Affordable Cloud Call Banks for Political Campaigns

(By John Burnley, Contributing Author)

For many years in IT infrastructure, I would try to deploy technology that not only fulfilled business requirements, but also considered other organizational interests such as security, DR (Disaster Recovery) and BC (Business Continuity), etc. Before leaving one former employer, I was pushing for the placement of call center personnel to some of our other various locations. With the voice over IP (VoIP) telephone system we had installed, call center agents could be deployed anywhere and appear to be at one central location.

There were advantages and disadvantages for having staff in multiple locations. Advantages included easier coverage of various time zones and locales as well as business continuity if the main call center became inoperable. Disadvantages included managing remote staff as well as potential higher employee cost, depending on the area.

Corporate workers in a virtual workplace are no different than campaign volunteers using virtualized tools, and it may make it as easier for those individuals to become involved. There are many functions that can be pushed out to the virtual world, and one which caught my attention is phone bank operations. Now, I know there is tremendous interest in finding new processes and technology that will revolutionize campaigns, but there are some traditional methods that are still viable for reaching constituents. However, there are different approaches on how those traditional methods can be managed and implemented.

Traditionally, phone banks were centrally located with rows of volunteers placing calls from voter roll lists. Larger operations could run different shifts depending on whether the race was local, state or a national venue. Now with VoIP (voice over IP), SaaS (software as a service), virtualization etc., the doors have been opened to implement this functionality in a non-traditional way. Barack Obama’s successful presidential campaign did this by leveraging volunteers following time zones for their call bank function.

There are many options available ranging from simple tracking to providing autodialer functionality, funneling answering machines to an automated message while handing off a live call to an available agent. Many are internet based and the functionality is delivered via SaaS or using existing infrastructure; the call agents may be located anywhere. Of course, costs depend upon the level of functionality.

One example of is VoterFetch . The site specifically targets conservative and Republican campaigns. Another example is CallFire . Their ‘Cloud Call Center’ product targets a commercial audience, but could be effectively used for campaign purposes. Please remember, vendor sites mentioned in this post are used as examples only. Any products or services described should not be construed as an endorsement by ORS or me.

Consider the implications of implementing a virtual call bank for a grassroots campaign. Instead of leasing expensive office space and equipment to manage the call bank, small volunteer groups could meet at a Starbucks, Panera, local library meeting room or anywhere with internet access armed with only laptops and cell phones. Volunteers could also host small groups from their own homes on a rotating basis. Viola – instant phone bank. Individuals could also do the same from home, or virtually anywhere.

What is exciting about this technology is that any campaign, regardless of size or venue, can realize the benefits of a call bank without the need for a war chest to fund it.

The state of campaign software and new media engagement

(Please welcome John Burnley to the ORS family.  John brings a vast amount of more traditional infrastructure expertise to our “cloud based thinking”.  His knowledge and understanding of systems and architecture will certainly round out the ORS team as we move forward, expand, and bring you more content aimed at helping you developing a winning online campaign strategy.)

After being in the technology sector for over 20 years, I’ve developed a passion for finding opportunities to integrate technology in ways not envisioned by the original developers. One area that has recently caught my attention is political campaigning. Sure, if you Google political “campaign technology” or “campaign software”, you will get a laundry list of products, services and consultants. There are even some vendors who have built their offerings around cloud computing themes offering their products as SaaS (software as a service). The “Cloud” is another interest, but I’ll save that for a later time.

From the basic research that I’ve done, it appears that most, if not all offerings deal with the backroom functionality of tracking donations, voter lists, the general business of running a campaign etc.

What they don’t address is the integration of all the tools that may be necessary to successfully run a campaign whether at the local, state or national levels.

It’s important to efficiently run the ‘business’ of the campaign, but it is equally important to have an effective strategy for engagement. Constituent message delivery and adoption, volunteer motivation and fundraising are all part of the engagement process. This is where campaigns can fall short. How many times have you thrown away direct mail, hung up on the pre-recorded candidate message, changed the television channel to escape negative advertisements or vowed not to vote for the next candidate that called and interrupted your dinner?

New technology and media tools are changing the political landscape, and candidates who do not embrace these methods may not have sufficient fundraising, volunteer workers or voter turnout to compete with better managed or funded campaigns. Many still solely rely on traditional methods, although some have started to use social media tools. However, having a Facebook page or Twitter account without effectively using them to reach out to the constituency may lead to failure.

The best example of utilizing technology within a political campaign is the successful 2008 presidential election of Barack Obama. Dan Siroker, Director of Analytics for the Obama campaign has just released a video entitled “How we used data to win the presidential election”. Here is a great example of aligning technological tools with strategy and analytics to make good decisions, increase funding and engaging constituents and volunteers. (First 20 or so minutes is focused on the political side of things vs. private sector)

There are other examples of how campaigns are becoming more innovative. Alex Beam, in his article “Beam on politics: What’s Working” writes about candidates using tele-town halls to enable constituents “a chance to participate in a talk-show like exchange with the candidate”. In an interview with the University Of Michigan School Of Business , Michigan Republican Governor Candidate Rick Snyder says his campaign is leveraging cell phone cameras and databases in a ‘get-the-vote-out technology’ that he has dubbed “Rick’s Innovation Network”.

How successful will candidates be? No doubt, results will vary because of differences in the candidates, platforms, issues and specific strategies and implementations. Beam was skeptical on how effective using new media tools are, but did acknowledge there are success stories. The Obama campaign is the only case study I have found where analytics were used on measurement data. I’m still searching for more case studies at the local, state and national levels. However, many of these tools are free, and in the Obama campaign, the ROI was phenomenal.

Campaign managers will need to be careful about jumping onto the bandwagon. Instead of just opening a Twitter account or developing a Facebook page, an overall strategy must be developed that aligns with the campaign goals. As innovative technological strategies are implemented, some type of monitoring and measurement must also take place to help evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken. Sending out blast Email, text messages etc. without purpose or measurement is the equivalent of SPAM, and will in all probability be rejected by the recipients.

As far as our current political party system in the United States, it appears the Democrats are paying more attention and may be further ahead in implementing these strategies and techniques…but that’s where we at ORS come in.  We’re changing the game and providing conservatives the campaigns of tomorrow…today.

Well Educated and Well Meaning Regret Their Choice for Obama

A great piece appeared in yesterday’s New York Times titled, “In Iowa, Second Thoughts on Obama.” The piece explains the growing disillusionment with Obama and his politics as usual approach in Washington (remember he was to be different and transcend politics with hope and change).  Admittedly, I was impressed with Obama and hoped that if he won the race…that there would be substantial change in Washington and its approach to governing We the People.  Not so much.

“All my Republican friends — and independents — are sitting back saying, ‘Oh, what did we do?” Ms. McAreavy said. “I’m not to that point yet, but a lot of people are.”

I have some very smart and well educated friends and colleagues that jumped aboard the Obama train.  Their votes were really more “Against Bush and his party that had abandoned its principles” than a vote for Obama…but the net result was the same.  Now, as our President attempts to usurp larger and larger portions of our economy with his legislature the backlash continues to grow.

“What have we done” is the whisper I hear at cocktail parties.  “What are we doing about it” is the roar I hear at Tea Parties. We hear much more in Iowa than the average bear.

Off-Record, now On-Record through Social Media & the Internet

I’m sure everyone active on Twitter noticed this post ignite comments all across the Twitter-sphere.

To catch you up to speed, there was an interview with President Obama on CNBC where this so-called “off-record” remark was made by POTUS calling Kanye West a “Jack-ass.”  As you can see, Terry Moran of ABC News immediately tweeted about it.  Within a fairly short period of time ABC caught wind that it was an “off-record” comment and quickly deleted Moran’s tweet.  Unfortunately for ABC, CNBC, and POTUS, they were too late and this was merely the beginning.  TMZ, no surprise, managed to get some audio of this “off-record” jack-ass calling.  Check it out in the video below.

I don’t bring this up to merely spread the story because in all candor, I couldn’t care less about the actual story.  That said, this experience is of great importance for all politicians, whether or not you have an active online presence.  In less than one day a seemingly unnoticed comment that was apparently off-record, flooded every facet of the Internet.  Just think, that could have been you.

With the massive increase in communication/information accessibility there is no such thing as “off the record.”  In this day and age anything you say in a public and even private forum is not protected.  As Presidential as it may be to call celebrities, or anyone for that matter, a Jack-ass, I don’t think Obama or any of you want your “off-record” comments flooding the bandwidth of every news and blog outlet.

Just to show you proof of how broad the coverage was on one small comment.  Look below, it took me a small search in a Word Press plug-in to get those articles.  On Google if you limit your search as much as possible like, “Obama” & “Jackass” you’ll get over 3 million results.

As for this moronic journalists attempt to coin the phrase, “The Joe Wilson Treatment,” I pity him.  This is in no way similar, unless of course, you ignore the conservative side of the aisle and only look to the left drooling in awe of their majesty, POTUS.  Even then, I don’t recall POTUS getting any sort of award….hmmmm.

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Mike Bloomberg, Paid Advertising for Facebook Pages

Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York City, has started an aggressive campaign to attract his constituents to his campaign page on the internet’s largest social networking site, Facebook.  This week Bloomberg posted a commercial on YouTube inviting his viewers to become his supporters on Facebook.  He also has paid advertisements on the internet attracting people to his page.   This is definitely a unique use of social media for a mayor of a city.  Granted, he is the mayor of New York City, which obviously makes him a higher profile politician than most of your everyday mayors around the country, but I haven’t even seen my Governor (thankfully) or US Senators do this.  Paid advertisements to lead people to your Facebook page?  This is a relatively new concept.  Bloomberg is a pioneer.  I wonder how long it will take until we see that from others.  Maybe next Presidential election we will see paid advertisements on television by Barack Obama or Mitt Romney trying to get us to visit their Facebook campaign page or to follow them on Twitter.   This wouldn’t surprise me at all.

I often mention how great a campaigning tool social networking sites are because they are so cheap (typically free unless you hire someone else to manage it).  Now we have a politician taking it to the next level by actually buying advertising space to promote his campaign pages on social networking sites.  I am curious to see if this strategy is effective and worth the money paid for the advertisements.  Bloomberg now has over 15,000 supporters on Facebook and the number continues to grow.

The world is changing.  Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate with each other, the way we campaign, the way we do business, and the way we get our news.  I don’t think anyone can fully comprehend where social media will be at the time the next Presidential election comes around.  The more people make bold moves like Bloomberg, the faster social media will progress.

Read more about it here:

http://www.politickerny.com/3593/bloombergs-facebook-supporters-thompsons-facebook-friends

Barack Obama on Twitter again as ‘whitehouse’ – TECH.BLORGE.com

By now most of you have heard about @whitehouse on Twitter functioning as a “replacement” (not literally) for @barackobama.  I believe it was my second or third blog post ever on ORS which was a few months ago that I discussed how Obama dropped the ball by ONLY using social media to get elected and NOT to actually create a dialogue with the American people.

Does this @whitehouse handle mean that PBO (President Barack Obama) is finally opening up again to us?  No.  It does not.  Why?  Well let’s look at it this way with a quick history lesson.

Web 1.0 is the first generation of the internet that was widely used in the 90’s.  Websites were used for two things:  information and transactions.  It started this way but relatively quickly turned into what you see now as Web 2.0.  What’s the difference?  Look at it this way.  Web 1.0 is a one way conversation.  It’s the website giving you information and purchasable goods and that’s the extent of it.  Web 2.0 is the two way conversation, you know, one of those echoes in all my posts.  Web 2.0 envelopes the blogosphere, social networking, etc.

The internet has turned into Web 2.0 as organizations and individuals have tried too create a dialogue with their readership and consumer base.  @whitehouse is a web 1.0-esque account.  There is no two way conversation.  Frankly, even @barackobama didn’t create a “real” two way conversation.  He just enabled you to follow him and comment on his status on various sites.  Seldom did he return the favor.  He has a total of 268 updates on Twitter.  Honestly, the only reason he has over 1 million followers is because of his celebrity status.  It has NOTHING to do with communication.  This is the anti-social media.  Why should I or anyone else have any reason to believe that @whitehouse will be any different.  GIVE ME ONE REASON I SHOULD FOLLOW @WHITEHOUSE OR @BARACKOBAMA!

“Uh…der…uh…it’s cool man, er…yeah.”  Seriously.  How can an individual such as the POTUS (President of the United States) stand for change and transparency in our government and yet he can’t even create a Web 2.0 conversation?

This is why we, as conservatives, not Republicans, not Democrats, are creating one of the largest movements this country has ever seen.  We are about creating dialogue, not with Iran or Syria, but with the people.  This is how Tax Day Tea Parties happened, through dialogue!  None of this @votejohndoe crap who updates five times during his run for mayor and then stops.  That’s why at ORS the only comments we block are spam.  That’s why nearly all blogs and websites I frequent only block spam.  Because convo is a two way thing.

The Whitehouse blog called this Whitehouse 2.0 in a recent post because they are doing this on all major social networks.  I don’t buy it.  Some intern on the hill is tweeting links, updates, and sometimes replying to another government Twitter account.

Mr. President, if you really plan on having a “Whitehouse 2.0″ then let’s see it!  Start communicating with us.  Unless of course your signing up for Facebook is just to listen to a bunch of morons praising you as a celebrity.  So far all I’ve seen is a bunch of ego-feeding from those that worship you.  I have yet to see any relevant or constructive outcome from your use of social media during your first 100-days. Am I saying all of this because I’m a conservative and PBO is not?  No.  I’m saying this because so far the Whitehouse has put on this annoying facade of using social media as a way to communicate when all they do is tell us what they want and turn off the replies.  It’s hard to listen when all you want to do is talk.

For the rest of you that are running for office….remember this:  Two way conversations are NOT created by joining networks and linking people to your site.  It’s about acknowledging people.  It’s about replying to people.  It’s about heeding what others say and at the very least, thanking them for their contribution to the conversation.  So go now and converse!

http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2009/05/01/barack-obama-on-twitter-again-as-whitehouse

The Dems Push Back with Social Media

To mark President Obama’s first 100 days as President he visited a small town in Missouri.  This just happens to also be where the Dems are making a second push with social media to win over the minds of the people.  Organize for America.  Sounds great, right?  No, this is just another Democrat grass roots movement that is being employed because of recent opposition.

USA Today put out on article today stating that Organize for America is using social media as a way to expand Obama support  nationwide through grass roots efforts.

So far they have held 11 community meetings and Patricia Justice, Ph.D student from St. Louis says “I have not seen something of this magnitude.”  The article’s author calls the movement  a “first-of-its-kind effort.”

Seriously?!  First of it’s kind?  You’ve seen nothing like it?  All because of 11 meetings and 600,000 supporters (they didn’t report how many of them were actual tax payers .  There largest meeting thus far had an entire 200 people attend.  Impressive. Especially compared to the 20,000 tea party protesters in St. Louis back on April 15th.

In all seriousness though, this movement is supposed to be grassroots.  There is no link to a Facebook page.  There is no link to a Twitter handle.  There is no link to a website.  There is nothing that shows a serious 21st century grassroots movement of any kind or the development of an online presence.

Grassroots movements in the 21st century encompass a powerhouse combination of social media and IRL (in real life) interaction.  It’s about creating a two-way conversation that can be held online or face to face.  The Tax Day tea parties are a perfect example even though the drive-by media is still somewhat unwilling to recognize its impact .  First, we know we made an impact otherwise the left wouldn’t be scrambling like they are.  Second, we haphazardly created this two-way conversation.  There were websites, Twitter pages, Facebook groups, and more, that were entirely devoted to this single event.  This naturally was picked up on the donkey blogs and drive-by media.  Through this we were able to reach out to even more support.  That is a grassroots movement at its best.  It may have started out as some haphazard movement online but it’s becoming increasingly popular for conservatives to participate online.  Now, it’s a strategy and one that will work.

Read more about the article here.

Facebook’s Demographic Shift Becomes Advantage for Political Candidates

We all heard last week how Facebook has finally reached the 200 million user mark.  What’s even more important is who that 200 million user base is comprised of.

New media has been primarily comprised of younger users, less than 25 years old.  Until the last twelve months, it didn’t even make sense to use these tools as a way of communicating your political message if your target was outside that age range.  Facebook’s demographic has taken such a strong shift that it has now asserted itself, once again, as one of the vital tools to an campaigns online web strategy.

Check these numbers covering the last 180 days of Facebook growth.  They are astounding. No more is the world of Facebook confined to the younger crowd.  We actually saw the same shift occur on Twitter over the last six to ten months.  Twitter has not only been penetrated by other age groups but there has even been a large swing to the right.  I don’t think I’ve seen a @barackobama since the election.

Why is this shift in Facebook so particularly powerful?  Facebook has the ability to mirco-target groups of individuals.  From an advertising perspective I can go in and find market segments that would only have 90 people in it out of 200 million.  At the same time, if I have a message for the masses I can still reach the 200 million.  Now that there is an increasingly diverse demographic on this social network you can cater your message to anyone you want.

What should you watch out for when using this tool?  When you have access to different demographics it’s very easy for a politician to not just cater their message to the segment their reaching out to, but also change it. Your online brand cannot change if you want to be successful. Be sure that your message is the same across the board.  You may talk to the elderly about prescription drugs and to the youth about education no problem.  As long as your message is consistent you can be successful.

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Glenn Beck: The US Collapse of 2009

Glenn Beck has done an incredible job of showing the devaluation of the US dollar since we left the gold standard.  This is something we all need to hear and something we all need to share.  Democrat or Republican, we are digging ourselves a grave that may be too deep to climb out of.  Call your Senator & Congressional Representative & let them know we can’t afford this anymore.

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