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Tips for Effective Tabling
Tabling is an effective way to educate and engage your campus community about free speech, due process, and other student rights—or any issue you care deeply about. To help you get started, here are a few tips on how to put together a stellar tabling event at your university.
- Have Fun. When you are tabling, be enthusiastic and friendly. Be active in your outreach. Stand in front of your table and engage with passersby—don’t wait for students to come to you.
- Choose a location. Where you table matters. Pick a highly visible area on campus with lots of foot traffic.
- Recruit Volunteers. Effective tabling typically requires several volunteers and it’s a good rule of thumb to try and recruit more volunteers than you think you will need.
- Advertise. While your table will likely attract those already walking by, advertising in advance will help to draw additional visitors and supporters.
- Gather Materials. Think about what will attract people to your table and what visitors are likely to pick up once you have their attention.
- Stay in Touch. Consider having a computer with a Google Form, a spreadsheet, or a sign-up sheet with pens to record the names and email addresses of interested students.
- Include a Call to Action. Offer specific ways that students can take action to support your cause. Asking students to sign a petition or an open letter calls for their immediate action.