In-Person Phone Banks
Phone banking helps identify supporters and volunteers for James and increase voter turnout, all of which is essential for us to win! Phone banking can be done from anywhere, and it’s especially fun to make calls alongside other volunteers together. Use this guide to set up and host your in-person phone banking events!
Important Resources & Quick Links
| Resource | Link |
| Slack Account | JOIN SLACK |
| Training Agenda & Script | TAP HERE |
| Phone Bank Training Guide | TAP HERE |
| Scale to Win Caller Guide | TAP HERE |
| Phone Bank Quick Tips for Callers | TAP HERE |
| Questions? How to get in touch. | Joseph Krenek – DFW Folasade Fashina – Travis County Laura Silvia – San Antonio Coby Nguyen – Houston Dalia Zamora – RGV |
Step 1: Planning & Creating Your Event
Planning Your Event
Anyone can host a phone bank with a little bit of planning! We think it helps to first map out some basic details:
1. Attend a Host Training: This is a great first step. We’ll walk through everything you need to know!
2. Set a Date & Time: The best time is when you and the place you’ll host the event are available! With that said, our campaign makes calls between the hours of 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM local time, and we typically see the best contact rates (the % of people who answer their phones) between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
3. Pick a Location: We’ve hosted or attended phone banks in almost every type of place, so don’t overthink it! It’s beneficial to have a strong internet connection/WiFi, but it’s not a must. People can participate in phone banking via a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Offices, supportive businesses like a local coffee shop, or a living room all work great.
Creating Your Event
We host events on Mobilize, an event hosting platform, which makes it simple for other people to sign up to attend events all over Texas. When you’re ready, follow these steps to create your event on Mobilize:
1. Event Creation Page: Tap the button below to be directed to our event creation page.
2. Event Details: The following details will be required for your event:
- Title: [CITY/TOWN/NEIGHBORHOOD] for Talarico: Dialing for Democracy Phone Bank
- Photo: This is provided automatically.
- Description: We provide a default event description for you.
- Visibility:
- Public: Listed on our public feed and on select partner feeds. Anyone can view the event page.
- Private: Only people with a link can view the event page.
- Location: Select “In Person”
- Add a location to help supporters find this event: Type in the address for the launch location for your block walk.
- Only attendees can see this location: Check this box so only those who sign up can access the full address.
- Date and time: Enter a single timeslot of 3 hours. If you wish to host another block walk, please create another Mobilize event.
- Capacity: If you’d like to limit the number of people who can attend your event, set a maximum capacity after each date and time. This is optional, and more typical for in-person events with limited space. But remember: there is always a “flake rate” of people who RSVP but don’t show up, so consider setting your capacity limit a little higher than it actually is!
- Communications:
- Phone Number: Allows us to contact you about this event. This number is NOT shown publicly, only to our campaign.
- Sent to supporters in the event confirmation email: These are the private details you want to send to people who sign up, such as links, arrival instructions, and more. We provide some default information on what to bring and expect, but please edit this section to include anything useful specific to your event.
- Let attendees know if the space is ADA compliant, and/or describe the location’s accommodations. It’s OK if you don’t know the answer to the question – you can leave the box unchecked.
- Group chat: The group chat feature will be automatically toggled off. We recommend you keep this disabled and find other means to communicate, such as a group chat, Slack channel, or direct Mobilize email. Group chats can clutter your volunteers’ inboxes and make important information hard to find. However, you may still enable it if you find the feature useful.
- Who else is hosting this event with you?: Will someone be supporting you with the management of the event? Add them here, if so!
- Click “host this event”!
3. Our team will then review your event, and you will be notified once the event is published on Mobilize. You won’t need to worry about turf cutting, script building, or anything like that – we’ll handle it all for you! But if you would like to help our turf cutting team, please let us know on Slack.
Step 2: Managing Your Phone Bank
You’ve successfully created your event on Mobilize. Now what? An important next step is knowing how to manage your event, track who is signing up, and communicating with signups.
Your Mobilize Account & Events Dashboard
- Mobilize uses “Magic Links” to log into your account (no password!)
- Use this link to log into your account (and bookmark it!): https://www.mobilize.us/dashboard/talaricofortexas/events/
- If you are logged out, type in the email you used to create the event. You’ll be sent an email with a link (check spam). Click it and you’ll be logged in.
- Co-hosts can log in the same way.
- Once logged on, you will be able to view all of the events you have created on Mobilize from the dashboard. Click the event name link to view and manage an event.
- Within the event page, you can:
- Edit event details
- Email attendees with reminders, more event details, and thank you’s.
- Find a sharable link for attendees to sign up.
- See who’s signed up for your event. Scroll to the “shifts and sign-ups” section toward the bottom.
- Attendees are organized by event “statuses” that help keep track of who signed up, who confirmed, who canceled, and who attended. After your event is complete, you can update these statuses using the dropdown menu based on who showed up.
Step 3: Recruit Callers!
Once your event is live, publicize your event link far and wide. Get creative! The more people who join, the better. Consider recruiting people by:
- Already joined Team Talarico’s Volunteer Slack? Post a message in your regional chat inviting other volunteers in the area!
- Post on social media
- Call and text your friends and family
- Share on your neighborhood listserv
- Reach out to local clubs, networks, and groups that may be aligned with our campaign’s values
One day before your event: text, email and/or call attendees to confirm and let them know you look forward to seeing them on [Event Date & Time].
- This increases attendance significantly!
- For first-time phone bank volunteers, let them know you’ll be running a training at the beginning of the event. And remind them to review the Volunteer Phone Bank Guide and the Scale to Win Callers Guide shared by Mobilize after they signed up!
Step 4: Prepare for Your Phone Bank
Test the dialer link before your phone bank begins.
- Tap the link and make sure it opens correctly in your browser.
- Open the script preview in the dialer and familiarize yourself with the questions and responses.
Send an email to attendees the day before.
- Remind attendees who signed up on how to be prepared: Bring your phone, laptop or tablet, and headphones (helpful but not required).
- Remind attendees on arrival instructions for things such as parking instructions, how to access the phone banking area, etc.
Step 5: Leading Your Phone Bank
Phone Bank Agenda
- Welcome: 10 minutes
- Welcome
- Intros
- Overview: training, calls for 40 mins, 10 min debrief + break, calls for 40 mins
- Dialer Training: 20 minutes
- Script Preview
- Make Calls!: 40 minutes
- Debrief + Break: 10 minutes
- Hype up progress so far!
- Ask if anyone wants to share about any convos they’ve had
- 5 minute bio break, then reconvene
- Make Calls!: 40 minutes
- Debrief + Next Steps: 20 minutes
- Debrief: recap all of the amazing work you did!
- Sign up folks for your next event
Welcome Script
Welcome! Thank you so much for joining us to phonebank for James! I’m really excited to have you here and to be doing this work together to grow our movement, take on the billionaire class, and transform the great state of Texas!
Let’s start today by doing some introductions to get to know one another. Please share your name, where you’re from, and a quick story of a personal experience that brings you to this fight!
I’ll get us rolling first, for an example: my name is [NAME] and I’m hosting this phonebank because [share your own story and why you support James!]
Go around the room (if the group is smaller) or ask for volunteers to raise their hands. Make sure this is a happy, energetic moment – we want people to be excited and building a community!! Keep this quick, only around 5 minutes total.
Amazing, it’s so inspiring to be in this fight together. Now let’s get to doing the work that will help get James elected!
Dialer Training
Who here has used the Scale to Win Dialer before? [Listen.] Amazing! Well, whether you’re an experienced caller, or it’s your VERY first time, we’ll support you every step of the way; you’ll never be in this alone. A few foundational pieces to know before I show you the dialer:
- You’ll use the Scale to Win Dialer through a browser on your computer or tablet to make calls to voters. You can access the dialer through the browser on your phone, as well, but we don’t recommend it unless absolutely necessary – it’s just a bit easier on your computer or tablet. We also recommend you use headphones if you have them, it helps improve the audio quality.
- The dialer increases the number of contacts we can make dramatically, because the calls are already dialed for us! The dialer automatically connects us when someone answers, so you won’t hear it ringing. This is a fast and effective way to reach voters! And each of these calls are SO valuable. Even the wrong numbers we get today, and the people who hang up, are all really valuable information for the campaign.
- As we make calls, it’s very important to log information accurately. It’s how we know who is with us, and who needs to be persuaded to join us. It’s how we track all contact with voters so we can use our resources effectively and help win votes for James. So let’s all make sure we record everything accurately as we call voters!
- REALLY important: let’s remember to be passionate and have fun. “Smile while you dial” is a real thing. Research has shown that if you are passionate and smiling when talking to voters on the phone they will be more likely to respond to you. Research also shows that volunteers have a bigger impact on the voters they talk to than paid callers. That’s why every call we make is a valuable contribution to the Talarico campaign. And it’s more valuable the more positive, passionate, and personable we can be on the phones.
Try to smile while you dial, really!! It truly makes a difference.
Scale to Win Training
Let me show you the dialer tool we’ll be using.
OPEN THE CALLER LINK PROVIDED BY THE CAMPAIGN.
You’ll notice a few buttons on your home page:
- Preview Script: this will allow you to walk through the full script without being on an actual call.
- Call with this Device: this is the option to make calls directly from your computer or tablet. If you have headphones, this is our recommended option.
- Call with this device + Phone: this option allows you to use your computer, tablet, or smartphone to read the script and record responses, but use a phone separately to hear the call audio. This is a good option if you do not have headphones.
Regardless of how you choose to connect (with just your device, or with a device + phone), the screen will ask you to enter your Phone Number and Name. This information is ONLY shared with the campaign, no one you call will see this. Let’s walk through our script for today.
Click “Preview Script” and walk through screen by screen, pretending you’re on the call.
Ok – see? Easy peasy! Any questions on the script?
I promise after the first few calls, any nerves will go away and you’ll have a blast!
How We’ll Make Calls Together
We’re going to do two rounds of calling today – 40 minutes each – with a short break in between. I’ll keep an eye on the clock and let you all know when we’re reaching break time!
Ok, does anyone have any questions about using the Dialer or making these calls to voters? [Listen and respond accordingly]
Does anyone who’s used the Dialer before have any other tips they want to share, before we get started calling? [Listen + share any top tips you have about using the Dialer.]
Making Calls
Okay everyone, thanks for stepping up to make these calls! Let’s go do this thing!
SHARE THE CALLING LINK SO FOLKS CAN START CALLING! You can text, email, or create a QR code with the link so folks can scan on their phone.
We’re each going to make as many calls as possible for the next 40 minutes. As we approach our break time, I’ll chime in to remind you to wrap up your current calls so we can debrief.
- Celebrate the successful calls your attendees post about!
- Remember to help your attendees stay focused to make as many dials, and connect with as many voters, as possible.
Debrief + Break
Alright everyone! Break time! Please wrap up the call you’re on, and then pause your calling for now. [Wait until most attendees are off their calls].
Really great work! It’s so inspiring to be together doing this work. Who has a call that went really well and can tell us about it? [Let 3-4 people share success stories.]
Are any questions coming up that you need an answer to, before we start again after our break? [Listen & respond accordingly.]
Great. Please take a moment to stretch, use the restroom or grab some water. We have 5 min more on our break, before we start again at [time]!
[Set a timer for 5 minutes. Start letting people know the break is almost over when there are 2 minutes left.]
Okay folks, break time is almost over! We’ve got more calls to make for James; please make your way back.
Making Calls, Part 2
Okay everyone, round 2! Let’s close out strong and make as many calls as possible – remember, every single dial gets us closer to a victory for James!
SHARE YOUR CAMPAIGN LINK AGAIN IN CASE ANYONE CLOSED THE WINDOW.
- Reply and celebrate the successful calls your attendees post about!
- Remember to help your attendees stay focused to make as many dials, and connect with as many voters, as possible.
Final Debrief and Wrap-Up
That’s a wrap folks! Amazing work! Anyone still on a call, no rush, but please finish up.
How did it go?
- What was your best/ worst/ funniest call?
- What tactics were successful / what top tips would you give each other for next time?
- What phrases did people respond to?
- What issue did folks seem most eager to talk about?
Amazing!!! Well, we have a LOT more voters to reach in our big state. We have many more voter contact events coming up: I’m sharing a sign-up link right now so you can find another time that works for you. [Share link to Mobilize!]
We’ll need to keep talking to voters all the way through March. I’ll give everyone about 60 seconds to sign up for another event time now!
[This is a crucial step – make it weird! Give them a full minute of silence to sign up. The moments before your guests depart are when they feel the most accomplished, and it’s when they’re most likely to sign back up, so we want to convert them here.]
THANK YOU SO MUCH!! This was an amazing event! Thank you so much for showing up and doing this critical work. I’m so inspired and excited to keep this momentum going with you all.
We’ll see you at our next one, and in the meantime have a great day/night!!
Phone Bank FAQ
What link do I use to actually run my phone bank?
You’ll use two links during your phone bank: The campaign dialer link (sent by staff after setup)
How does the dialer work?
We use a tool called Scale to Win Dialer for our calls. You access it via an internet browser on a computer or tablet – you can use a phone, but it’s a bit more cumbersome. We also recommend using headphones!
When will I receive my dialer link and script?
Usually within 24–48 hours after you create your Mobilize event. If your event is coming up fast and you haven’t seen it yet, Slack or email your staff point of contact and we’ll bump it to the top of the queue.
Do I need to use my personal phone?
Nope! At no time will callers be using their own phone number to make calls. The dialer hides all of your personal information, and automatically dials numbers for you. Think of it like a web-based app!
How do I know what to say? What’s the point of the calls we’re making?
You can preview the script we’re using once you log into Scale to Win – we’ll walk through it together first, but you can also preview the full script at any time by clicking “Preview the Script” if you need a refresher or want to practice!
How do I move on to my next call?
A pop-up will appear in between calls confirming the call result you entered for the previous call and asking if you’re ready to move to the next. Select “Ready” and Save, the dialer will connect you to your next call.
How do I stop calling?
When the pop-up appears between calls, select “Not Ready” and Save. Then close the window.
I haven’t been connected to a person in a long time. What gives??
The Dialer operates on an algorithm that is constantly balancing the number of outbound calls it can make with the amount of callers actively making calls with us. The goal is to minimize the chances of someone picking up without us having a caller ready to talk to them. The fewer people calling with us in the phone bank, the slower the dialer will operate to minimize that risk. More people = faster call times!
What if I want to take a break?
If you want to take a break, just log out of the system and log back in when you are ready to go! One thing to note: the speed of the dialer system is based on the average wait time between calls, average talk time, and average data entry time of each caller, so if you use the data entry time after a call to take a break, the system will slow down for all the other callers!
What do I do if someone has tech issues?
Here’s a simple approach:
- After everyone starts calling, stay on the meeting to troubleshoot.
- Keep the group moving.
- In the chat, send the person a note like: “I’ll help you after the training section — hang tight!”
- Continue onboarding the rest of the group.
If someone can’t join the dialer at all, have them try:
- Refreshing the page
- Closing the browser and reopening
- Try a different browser – Chrome, Safari, Firefox
- Try using the “incognito/private window” option