Writing My Friends in Swing States

 

I am using Facebook to  send personalized messages to my progressively minded friends in swing states, those with competitive races. 

Here is why:

  • Reach friends that are reluctant voters.  Even with a record turnout this year, a third of people will not vote.(link to video).  We find in polling (link to bio)  that 10% of the people that are planning to vote, don’t vote.  

  • Influence the swing states which decide the president and control of congress.  Party control is essential if real reforms will be made next year.  It would be best with a margin of 52-48,  a tough lift for the Democrats so there is some room for disagreement.

  • Remind swing state voters how important they are.  Campaigns ad focus on voting; the electoral college and party control of congress is more for the geeks.  The national importance of senate races is rarely mentioned. This is particularly true this year because Democrats are running in red states and don’t want to push that button.

  • Remind them of the registration deadlines. In 2016, 30% of those eligible were not registered.  Registration drives have been hampered this year by the virus.

  • Emphasize what we are voting for -  reforms for health care,social justice, climate change….  These often get lost in the personalities.  

  • Let my friends know that I care. Voting can be a lonely private affair.  I want them to know that I am with them.  Given all the vote suppression talk, my friends may face other challenges to voting   

  • Remind them the importance of the election.  I am doing that by just taking a chance and contacting people where I have had little contact.

  • Inspire them to contact others in their state. People living in a state will know more people than me on the west coast.  They could have a big impact by posting our meme, and especially by continuing this process of direct contact.

Here are the steps I take for reaching my friends in swing states.

Step 1  Find Swing State friends on Facebook

 Facebook has a feature where you can use any search window to type “My friends who live in [insert name of swing state].” The results list three names with the option to “See all.”  You will be surprised how many people you know in the swing states.

Step 2  Check out their profile

 Check their profile.  I skip the ones that post things that contradict my values.   I also skip the ones that have not posted for many months.

I then spend a moment to feel my connection with them.  Even if they are a friend of a friend, there is still a heart connection with my larger community.  And I go to the feeling of engaging with them and offering them something,  not trying to sell them something.   

Step 3  Send the meme for their state by direct message.

I then message them the meme for their state. And follow it with the message below, using their name and adapting the first sentence to apply to them and referring to their state and registration deadline.

(insert meme here, preferable on the side,)


*PEPPERS QUESTION for self HOW DO WE DELIVER THESE MEMES is it a google link or a web gallery?

 Step 4 Follow with a personalized direct message

Here is an example for North Carolina;

Bill

“We have not had much contact here, but the times are taking me out of my comfort zone.  

I know that some of my friends have been able to distance themselves from the election insanity and I respect that.  I just want to make sure that the friends in North Carolina, with close races for president and senate,  realize  just how important their vote is to all of us.

If you agree, please post/share the above meme before the registration deadline.   And let me know if there is any way I can help you and your friends vote. “

Step 5   Respond back in appropriate ways 

We find that over half respond, most pretty quickly.  We’ve been told that is really high for Facebook.  

Some have told me they are working on the election; I give an enthusiastic appreciation. Others tell me they are voting. I thank them and often ask how they plan to vote.  Having a plan to vote is big a step toward actually voting.  And if they indicate a reluctance to vote in their response, I try to engage them further, acknowledging how dysfunction the system is and by  using some of the ideas in our Compelling Reasons To Vote. 

If their response is short. I give a simple response of gratitude and leave it there.  If they have taken the time write a couple of paragraphs, as most have been doing.  I keep the interaction going. 

I might suggest that they post the meme in their timeline as an easy way to connect with their friends around the importance of voting.  If they seem appreciative of my contacting them, I tell them more about what I am doing and give them a link to this piece. 

Step 6  Enjoy the pleasure that comes from contacting friends, making new ones, and doing something with all this angst and pent up energy.

I can’t emphasize this last step enough.  It really feels great to receive responses of appreciation from my friends and to be making a difference.

Remember that your very act of contacting them, and taking some FB risk,  is  giving them the message that we are all connected and voting for each other.  This could have quite a ripple effect as they daily interact with friends in their state.

I encourage you to modify this in ways that fit you.  And I’d be honored if you share this link with some of the people that you contact.

Let me know of your own modifications and your experiences doing this.

CTA LINK