It doesn’t have to be scary!
We get it. Not every incumbent or candidate is comfortable with opening up free-fire questions to a room full of strangers.
Insert blatant self-promotion here:
Rule #1: Use a relationship tracking tool like VoteSharp to improve your relationships with voters so the attendees at your Town Halls become friends – or at least not strangers.
Rule #2: You DO NOT need all the answers! Especially if you’re not an incumbent. They do expect you to try. “I don’t know the answer, but I’ll get back to you.” FOLLOW UP.
Rule #3: Seed the audience with friendly faces, give softball questions to get you talking about issues in your comfort zone. Especially if no one is asking questions.
Rule #4: If there’s an antagonistic vibe, provide notecards for questions. Two ways:
- Ask attendees to place questions in a bowl where you can read and decide which to answer, or
- Pass out cards, have a friend pick up and select a few to answer that aren’t written with negative intent.
- If you don’t get to/want to answer all the questions, say “If I didn’t get to your question, please leave me your contact information and I will respond personally.”
What happens if things go sideways? Don’t drink Merlot.
Sorry, couldn’t resist a wine country joke. Stay tuned…
Happy serving!