Campaign literature, or campaign “lit” (which is what everyone calls it), can be one of your most valuable weapons on the campaign trail. Whether you’re talking to voters at events or on their doorsteps, good literature can be instrumental in earning their support.

When I get literature for the first time during a campaign, it feels like Christmas morning.

Here is how you can gain a true understanding of what are essentially the bullets of your “Get Out The Vote” or GOTV efforts.

Learn every word printed on the card: Literally. Don’t understand a word? Ask the campaign to explain it to you. Lit will usually have a brief run down of the platform. Learn that too. If there is a policy that confuses you, ask the campaign again.They’re there to help (story HERE).

Use it as a Power Point if it helps: Good literature has pictures of the candidate and their families. It has images of them working on a farm or serving in the military. Use these pictures as a spring board to conversation and ultimately a connection.

Remember the call to action: Your survey may lead them to a website or ask them to register an email. Point to the web address on the lit to remind them of what they need to do to move the campaign forward.

Learn how to hang it on a door: This sounds silly but sometimes the door hanger doesn’t want to hang. The card doesn’t fold well. Ask the campaign how they would ideally place the literature at the door if this becomes an issue. Otherwise it won’t be literature. Just litter.

Every serious campaign has some kind of literature. And if the voter isn’t home or if you only get a minute at a busy event with them, its the only thing they’ll have to remember the campaign by.

Make sure you’ve got to know how to use literature as effectively as possible.