Robocalls for political campaigns are an effective way for candidates to reach targeted constituencies. In fact, it is probably the least expensive way to get a message out to prime voters — voters who are known to make it to the polls to cast their ballot. Robocalling is also called phone broadcasting or call blasting.

While most campaign spending is on mass media like television and radio, those advertisements are mostly wasted since the majority of people who watch television and radio don’t vote. However, phone lists can be isolated to identify registered voters, likely voters, party affiliation and even demographic information like age and neighborhood.

Very simply, with robocalling, candidates are enabled to send different targeted messages to different groups of people — aimed specifically at issues that need to be addressed to each group.

And unlike working with printed materials or mailings which take several weeks lead time, you can produce a robocall campaign in a fraction of the time.

If you are a candidate, or work for one, here are a few tips to keep in mind to optimize the success of your campaign:

Robcalls are very good for two specific objectives. First, for personally thanking voters for their support and to remind them to get out and vote. And second, to respond to last minute attacks by your opponent.

For the purposes of thanking voters, be sure to keep your message short and repeat your name twice. For example, “Hi, I’m glad I was able to reach you. This is Tom Smith, and I wanted to personally thank you for the tremendous support you’ve given me during the campaign. I hope I can count on your continued support at the polls on Tuesday. Again, this is Tom Smith, and I look forward to working with you as your next legislator. Thank you.”

For the purposes of responding to last minute attacks, you can say something like this: “Hi, I’m glad I was able to reach you. This is Tom Smith and I just saw that commercial my opponent is using against me. I just wanted to personally tell you am I appalled at this type of campaigning, not only because people are tired of it, but more importantly because it’s not true. I refuse to get in the gutter and say the same types of things against my opponent. We need a higher level of civility and discourse during campaigns. Again, this is Tom Smith, thanking you for your support and reminding you to be sure to vote on Tuesday. I look forward to working with you as your next legislator.”

Also, it is very important that you leave as many messages on answering machines as you can, so as to not interrupt the personal time of the voters. That means you should place your calls during the day, when about 70% of the homes are vacant. Voters can listen to your message later at their convenience.

Overall, robocalls for political campaigns are an extremely powerful tool and have to be used properly to engender support. (If not used properly, the use of the technology can actually backfire.) So, start planning your robocall campaign early and design a program that will maximize your message, target the right groups, and get out the vote.