Keith Kelleher’s Canvassing Rules
Eight simple, ground-level rules for any type of door-to-door canvassing, learn how to doorknock smart, keep your spirits up, and accomplish your goals.
Me & my daughter, Ryan, canvassing in a Chicago winter, February, 2022.
2022
I am sharing these rules on what you need to do to prepare to go out doorknocking, as well as tips on how to work your turf, conserve energy, connect with people at the door, etc. – this really applies to many types of canvassing, so thought I’d share with you with various pictures from this past weekend and others. It’s not all-inclusive by any means, just some basics, and mostly common sense. It might be good to share with members and staff beforehand who are planning on canvassing in the remaining days and on Election Day. I hope it’s helpful to you as well. Keith Kelleher's Canvassing Rules: Training and working with experienced and inexperienced canvassers over the years and especially the last few weeks, right before the big elections, has brought back some key rules I've learned for canvassing. I've been lucky enough to do all types of doorknocking and canvassing: labor, community, political, issue, fundraising, or all of the above; and here are a few tips that help you keep it together through hours of doorknocking:
Wear Comfortable Shoes/Boots
Nothing worse than doorknocking without the right footwear - make sure you choose shoes or sneakers that will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer and keep your feet dry. In the northern climates, you'll need to wear boots and several layers of socks for your feet to keep warm.
Dress for the Weather
Ditto with clothing: layer for the cold weather so you can keep warm; light clothing for warm weather. I'd also recommend a hat to protect from the sun and glare in cold or hot weather, as well as to protect from rain or snow. Bring an umbrella if it looks like rain or to protect you from the sun - you want to be comfortable out there, so you can conserve energy and be able to keep going on a 3-4 hour shift.
Conserve Energy
Always work your turf to help you conserve energy. If it's cold out you want to work the sunny side of the street first to keep you warm and hopefully, once you switch to the other side the sun is there to keep you warm as well. The same on hot days: work the shady side first, then follow the shade as you switch to the other side. Make sure you have sunscreen on to prevent sunburn and/or irritation.
Eat Something Beforehand
You don't want to be hungry on turf, so it's good to eat a good meal beforehand and maybe bring a granola bar or piece of fruit to help you towards the end of your shift, ditto with water - good to bring a hands-free bottle with you, especially on the hot days.
Do Good Record-Keeping
If you're using paper, always have your walk-sheets and maps in order so you don't waste time while you're walking your turf, always have a working pen, always take notes when you're talking to people, keep your pen working in cold weather by sliding it inside your glove between doors.
If you're using iPads or the VAN on your phone, make sure you are entering everything and saving it. At the end of the day, you want to make sure you have all your info tabulated and ready to turn in.
Look People in the Eye
As you're doorknocking, make sure you're looking people in the eye as you talk with them. I'm taller than average, so I am frequently bent over to look into the eyes of shorter folks –you want to be eye-to-eye, so if you're tall, bend down; if you're short, have them bend down to look at your clipboard - use whatever works best for you, but try to get at eye-level as much as possible. Try not to wear sunglasses when you're talking to people, they can be distracting - you can wear them between doors, but take them off or put them on top of your head or around your neck as you're talking to folks in order to maintain eye contact.
Really Engage People
Ask them what their issues are, what they see needs changing, etc; nothing worse than a canvasser giving a canned speech on the doorstep. You want a two-way conversation.
Relax
Do some practice raps with someone before you go out to get relaxed with what you want and need to say. Do some meditation or breathing as you're heading to your turf. Listen to some music or meditation tapes as you're heading out - Important to be relaxed as possible before you hit the doors.
That's enough for today, but important lessons to remember when you KNOCK YOUR BLOCK!