Running an Effective Political Campaign

A successful candidate must be: Organized Energetic Articulate Versatile Patient Consistent Well informed Persuasive

Organization The key to a successful campaign is good planning. Ensure that all members of the team are on the same page throughout the campaign. The more comprehensive the plan, the fewer decisions will have to be made in the heat of the moment

Creating a distinct identity aka “Branding” A candidate should make promises he/she believes in and take a stand on issues Branding is the promise that the campaign is making. It is demonstrated by the campaign logo, slogan, website, brochures, and direct mail campaigns. It is infused into all actions and interactions. Clear, succinct and consistent messaging must printed on all of the campaign literature. Candidate should focus on being distinctive.

Creating a slogan Tie it to your message Tap into human core values Make it memorable Use it often Examples: Dwight Eisenhower: “I Like Ike” Richard Nixon: “Nixon’s the One!” Jimmy Carter: “A Leader, For a Change” Bill Clinton: “Putting People First” George W. Bush: “Leave no child behind” John Kerry: “Let America be America Again” John McCain: “Country First” Barack Obama: “Yes We Can!”

Questions to consider What is your political campaign about (mission & vision)? What is your competitive environment? What are your main political campaign goals? What is your political campaign strategy? What are the phases of your political campaigning process? How do you gather political campaign information (intelligence gathering)? What is the marketing strategy of your political campaign? How would you organize your political campaign force? What would be the steps of your political campaign process? How would you evaluate your political campaign action plan execution?

Works Cited http://jdrazure.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/ho w-to-run-an-effective-political-campaign-a- synopsis-for-the-aspiring-candidate/ http://www.salesknowledge.biz/political- campaign-planning/political-strategy-how-to- win-an-election.htm http://www.localvictory.com/communications/ political-slogans.html