Peer-to-Peer Texting Best Practices for Political Campaigns

Peer-to-peer texting has become one of the most effective tools in modern political campaigns. Unlike mass texting or email blasts, P2P texting creates genuine one-on-one conversations with voters that drive higher engagement and better outcomes.

Why P2P Texting Works

The numbers speak for themselves:

98% open rate - Nearly every text message gets read
45% response rate - Voters engage with personalized messages
Higher conversion - Text-based GOTV efforts consistently outperform other methods

Key Best Practices

1. Personalize Every Message

Voters can tell when they're receiving a generic blast. Use merge fields to include:

The voter's first name
Their specific precinct or district
Relevant local issues or candidates

2. Keep Messages Concise

Text messages should be short and action-oriented. Aim for:

Under 160 characters when possible
One clear call-to-action per message
Easy-to-understand language

3. Time Your Outreach

Timing matters significantly for engagement:

Best days: Tuesday through Thursday
Best times: 10am-12pm and 4pm-7pm
Avoid: Early mornings and late nights

4. Train Your Texters

Whether using staff or volunteers, proper training ensures:

Consistent messaging and tone
Proper handling of questions
Compliance with opt-out requests

5. Stay Compliant

TCPA compliance isn't optional. Ensure you:

Have proper consent for all contacts
Honor opt-out requests immediately
Include required disclosure language

Getting Started

Ready to implement P2P texting in your campaign? Political Comms offers the industry's leading platform with the highest deliverability rates and full compliance tools.