Political texting, explained.
Field notes on running verified voter outreach, 10DLC and TCPA in plain language, and what actually moves a race.
What Is Voter Contact, and Where Texting Fits
Voter contact is the umbrella term for how campaigns reach voters directly, doors, calls, texts, mail, digital. Here's what voter contact means, the main channels, and where texting fits in the mix.
What Is a Conversion in Texting, and How to Track It
A conversion is when a recipient takes the action your text asked for, a donation, an RSVP, a vote plan. Here's what conversions are, why they're the metric that matters, and how to track them.
What the Best Political Texting Programs Have in Common
Great texting programs aren't built on secret tricks, they share a handful of disciplines. Here's what the best political texting programs consistently do, from earned lists to relentless relevance, and why the fundamentals win.
The Word-of-Mouth Effect, When Voters Forward Your Texts
A text a voter forwards or shares reaches people your list never could. Here's how the word-of-mouth effect works in texting, why relational and shareable messages amplify, and how to encourage it.
First-Time Voters and Texting, Converting Willingness into a Vote
First-time voters want to participate but often don't know how. Here's what the evidence suggests about reaching first-time voters by text, why process help beats motivation, and how to convert willingness into an actual vote.
How Voters Can Revoke Texting Consent
A voter can revoke texting consent at any time, and by any reasonable method, not just by texting STOP. Here's how revocation works, why campaigns must honor it however it comes, and what that means in practice.
The Burden of Proof, Proving Consent in a TCPA Dispute
In a TCPA dispute, it's generally the sender who has to prove consent, not the plaintiff who has to disprove it. Here's why the burden falls on the campaign, and why that makes your records the whole ballgame.
Texting Cell Phones vs Business Numbers, Why the TCPA Cares
The TCPA's strictest protections center on cell phones, which is where nearly all political texts land. Here's why the type of number matters, and why in practice campaigns should treat every number as a protected cell phone.
Vote Tripling by Text, Turning One Supporter into Three Votes
Vote tripling asks each supporter to remind three friends to vote, multiplying turnout through trusted messengers. Here's how the tactic works, why it's so effective, and how to run it by text.
The Sorry We Missed You Text, Following up Non-Responders
Most people don't reply to the first text, and the follow-up to non-responders is where a lot of value hides. Here's how campaigns follow up the people who didn't answer, without becoming a nuisance.
Post-Election Texting, Thanking, Retaining, and Transitioning
The list you built doesn't stop being valuable when the election ends. Here's how campaigns use texting after Election Day, to thank supporters, retain the list, and transition win or lose, into what comes next.
Texting for a Mayoral or Municipal Race
Municipal races, mayor, council, local offices, run on small budgets, tiny universes, and low turnout, exactly where texting shines. Here's how to build a texting program for a city or town race.