How to Promote Your Petition

An online petition makes it easy to collect all of the signatures you need without having to canvass the streets. From social networks to simple emails, there are a ton of tools out there to get the attention of avid activists and concerned citizens. Here are our top tips to promote your online petition:

1. Promote your petition on Social Networks

   An easy way to spread the word about your petition is to post it to your social networks and encourage your friends to do the same. Post about your petition when you create it and post frequent updates about your progress. Your friends and followers are interested in what you’re up to so if you seem excited about your campaign, they will be too. Share your most recent petition now!

2. Email your Friends

   Direct email is one of the most effective ways of recruiting support for a petition. Email your friends and invite them to sign and share your petition. But remember, only email people you know. Spamming can prevent your emails from getting through to your recipients.

3. Use AIM, Yahoo Messenger, GTalk, and Skype to Get Signatures

   Do you use an instant messaging service, like AIM, Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, or Skype? If you do, send your petition link to 10 friends today. People you contact with personal messages will be most motivated to act. Also, remember to place a link to your petition in your messenger status for other friends to see.

4. Post your petition on your Blog or Website

   Embed a petition widget on your site and let your readers sign your petition right from your page. Your readers are already fans of your content, so they’re highly likely to be interested in your petition too. Feature your widget prominently on your page for maximum exposure.

5. Join Conversations about your Campaign

   If your issue is getting press coverage, take advantage of the press attention by joining the conversation in the comments thread on major news sites. Tell fellow readers about your concerns and your petition in a sincere, informative and thoughtful way. The more meaningful and engaging your contributions, the more likely they will be read and voted up by fellow readers. If you only post a link, it’s likely to be removed as spam, or otherwise voted down. Search Google news for stories about your issue.

6. Talk about your petition in Forums & Listservs

   To attract people who care about your cause, find the communities they belong to. Forums and listservs focused on your issue are a great place to start! Search for forums related to your cause and start meaningful conversations about your campaign. Remember: if you’re new to a community it may take some time to establish yourself. So, if you care about a cause, maintain a presence in active communities about your topic to create a ready network of contacts interested in your thoughts and recommendations.

7. Create a Video

   Videos are a simple and effective way to communicate your message. If you don’t have one on your petition page, create one and post it to YouTube, Vimeo and other video sites, for extra exposure.

Getting the word out about your petition is easier then you think, especially when others who are also passionate about your petition are inspired to spread the word about it too. Just think: if you email 10 friends, and they email 10 friends, you can reach hundreds of people with just a few clicks.