The Power of Prompts: Using Behavioral Insights to Encourage People to Participate

The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation presents findings from a study of two behavioral interventions: one that used behavioral messaging postcards and text messages to encourage participation in an optional meeting, and one that made the meeting easier to attend. The meeting was for Paycheck Plus, an earnings supplement program in which participants had previously enrolled. The study found that behavioral messaging led to a significant increase in the percentage of attending participants, sending text messages in addition to postcards was more effective than solely sending postcards, and there was no significant difference in response rates between the phone and in-person participants. The evidence shows the promise of using behavioral insights in marketing materials for more effective outcomes, as well as the challenges of engaging a low-income, urban population.