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This is my semi-regular plea to you that if you're going to write your representatives about the USPS, you must write a unique, not copy-pasted or generated message.
If you simply text a number and have one made for you and sent on, it will get batched with a thousand other messages just like it and it dilutes your impact. Do not do it.
I know that calling representatives is hard right now because many offices aren't in person (this is a stupid hurdle, since call forwarding is a thing and many offices have VOIP). But you need to tell your own story in your message to your rep.
I wrote a whole guide on how to do this effectively which you can get for any price you're willing to pay, free even! You can find it here: http://callthehallsguide.com .
Congressional offices use CRM systems to batch emails together that have the same language.
Congressional offices use CRM systems to batch emails together that have the same language.
Even if you only copy/paste or use part of a message and then add your own custom content in it, the CRM will detect those similarities.
If you want the greatest chance of having your message read, type out your own message or make a phone call whenever possible.
If you want the greatest chance of having your message read, type out your own message or make a phone call whenever possible.
I got a DM last night asking if sending a snail mail letter to Congress is effective and yes, it is. Be sure to include your return address information on the letter itself and the envelope so you'll be sure to receive a response back.
Here are some easy ways to make your message unique:
- If you live in a rural area, talk about access to mail services as a necessary service
- If you own a business that uses USPS, tell that story
- If you get medication through the mail, explain why that's critical for you.
- If you live in a rural area, talk about access to mail services as a necessary service
- If you own a business that uses USPS, tell that story
- If you get medication through the mail, explain why that's critical for you.
I'm seeing thousands of RTs from a verified account telling y'all to use ResistBot and I'm begging you, BEGGING YOU to not use ResistBot. Your message will get filtered out.
I got a question about whether or not you should contact a representative who agrees with you and the answer is yes.
Representatives need to hear from the people they represent and supportive messages contribute to a story lawmakers can use during committee hearings/debate.
Representatives need to hear from the people they represent and supportive messages contribute to a story lawmakers can use during committee hearings/debate.
It's funny because I get a lot of messages saying, should I contact my representative even if they completely disagree with my position, and the answer is also yes.
If you listened to the phone calls and read the emails that come through, you'd understand.
If you listened to the phone calls and read the emails that come through, you'd understand.
When I say "filtered out," I mean batched with other emails using the same phrases/subject lines. The fact that you got an email back does not mean your email was read by a human. If that's important to you, then you need to use unique language in your emails.
I'm aware that ResistBot also let's you write your own message, but if you just give it USPS, it generates the message and fills in your name. It's spam. 
And I'd imagine that's how loads of people are using this tool.
And I'd imagine that's how loads of people are using this tool.
This is part of the reason I'm so annoyed with ResistBot. Here's a snippet from the Congressional Management Foundation's research on citizen advocacy in Congress. Look at where form emails fall in this ranking in relation to individual calls, letters, and emails.
If decisions by representatives were made with a simple tally, then the method of sending the same message one million times would be effective, but that's not how the process works.
I think ResistBot's shtick is gathering data. They harvest your messages, your name, your address and phone number. And they can use it how they like per their terms.
Just use your representative's website.
Just use your representative's website.
