Campaign Orientation

Two Political Pathways... … Politician or Policy l Campaign Strategy l Campaign Strategy to elect officials that understand the importance of a healthy business environment and minimal regulations governing the real estate business. l Legislative Strategy l Legislative Strategy to influence business public policy and regulations surrounding the real estate profession. l Campaign Strategy l Campaign Strategy to elect officials that understand the importance of a healthy business environment and minimal regulations governing the real estate business. l Legislative Strategy l Legislative Strategy to influence business public policy and regulations surrounding the real estate profession.

Candidate Planning & Organization Reality Cornerstones to Look For… l Campaign Plan: Activities, Timing, Organization l Budget and Fundraising Plan: Where is the money coming from and how is it being spent l Organization: By committee or by function… typically function.

Candidate Recruitment l Start now looking for candidate prospects l Where to Look –REALTOR® groups, allied groups & businesses groups –Look to civic and church groups –City councils or county commissions l Look for experience in many facets of life l Look at the person’s situation –family, job, money, time commitment –political or philosophical views –desire, energy l Assign person(s) to approach prospect l Discuss possible support with them –financial –volunteer l Gauge interest and REALTOR® support

Candidate Interviews & Endorsements l Invite all candidates in writing –Date, time, place –Format –Length of interview l Neutral location for interview l Assign different questions to different REALTORS® l Query about … l background, education, experience, personal interests l real estate and business issues l community issues l hot topic statewide issues

Leveraging Endorsements l Cover letter (press release) –List or person –Why you support them –Invitation for all to support l Notify area weekly (ies) l Notify local daily (ies) l Notify local radio &/or TV…news directors l Send list ( /snail) to all REALTORS® l Post on website & in office

Candidate Forums l Candidate Breakfast, Night or Luncheon –Debate format –Candidate remarks only –Remarks and Q&A l Include other groups l Table for materials

Volunteers “ God’s gift to candidates” l Work at events l Write a letter to the editor l Make phone calls l Canvass door to door l Put up signs

Volunteers “ God’s gift to candidates” l Volunteer Mngt-Training l Volunteer Mngt-Training – experienced volunteer coordinators are a “gem” to a candidate. –Coordinate phone banks –Identify events –Coordinate letter-to editor writing –Plan or coordinate door-to-door –Maintain a database & print lists –Put up signs

Volunteer “Things” l Offer telephone Banks - REALTOR® offices have phones! –volunteer recruitment –voter I.D. –event turnout –GOTV l Copying machines l Computers and printers l Yard sign assembly area l Area in office for issue materials l Sign location planning & management

Endorsements… Help Line Up Supporters l REALTORS® have contacts throughout the community. Candidates want to meet them and gain their support. –Arrange introductions –Provide a call list

Contributions The Mother’s Milk of Politics l Make no mistake, money is the holy grail for any campaign. l Write a check! l Hold a cocktail or coffee party l Office challenges l Progressive dinners/bar-b-q l Percentage pledges l Sponsor an event l Donate to RPAC l Yard sale & contribute proceeds

Voter Contact The Oh, So Ever Precious List! l Realtors Organizations l REALTORS® l Clients l Business Associates l Circulate a sign-up sheet in the office l Offer a reference group list

A Few Media Ideas l Letters To Editor l Guest Opinions l Paid advertising – REALTOR® ad –Weeklies are very good –Dailies (depends on candidate & area) –Publish endorsements & state support