Petitions are an excellent way to unite people for a cause. Sometimes, when you want to make lasting change happen, you have to ensure the powers that be can hear from everyone who is committed to taking action. “Petitions are a great way to show social proof,” says Mick Essex, growth marketing manager for global software company POWR. “When you post petitions publicly, it shows the issue has formidable backing.” However, collecting signatures for petitions isn’t always easy. It can be difficult to find people who share your views, and even hard to get them to commit to signing. Follow these tips for collecting signatures on your petition so you can maximize the impact for your cause.
6 Tips for collecting signatures for petitions
1. Clearly communicate the cause
People are unlikely to sign a petition if they don’t understand what it’s addressing and the action it’s calling for. Take some time to write down what the petition is for, what signing it will achieve, how many signatures you’re aiming for, and whom you’ll deliver it to once it’s ready. It’s best to have a written version of the message to share online, along with a script you can use when requesting signatures in person.
“Structure your message like a story with a beginning, middle, and end,” says Essex. “The beginning is about the cause and should be within the first few seconds of the message. The middle is your why, the reasoning behind the cause. The end is the ask. Here, you ask them to sign the petition and tell them how the petition will be used.”
2. Invest in the right software
Focus on logistics to ensure creating and signing the petition is easy and seamless. Essex emphasizes the importance of using only trusted platforms. With the right software, such as Jotform, you won’t need to create any documents from scratch; you can use Jotform’s online petition form templates and just customize the fields and text to fit your needs. Plus, Jotform Sign turns your forms into signable documents, letting you collect e-signatures directly within your workflow. The right software helps you avoid logistical hiccups along the way.
3. Use multiple channels
Your target audience isn’t in only one place, which is why it’s important to reach them through multiple channels. If you want to optimize collecting signatures for petitions, look for different ways to share it, such as on web pages, through social media, or even in email marketing campaigns. If you use Jotform to create your petitions, you can send them across all these channels using the software.
4. Rely on your network and their network
People are often more inclined to attach their names to a cause if the request comes from someone they know. A personal connection helps build trust and signals that the petition is legitimate. “Reach out to your family and friends and share the petition with them,” says Essex. “And then go one step further and ask them to share the petition with their networks.” This chain reaction can help get the petition in front of more people, and it has proven effective time and time again.
5. Partner with related organizations
Depending on your cause, you may find organizations that support a similar mission. For example, if you’re hoping to change a specific law about animal welfare, consider partnering with a local humane society. The organization can help spread the word about the petition and might have resources that can raise more public awareness. “Be honest and straightforward about what you are collecting signatures for,” says Essex.
6. Comment on related content
Look for news articles or other content related to your cause. If there’s a comment section, see whether you can post your petition link there and encourage people to sign; you might find like-minded supporters among the commenters. If someone took time to read the article, they may be more engaged and likely to sign than someone who merely heard about it in passing.
Start collecting signatures today with Jotform Sign
Making change happen may not be easy, but you can better your odds of gaining signatures for your petition if you’re armed with the tips outlined in this blog and the right software. “Getting petitions signed online is certainly quicker and easier than going door to door like in the old days,” says Essex. Ready to see how easy it can be?
With Jotform Sign‘s 900+ ready-to-use templates and secure signature collection, you can launch your petition today and start making a real impact.
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This article is for people and organizations collecting petition signatures who want practical ways to explain their cause clearly, share it across channels, and use trusted online tools to make signing simple and legitimate.
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