| Political robo calls are the bane of the electorate -- | | | | How can candidates send out pre-recorded |
| a cause of misery and pain so pervasive that it | | | | message to voters using robo call technology, |
| has prompted voters to spew venom against the | | | | without upsetting or stirring the ire of voters? |
| best intentioned candidates. Websites have | | | | Here is a list of things candidates can do to help |
| popped up calling for the abolishment of robo calls, | | | | themselves: |
| with some voters promising to vote against any | | | | 1) Send out calls during the day when most |
| candidate who intrudes into their homes with a | | | | people are not home. That way, you don't intrude |
| pre-recorded message on the phone. Some | | | | on peoples' lives or routine. 70% of the homes |
| pollsters have determined that these automated | | | | are vacant during the day and you can have your |
| calling systems don't sway voters' opinions one | | | | message programmed to be left on voicemail or |
| way or the other. | | | | an answering machine. Folks can listen to the |
| So why then, do politicians continue to use this | | | | message at their convenience. |
| technology at the very risk of their own | | | | 2) The old KISS rule applies -- Keep It Short and |
| candidacies? And why have they exempted | | | | Simple. Try keeping you message to 30 seconds |
| themselves from their own laws and allowed | | | | or less. Positive messages work better than |
| political robo calls to continue? | | | | negative ones. Be sure to thank the voters for |
| There are several reasons why the practice of | | | | their support and remind them to vote. |
| sending robo calls has remained on the list of | | | | 3) Spend time and thought in preparing your |
| staple campaign tactics: | | | | message and planning your robo call campaign. |
| First, robo calling is one of the least expensive | | | | 99% of the candidates throw a robo call |
| ways to deliver a targeted message to voters. It | | | | campaign together at the last minute and rush |
| is a fraction of the cost of television, print and | | | | through the process. There is no reason you can't |
| mail, and it can be sent to those voters who are | | | | plan your script and phone lists a couple of weeks |
| most likely going to show up at the polls. | | | | ahead of time. |
| Second, there is virtually no ramp up time in | | | | 4) Limit yourself to one call, and at the most, |
| getting robo calls out so it is an ideal way to | | | | two. Remember, other candidates may be using |
| respond to last minute attacks, or to get | | | | robo calls as well. And there's the rub. Voters can |
| information to voters during teh last days of the | | | | tolerate a call or two, but not 10 calls on the day |
| campaign. | | | | before the election. This is a very powerful |
| Third, some speculate that the people who | | | | technology and can be abused. Use it sparingly. |
| complain about automated calls are most likely not | | | | Overall, candidates can successfully send robo calls |
| going to vote anyway. In fact, some candidates | | | | as part of their campaign if they approach the |
| believe the calls have been partly, if not largely, | | | | medium carefully and considerately. There is a fine |
| responsible for their victories. Some candidates | | | | line between bothering the voters and getting |
| also believe that negative calls against them, have | | | | them information that will help them in their |
| been responsible for their defeats. | | | | decision and encourage them to get to the polls. |