Highlights from the CampaignGuide - the Online Campaign Management Journal
FEC Reporting Made Easy (or at least easier)
Benjamin A. Katz
Filing campaign statements with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) or any government agency can be a nerve racking and mentally exhausting experience. Campaign ethics is a hot topic right now.
That's why, drawing from years of experience working with many clients, we have outlined some best practices for staying out of trouble and keeping the FEC happy.
Read more on FEC Reporting Made Easy in our CampaignGuide.
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The Evolving Business of Political Consulting
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Raymond D. Strother
There have been political consultants since the advent of democracies but the modern era evolved in a rush after Richard Nixon lost a debate to John Kennedy because of his perceived bad appearance on television. Television sets had become a looming presence in the corner and people began to get their political information from a collection of scan lines.
Insecure candidates realized that a firm handshake and a microphone on the courthouse steps were not substitutes for a carefully crafted television commercial. Campaigns were about to be brought into living rooms.
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Using Buttons and Badges Effectively in a Political Campaign
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Greg Allison
Political campaigns can be tense and stressful. There is so much to do and often not enough time to do it. If you are a candidate or campaign manager, you should not be without a button maker machine. These machines will help you with some of the most critical areas of your campaign - getting the word out, addressing issues, and rallying support. Not only will buttons help acknowledge the issues and rally support, they will do it inexpensively and that is a word that any campaign manager likes to hear.
Mass mailings and phone campaigns take time and money. Postal rates continue to go up as well as the cost of paper, printing, and labels. You need paid staff or volunteers to organize the mailing list and put the mailers together for shipping. A great percentage of these mailers will never be read or even opened. The recipient who has other more important things on his or her mind will classify these mailers as junk mail and toss it in the trash. However, if you and your staff are wearing buttons, you are inviting the viewer to ask you questions. This gives you one on one face time with the public to answer directly and discuss the issues important to you candidate and party.
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Five Team Members Every Campaign Needs
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One of the most important parts of any campaign organization is the campaign team those individuals that the candidates relies on to carry the campaign to victory. While all campaigns are different, and thus have different needs when it comes to campaign organization, there are five positions that must be filled on any campaign, no matter how small.
Some campaigns may be small enough that one person can serve in two of the positions, but each job must be done and done right. Whether the job is filled by a paid staff member or a volunteer, each of the following job descriptions is integral to the success of your campaign
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Presentation Development
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Randall P. Whatley
Audience analysis
Presentations should always be tailored to your audience. Your knowledge of the audience to which you will speak is an important factor in the success of your presentations. When you understand your audience, their existing knowledge of your topic, and their desires, you can present from their point of view and give examples that relate to their interests. Audiences respond more favorably to presentations they believe are designed for them.
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Best Practices for your Database System
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Benjamin A. Katz
Mark Rackers
While some politicos still cling doggedly to their well-loved clipboards and broken pencils, those items deserve a more appropriate interment in the Museum of Campaigns Past. Today, you simply must use a database system. It is the lifeblood of your campaign, the one place (ideally) where you will plan events, track fundraising, catalog volunteers, and manage your budget.
There are two things you should keep in mind about database systems. First, you need a good one. Second, you need to use it right. A good tool poorly used is no better than no tool at all. Imagine using your beautiful new Milwaukee brand cordless drill to pound a wood screw into a concrete wall. (Somewhere, a craftsman felt a shiver go down his spine.)
Hints on how to use your Database system well:
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