Obama Campaign: Did it Half-Right, Doing it Half-Wrong
Social Media (SM) is a powerful tool. I can’t say it enough, even if you’re getting sick of hearing it. However, as social media “experts/consultants” say, there’s a right & wrong way to do it. In the political arena the Obama campaign did a phenomenal job of utilizing social media to organize and execute. Whether it was publicizing where they were or raising funds, it was their avenue to reach the masses. BUT, they only did it half right and now their doing it half wrong.
Social media is not a do it and leave it tool. You can’t sign on to Twitter and expect masses to follow you. You can’t expect to post 300 videos (McCain) when your opponents post 1800 videos (Obama) and get the same results.
What is the half-right way? It’s building that cult-like following that enables you to send message, videos, or 140 character updates to millions & millions of people.
What is the half-wrong way? Stopping when you win! As an entrepreneur would you stop utilizing SM after you hit your annual goals? Heck no! So why, as an elected official would you stop communicating with your constituents? SM isn’t for candidates, it’s for individuals that care about our country, their constituents, and the vitality of the American way. It’s a constant stream of communication back & forth that enables both parties (representatives & constituents, not elephants & donkeys) to express their ideas and act on them; before & after election!
I decided to check out President Obama’s and Vice-President Biden’s social media profiles. By the way, Vice-President Joe Biden doesn’t even have his own website! No, I didn’t check out Senator McCain’s because honestly, what’s the point? I was very disappointed with the results of my search.
@barackobama’s last two updates were January 15th & 19th for obvious reasons – Inauguration & MLK Day. Before January 15th his last post was November 5th! Even worse, @joebiden’s last update was August 13th! He couldn’t even make through the election.
Obama’s notes have not been updated since November 10th, his feed has had updates here and there, and his last photo album was August 26th. Biden’s last notes update was September 25th, last feed was December 5th (4 months after his second to last update), and his last album was August 25th.
I think you get the point now. Check out the other pages here to see how seldom they’ve been updated since election:
Myspace/barackobama | Myspace/joebiden
Youtube/barackobama | Youtube/joebiden
After looking at Youtube, President Obama has maintained video updates, but relative to pre-election updates the numbers are negligible.
SM must be maintained. While I’m sure President Obama is busy I’m sure he has an aid somewhere that could keep it current. Or match up one network with one aid. Point is – He’s doing it wrong.
Even more important are the implications of doing it half-wrong. If President Obama isn’t updating his social network what is the likelihood he’s listening to those who supported & followed him on his social network.
If you are running for office on any level you must do it ALL RIGHT! SM has a pre-election use and post-election use. Even if you lose, don’t be a Senator McCain & stop using it period. Build your support pre-election & LISTEN to your supporters post-election.
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