Building a Successful Political Campaign

By Joel Abby


As each day or week goes by, do you find yourself talking and complaining more and more about your local politicians and all the things they are failing to accomplish? Well, if you have some good ideas for solutions and are able to effectively communicate these ideas to your friends, family, and coworkers, you should seriously consider running for a political office of some kind, when one becomes available. Although making laws to affect change in your community is likely your focus, without a well-executed political campaign, very few, if any, of your ideas and solutions will turn into actual change. Even with the great complexities of the political process, you can run a serious campaign with as little as common sense, a great attitude, and a lot of creativity.

The internet has overhauled campaign finance. The impact computers had on mailing lists began this fundraising change in the 80s. Today, fundraising is as easy as the click of a mouse.

Connecting with people through mailed fliers and brochures, or linking with them through online social media, are also effective measures that may help you get elected. You have to do as much as you can to keep your name in people's minds and make your ideas and proposed solutions become part of the public conversation. Social media outlets are valuable, since many people do not read noncritical paper mail; on the other hand, many people, if they have the internet at all, are not real familiar with social media interactions. If you do not make a huge concerted effort to connect with the people in your community, they will have neither the name recognition nor motivation they would need to vote for you.

Another thing to take into consideration is the importance that money and fundraising plays in all elections, regardless of how much you rely on grassroots efforts. Especially these days, everything your political campaign needs to succeed will require some funds at some point, whether it is for transportation and communication, or food for staff and wardrobe for yourself. Perhaps more important than how much money you raise is how this money is spent, which means you will have to have a trusted and capable money manager on your team.

If your ideas are valid, and if you appeal to people as varied as the unemployed divorced mother to the CEO with a family of six, you will garner tremendous support, which will manifest in both fundraising and voter turnout.




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