Social Pressure Works

We like to think we make decisions based on facts and logic. But more often than not, our choices are shaped by what the people around us are doing. If our company starts an employee fitness program, we will participate to bond with our colleagues and impress our supervisors. If our friends stop smoking, we are more likely to abstain from smoking not just because of the health risks, but also because we want to support and fit in with our friends. 

Across the board, social pressure is one of the most effective motivators for behavioral change. And voting is no exception.

People don’t just vote because they’re passionate about politics or fully informed on the issues. They vote because it feels like the right thing to do. They want to be seen as good citizens. They want to belong. They want to avoid the shame of inaction and bask in the pride of participation.

If we want our supporters to vote for our campaigns, we need to lean into this truth - Using social pressure works. 

At Stones’ Phones, we’ve spent decades using tested tactics to move voters. Our calls use social science to not just remind people to vote, but also make it harder not to.

Here’s how we do it:

Live GOTV with a Planmaking Question

Our Live GOTV calls with a planmaking question boost turnout by turning good intentions into specific, achievable actions. It’s not as effective to say, “Don’t forget to vote!” as, “What time are you planning to vote on Tuesday?”

Adding a simple planmaking question to your Get Out the Vote calls increases the odds a person actually follows through. Once someone verbalizes a plan (where they’ll go, how they’ll get there, when they’ll do it), it becomes a commitment to vote. 

Adopt a Voter

A person’s vote doesn’t just affect themselves, it also affects the people they care about. With our Adopt-A-Voter calls, we flip the traditional GOTV model on its head. Rather than calling persuadable or inconsistent voters, we activate reliable voters to reach out to someone in their life who might need a nudge.

People are more likely to vote when someone close to them expects them to. By empowering voters to “adopt” a friend, family member, or neighbor, we help expand the electorate one relationship at a time.

Convince Yourself to Vote

Sometimes, the most effective voice isn’t a stranger’s, it’s your own. For our Convince Yourself to Vote program, voters are asked to rank their likelihood of voting from a scale of 1 to 10. After they respond, we ask them why they didn’t choose a lower number. 

This tactic allows the voter to think about why voting is important and explain it in their own words. A voter’s own logic makes more sense to them than any external argument that a campaign could make. Hearing their own voice and their own motivation is a powerful social and psychological reminder of who they want to be.

It works because people want to live up to their self-image. And nothing boosts follow-through like a commitment made to yourself.

Don’t Just Nudge — Persuade

Social pressure isn’t a trick. It’s human nature. And when it’s paired with authenticity and personal connection, it becomes a powerful tool for your campaign. Stones’ Phones knows how to turn conversations into commitments, and turn commitments into votes.

Let’s talk about how we can help you make the most of every call for your next election. Contact us today to learn more.