Replace All Federal Taxes on Income with the Fair Tax Act , HR 25

Tools for the Movement

I want to get a sense of what people are currently using to present the FairTax. Im sure there are a variety of materials out there, many of which are home brewed. My questions are what do you think works the best, what would you like to see improved and what do you wish was out there that you don't feel is available to you? I'm speaking about one-on-one discussions or as a speaker presenting to a group. Not mass media stuff but the "in the trenches" stuff. What do we need more of?

Paul W.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brenda Janssen on February 4, 2009 at 9:07pm

I'd like to see some REAL PEOPLE in various industries who support the FairTax and can speak with credibility to their peers. A DVD with a series that might include a realtor, an accountant, a small business owner, etc, etc, would be great!

Oh, and Paul, could I get it in time for the Orlando Home Show booth on the 14th?? :-)

Thanks for sending the other, awaiting delivery.

Permalink Reply by Brenda Janssen on February 4, 2009 at 9:17pm

BTW, love the videos at YOUTube!

Permalink Reply by Gary R. Anderson on February 4, 2009 at 9:26pm

Paul; "You're the WIZ!!!" And obviously, everyone is going to say--more videos! Easier said than done, eh? Well, maybe just a short "take action screen" tacked on the end of the video, and possibly an intro screen to explain what they are about to see.

Seriously, there are at long last websites out there that have easy to print materials; but it's all scattered, and FTN woul;d be a great place to have these files centrally located. A two-sided business card sized hand-out would be nice, but it might require 9 types like the 3up ones now posted.

I'm into neighborhood parades, where I can contact hundreds in a hurry, and am always looking for things to hand out or throw to the crowds.

Why not use our cell phones and video Ipods to have mini productions to put in front of those 1on 1conversations? Much of it could use the video we now have, plus some power point graphs.

As for the video, could we SEND a single video via email like an Ecard? Something that opens really easily.

Also, I have this warning regarding the newfound cyber social sites we now have. There will come a point that all the FairTaxers are so busy typing to each other, that they don't get out of the house. You can't do six social sites, and think you're moving the FairTax! I've been in a public parade of one person (me) because people are so BUSY. We're a fun loving bunch, and we've gotta have more gathering at neighborhood functions, where we can pass materials (even DVDs) and tailgate parties to make tightly knit platoons of volunteers. On the other hand, SOME of us are justifiably busy, and if they can't make the scene, can locally help fund the efforts by helping to buy the poster board, and usage fees for the ones who give their time. This can be done 1 on 1 and make a great team really move!

Permalink Reply by Carol Adams McLean on February 9, 2009 at 12:26pm

Your concern played out this past weekend at our event... the only thing that really shocked us was the lack of known FairTax supporters from the area! I was dumbstruck. There seems to be a vital NC presence here on line... but that's where they are... here on line! I come here to spread news in the choir, but the real work is not here, except for Jim and the site organizers. Overall, I've been underwhelmed in the online world. Talk is cheap ... esp. on the web where everyone has something to say. There's a whole world out there that is open for info on FairTax - change we can really believe in!

The highlight was that our program was a huge success for everyone involved who wasn't a supporter when they arrived, but left as supporters! Best of all it was fun! We're looking forward to recreate the successes, but we won't make the mistake again of thinking supporters will show up just because we're around and prepared an event we thought they'd enjoy. (It really was a great event!) We're taking it to the streets where it's hugely accepted! It's exciting to see people get on board! We got good press and took the message to main street in our local area.

The web is pretty much covered and I don't know how effective it is for recruitment; it's a place people come once they're introduced to the facts of FairTax in the real world - either through radio, the books or talking to a supporter out there in the trenches.

Permalink Reply by Steve Curtis on February 4, 2009 at 9:43pm

There are a couple of ways to approach this. Videos are nice and, if properly done, provide entertaining information that can be used by presenters who are not "great" at public speaking. The problem is that videos also take focus off the presenter, and when it comes to the question and answer period, the stature of the presenter as "the expert" is reduced.

Using a good powerpoint works well, if the presenter "knows his stuff" while going through the presentation, he can take the pulse of the audience and adjust his spiel to address their specific concerns/interests. It can be a more intimate relationship with the audience, but it does require more skill.

Personally I use powerpoint, if anything, but that's just me.

Permalink Reply by Peter D. on February 10, 2009 at 6:20pm

Hi Steve - a few questions for you as the new TX-29 DD.

1) Do you have a ppt presentation already put together that you are able to share?
2) How do you arrange for speaking opportunities?
3) What types of events do you feel are the most effective?

Thanks!
Peter

Permalink Reply by Earl Mathews on February 6, 2009 at 6:07am

My first concern when I joined was handout material. So I jumped around and now have 29 files. I have some from the Fair Tax. org web site and a couple here. I am remaking a couple for simple handouts at meetings. I live in a rural community, my town pop. of 751. Most are cattle ranchers and cotton growers. Internet access is still by dial-up and videos are terrible that way, no big city utilities here in rural America. We actually have church meetings at the cattle auction houses (they are currently building church). So when developing tools think of everyone not just internet users.

There is a place for 'upload files' but to me that is for uploading files, not a place to download files for handout. Yes a play on words, but so is no tax deductions in Florida.

By the way the vid's are awesome and would be good to have dvd's. Do we have permission to create them and distribute?

Permalink Reply by Peter D. on February 10, 2009 at 10:12pm

I've seen your concern about a centralized resource for handout materials voiced in a number of places - and not just from you.

Jim - it seems that we're all pretty hungry for a centralized database of immediately useable (or e-mailable) files.

I also love the idea of having DVDs and/or interactive CD-ROMs that people can pop in their DVD player or computer.... it can combine web links and video, etc...

Of course - all this takes resources, not the least of which is money....

Permalink Reply by Michael Patton on February 21, 2009 at 9:41pm

My presentation is pretty much a summary of the fair tax book. It follows the points in the order the book presents them, and even takes quotes and examples directly from the pages as well. I added some of my own examples, but have not changed the message. I keep my presentation on a 7 index cards, with the high points only, and work from there.

I have a slide deck for times where a projector is available, but since that is not always there, my presentation works well with or without the slides. After all, slides are just to add color, not be the show.

As for making contacts, i send individual emails to grops that have posted a contact on the web. Each email is crafter for the group being targeted, thus, no "mass email" feel to it.

Permalink Reply by Bill Rollyson on February 26, 2009 at 3:31pm

One thing we used some last year that I feel is effective in the summer is paddle fans. I bought a couple reems of 110 lb. weight paper and some paddle fan sticks through Jamestown Distributors (about $11 for 250 I think), formatted the same basic info from the trifold into a landscape document (Half the info on each half of the page; printed, folded the page and used spray glue to attach. It took me a couple hours to make each 100 so it would be better as a group project.

At summer events such as parades, bridge/road dedications, the July 4th Tea Parties coming up, fairs and festivals, it real easy to give away the fans and its fun to watch a lot of people walking around waving the mini FairTax signs around.

Permalink Reply by Paul Wizikowski on April 2, 2009 at 5:10pm

I will be posting a new video to YouTube this Saturday. Its a break from the "Lunch & Taxes" vibe. In fact this one is meant for the AFFT video contest which asks for videos that answer "What the FairTax means to me?" I've gone with a very contemporary look and a very personal, sincere message. I hope you all connect with it.

Paul W.

Permalink Reply by chiefcook on April 13, 2009 at 11:01pm

This video was introduced at the Jacksonville rally on 4/11/09 as the best entry in their contest. Congratulations Paul.