How to Be a Street Canvasser

Street canvassing is a tried and true method for any organization that wants to reach a large number of people in a short amount of time. Whether your goal is public education, increasing membership in an organization, collecting enough signatures for a cause or fundraising, there are some simple guidelines to help you along in your goal. Read below for the steps to take to become an effective inspiring canvasser.

Instructions

1. Present yourself well. As the old adage goes, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Be sure to smile and give off a friendly and open energy. No matter how impassioned you are about your cause, keep your emotions in check. People will be turned off if you are too pushy or overzealous. Keep a calm and confident demeanor and try to avoid the impression that you are selling something. People will be wary of you before you even open your mouth, so your first challenge is to make them feel that you are not a threat. For this reason, women are often the most successful canvassers. Men should work extra hard to cultivate the ideal initial impression. It is also very important to keep a well groomed and professional appearance. People who look unkempt and sloppy are less likely to convince passersby to listen to what they have to say. Finally, a uniform of some sort or a badge that identifies your organization helps people to know your purpose and lends credibility to your cause. This is vitally important if you are raising funds as it shows people that you are not running a scam or panhandling.

2. Stick to the rap. Many organizations utilize a script of some sort that canvassers are expected to use when communicating with the public. This is referred to as a rap and its purpose is to get the person interested in learning more about your cause. Some canvassers believe that they will be more successful using their own words, but they are almost always wrong on this point. Spend your energy practicing the rap and making the words sound like your own, rather than complaining to your supervisor. Raps are developed by experts who spend large amounts of time researching the most effective ways to communicate your cause. They have experience in what does and does not work, so trust them. Your excellent communication skills and alternative methods for presenting the information will come into play when you encounter a person who wants to discuss the issues at length.

3. Study up on all aspects of the issue. Effective canvassers are excellent at rap delivery, but they are also prepared to address questions and concerns that a person may raise. Be clear on your organization's stand and what they plan to do. Be informed of the history and agenda of your organization and of the specific issues that you are working on. No matter how strongly you feel that you are right, you must also be able to explore that opposing side's views in a logical fashion. "Those people are just stupid" is not an effective argument. Be able to explain why proponents of the opposing view are incorrect, missing the point or focusing on the wrong part of the issue. Have an arsenal of quotes, statistics and historical data at the ready. People are more likely to be convinced by facts than emotions.

4. Canvass under the best circumstances possible. Obviously, choosing a high traffic location is desirable for reaching a great amount of people in a short amount of time. However, consider that less populated areas may be better suited for getting people to slow down and listen to what you have to say. Research the demographics and culture of the spot you plan to canvass. Are you in an area where people tend to meander around, shopping and socializing? Or is this spot full of harried businesspeople rushing to and fro? Is the area frequented by people with high or low incomes? Are they educated? Republicans or Democrats? The answers to these questions can help you to decide the best areas for your cause and the best tactics for communicating with the people who are there. Keep in mind however, that in many cases, poor areas yield better fund raising than wealthy areas. Regardless of demographic variables, it can be helpful to coordinate your canvassing efforts under the circumstances where people are in the best mood. Find a person on a sunny payday right after he has had a good meal and you are likely to get somewhere.

5. Maintain a positive attitude. Canvassers have to develop perseverance and a thick skin in order to be successful and fulfilled in their jobs. You will never be able to convince everyone, so don't try. Resist the temptation to argue with a person who becomes abusive or inflammatory. You are only wasting time that could be spent talking to someone who can help further your cause. Don't take negative comments personally. Since you are the face of the issue, it may feel like a personal attack when someone disagrees with you, but you are not your cause, you are a person. Passion is good, just so long as you don't let it interfere with your job duties or mental health. When you get discouraged, remember that even if you didn't collect as many signatures as you wanted or meet the fund raising goals that you set for yourself, you did make a difference. You may have forced someone to re examine their ideas on the issue, or given someone hope that change is possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Whenever possible, offer alternatives to cash donations. People who may not be willing and/or able to give money to your cause have potential to help in other ways. Give interested parties a petition to sign, a volunteer opportunity or literature to take home and share.

• Canvassing can be a dangerous job. Your cause may be one that evokes a high level of emotion from people with the potential for aggression. You may not be in the safest areas. Always trust your instincts and get out of a situation that seems potentially threatening. Canvass during daylight hours, avoid isolated areas and always travel in packs.