3 Steps for Turning Voters into Committed Supporters
Every registered voter has something every candidate needs to win an election: A Vote
The key to earning those votes is transforming voters not just into your supporters, but into committed supporters.
The difference between a supporter and a committed supporter may seem minuscule, however their impact is significant.
A supporter is a voter who agrees to vote for you. That’s important. You need as many of them as you can get to win your election.
A committed supporter is a person who has not only agreed to vote for you, but they are committed to you, your campaign, and your cause.
They may never volunteer directly for your campaign or make a contribution, yet their activities on behalf of your campaign are priceless.
Committed supporters are essential to winning big on Election Day.
Once these voters make up their mind to vote for you, you can take that vote to the bank.
Committed supporters will put a sign in their yard for you and let you use their name as endorsement.
Most importantly, they’ll tell other voters to vote for you. They’ll practically insist upon it.
They’ll defend you when someone speaks ill of you and send unsolicited letters of support to the local newspaper.
And should bad news hit your campaign or something occur to cast you in a bad light, they’ll give you the benefit of the doubt until they hear your side of the story.
The most clear example of this in current politics is Donald Trump’s committed supporters.
No matter how bizarre, how outlandish, or how unfit for the presidency he behaves, they stick with him.
Is it enough for him to win the 2024 Republican nomination? It probably is, even though there are variables.
Will that translate into Trump being re-elected President? That’s a coin flip.
Regardless, of your sentiments towards Mr. Trump, you see the value of committed supporters to a candidate.
So how do you convert a voter into a committed supporter?
It’s a three step process that in many ways mimics dating and courtship.
That shouldn’t be too surprising. After all, campaigning truly is a candidate’s courtship of the voters.
In serious dating the objective is to wind up in a committed relationship.
But before you can wind up in such a relationship, you’ve got to land the first date.
It’s nearly impossible to get a date unless you know the person you want to take out, or that wants to take you out.
As in our personal relationships, its essentially a lengthy three-step process getting someone who you are interested in to become committed to you.
Step One: Get the Voter to Know You
No one is going to vote for you for any reason (except random chance and that’s not a strategy for winning elections) if they don’t know you.
How do you get a voter to know you?
You introduce yourself.
You send them a mailer. You knock on their door. You call them on the phone. You target them with a social media ad.
You say hello to the voters through these different forms of communication and make them aware of your candidacy.
This is essentially building name recognition.
Political signs are a vital part of this, especially if you can get them placed in a voter’s yard rather than randomly on the street.
Using the dating metaphor, you need to say hello and get the person’s phone number you’re interested in taking on a date.
Step Two: Get the Voter to Like You
Yes, I’m aware that you can’t force people to like you even if you try really really hard.
And in today’s highly cynical political realm voters are naturally suspicious of candidates.
Your campaign however can do things that help you appear likable.
Just as you’d put your best foot forward on a date, you can do the same thing on your campaign.
You can positively highlight your attributes listed below to the voters you are courting:
Your appearance.
Always look and dress appropriately for the voters, in person and in your campaign materials. Snap decisions can be made about your hair and your clothing that can instantly turn voters off.
That’s why it’s vital to have professional photographs taken for your campaign. Those first impressions stick strongly in all of our subconscious minds.
Your family
Voters tend to like candidates who are devoted to their families. Sharing pictures of your family in campaign materials goes a long way with voters.
You need to show that you are an active part of your family that is a good partner, a good parent, and a good child. That resonates with voters.
Your experience.
People like to know that the person they are voting for have either the experience or the integrity to handle the position they a seeking.
Voters have been known to show favoritism to candidates who are or have been teachers, police officers, nurses, fire fighters or served in the military.
Your plans.
Obviously, people aren’t going to give you their vote if they don’t like what you plan to do if you’re elected.
They want to know that you share their views and their values on the issues important to them.
If that’s the case, they are more likely than not to like you and what you stand for. Emphasize your similar views on issues when you can.
Your accessibility.
One of the worst things a candidate can do is not respond to a voter who contacts them. Regardless of what the voter wants to say, the only reason they would call you, email you, or send you a letter is because they want to communicate with you.
If you don’t respond, or take too long in responding, they will believe you don’t value them or their vote. Always do your best to respond to voters who reach out to you as quickly as possible.
You’ll communicate to them that you value what they have to say, even if you disagree with them. The easier it is for a voter to get a hold of you, the easier it is for them to like you.
A voter who likes you will most likely vote for you.
They may not be with you forever, but they are on your side for now. In the immediate time that’s what’s important.
Basically you the first date went well and yes they’re willing to go out with you again.
Step Three: Earn the Voter’s Trust
This is the most difficult and yet the most important step.
This is the one that takes the most time and requires the most follow through.
Once you’ve gotten a voter to know you, then to like you, you must work to build trust with them.
This does not happen overnight and frequently does not happen at all.
In American politics today, a majority voters do not trust most people running for office.
They’ll vote for you because they know you and they like you, but they reserve the right to dislike you later and withdraw their vote.
There’s only one way to earn a voter’s trust:
Always remain consistent in what you say and what you stand for.
You must not deviate in this.
You must have the same priorities and position on an issue when you talk to a voter, to their neighbor, or when you are speaking in a public forum.
Should you equivocate or contradict yourself in any way, you won’t be able to earn a voter’s trust.
You must remain consistent in both your deeds and your words.
It’s hard to earn trust when you’re running for office. Trust is usually earned after you’ve been elected.
Trust is earned based upon your behavior in office. Voters want to see that your actions in office match the words of your campaign.
That’s how we choose people to be in committed relationships with. It’s how voters choose which candidates to be committed supports of as well.
They want to know that you will your words an actions match, but more importantly, that you’ll be there for them when they need you.
And if that does happen and is true, then they’ll be there for you too.
If they do and you remain steadfast to your positions, then you have a very good chance of earning a voter’s trust.
A voter who trusts you will stand by you. They will defend you. They will always vote for you.