Don't go door-to-door for the Democrats...

[DemocracyMouse]

...if it interrupts all the fun you're having reading stories about crazy Trumpworld.

BUT if you want actual political change, stop watching and join us in campaigning door-to-door.

GO DOOR-TO-DOOR? YES!!!

I am not claiming to be an expert in these matters, but I can share my experiences going door-to-door for Obama, Sanders and Clinton. I welcome your input here.

1) Google your local Democratic headquarters, contact them, and ask where you are needed most. They will assign you to a town or neighborhood and provide specific addresses to visit.

2) Bring a friend or two for company and confidence. You are saying with your group presence and enthusiasm: "I can't wait to vote." That's infectious.

3) You will probably be asked to emphasize certain points while speaking to people, but you'll quickly get the hang of it and can speak in your own words. Always be polite and let the person feel heard. Just standing calm and convinced is a better argument than getting into a huff. Let your warmth and calm be a model for the better party. Inspire people to vote, don't tell them to.

4) Do mark down on the clipboard whether each home you visit is answered by the resident and where they are leaning. The sheets provided to you should be self-explanatory. (And if any Dem committee folks are listening: PLEASE make your clipboard materials graphically clear and user-friendly. Don't skimp on giving a serious graphic designer a job.)

5) Tell your social networks when you are planning to go door-to-door. Start a fever in your network.

6) Have fun saving your country! Tell your social network the election night party is at your place and anyone who goes door-to-door gets a kiss (or whatever your scene would find charming).

I welcome corrections and further suggestions below. When I first posted this under a less scintillating title, a DU member ("underpants&quot ) recommended bringing along a Sharpie:

Have a Sharpie type pen with you. You probably will have some sort of flier to leave at the door for non-answers. If there is any kind of school flags or anything add a note to the flier like "Go Hokies!" "Go Hoos!" If you don't know the mascot have your phone and google it. Or you can just add a "Tim says Hi!" type thing.

[vlyons]

1. If you go door knockinh

Do NOT go alone! Go with at least one other person.

Stay on the porch, or the hallway if in an apt building. Do NOT go inside the residence.

Stay safe.

[DemocracyMouse]

2. It's not that scary! This is what another DU member, "underpants," said:

"You won't get much hassle – in fact I had people thank me for doing what I was doing - from both sides. I had 2 people give me a hard time out of those 1,400 doors."

Bring friends to increase your confidence and fun. But, our country is not that depraved yet!

[Garrett78]

9. I've gone solo and never felt threatened. But one should do what makes one most comfortable.

[LeftInTX]

10. They usually give you lists Democratic leaning voters

The worst thing I've heard of are dogs. One guy with a no-solicitor sign got mad at me. He said, "No solicitor means no solicitors". I told him, we are involved in civic engagement. He replied, "You're a solicitor".

Usually if they don't want to talk to you, they won't answer the door.

[underpants]

3. Thanks for the mention

Great tips

[TreasonousBastard]

4. Door-to-door is the best way, and I do it collecting petitions, campaigning, and in my job...

as a year-round Census employee. I once was in sales, which involved a lot of knocking on business doors.

It can seem overwhelming when you start and it's easy to get discouraged, but if you give it a chance, you develop your own style and it gets easier.

Maybe not easy, but easier.

You have just a few moments to impress someone with your presence. Maybe 10 seconds, so you must appear friendly, or at least non-threatening, and sure of yourself and your message. If you are working from lists, you already know more about them than they do about you, so you must be clear about your intent.

It takes a while to get their trust, but you're off to a really good start if you pique their curiosity. And that's not too difficult to do.

I could go on, but you get the idea. If you are new at it, be sure to go out with someone experienced.

But do it. Few things can be as rewarding when you get into it. I find that maybe 90% or so of the people I contact are receptive, and it's really important to not let that 10% get you down.

[Funtatlaguy]

5. It's also good exercise and good socializing.

[DemocracyMouse]

6. Yes! Changing the world for the better is one of the greatest pleasures of life (IMO)

[Gothmog]

7. In the alternative,you can do a virtual phone bank

The party will set you up with a virtual phone bank to call voters.

[Wellstone ruled]

8. Do not door knock by yourself.

Guaranteed to get hassled or threatened. Been down that road. Make sure you have someone watching your back and vice versa. Just make sure you are wearing a picture ID on a lanyard.

[Squinch]

11. Why start the post with snark?

And just so you know, many here canvas door to door in every election.

[DemocracyMouse]

12. I tried the straight approach and people weren't interested

Even when we got a good handful of recs. and comments, all the snarky posts and crazy tweet o' the minute were featured by the editors. In all sincerity, if what you say is true, please post your own tips on getting people out the door. All hands on deck friend.

[Squinch]

13. Begin by not insulting your audience in the pursuit of recs.

Also, don't assume what is true in your area is true in others. A poster gave good information on how to be safe in areas that might be sketchy. You pretty much dismissed it.

[DemocracyMouse]

14. I'm sorry, but spreading fear of other Americans is not in the Nation's interest right now.

I've been beaten up in the streets of Philadelphia and held up at gunpoint in Brooklyn... when I WASN'T campaigning. I've never been harassed in any way while campaigning. Scaring peopke to stay indoors would never have made an effective civil rights movement and it won't help with these fascists. All hands on deck Democrats! To the streets brothers and sisters!

SERIOUSLY.

[Squinch]

15. Oh, FFS. Buh bye.