New canvasser? Start here:

Canvassing is a really important part of our campaign, but if you've never done it before, it can seem pretty daunting at first. It shouldn't be. Here are some tips if you're a first-time canvasser.

• Don't be scared. Almost everyone you meet, even if they're not voting for the Lib Dems, will be really nice and polite to you. It's actually incredibly rare for people to be rude to canvassers. Also, in the final few weeks of the campaign, you'll mostly be talking to people who have previously said they're voting for us.
• Make sure you get a briefing. Whether you're canvassing on the doorstep or on the phone, you should always get a script and a briefing from whoever is organising the session. This will tell you everything you need to know about who you're canvassing for and what the local issues are.
• Record everything on your canvass cards. Your briefing will include instructions on how to record the responses you get from voters on our canvass cards. It's really important that you record everything the voter tells you!
• Don't worry about not knowing the answer. You don't need to be a policy expert or know the local area well to canvass. If you're asked something you don't know about, don't be afraid to say so and tell the voter that someone from the campaign will contact them with the answer. Then, just make a note on the canvass card that the voter needs a follow-up. We call this sort of follow-up 'casework'.
• Have fun. Talking to voters and being part of a winning campaign team is great fun. So, however you choose to canvass, make sure you have fun!

Canvassing makes a difference: If you speak to a voter before Polling Day, the chance of that person voting goes up by 20%.

If you haven't yet joined a local campaign, visit our Volunteer page and we'll put you in touch with a team near you:

http://www.libdems.org.uk/volunteer