Phone and SMS campaigns
Informing and mobilising remotely, by voice and text message, through arrangements that comply with the law, respect consent and fit the overall strategy.
Who it is for
Mobilisation teams, supporter relations managers and campaign leadership.
When
To keep supporters informed throughout the campaign, and above all during final mobilisation.
Key deliverables
Contact strategy, scripts, consent arrangements, sending plan, results reports.
The mobile phone, a universal channel
With very high mobile phone ownership across much of the continent, the phone is often the most direct channel for reaching citizens, including in areas where internet access remains limited. Calls, text messages, voice messages and messaging apps make it possible to share information quickly about polling stations, events or registration procedures.
Studies of electoral mobilisation show that calls made by volunteers, in an authentic conversation, have a stronger effect than automated messages. Text messages, when expected and useful — a practical reminder, information about a polling station — are an effective and low-cost complement.
This channel is also the most exposed to abuse: unsolicited messages, files of dubious origin, excessive contact. Our approach rests on one cardinal principle: contact only people who have consented, using lawful means.
What the engagement covers
Remote contact arrangements, based on consent.
Building a consented base
Collecting contact details with explicit consent at events, online or in the field.
Volunteer call campaigns
Organising calling sessions, conversation scripts and training for callers.
Information SMS
Practical reminders, event information and voting procedures.
Voice messages
Recorded messages in national languages for audiences with low literacy.
Opt-out
A simple, effective mechanism allowing anyone to stop being contacted.
Measuring results
Tracking reachability, response rates and effects on participation in activities.
Consent, relevance, measurement
Every message sent must be expected, useful and compliant.
Legal framing
Checking the rules applicable to electronic communications and data.
Consented base
Organising collection and the record of consents.
Design
Call scripts, messages and sending schedule.
Execution
Calling sessions, sending and handling opt-outs.
Analysis
Measuring results and continuous improvement.
Explicit, verifiable methods
Every tool we use is documented: its sources, assumptions and limitations are known to our clients.
Consent record
Traceability of the date, context and purpose of each consent collected.
Conversational scripts
Call outlines that encourage dialogue rather than recitation.
Wording tests
Comparing several versions of a message on samples.
Reasonable sending windows
A schedule that respects rest hours and electoral silence periods.
Measuring honestly
Every indicator is labelled by status — target, calculated estimate or measured result — in line with our principles of rigour
| Indicator | What it shows | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Reachability rate | The share of valid numbers actually reached. | Measured result |
| Opt-out rate | The share of people asking not to be contacted again — a signal of relevance. | Measured result |
| Number of consented contacts | The size of base the campaign aims to build. | Target |
| Effect on mobilisation | The difference in participation between contacted and non-contacted people, where measurable. | Calculated estimate |
Respecting private life
The phone reaches into people’s private sphere; its political use demands particular restraint.
No purchased lists
We refuse to use lists of numbers of unknown origin or obtained without consent.
Effective opt-out
Every removal request is acted upon without delay.
No misleading messages
No false information about voting procedures and no messages impersonating institutions.
Electoral silence
No sending during periods when the law prohibits campaigning.
An unsolicited message loses more votes than it wins.AXIOME working principle
In what contexts do we work?
Illustrative situations: they do not describe actual engagements.
Final mobilisation
A campaign wants to remind registered supporters of practical information for polling day.
A poorly connected audience
A candidacy wants to inform rural voters who do not use the internet.
A dubious file
A team has been offered a list of numbers of unknown origin and is unsure whether to use it.
Frequently asked questions
No, unless a specific legal provision allows it. We only contact people who have given their consent, in line with legislation on data and electronic communications.
They are generally less effective than conversations with volunteers and more often perceived as intrusive. We reserve them for practical information.
Through voluntary collection at meetings, events and online, with clear information about how the details will be used.
Related expertise
Let's discuss your project
Every political context is unique. A first, strictly confidential conversation allows us to understand what is at stake and define the most relevant support.
