Talking Policy Without Putting Your Audience to Sleep

In the fast-paced world of political campaigns, candidates often get caught up in the whirlwind of slogans, personal anecdotes, and charisma. While these elements undoubtedly play a significant role in capturing the public's attention, there remains a crucial component that is frequently overlooked: policy discussion. 

In fact, many people complain that candidates rarely say what they’re for or exactly how they will address serious issues. Yet, they tend to vote for politicians who come across as someone they would hang out with. 

This leads us to the so-called “likeability test” demonstrated by polling questions like “Which candidate would you rather have a beer with?” It may seem silly, but candidates who were the politician of choice in these polls have won primaries and elections time and again. 

Talking about policy, the nitty-gritty details of a candidate’s plans and positions, is paramount to ensuring an informed electorate. However, this doesn’t mean that policy conversations have to be dull or overly technical. 

Much as we need them, few of us respond favorably to a policy wonk on the campaign trail.

Join us as we explore the importance of discussing policy ideas during campaigns - and provide practical tips for keeping your audience engaged - all while maintaining transparency and authenticity.

The Importance of Political Discussion

Political discussion is the cornerstone of democracy. It fosters an environment where ideas can be shared, challenged, and refined. During political campaigns, candidates have a unique opportunity to connect with voters and communicate their vision for the future. 

However, this connection can only be meaningful if it’s grounded in substantive policy discussion.

Unfortunately, there’s a growing trend of voter disengagement, particularly when it comes to policy matters. Many voters feel overwhelmed by the complexity of political issues or believe that their individual voice doesn’t matter. 

This disconnection is even more pronounced in independent campaigns, where candidates may not have the same level of visibility or resources as their major party counterparts. As a result, it’s crucial for candidates, especially independents, to find innovative ways to engage voters in political discussion.

The Art of Making Policy Accessible

The first step in fostering engaging political discussion is to make policy accessible to the average voter. This means breaking down complex issues into understandable terms and providing clear examples of how policies will impact individuals' daily lives. 

Storytelling can be a powerful tool in this regard because it helps to humanize policy issues and create an emotional connection with the audience.

Candidates should also be mindful of the language they use when discussing policy. Political jargon and technical terms can create a barrier between the candidate and the voter, which makes the discussion feel exclusive or elitist. 

Instead, candidates should strive to use plain language and avoid acronyms or industry-specific terms.

Engaging the Audience

Once policy issues have been made accessible for voters, the next challenge is to actively engage the audience in a political discussion. This requires a shift from a monologue-style presentation to a more interactive, participatory format. 

Candidates can achieve this by incorporating audience questions into their speeches, hosting town hall meetings, or using live events on social media to facilitate real-time discussions.

Interactive tools like polls, quizzes, and voter surveys can be effective in gauging the audience's understanding of policy issues and identifying areas that may require further explanation. Candidates should also be open to feedback and willing to adjust their approach based on the audience's needs and interests.

Being Transparent and Authentic

In order to build trust and credibility with the audience, it’s essential for candidates to be transparent and authentic in their political discussion. This means being honest about the potential trade-offs or downsides of a particular policy and acknowledging areas of uncertainty or disagreement.

Candidates should also be transparent about their own values and beliefs, and how these inform their policy positions. Voters are more likely to engage in political discussion if they feel that the candidate is genuine and has their best interests at heart.

10 Actionable Steps for Engaging Political Discussion

Engaging voters in policy discussions during a campaign is crucial, but you should also be down-to-earth and approachable. Voters hate feeling like someone is talking down to them. 

Consider some of the most effective politicians in living memory - names like Kennedy, Reagan, and Obama - and you will see that they all share the ability to convey their ideas in a way that connects with voters. 

There are various actionable steps that candidates can take to make these conversations both informative and captivating. 

Here are 10 effective strategies:

1. Tell them a story. 

People love a good story. That’s why the best marketers use the art of storytelling to engage their target audience. 

Politicians can achieve this kind of connection in two ways: 

• Personalizing Policy: Share personal stories or anecdotes that highlight the real-world implications of policy decisions. This helps voters connect with the issue on a personal level.

• Highlighting Constituent Stories: Share stories from constituents who would be directly impacted by the policy. This puts a human face on abstract issues.

2. Leverage visual aids. 

Two old sayings come to mind. One is that a picture is worth a thousand words, and the other is that you should show rather than tell what is happening. Instead of droning on about how and why your policies would impact voters, show them through strategic use of mediums like:

• Infographics: Use infographics to break down complex policies into digestible, visual pieces of information.

• Videos: Create short, engaging videos that visually demonstrate policy positions and their potential impact.

3. Create interactive content. 

People are most impacted by, and interested in, content that requires their interaction and input. Very effective are interactive outreach activities that include:

• Live Q&A Sessions: Host live sessions on social media where voters can ask questions about policies and receive immediate responses.

• Polls and Surveys: Use polls and surveys to gather voter opinions on policy issues, and share the results to foster a sense of community and shared values.

4. Use simplified language. 

If you’ve ever attended an industry event, you’ll understand how frustrating it can be to listen to insiders discuss their work amongst each other. 

Most voters are not politicians or particularly savvy about many political topics, which is why it’s essential to speak in plain language on the campaign trail.

• Avoid Jargon: Speak in plain, relatable language and avoid using technical terms that might alienate voters.

• Use Analogies: Employ analogies to explain complex policies, making them more relatable and easier to understand.

5. Foster two-way communication. 

Voters are more likely to respond favorably when they feel that they are part of the conversation rather than being lectured. Foster some give-and-take with your audience by:

• Encouraging Questions: Actively encourage voters to ask questions and express their concerns about policies.

• Providing Clear Responses: Ensure that responses to questions are clear, concise, and directly address the voter’s concerns.

6. Craft engaging content. 

Reach voters where they are by creating engaging content that stirs interest and informs voters of where you stand. Although traditional media is still effective, you’re reaching fewer voters by sticking to TV ads and direct mail campaigns. Most voters get news and information online. 

Consider conducting policy discussions through: 

• Blog Posts: Write blog posts that delve into policy issues, providing depth and context that's presented in an accessible format.

• Social Media Campaigns: Utilize social media to create engaging content around policy issues. For example, you could initiate voter challenges, launch hashtag campaigns, or create interactive stories.

7. Facilitate community discussions. 

Videos and images can be polished to perfection, but voters can gain the true measure of a candidate when they get up close and personal. Consider more intimate campaign activities like: 

• Town Hall Meetings: Host town hall meetings, both in-person and virtual, to discuss policy issues with the community.

• Policy Forums: Organize forums around specific policy areas, inviting experts and community members to discuss and debate the issues.

8. Demonstrate authenticity and transparency. 

Your attempts to engage voters while still conveying important policy issues should avoid the perception of pandering. People can suss out inauthenticity, and they will reject candidates who come off as insincere. Instead of skirting uncomfortable issues or brushing off real concerns: 

• Admit Uncertainty: If there are aspects of a policy that are still being worked out, be honest about that uncertainty.

• Discuss Trade-offs: Be upfront about the potential trade-offs of a policy, showing that you’ve considered all angles and are being transparent about the impacts.

9. Provide actionable steps. 

Engagement won’t get you far unless you let voters know what they should do with the information you provide. Whether you want them to sign a petition, canvas for your campaign, or simply get out and vote on election day, draw them in and then provide concrete actions they can take. 

• Call to Action: At the end of policy discussions, provide clear and concrete steps that voters can take if they support the policy.

• Volunteer Opportunities: Offer opportunities for voters to get involved and support the policy through volunteering or advocacy.

10. Utilize testimonials and endorsements. 

Social proof is one of the most powerful forms of marketing, and politics is, for good or ill, all about packaging a candidate and their proposals for voter consideration. Studies show that people are more likely to act in a positive manner if other people they trust and identify with are doing the same. 

Two of the best bets for political candidates are:

• Expert Endorsements: Share endorsements from experts in the field who support the candidate’s policy positions.

• Community Testimonials: Feature testimonials from community members who have been or would be positively impacted by the policy.

By incorporating these strategies, candidates can ensure that their policy discussions are not only informative but also engaging and accessible to the average voter. Engaging in this way helps to build trust, foster a sense of community, and ultimately, strengthens the democratic process.

Finally, in order to maintain the audience's interest and encourage active participation in political discussion, candidates should provide actionable steps that voters can take to support their campaign or advocate for particular policies. This could include volunteering, contacting elected officials, or spreading the word on social media.

By empowering voters to take action, candidates can empower them with a sense of agency and momentum, transforming political discussion from a passive activity into an active and meaningful form of engagement.

Final Thoughts

Political discussion is a vital component of any democratic society, and it is especially crucial during political campaigns. By making policy accessible, engaging the audience, being transparent and authentic, and providing actionable steps, candidates can foster meaningful and engaging political discussions that empower voters and strengthen the democratic process.

In today's polarized political landscape, it is more important than ever for candidates to connect with voters on a substantive level. By prioritizing policy discussion and finding innovative ways to keep the conversation engaging and accessible, candidates can break through the noise and create a lasting impact.

Take Your Political Discourse to the Next Level

The next time you find yourself discussing policy on the campaign trail, remember that it’s not only possible, but imperative, to do so in a way that captivates your audience and leaves them feeling inspired and informed. 

After all, an engaged and informed electorate is the foundation of a healthy democracy.

GoodParty.org is proud to provide a variety of ways for voters to learn more about important issues and become part of the solution. 

Our extensive knowledge base is filled with informative articles of interest to voters and candidates alike, and our glossary of political terminology is carefully curated to take some of the mystery out of learning about politics. Candidates can also get access to free campaign tools and support here.