Thanks for considering door-knocking. This is one of the most effective campaigning tactics there is: face-to-face, authentic conversations where the aim is for the person at the door to think that you care about them! Also, that they think Labor cares about them.
When a conversation starts, quickly assess your audience. Some people are worth more time than others. Look for:
- Time Wasters. Some people will never agree with you, and others will want to waste your time. Be polite, but move on.
- Strong supporters. If they strongly agree with you, or say "I've voted for Labor for many years", ask them, at this critical time, to volunteer. Tell them why you have volunteered.
- Uncommitted and busy. Just get your key message across, leave the leaflet. Be quick, be polite.
- Uncommitted and interested. These people are gold. This is where you can have a proper campaign conversation and get them involved.
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Not home. No answer? Most doors you knock on will not be answered, nor will they lead to a conversation. That's normal. Leave materials and 'sorry I missed you' at the door (so they know you cared to contact them rather than just leave in the letterbox. Letterbox is ok too, especially if you have concerns.
One Nation voters usually don't tell you. A not interested reply is common, and the door closes. If one argues or is provocative, move on. If one is thoughtfully engaging, maybe even challenging you, consider whether you are talking to a past Labor voter whose issues are genuinely held, or a conventional Liberal type voter who is wondering. The latter two scenarios are worth investing some time.
The Conversation
One technique used for door-knock conversations is known as the four Cs (there are others):
- Connect
- Context
- Commitment
- Catapult
The most important component is your opening 'Connection' that engages the person at the door.
If the door closes on you, that's ok. Be polite, thank them for their time, and move on to the next.
'Commitment' and 'Catapult' are more likely to result in a persuasive conversation. Persuasive conversations where you immerse yourself in the search for shared values can be lengthy. Not always is that the goal, or that's time well spent.
Sometimes, in a listening conversation, you don't get to 'Commitment' and 'Catapult'. In many good conversations, your objective is for them to think they like you. Nevertheless, you might try to connect Labor initiatives to their important issues.
If it's your first door-knock ever/the day, and you are nervous or just not feeling great, there is no harm in saying so at the door. Australians are amazingly polite to an authentic person stepping up to the task.
A conversation might go as follows:
| Connect |
SMILE {it helps a lot} [You] "Hi, how are you today?" {step back from the door to give space and an opportunity for them to open the screen door} [Voter] "Good, thanks" {let them get into the conversation} {You might comment about something you see that the voter might be proud of. Be careful if valuable}
[You] "Great! I'm {name}, and this is {other person's name}" "I/we are volunteering for {MP, Senator, candidate}, the local .... " {or I/we are members of the local Cabooture-Woodford Labor Branch...} |
| Context |
Engage in conversation
[You] "We are in the area today to make sure that people know about the local Medicare walk-in, free-to-attend mental health centre. {show the leaflet} Are you aware of it?" {explain, and handover} "Is there anyone in your family or friends who would benefit from this service?" or {Usually they can't think of anything on the spot. So introduce topics like the cost of living, housing, health, education, roads, and benefits for workers, etc, that you think might be applicable. How does it affect them? Drill down to find the root cause, and then pivot to how Labor addresses those issues, or take notes and offer to get back to them with information} If you have a leaflet that supports a Labor initiative that matches the voter's issues {bring the leaflet into the conversation and offer to give it to them as another way to have the screen door open and bring them into the conversation. Offer to leave it on the doormat if they are not prepared to open the screen door} {Sometimes, often even, this is as far as the structured approach to the conversation goes. You have many more people to contact} |
| Commitment |
Voter ID {Once trust is established, often you can find out whether they support Labor by asking, "have you voted Labor in the past?" If yes, that opens up some 'light in the crack'.} {ask if they would join our community BBQ today at {time) at {place}?} or {ask if they would come to a public Labor event in the area? Like, if a minister or shadow minister was the key guest?} {Jim Chalmers has in the past} or {If a good high visibility site for a yard sign, ask whether they are prepared to have one during the formal campaign - a small step commitment - record contact details} {try to get them to say they will vote Labor at the next election} "You have voted Labor in the past, can we count on you again to vote Labor?" or "Labor is delivering in the areas important to you {restate}. At a time when these are being threatened by the far right and some billionaires, can we count on you to vote Labor?" |
| Catapult |
Guage Support {if a strong Labor voter, ask if they have done anything in their past to help Labor?} {Ask, "at this critical time when workers' rights are being challenged by the far right, etc", if they are able to do more more, such as beinging an active supporter in the campaign?} {Ask, "have they thought about joining Labor (50c recruitment campaign for 1st year)? Explain your little story-of-self why you are a member, and why you joined a branch (if applicable)} |
One Nation
If One Nation comes into the conversation, use this LABE approach as suggested by Janine:
Ver 1.0 Dated 13Aug26