How to collect signatures: Your guide to growth
How to collect signatures: Your guide to growth
Now that you’ve created a petition, it's time to get signatures to build awareness and support for your cause. Follow this guide to the best methods for sharing your petition with others who care about your goal and get the signatures you need to achieve change.In this article you will learn:
There’s nothing like the rush of seeing those first signatures rolling in for your petition. One petition starter, Lori, who got over 100 signatures in the first week of launching her petition said, "I felt gratitude, joy, somewhat victorious, you know?"
Those signatures can be the fuel for real change — whether it’s as big as creating federal legislation or as hyper-local as getting a speed bump in your neighborhood. Even if those signatures don’t result in all of your demands being met, raising awareness about issues is a win on its own.
In this guide, learn how to collect signatures for your petition using proven strategies. You can maximize your petition's visibility by sharing it via email and social media, engaging online influencers, and posting it in physical locations, to name a few methods. Discover the tips that will help you get those initial signatures and sustain momentum over time.
How to collect signatures for a petition online
Many advocates, community members, and concerned citizens have successfully gathered significant support by taking small but consistent steps. For example:
The team behind the petition to stop a large mining operation in the Porcupine Mountains State Park gained 1,000 signatures in its first week and over 460,000 in total. They achieved this by urging current supporters to share the petition online, creating social media accounts and a website for their cause, and even launching contests to further extend their reach.
An Alabama resident started a petition to stop a state bill that would classify THC products as controlled substances. The organizer successfully helped to amend the bill and gained over 2,000 signatures by posting flyers with QR codes to sign in local businesses which led to news coverage.
For each tactic, Change.org has a free resource or tool to help → check out the guide.
Share your petition on social media
After creating your petition, we provide an easy way to share your petition on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and Reddit with Change.org’s social media sharing tools. Simply log in to your petition, and use the “Take the next step” button on the right.
Choose which platform you want to post to, and your petition will automatically be shared with your friends and followers there. You can also add a personal message each time you share your petition from the dashboard to provide further details, context, and updates.
→ How to share a petition on Instagram as a Post or Story
Instagram is a popular visual platform, making it a great place to grab attention for your cause. You can post directly to your feed or use Instagram Stories to link to your petition.
Take or upload a photo to your Story.
Tap the sticker icon (smiley face) at the top of the screen.
Select the Link sticker.
Enter your petition URL and tap “Done.”
Post your Story. Followers can tap the link to visit and sign.
For Posts, include the petition link in your bio and direct people there in your caption (e.g., “Link in bio to sign!”). You can use photos, infographics, or one of the image assets generated in your petition dashboard to help your post stand out.
→ How to share your petition on TikTok
TikTok’s algorithm rewards engaging, authentic content. Use short videos to tell your story and why the petition matters. The following are some key tactics. Take a deeper dive in our complete guide to campaigning on TikTok.
Tell your story directly to camera – Be personal and passionate. Use captions to highlight key points.
Show visuals that connect to your cause – Whether it’s footage from a protest, the problem you're addressing, or before/after images, compelling visuals help tell the story.
Use trending sounds and hashtags – Research what's popular and align your video with trends that fit naturally.
Add your petition link in bio and direct viewers to it – Say “link in bio to sign” in your video and caption.
Encourage others to duet or stitch your video – This helps your message spread and invites your community to participate in the campaign.
Check out this great example from a Change.org petition starter:
→ Additional tactics beyond your own profiles:
In addition to sharing your petition on your personal social media accounts, you can expand your reach by tapping into online communities, public forums, and people with influence. These strategies help your petition find new audiences who are likely to care about your cause and take action.
Join Facebook groups related to your petition topic or location and share it there. If your petition is about local environmental concerns, look for city or neighborhood sustainability groups. For broader topics like education or health policy, find issue-based communities where members are likely to care and engage.
Join online message boards on Reddit related to your topic or location and share. Subreddits like r/environment, r/politics, or r/YourCityName are ideal for sharing relevant petitions. Always check the rules first—some subreddits limit promotion, so frame your post as a discussion or ask for support constructively.
Link to your petition in the comment section of related news articles. If a local newspaper or blog covers an issue your petition addresses, post a comment explaining your petition and link to it. This reaches people already interested in the topic and gives your petition more visibility.
Message influencers directly and ask them to repost. Identify influencers or public figures who align with your cause. Reach out via DM or email with a short, compelling message and your petition link. Look for speakers at past events on your issue, nonprofit advocates, or creators who use hashtags related to your cause. Even a repost in their Stories can drive significant attention.
More helpful resources:
Email and text your petition
One of the most effective ways to grow support for your petition is by reaching out directly through email and text. Start with people who know you — friends, family, former colleagues, local leaders, or members of support groups. These are the people most likely to sign and share right away because they trust you and care about what you’re doing.
Petition starters consistently say that beginning with personal contacts helped build confidence and early momentum:
“It’s a group chat with a bunch of close friends, so it’s like the first environment I can think of to post.” – Rai-Ching, Campus Reformer
“I loved that. That was easy. It was like a no brainer [to share with close friends first].” – Lori, Community Safety Advocate
“It felt good [to share with close friends first]. I had used my voice.” – Jax, Social Justice Advocate
Your early supporters will set the tone and energy of your campaign — getting their backing early makes a real difference.
Here’s a sample message:
Send a petition update
Change.org’s Petition Update tool is one of the most effective ways to build momentum, deepen supporter engagement, and drive action. Your supporters signed because they care—keeping them informed helps turn that interest into continued support.
→ Key tips for making the most of petition updates:
Share updates regularly. Share an update whenever there’s news — even small wins or setbacks. Aim for at least one update per week to keep the campaign active and top of mind.
Include progress. Let supporters know how the campaign is growing — milestones reached, new endorsements, or feedback from decision-makers. Let supporters know when you’ve contacted the target of your petition or had a meeting — it shows progress and keeps pressure visible.
Mobilize supporters. Invite them to take action with you, such as emailing elected officials, attending an event, or sharing the petition again.
Highlight related media or news coverage. Share press coverage, social media buzz, or relevant news stories to boost credibility and urgency. For example: “Read and share this news article so more people hear about our campaign.”
Ask for input or connections. Your supporters may have helpful skills, contacts, or ideas. You can say, “Leave a comment on the petition if you have ideas for how we can
By sending consistent, action-focused updates, you turn passive supporters into active campaigners, driving more signatures and public pressure.
Here's an example of an update that encourages supporters to share the petition and contact their legislators about it while keeping them informed.
Join a conversation on social media
Is your decision maker hosting an online conversation, or is there a conversation on X around your issue marked with a specific hashtag? To get attention from your campaign, start using the hashtag yourself to spread the word and collect petition signatures.
Example: Online advocates used the hashtag #TooMuchDoubt to spread the word about doubt surrounding Troy Davis' Death Row sentence. When Troy's sister started a petition on Change.org, signers tweeted links to the petition with #TooMuchDoubt, making sure others following Troy's story would see the petition. Troy was tragically executed on September 21, 2011, but advocates around the world were able to change the conversation around the death penalty.
Create a hashtag for your campaign
No matter the size of your petition, creating a custom hashtag can help build visibility and community around your cause. A hashtag makes it easy for people to follow updates, share your message, and show their support across social media.
Choose something short, memorable, and specific to your campaign. For example, TikTok creators used #StopWillow to organize support for a petition against the Alaskan oil pipeline. You can also include other hashtags that are already used for larger or ongoing relevant movements.
Whether you’re fighting for national policy change or a local community issue, a unique hashtag helps your campaign stand out and gives supporters a way to join the conversation.
Use your powerful online petition to get signatures offline
An online petition can also be a powerful tool in person. Taking your petition offline helps you connect directly with your community, build awareness, and gather even more support from people who may not see it online.
→ Read our complete guide to offline strategies for growing your petition
Collect signatures in high-traffic areas
Face-to-face conversations are a great way to share your passion and get real-time support. Head to public places where foot traffic is high and you're allowed to engage with passersby—like college campuses, downtown areas, public parks, or outside busy transit stations. Time your outreach during lunch breaks, weekends, or class changes to reach more people.
Plan a local event
Hosting an event can energize your campaign and bring people together around your cause. Consider reserving free meeting space at a public library or organizing a meetup at a community center. Independent bookstores, coffee shops, and other local businesses often welcome grassroots efforts—especially if your cause aligns with their values.
Know the rules: Petition circulation laws and best practices
If you're collecting signatures for an official petition — like one to change local or state laws — it's important to understand the legal requirements involved. These vary by state and may impact who can collect signatures, how you collect them, and where.
Residency and age requirements
In more than half of U.S. states, petition circulators must be eligible voters in the state where the petition is filed. This usually means being at least 18 years old and a resident. These rules reflect the idea that those advocating for legal change should have a direct stake in the community affected.
Paid vs. volunteer petitioners and disclosing status
Some large-scale campaigns use paid petition circulators, typically earning between $1–$3 per signature. Some states restrict payment per signature but allow hourly or salaried pay. Some states (including Colorado, Montana, and Oregon) ban per-signature payments, while others (like Ohio and Idaho) have had such bans overturned by federal courts. Always check your state’s latest laws before hiring or becoming a paid circulator.
Learn more about state and federal legislation governing petitioners by visiting the National Conference of State Legislatures website.
Where you can collect signatures
While public spaces are generally fair game, the right to petition on commercial private property—such as shopping malls or store entrances—can be limited. Property owners may set rules on whether political or community activity is allowed. Be respectful, avoid disruption, and seek permission when needed. When in doubt, consult local ordinances or legal counsel.
For policy-driven petitions, focus on registered voters in the right districts
If your petition is aimed at local or legislative change, it’s essential to collect signatures from registered voters — ideally within the decision maker’s constituency.
In a Change.org survey of elected officials, petitions signed by registered voters and petitions signed by voters from their own district were top reasons they cited for responding to a petition. That means targeting your outreach can make your petition far more persuasive.
Some petitions may require a minimum number of signatures from registered voters — at least 10, for example — and may also ask for each signer's voter registration certificate. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, so check with your local election office for specifics.
Illegal petition signature capturing methods to avoid
Improper collection methods can invalidate your petition—or even lead to legal trouble. Prohibited actions in many states include:
Paying or offering incentives for someone to sign or not sign
Misrepresenting the petition’s purpose or contents
Refusing to let someone read the petition before signing
Forging signatures or allowing others to sign on someone’s behalf
Using petitions to threaten, blackmail, or coerce
Abandoning, selling, or destroying petitions for compensation
Start strong with these proven tactics
Every signature is a step toward change—and now you’ve got the tools to grow your petition fast. Whether you're sharing online, organizing locally, or rallying friends and supporters, these tactics help you build real momentum.
Don’t wait. Start your petition, use what works, and watch your impact grow.
