do”s?
• Focus on the ask; what is the action?
• Be warm, and if you aren’t, take a break.
• Be in control of the conversation.
• Remember to SMILE before you call and most
of all, have fun!
THANK YOU
MERCI
Par / By:
Elliott Lockington
[email protected]
What can we use it for?
• Promoting an event
• Selling tickets
• Recruiting members
• Engaging volunteers
• Signing a petition
• Identifying Liberal supporters
• Reminding people of initiatives
• Getting people to vote
How these skills breakdown?
• Keep it simple.
• Mimic their energy level.
• Know you audience.
• Stay calm in conflict.
• Don’t need to be a policy expert
• Understand that people will say no.
• With objections have a rebuttal “I understand
how
you feel but”
• Have fun and smile, people will hear it
through
the phone.
How these skills breakdown?
• Have a discussion, don’t just talk
• Avoid close ended questions until the end.
(Yes vs. No)
• Focus on your real goal.
• Ask the harder question first.
• Think of objections you may get.
• Be specific
• Nothing wrong with a phone message.
• More than 3 objections, you can move to the
closing lines.
How these skills breakdown?
• Its all about trust, build the trust, grow
the trust tree
• Try to avoid selling, try and listen and fill
a need the person may have.
• Follow Up
• Try standing up to change your energy level,
people can hear it on the phone
• Take breaks after talking to about 10 people
• Take notes on paper