How To: Run a Phone Bank

Running a phone bank might seem simple, but there is some prep work to be done before you can get a successful team up and running. Here's how to get started:

How to Run a Phone Bank

1. Gather the team. You want your volunteers to be good speakers and able to handle a cold call.
2. Write out a script. Then, test volunteers on possible scenarios and do role plays to help them become more comfortable with the situation.
3. Order precinct sheets of local areas. These can take six weeks to be delivered, so plan ahead. If you don’t need the numbers of a specific town or area, work with your current donor list.
4. Secure a spot. If you can’t use a room in your home or school, look to senior citizen centers or labor unions.
5. Supplies. Gather pens, highlighters, paper clips and rulers. You want to set your team up to be efficient and ready to go.
6. Calling time. The best time to have your calls answered is between 6 and 8:30pm when people are home from work and errands. You’ll also have more results calling on Monday through Thursday.
7. Goals. Set daily and total goals and measure if you are hitting them. If you are falling short, maybe volunteers can change their tone or make another ask on each call.
8. Create a system. What should callers do when they have completed a sheet.

• Where do they put or who do they give documents to at the end of the day?
• How will you calculate the results?
• How do you handle special cases (someone wants to volunteer, another wants an email with more info)?