Postcard writing (or letter writing) is my favorite way to stay politically active and do my part as a changemaker during election time. A portion of all sales from my online shop will go toward postage for the
200 postcards I’m writing to Swing Statesthis year.
Alternatively, I’ve also written letters through Vote Forward in the past.
I prefer postcards, though, because the postage is cheaper (postcards vs letters) and there’s less labor involved (folding and sealing envelopes takes time!).
In case you’re not familiar with writing postcards or letters to help get more people in the USA to vote, here’s a little breakdown:
Why Postcard Writing? An Effective Approach to Political Activism
These postcards are sent to progressive-leaning voters who are already registered and probably have voted in the past. I get my own list of voters, write my message (which is provided) to them, buy postage, adhere the stamps, and then put them in the mail. I have to mail them on a specified date so that they arrive in voter mailboxes close enough to election day to be a well-timed reminder to vote, but also not TOO early so that their recipients forget about voting.
Luckily, Postcards to Swing States provides ALL of this in the packet they send me.
Project Management Lessons from Postcard Writing
In past years I’ve recruited friends to help me do my postcard writing and cut the stack into separate shares to lighten the load. This year I just wanted to see what it felt like to write all 200 myself, with good planning so that I don’t mess up my hand.
This process has been a natural practice of project management:
I know 200 postcards is possible as one person, but I also know how easy it is to skip a day of writing and have the backlog pile up on me. I know that these people won’t get their postcards if I don’t write them!
Leveraging Political Activism for Business Growth
Business-wise, writing postcards to swing states also helps me practice self-promotion as a small business owner.
I’m more likely to tell people about my postcard writing than I am about promoting my shop. But if I combine the two, I create accountability for myself:
- I need to tell people about my postcard writing for them to know about it.
- I’m also providing a call to action for folks to buy from my shop and/or donate money to help me pay for the postage.
Subtle Political Positioning for Businesses
Postcard writing is also a way to showcase my political activism without being more confrontational than I want to be (and I am definitely NOT confrontational, though I get why some people might assume that about me).
The work of Postcards to Swing States speaks for me. I just mention them, and then someone who’s curious about the initiative can look them up to see why I’m participating. Liberals and progressives will probably like it. Someone who’s ultra conservative will not.
Reflecting on Voting Rights and Accessibility
I often wonder what kind of country the USA would be if voting was mandatory.
Like what if you were required to vote and you got your ballot in the mail just like you do your car registration or driver’s license.
Make it as mandatory as paying bridge tolls.
Most people who can vote unfortunately don’t vote, whether by choice or because of voter suppression efforts where they face several layers of barriers to getting their vote counted.
Building a Community of Change-Makers
I hope you’ll consider how you can integrate social responsibility into your business. Postcard writing is a really nice way to get into it, but it's not the only option. Get creative!
It doesn't have to be complicated or expensive—it just needs to be authentic and aligned with your values.
I have long-term goals to get certified as a B Corp one day, but just because I don’t have the official certification doesn’t mean I can’t apply it to my business in meaningful ways in the meantime.
I'm not just supporting voter turnout (although that’s important to me, too). I'm also connecting with like-minded customers and fellow business owners who share my vision for a better world. Together, we're building a community that values social responsibility and active participation.
Every Action Counts
In the end, this postcard writing campaign is more than just a marketing strategy or a one-time good deed. It's a tangible expression of my business philosophy—that every action, no matter how small, can contribute to positive change.
Whether it's writing a postcard, making a conscious purchase, or simply spreading the word, we all have the power to make a difference. Remember that it's these small, incremental milestones that will ultimately get us closer to a different, changed, and better world.
How does your business contribute to social causes? Share your experience in the comments!
