How do I understand delivery channels and types?

Different delivery methods have varying success rates and requirements. 

1. Identify the three main delivery channels 

   1. Form/Email: Messages delivered through web forms or email 

   2. Twitter: Messages posted as tweets to targets' Twitter accounts 

   3. Click-to-Call: Phone calls connecting supporters to targets 

2. Understand Form/Email delivery types 

   1. API: The most direct method, using the target's application software 

      1. Currently available only for US Representatives and some US Senators through Communicating with Congress (CWC) APIs 

   2. Contact Form: Automated submission to the target's web form 

      1. Not available if the form uses CAPTCHA to prevent automation 

      2. System will try email or fax instead if CAPTCHA is detected 

   3. Email: Direct email to the target's email address 
      1. Uses supporter's email in Reply-To field 
      2. From Email address is changed to ensure deliverability 
   4. Fax: Message sent via fax when other methods aren't available 
      1. Used as fallback if API, contact form, or email aren't viable options 
   5. None Available: Indicates no delivery method is possible 
      1. May be temporary for newly elected officials 
      2. Some targets have no viable delivery method (e.g., CAPTCHA-protected forms with no email or fax) 

3. Review delivery type distribution 

   1. Check which delivery types are most used for your messages 

   2. Identify targets with limited delivery options 

4. Consider implications for message formatting 

   1. Different delivery types may affect how your message appears to targets 

   2. API and Contact Form typically preserve formatting better than fax 

5. Plan your advocacy strategy 

   1. For targets with limited delivery options, consider alternative advocacy methods 

   2. For important campaigns, focus on targets with more reliable delivery types