Tips for door-knocking
Apr 13 2005 16:04
I went to the Festival of Dissent the other day and was struck by how much energy actiivsts I know put into training for certain situations -- like blockades and arrests. However, community politics is also something that demands a high level of skills and training. No one is 'naturally' good at it either.
So at the workshop I did someone came up with a few good hints on how to do succesful door-knocking, based on her time working for some survey company. I'll type them up (plus other people's contributions), and if we get enough, maybe they could be added to the enrager.net/cag page?
* Say the most important thing first.
* The person opening the door won't hear too much complicated stuff in the first minute or so; leave aside complicated explanations in favour of making a good first impression
* If you are confident and relaxed, so will they -- if you're nervous and tense then they will also tend to react defensively.
* It's best to start organising with your closer neighbours, so you've got a basic trust already
* The IWCA and others put a card through the doors of the areas to be visited announcing the time they'll be along -- if people don't want to talk they can just put the card in the window to indicate they're not interested.
* Always be honest about what you know and don't know -- don't flannel to sound more informed.
* If you're leafleting for a 'controversial' issue (e.g. anti-fascist) then start at the top of a tower block, otherwise you'll have to back pass down among people who might have been alerted by your leaflets.
Apr 13 2005 18:15
#2
Can I just add that you shouldn't be nervous about knocking on peoples doors as most people are very nice even if they're not interested in what you have to say. It helps if you have a leaflet to give people because then you can refer to it, point out the date and venue of a meeting etc. Also if what you're trying to organise is local and for the good of the community then you have an immediate advantage over most people who are door knocking for other reasons.
Once you've knocked on a few doors and got some feedback it's plain sailing usually although don't be disappointed if all the people who seemed enthusiastic don't actually turn up to a meeting or event.
Enjoy it's a great buzz when you get into it.
Apr 14 2005 12:20
#3
Hmm what do I remember from chugging...
- Never go out on a rainy day, people are put off if you look like a drowned rat.
- Similarly, never go out if you are ill.
- Dress smart (not necessarily suited but ironed and clean)
- Inclusive gestures, open stance - never cross arms while you speak, or stand like you are about to leave for example.
- Look people in the eye, strong handshake, makes you seem more trustworthy.
- NEVER go out around dinner time. Yes people will be home, but they'll tell you to fuck right off. Similarly, don't go just after work, people want at least a half-hour to relax before doing anything like talking to strangers.
- Know your script, and answers to FAQs, so you don't fumble your words when asked questions.
- Remember to smile, don't go if you're in a bad mood. People always pick up on it.
- Sounds silly, but your knocking style is important. If you sound too official, people won't come to the door.
- Behave from the moment you touch the gate, people often hear it and will check you through the curtains. Close the gate behind you, don't walk on the grass.
Apr 14 2005 20:13
#4
Most importantly, ONE PERSON PER DOOR!!!
Apr 15 2005 14:56
#5
Curl your hand in to a fist and bang on the door a few times.Is that simple.
Apr 15 2005 15:03
#6
i've always found a sawn off shotgun and tony blair mask helps 
Apr 15 2005 15:06
#7
Good points Lazlo, cheers for putting them up.
Apr 15 2005 15:08
#8
Quote:
Good points Lazlo, cheers for putting them up.
yeah it's true. i'm just in a weird mood
Apr 16 2005 12:09
#9
Where not talking about "knock down ginger" again are we?.
Apr 24 2005 15:04
#10
Most importantly... smile!
If you can't do that, forget it.
It's always good to have a clip board in you hand - even if you don't really need, just have one with some leaflets on it.
In this Hackney Independent by-election, I've noticed that the first point of eye contact is either the face or the clip board.
In the latter, they are looking to see who you are, so I always make sure that the Hackney Independent header is clearly visible.
May 3 2005 16:00
#11
work in pairs or small groups.
don't look like a burglar / bailiff - IME people are less likely to answer the door to someone wandering up their drive with a big hood or black hat and scarf...
depending what sort of thing you're doing it could be useful to have two sets of leaflets, one for people who are out or answer the door and tell you they've got no time and a separate one for people who are more interested.
IME you get a better response during daylight hours but not around tea time.
if you have enough time it is worth calling back to houses that didnt answer the first time. Just make sure that you keep an accurate record of whch houses you spoke to people in or else you'll end up calling on the same person three times and they'll get pissed off.....
genarally speaking apologisng for bothering them in the firsat sentence is a bad idea, better to get to the point of why you're calling.
that's all i can think of for now.
Jun 21 2005 10:33
#12
*Bump*
This has now been compiled and added to /organise here:
http://libcom.org/organise/community/articles/door-knocking-tips.php
any thoughts/comments/contributions welcome!
Jun 21 2005 10:38
#13
That's really good.
And it'll come in handy for you young 'uns when you turn to parliamentary politics in later life. 
No, but seriously, though...... it is really good. Advice on doing something far more scary than "taking on The Man," I reckon. 
Jun 21 2005 18:05
#14
i liked it. its scary but you get to talk with people. there isn't much room for people to talk about political stuff that matters i reckon (someone said that to me once on the doorstep)
Quote:
don't look like a burglar / bailiff -
Jun 27 2005 13:43
#15
John. wrote:
This has now been compiled and added to /organise here:http://libcom.org/organise/community/articles/door-knocking-tips.php
any thoughts/comments/contributions welcome!
Good stuff. I'll print some out for the upcoming commnity action workshop in scotland.
Once again, community organising and the Dissent network overlap in harmony 
Jun 28 2005 16:18
#16
i once went out with a cold and had had a few toddies b4hand. v embarrassing when people ask if you've been drinking. never done that again, and advise people not to drink before they go out, or at least take strong mints with them...
in the very early days with hackney iwca i also tried to act very knowledgable of the local area before i'd really got to grips with it and made a complete ass of myself when i couldn't remember the name of the streets various schools/facilities were in. credibility is important. if you asked q's you don't know the answer to, just say 'i don't know' but suggest you get back to them (and remember to do it!). i still have a very bad memory for stuff i should know by now, but honesty is always the best policy...
Yeah sure or maybe in the /organise page would be good