The next presidential election in America is scheduled for 2024. But as 2023 draws nearer, it’s likely to be expected that the number of political campaigns will gradually rise. Therefore, political parties are all set to use different approaches to expand their vote bank.
Political text messaging is one of the most affordable, effective, and quick political campaigning strategies compared to other tactics like advertising on television, billboards, and newspapers. What’s more practical about this strategy is that it allows political parties to deliver the message to every person they plan to deliver.
In this blog, we will discuss political text messaging, why political parties widely use it, and how to write a clear message and send it directly to voters’ phones using a political campaign texting service software.
Political Text Messaging
Political text messaging is a method of message delivery that political parties employ to reach out to the general public and voters.
This tactic has been successful, especially for governments, since they can readily update the public on current affairs, political campaigns, and events. Text messages during the COVID-19 outbreak are the most apparent evidence of how governments reached out to every person and warned them about how to stay safe from this potentially fatal virus.
Apart from the uses mentioned above cases, text messaging can be used for the following:
- Fundraising
- Announcement
- Alert
- Feedback
- Survey
- Reminder
- Educative message
Text Message Marketing in Politics
In today’s era, where digitalization is at its pinnacle, there is no doubt the importance of marketing has dramatically evolved and hasn’t even deterred political parties and their candidates from getting involved.
While multiple marketing approaches exist to reach out to the voters, adopting a political campaign texting service is one of the best. Not just because it is affordable but because it enables political parties to connect with their voters easily and convince them to take actions in their favor.
Since the invention of mobile devices, text message marketing has become one of the most popular methods for political campaigning. In addition to door-to-door canvassing, text messaging has emerged as a method for political parties to sing performance melodies that appeal to voters.
Things to Think About When Drafting a Strong Political Text Message?
Promoting your acts is the essence of political marketing. However, your message needs to be of the highest caliber to be persuasive enough.
The points listed below should be emphasized to ensure your political message is excellent.
- Make a contact list of the individuals you wish to send your message to.
- Pen down your thoughts before drafting a political message.
- Avoid making it overly long. Keep your message brief and to the point.
- Use a catchy headline to insist the reader opens and reads the message.
- Create a personalized message and include the recipient’s name, address, and other details.
- Start your message with a question.
- Mention a gift you’re giving in exchange for their vote (if any).
- Your message should have a readability score of at least 60%, which means it should be simple enough for the reader to comprehend.
- Add emoticons and other symbols to jazz up your message.
- Add infographics to make your message more compelling.
- Ask about their political views or pose inquiries that reflect their viewpoints (directly or indirectly).
- Add an emotional touch to the message to let them know you feel their pain or understand their problems.
- Send more than one message in a day so that if you have failed to engage them on the first attempt, you can take advantage of the second (or even third).
- Make sure to add a CTA (call-to-action) at the end with a yes or no.
- Use a soft tone, as it might make your message come across as nice and kind.
- Ensure your message can be read in one or two minutes. It shouldn’t go beyond that because the reader might find it dull.
- Your message should focus more on the reader than you or your political party.
- Don’t sound forceful.
Why do Political Parties Widely use Political Text Messaging?
Political parties employ political campaign texting services in their political campaign for more reasons than just being affordable, effective, and speedy. What are the other reasons? Let’s find out.
- Text messaging is superior to social media or emails for personalizing political communications, which are required to be more intimate.
- Political parties need to cater to every voter since every vote counts. This now includes those who do not own smartphones, do not use social media, and do not have email accounts. This is where text messaging becomes helpful in connecting with everyone.
- It is a one-sided conversation, which means you can text them, but they can’t.
- It helps you connect with a broader spectrum of voters/audiences.
- Gets you an immediate response from the voter.
- Convenient for voters to read compared to emails.
How to Send a Political Text Message to Voters?
To send a political message to the voters, you need to use a political campaign texting service software. This software will enable you to send messages to a high volume of voters in one click.
The following are the steps that show how it will be done:
1. Register for an Account
The first thing to do is choose the most dependable texting service and set up an account. Although a lot of software is available for free, it lacks a variety of features and settings that may help your political message be compelling. That is why buy a paid one with features and a large messaging capacity.
2. Purchase a Number
After creating an account, purchase the number of your choice. With long codes, you might not get the option to send several messages simultaneously, so select a short cord number so you can send several texts simultaneously.
See whether the software you are using has any other number options. Choose the option that best meets your needs.
3. Upload Contacts
After selecting the correct number, upload all the contacts to whom you want to send your political message. There are two methods you can use to upload your contacts quickly:
- CSV file upload
- CRM integration
4. Draft a Message
After you’ve uploaded your contacts, enter the text message you want to use for your political campaign. Ensure that your message stays inside the allotted word count; otherwise, the voter will only receive a portion of your message.
5. Set Up an Automated Response
If your political text message has a CTA, create an automated response for the voter’s reply.
For example, your message can ask, “Are you satisfied with our work in the constituency?” If your voter responds “yes”, create an automated thank-you message expressing appreciation for the input from your voter. In case the response is negative, you can set up a different message if the response is negative.
6. Set Up a Schedule
Establish a timeline for when you want voters to hear your political message. Make sure the time you choose is one at which you anticipate the voter will receive the message and respond.
Conclusion
Texting is an increasingly popular communication method for people out and about—and it’s becoming a more common way for candidates and campaigns to reach voters. You might be tempted to send a text message yourself, but with so much time on your hands before a campaign, a political campaign texting service is recommended.
If you plan to send a political text message to your voters, this blog post will help you navigate the tricky waters of political texting.
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