Getting the Most Out of Facebook’s Town Hall Feature

Getting a hold of politicians is more convenient than ever, and Facebook made it simpler. Facebook’s new Town Hall feature helps you find your politicians and contact them all via their platform. On your computer, you can visit Facebook.com/townhall, but the tool really shines on your cell phone. Click the Menu button on the bottom right side of the Facebook app, then scroll down until you see Town Hall.

Once you open the Town Hall function and enter your address, you will see most if not all of your representatives. You can follow each Facebook page with just one click, or go one step further and press the contact button.

Once you do, you’ll be presented with a few different options to call, message, or email the representative. You don’t have to save numbers or search online to find their names and contact information, it’s just all right there. So if you see a post from your representative, you can call them right from the Facebook application and voice your opinions, all without any extra searching.

Here are 3 more tips to get the most out of Facebook’s Town Hall Feature

Timing is everything

When legislation is coming up for a final vote, it’s sometimes too late to have much influence. Make sure you track issues and bills that are important to you well before they come up for a final vote. Call your representatives when bills are still in committee or during the markup phase. Get started early and often. Their office number isn’t a hotline to call only in crisis. Call and thank your representative for talking stands you agree not just when a big issue is on the line.

Get social with it

One person calling your representative’s office won’t mean nearly as much as 10 or 15. Coordinate with like-minded friends and family to increase your footprint. After you make the call or send the email, post about it on Facebook. Explain why the issue is important then and tell people how to use the Town Hall function to contact their legislators.

Don’t Just Rely on Facebook

This is a great tool, but we can’t forget, politics happens in person. We organize online for offline action. Just making calls and posting on Facebook isn’t enough to make real conservative change happen. Visit your representative’s office, volunteer on their campaign, and invite them to take part of community events. Successfully influencing your government doesn’t start and end with frantic phone calls to their offices. Do the work and sow the seeds early, and you will reap the benefits later.