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Door-knocking script outline

A thirty-second porch conversation in five beats, with the branches for yes, no and not home.

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Door-knocking script outline

From GOP Kit (https://gopkit.com). Free to copy and change. Fill in your own words, then read it out loud until it sounds like you and not like a script.

Candidate: ______________________ Office: ______________________

The three issues (one sentence each)

The conversation, in five beats

Knock. Step back a full pace. Smile before the door opens.

1. Who you are (one sentence)

"Hi, I'm ____________ and I'm running for ____________. I'm out meeting neighbors today."

If a volunteer is knocking instead of the candidate: "Hi, I'm ____________, I'm a volunteer for ____________, who's running for ____________."

2. One question, then silence

"What's the one thing you'd want the ____________ to get right?"

Stop talking. Let them answer.

3. Listen

Do not interrupt. Do not argue. Nod, and remember what they said; you will write it down after the door closes.

4. Connect

If what they said touches one of the three issues: "That's a lot of why I'm running. ____________ (the matching sentence from above)."

If it does not: "I hear that. Here's honestly what I think the office can and can't do about it: ____________."

5. Ask and leave

"Can I count on your vote on ____________ (Election Day)?"

Hand them the card. "Thanks for your time. The website's on there if you want to read more."

Go. The whole thing should take about ninety seconds.

Branches

Not home: leave the literature in the door, never in the mailbox. Mark "not home" and plan a second pass on a different day and time.

"I'm busy": "No problem, I'll leave this with you. Thanks." Mark undecided.

Supportive: "Thank you. Would you be willing to put up a yard sign?" If yes, write the address down. "And would you be interested in knocking doors with us some Saturday?" If yes, get a phone number.

Undecided: answer one question briefly, then: "Fair enough. Here's the card; the three things I'd change are on the back. I'd be glad to talk more by phone." Mark undecided.

Opposed: "I appreciate you telling me. Thanks for your time." Leave. Do not debate on the porch. Mark opposed.

A question you cannot answer: "I don't want to guess at that. Can I get your number and call you back once I've checked?" Then actually call back.

"Are you a Republican?": "Yes." Then back to the issues. In a nonpartisan race: "I'm a Republican, and this is a nonpartisan seat; the three things I'm running on are ____________."

After the door closes

Mark the walk list: not home / supporter / undecided / opposed / refused. Write any note the person asked you to pass on. Then the next door.

Rules of the porch

  • Go in pairs; one talks, one takes notes.
  • Skip houses with no-soliciting signs or a dog you cannot see.
  • Never open a screen door.
  • Plain shirt, comfortable shoes, water.
  • Back at the meeting point by the agreed time no matter what.