Tabling in 5 Easy Steps

“Tabling”—or setting up a table with resources about animal issues—is an effective way to engage the public and provide information about animal rights. Follow these five steps, and you’re sure to be successful!

1.      Setting Up

First, get permission from the library, festival, or community event or wherever you’re planning to table. On the day of the event, make sure your table is clean and covered and that all literature is displayed neatly.

2.      Personal Appearance

By looking well put together, not wearing sunglasses, and flashing a smile, you’ll be more approachable and reach more people. And don’t forget to wear your PETA shirt!

3.      Engaging People

Stand in front of your well-organized table and engage passersby. If it’ll help you, prepare a friendly opening line. It can be as simple as “Hi! Did you get one of these yet?” Talk to as many people as possible, and make sure everyone leaves with literature!

4.      Answering Questions

By educating yourself on the issues before you go, you’ll be ensuring that answering questions will be a snap. Use the literature on your table to supplement your answers. For example, if someone asks about the dairy industry, make sure he or she leaves with a copy of “Glass Walls.”

5.   Answering Tough Questions

The issues facing animals are deep and complex, so don’t worry if you don’t know the answer to a tough question. Simply get the person’s contact information and offer to have someone get back to him or her. You can also prep a smartphone or tablet with one of PETA’s issues pages for quick reference. Remember: If you don’t know something, that’s OK—never lie!

Don’t forget to have fun and remember why you’re there—to help animals!

If you have a tabling session coming up, e-mail us at [email protected], and we’ll hook you up with leaflets and stickers to hand out!

Inspired to help animals?