Your first opt-in form

An opt-in form is how a stranger becomes a contact. Build it simple, build it honest, build it once.

Action Network has several action types — petition, event, letter to target, donation, form. For pure list growth, the 'Form' action is the cleanest: it asks for name, email, and any custom fields you choose, then thanks them and (optionally) adds tags.

Create a Form titled something like 'Join the [Campaign Name] base'. The title is the subscriber-facing headline. Underneath, write 2-3 sentences explaining what you are building, what they will get (e.g., 'updates twice a month, plus first invites to neighborhood meetings'), and what you won't do ('we won't sell your info, ever').

Add only the fields you'll actually use in the next 90 days. Tempting to ask zip code, age, occupation, languages spoken — but every extra field cuts completion by an estimated 5-10%. Start with: first name, last name, email, phone (optional), and one custom question that matters for your campaign (e.g., 'Are you a renter, homeowner, or unsure?').

Under 'Response Settings', write a short thank-you message that names one concrete next step ('Watch your inbox tomorrow — I'll send the welcome note personally.'). Under 'Tags' (we'll set these up in 4.5), pre-tag everyone who fills the form with a tag like 'source: opt-in form public'.

Take the form's public URL and put it everywhere — your campaign website, social media bios, email signature, the bottom of every flyer.