Thread by @Netroots_Nation

Live tweets from
Beyond Fundraising: How to Build a Robust Texting Program
10/7 2:15PM ET
Trainer: Brenna Cully
Sponsor: Prompt.io

Texting is now integral to fundraising. Make texting do more from direct voter contact to advocacy to voter protection!
#NN21

Surveying attendees on last political action text rec'd and sent.

How messages are being sent:
P2P: Peer to Peer
A2P: Application to Person (Blast Texting)

(Love learning the acronyms/terms of art.)
@prompt_io

@prompt_io What is in the message:
SMS: Short message service
MMS: Multimedia Message Service...a little more textured, like an image
Segments: 160 char segments, but each segment =$$
(More acronyms!)
@prompt_io

@prompt_io Types of Texting Codes:
--Short Code: for A2P high volume, big campaigns
--Toll Free: Opt-ins required, no exceptions.
--10DLC (10 Digit Long Code): Great for P2P. Local look and local numbers. Verification for political use required.

(This is AMAZING.)
@prompt_io

@prompt_io Survey result!
Most recent rec'd: fundraising!

@prompt_io Fundraising via Text
Pros:
--Highest read rate of all channels
--Relatively low cost
--Raise a TON

Cons:
--EVERYONE does it.
--High opt out.
--Overdoing can damage supporter relationship
(Send other types of messages!)

You actually have 3 lists:
Hot: Highly engaged supporters
Warm: Voters and supporters
Cold: Future supporters (not engaged...yet.)
@prompt_io

@prompt_io Using Text to contat Cold List for Voter ID
One texter = 10K (!!!) attempts in a day and ID hundreds of voters
More time to respond to questions
Voters more honest in text
There is a paper trail for conversation history
(Brenna is rocking this training. High info!) @prompt_io

Some downsides:
"Quality of ID is lower"
Brenna notes that in text, people tend to be more honest. (Rather than just nice)

"Less likely to turn out"
This is true. But with good ID, your canvassers will invest time better.

Text volunteers = awesome resource

About the Warm List--Text about:
Voter education (voter registration info)
Polling locations
Early vote and Election Day reminders

Also Warm List--Text about Low Lift Asks
--Survey
--Event Invites
--Petition
--Call elected officials
--Ballot access
@prompt_io

@prompt_io Important: Check ballot access requirements!

About Ballot Access:
--Text about where signatures are being collected to secure RSVP to come sign
--Text about link to get a petition done

Texting about Campaign Updates and FUN-raising
(fun-raising: gently nudging for donation without making someone feel like a walking checkbook)
--Announce policy launches
--Send campaign ads
--Share endorsements
--Do a merch drop
...and add small donation request
@prompt_io

IMPORTANT: Protect your voters. Voters more important than dollars.

Segment out undecided voters and lean into decided voters for your direct fundraising asks.

Texting the Hot List:
--Build an opt-in list
--Volunteer asks
--More frequent fundraising
Great tips and info about making texting do more from Brenna and @prompt_io

Use the @prompt_io campaign calendar
Yes, you need one for your texting. All your texting
Think about timing...especially right before election.

@prompt_io Timing texts:
One text per week to Hot and Warm
And fill in spaces with hyper local texting activity.

@prompt_io Writing the text:
--What is the ask? MMS or SMS?
--Are starting a conversation or broadcasting?
(Changes who will be sending)
--How long does the text REALLY need to be?
(Think short and sweet. think tweet.)

@prompt_io Great text for Cold/Warm/Hot:
--Candidate Thank You/GOTV video.__
Record inspirational video...send to entire list as motivation for election.

@prompt_io Text idea for Hot/Warm List:
--Rally Invite--
Big deal! Send an MMS with a graphic.
Invite to event AND remind about election day!

@prompt_io Hot/Warm Lists and Voters List:
---Happy Election Day! Text--
Send info about polling hours, voter protection resources, and offer basic voting info.
Invite to vote in general and for your candidate

Definitely use MMS!

@prompt_io Final notes:
--Get (STAY) creative.
Don't just "phone in" your texting program
(had to use that pun)

Benefits of strong texting program:
--Minimize opt outs
--Better/more engagements
--Save time for field team
--Build strong volunteer teams

And really important tip...

Lobby to have your texting program under Organizing...NOT just Fundraising.

Question: How do you start texting program? Easing supporters in?
--Consider educational or informational texts or links to content that tells your list what you have planned.

Tip from audience:
Send conversational prompts...How are you? How is going? (Think P2P)
@prompt_io

@prompt_io Thank you, Brenna, for an awesome training on what ELSE texting can do.

Got Qs about what else texting can do for you?
TEXT: 206-603-0022
Want the preso deck?
TEXT: 206-603-0022 with your email.

Thank you to @prompt_io for sponsoring. And thank you to everyone who attended.