Resource Type: Research & Articles

Last week, the NY Times ran a piece profiling six Americans who had recently shifted their opinions on climate change. It got forwarded around a bit (at least within the Lab team’s admittedly climate nerdy universe), so this week we look at how those six profiles do—or don’t—mesh with other research about changing minds on climate change.

The emerging body of “best practices” around peer-to-peer texting programs shared during this webinar includes: (1) Make a plan and factor in the learning curve. Create a calendar to make sure volunteer shifts match with campaign needs since it takes time for staff and volunteers to learn new technology and data processes. Don’t forget to factor in necessary training (and re-training); (2) Build personal, ongoing relationships. If possible, have the same volunteers text the same list of members and supporters to build trust and consistency in the relationship; (3) Test everything! Since the platform is relatively new, there is much to be learned – including motivating message content, layering with other modes of contact, which emojis generate the most actions, etc.; and (4) Honor opt-outs and don’t over-text.