How to do Door to Door Canvassing

Door to door canvassing is one of the most difficult and uncomfortable jobs you will ever have to do. Here are some ways you can get the courage to face down your fears.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Courage

1. Try to always have a smile and speak in a loud, clear, confident voice. Offer a handshake if they come outside to greet you. State the purpose of your canvass (census, election campaigning, ect.) right away. Most people will believe you are religious proselytizers or traveling salesmen unless you say otherwise.

2. When you hand out fliers, try to make sure you are respectful if people don't want to take one. No means no.

3. You'll find that some people are very chatty. Don't linger and talk with them too long, especially if they are confrontational and want to debate you. Try to keep a mental clock and don't talk with anyone for more than a few minutes.

4. When you go door to door, don't be discouraged if you get a string of negative responses. Most of the people on whose doors you knock simply don't like being bothered. Don't take it personally.

5. Keep a map with you at all times in case you get lost. Keep a cell phone with you too, just in case there is an emergency.

6. If you are in a bad part of town and someone tries to mug you, don't fight back or use weapons like pepper spray. This is likely to provoke your attacker and make the confrontation more violent. Losing your wallet is a lot better than losing your life.

7. If someone insults you, just smile and say "Have a good day" and move onto the next house. There is no point in starting a confrontation.

8. Try to keep your mind occupied with other things while you do these tasks. Its easier to sort of numb out of the monotony and indignity of it all if you are replying your favorite movie in your head between houses.

Tips & Warnings

• If you get discouraged, just remember: you can always go into another line of work if you really want to.

• Be very wary of "Beware of Dog" signs. A lot of them are quite serious.

Resources

• How I became involved in Political Canvassing