Yeah, we know, the OFA lists are targeted towards new voters from 2008 and supporters who are less likely to vote (so F*** that NPR story about the PEW poll that said more Republicans than Democrats report being contacted this election because the GOP are calling anybody). And yes, technologically speaking, the OFA voting tool is totally BAD ASS. But seriously, that script they give you is way f***ing long, and also sucks. So, you want a take-no-prisoners approach to that high-tech campaigning weapon? Oh yeah, you want to join the Kossack 500 Club by making 500 calls for candidates before November 2nd. Maybe you're a little cocky, and you think you can make it to 1000. I know I am. So here's how you EVISCERATE THE OFA CALLING TOOL!!!
Everybody needs to mould their script to their personality over time, but for now I offer the script that I developed after the first 400 or so calls:
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MikeRayinBerkeley’s BAD ASS (to him) Phone-Banking Script
Part A. Introduction
Hi, can I speak to __________ [first name]?
Hi, my name is _______[your first name], and I'm a volunteer for Organizing for America, President Obama's grassroots organizing team. How are you today? [Pause for response]
We're calling voters across _________ [name of your state, e.g. California] to let them know how critical it is to get out this November 2nd and vote for strong allies of President Obama so that he can continue to pass laws that move the country forward, instead of backward.
Note: Feel pride as you identify yourself as a volunteer, and as a member of the President’s grass roots organizing team: you should feel proud! And when you ask how the person is, mean it, and imagine you are looking into the face of a person you care about—they are fellow citizens and probable supporters.
Part B. First Question: Will you support the President by committing to vote on November 2nd?
If “YES” then:
Great. Thank-you so much. [Mark your sheet]
If “NO” then: Well, thanks so much for your time today. Take care. Bye-bye now. [Call is over—mark your sheet and move on!]
Part C. Second Question: Two strong allies of President Obama are Barbara Boxer for Senate and Jerry Brown for Governor [insert your own local candidates off your OFA script here].
Do you plan to vote for these two strong allies of the President on November 2nd?
If “YES” then:
Great. Thank-you so much. [Mark your sheet]
If “I HAVEN’T DECIDED” then
I understand. I would just say that one reason I am behind these two candidates is that they are strong allies of President Obama. [Possible conversation, then mark your sheet]
If “NO” then:
Well, thanks so much for your time today. Take care. Bye-bye now. [Call is over—mark your sheet and move on!]
Part D. Third Question: Do you plan to support the Democrat in your local congressional race on November 2nd?
If “YES” then:
Great. Thank-you so much. If we all come out like in 2008, we will definitely win this, so tell all your friends!! [Mark your sheet]
If “I HAVEN’T DECIDED” then
I understand. I would just say that one reason I am behind this candidate is that s/he will be a strong ally of President Obama. Thanks for your time today. If we all come out like in 2008, we will definitely win this, so tell all your friends!! [Mark your sheet]
If “NO” then:
Well, thank-you so much for your time today. [Mark your sheet]
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The three issues the script is designed to address:
Link the candidate you are supporting to Obama, because he is overwhelmingly popular among the select group of people we are calling. You don't have time for a long conversation, so just cut to the chase. "You back Obama, and so does this candidate." This is the point of repeating the "strong allies" language over and over.
Time--It needs to be short because above all, you're trying to join the Kossack 500 club!! But more imporatnly, you need the whole thing to be over in under a minute. In the interest of time, don't leave messages, because research has shown it's better to spend your time moving on to the next call, and try to make an actual contact. People don't listen to messages left by people they don't know, and you need every second you have because your actual contact rate will only be about 9% on average. The only reason I would leave a message is to practice my script a bit, so that I feel more relaxed for the first call. I will also leave messages in the last two days before the election, because at that point the likelihood of a call-back to a voter is really shrinking.
By the way, if you're in a state that was not a battle-ground state in 2008, like California, you will get LOTS of wrong numbers, too, because those lists are "dirty," meaning they are not as up-to-date as the lists in a state like PA, where they spent many hours refining the lists in 2008. But don't worry, you are helping clean up the lists so that the next person who calls will get less wrong numbers.
Directness and friendly attitude--You want to represent the proud volunteer that believes in Democrats, and you need to be able to feel and communicate a positive, optimistic spirit. So, this script, for me, tries to balance bold-effective-confident with kindly-considerate-friendly.
OK, now that you know how to EVISCERATE THE OFA CALLING TOOL, go make some calls!!! And you can try this script over at your local OFA phone banking event, too, since lots of people like to be around others when they call to feel that team spirit and support--I know that REALLY helped me for my first 500 calls!