You step off the stage, shake a few more hands, and head out the door. The event went well. People clapped, nodded in agreement, and maybe even came up afterward to say, “I love what you’re doing.” But then the moment passes, and by the next morning, it’s all a blur.
If that sounds familiar, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful tools in your campaign toolbox: the questions you were asked.
Questions Are a Window into the Voter’s Mind
Every single event you attend—whether it’s a town hall, a fundraiser, a coffee shop chat, or a parade—offers you something invaluable: direct, unfiltered voter feedback. And it doesn’t come from what you said; it comes from what they asked.
Think about it. When someone walks up to you after a speech and asks about rising crime, it means that issue is top-of-mind for them. If someone in the crowd wants to know your position on school choice, it’s because they—or someone they know—are grappling with it in real life.
A question is not just curiosity. It’s a signal. It tells you what people care about, what worries them, and sometimes, what they don’t understand about your positions.
The Questions You Remember (And The Ones You Forget)
Some questions stick with you because they were challenging or unexpected. Maybe someone put you on the spot about your past votes, or they asked something personal that caught you off guard. Those moments might linger in your mind because they forced you to think differently.
But what about the other questions—the ones that faded into the noise? If you don’t capture them, you lose an incredible opportunity to refine your message, strengthen your responses, and meet voters exactly where they are.
The Habit That Will Make You a Stronger Candidate
After every event, do this:
- Write down every question you were asked. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just get it down—on your phone, a notepad, or have a campaign staffer track them for you.
- Look for patterns. If the same question comes up at multiple events, that’s a sign it’s a major concern. Treat it as a campaign priority.
- Use their words in your messaging. If voters are consistently asking, “What are you going to do about skyrocketing grocery prices?” don’t just talk about “inflation” in your speeches. Use the exact language they do—it makes your message hit home.
- Create content around real questions. Turn the most common or insightful ones into FAQs on your website, social media posts, or short videos where you respond directly.
- Refine your responses. If a question stumped you or made you uncomfortable, don’t avoid it—prepare a sharper, clearer answer for next time.
Evaluating Your Own Performance
This step is just as important as tracking the questions. A great candidate doesn’t just analyze what voters are asking—they analyze how well they answered. After each event, take a few moments to reflect:
- Did I answer each question clearly and concisely, or did I ramble?
- Did I sound confident and knowledgeable, or did I hesitate?
- Was my response persuasive, or did I just give a generic answer?
- Did I connect my answer back to my campaign’s core message?
- Did I defuse any tough or confrontational questions effectively?
- How did my audience react? Did I keep their attention, or did I lose them?
It’s also smart to record your events when possible. Watching or listening to yourself later can be uncomfortable, but it’s one of the fastest ways to improve. You’ll notice things you might not have realized in the moment—tone, body language, filler words, or places where you could have delivered a stronger, more compelling response.
The Questions That Make You Better
The best campaigns aren’t just about talking. They’re about listening. And they’re about learning—not just about what voters care about, but about how you can be a more effective messenger.
So, the next time you finish an event, take a moment. Before the next handshake, before the next photo op, ask yourself:
What did they ask me? And how well did I answer?
Because in those questions—and in your ability to respond—you’ll find the roadmap to victory.
