Before the time when social media was a force in elections, C4D conducted a survey on what are the best ways to reach out and convince votes. With a wide digital divide, this is worth revisiting to remind us how we can reach out to voters who do not have access to internet and social media.
A study by C4D in 2012 showed that spending a fortune on TV ads, dancing Harlem shake or Gangnam style on stage shows will not earn votes for political candidates, as recent election related studies revealed that voters must interact with the candidates to learn about their platforms. Voters are not swayed by politicians’ antics such as dancing on stage with sexy showbiz personalities or empty rhetorics. The surveys were conducted in selected municipalities and cities in Batangas and Laguna showed that ‘house to house’ and ‘dialogue type ads and collaterals’ are still the best ways to reach out and convince voters. The other ways are as influenced by family members and friends and campaign posters and TV ads.
The survey respondents composed of housewives, employed individuals and middle aged voters ranked-education, jobs and access to health service as the three most important issues candidates must address to win in the elections.
In conclusion, C4D revealed that people need to hear about the candidates platforms based on personal interactions and not through stage shows . The voters need to feel the candidates’ sincerity through house to house interactions or dialogue type of ads and collaterals wherein the voters feel that the candidates are actually talking or conversing with them. In the surveys, the more up close and personal the voters feel about the candidates, the better for those who are running.