Story Capture

Use authentic voices to advocate for change

Story Capture programs empower authentic voices to advocate for change. Genuine stories move policymakers and voters, and amplifying them is key to driving real progress. A simple live or automated call prompts people to record their thoughts on a candidate or issue.

These evergreen testimonials can be shared on social media, on campaign websites, or in TV and radio ads. We can even send the recordings to lawmakers' offices, bringing the most impactful stories right to their desks.

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How it works

What Story Capture is

We send a live or automated call to a targeted group that cares strongly about your issue. If they agree, they record why and how the issue affects their lives. What sets our programs apart is the focus on capturing the words and the energy people actually use.

When to run one

You want the real words voters use on an issue, or what undecided voters say about it.
You want passionate spokespeople, or people who match the demographic you want in an ad.
You want to improve your polling, spot issues gaining traction, or find volunteers and donation commitments.

Best practices

Call landlines and cell phones

Response rates are better when both are called. Cell phones raise the share of people who answer and record.

Target people connected to the cause

The best stories come from personal experience. Targeted data or membership lists find them.

Call a large list

The larger the list, the more people with a story to tell.

Keep the message short

We want to hear their story, not tell ours.

Say how the recording may be used

Every person is told the recording may appear on your website, in communications with elected officials, in radio, TV or digital ads, or with reporters. The recordings are yours to keep and reuse.

Case studies

Story Capture programs that delivered

Prosperity Michigan
We targeted working families worried about no paid sick leave, surprise medical bills, expensive prescriptions and student loan debt to bring to light financial issues to Michigan legislators. 86 people agreed to record how they were negatively affected by these burdens. We sent the recordings to legislators in order to urge them to take action to help their constituents. The larger voice capture program has been turned into digital ads so that people hear familiar voices and remember why it matters that legislators stand up for all of their constituents; rather than just the powerful and well connected in Lansing. You can listen to these recordings here.
House Majority PAC
In the wake of House Republicans passing Trump’s American Health Care Act, House Majority PAC wanted to see if they could impact voting behavior by talking about legislative issues early in the electoral cycle. We wanted to hold Republican legislators accountable for their voting record on repealing the ACA. Stones’ Phones targeted voters from swing districts represented by House Republicans who voted to take health care away from 23 million Americans. We asked these voters to record personal stories about how they and their loved ones would be affected by repealing the Affordable Care Act. Of those we called, 8.5% recorded a message – a total of almost 600 personal stories. House Majority PAC then chose the most compelling stories and shared them on a website called “Voices From Your District”, successfully naming and shaming Republican legislators. Those evergreen recordings were valuable ammo in 2018 when contesting close House races. You can listen to the compilation here.
Story Capture & The American Heart Association
The American Heart Association became concerned with Wisconsin's current healthcare coverage when they learned that it only covers the needs of new moms for up to two months. They knew to fully resolve the serious health issues that come with pregnancy like blood clots, high blood pressure, and ongoing mental health needs these new moms and families needed more expansive healthcare coverage.
The American Heart Association set up a two-step plan to put pressure on legislators to pass the Medicaid Expansion Plan and give mothers the coverage they needed. First they asked voters to record a message on why Wisconsin should do more to support moms and families. The American Heart Association received many emotional recordings and sent them to their legislators' phones in hopes of passing the new Medicaid Expansion Plan. This plan would expand coverage access to over 89,000 mothers and families in Wisconsin.
Nine legislators received moving stories from their constituents that have been affected by a lack of healthcare. In the past nine years forty-one states have adopted the Medicaid Expansion Plan and because of the pressure put on Republican legislators, Wisconsin is on track to adopt it as well.

Story Capture: frequently asked questions

Who should I target for a Story Capture program?

The larger your target list is, the more opportunity there is to reach those with a story to tell. The best stories come from people who have a personal connection to the issue, so be sure to target those who have a link to your cause. We also see better response rates when calling both landlines and cell phones.

Can I use the stories captured after my call is over?

Yes! The stories we capture with your calls are yours to keep and are evergreen; you can use them again and again.

Can we use the recordings from the story capture to share on social media?

Yes! The recordings are yours to keep and use. When folks are recorded, they are told that the recordings may be used on social media, TV ads, or other promotional material.