In these divisive political times, activists across the spectrum are working to have their voices heard on Capitol Hill. The best way to get legislators’ attention, according to the New York Times, is through call-in campaigns.
“A phone call from a constituent can, indeed, hold more weight than an email, and far outweighs a Facebook post or a tweet,” writes the Times. “Even if you don’t speak directly to the lawmaker, staff members often pass the message along.”
But how does your organization set up a call-in campaign? Well, we can help.
Mobile Commons Make It Simple to Create Call-In Campaigns
With Mobile Commons, you can run highly effective phone call campaigns that automatically connect callers with their legislators, matched according to their districts. You can target the Senate, the House, the White House, local legislators, or just a few crucial swing votes.
Here’s how it works. You can ask your constituents to either text in a keyword or to dial a phone number. They can also enter their mobile number on a website.
Once people text, click, or call, they are immediately connected to a hotline. Supporters can optionally hear a recording with key talking points. We then route them automatically to their most relevant legislator, where their voice can have the biggest impact.
Organizations including Tumblr, Etsy, AARP, Everytown for Gun Safety, Food & Water Watch, and Reform Immigration for America have all used Mobile Commons call-in campaigns to drive hundreds of thousands of phone calls to Congress and impact the legislative process.
You can see Rachel Maddow demonstrating the call below. As Maddow says, “This is smart, right?”
Why This Works
Right now, a groundswell of citizens across the country are urging direct phone calls to pressure Congress on key issues. However, asking people to first track down the right phone number from the right office can be the difference between good intentions and good results.
With a Mobile Commons call-in campaign, you can create one simple number, and then distribute it across all your platforms. Send out text messages, email your list, post to Facebook and Twitter. You can even add it to signs and shout-outs at events and rallies.
With social support from your allies, your message can go viral. For example, Kim Kardashian helped Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action drive 188,000 phone calls by promoting their text-to-call.
And Amy Schumer gave a boost to the Brady Campaign.
By giving people one simple thing to do –text a keyword to a short code, call a phone number, or enter their information on your website – you can automatically drive tens or hundreds of thousands of callers to the place they can make the most impact. And every call is tracked, so you can see the results in real-time.
So How Do You Do This?
To launch your call-in campaign, simply contact your mobile strategist, or email info@mobilecommons.com. We can have you up and running within hours.
If you’re interested in reading about other organizations who have had success with our call-in campaigns, check out the below links.
Everytown & Moms Demand Action Drive 188,000 People to Call Congress in Support of #NoBillNoBreak
The Brady Campaign Uses Mobile Commons Advocacy to Turn Massive Social Support Into Political Action During Senator Murphy’s Filibuster
Tumblr, Reddit and Other anti-SOPA Activists Drive Over 200,000 Phone Calls in One Day
Etsy, Kickstarter, Vimeo & More Drive 100,000 Calls to Congress in a Day
AARP Mobilizes 123,000 People to Say NO to Social Security Cuts
3 Consumer Groups Drive Nearly 70,000 Calls and Defeat the DARK Act
RI4A Drives 60,000 Calls to Congress And Brings Immigration Debate to the Senate Floor
Jim Carrey, Paul McCartney, Elton John, and More Raise Their Voices Against Gun Violence
The post Phone Calls Are the Best Way to Influence Legislators. Here’s How to Set Up Your Own Call-In Campaign appeared first on Mobile Commons.