House parties can be a critical part of any strategy to introduce yourself to new supporters. The tips below are designed to help you identify a great host, prepare a successful event, and engage new supporters afterward.
- Find a great host. The ideal host is someone who has lots of friends and has enough space to accommodate a small gathering. They also are willing to spend their time recruiting attendees and take responsibility for the overall success of the event.
- Track and confirm RSVPs. Keep a shared Google spreadsheet with your host to track RSVPs. Collect email addresses from all potential attendees so you can send reminders. Ask the host to call and confirm with potential attendees two days before the event.
- Discuss logistics with the host. Walk through the space and discuss how the house party will work. Where will people sit or stand? Where should you expect to speak to the crowd? Where will people sign in? How will they be greeted? Is there a place for coats? Will the host offer food or drink?
- Come prepared. Make sure to bring everything you need, like sign-in sheets, name tags, clipboards, pens, and campaign literature. Make sure all attendees sign in. Bring a laptop if you plan to collect donations through ActBlue, a free online donation platform for Democratic candidates.
- Follow up. After the event, thank everyone who attended with a phone call or email. Ask them to donate (if they havenai??i??t already) and volunteer. Invite them to another campaign event, like a pizza party or barbecue. Donai??i??t forget to send a handwritten thank you to your host!
- Find an event coordinator. If you are just getting started, you can manage these events yourself. As your campaign grows, youai??i??ll need to find an organized volunteer or staffer who can coordinate these events for you.
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