Running for Local Office? Make a Campaign Sign

January 12, 2010 by Steve Schultz @GeniusbyOsmosis · Leave a Comment
Filed under: local politics

Duh! I know that’s what you’re all thinking. But quite frankly there are a significant number of people out there that are interested in running and have never ventured into politics. As a matter of fact, a lot of times, it’s kind of easy to spot them because their signs are, well, interesting. In all candor, it’s really just about basic marketing principles applied both online and IRL (in real life).

Well, for those of you that are looking to run this 2010, probably a local office, check out these tips from iSnare.com.

Colors Matter: Just like you wouldn’t wear certain colors in parts of LA, colors represent something. The symbolize political parties, ideology and much more. I’ll often see green colored signs for local offices that are running in rural areas with lots of farmland.
Oh I look Great: Would you buy a product without at the very least seeing it in a picture? Of course not. You must have a face with your brand. If your message doesn’t have a face to fall back on you won’t pull in votes.
Everyone Knows The Name: What do people see when they look on the ballot? Names and sometime parties. Give them a name. Honestly, if you can hammer your name in the head of every person in your area you will win. Especially in local races or the “unknown” races that people don’t pay too much attention to. Your Name could win it for you.
Political Party Affiliations: Affiliations do matter, but unlike the advice of the article, it’s not always smart to declare your affiliations. In many local races you need to consider your self a “Bostonian” before you consider yourself a certain ideology. “Bostonian” of course meaning whatever city you hail from. Sometimes party affiliation will help and sometimes it can hurt. Just remember, when they see your Conservative you may gain the right vote but you’ve possibly lost the left. That’s quite presumptuous but for simplicity’s sake, let’s leave it at that.
Slogan: A slogan is and isn’t necessary. If you have a good slogan it works. But remember your signs are only so big so keep it short and simple. Obama ran on Hope and Change. And while Hope is gone and the Change has been terrible, it was catchy. Be original but don’t be stupid.
You Constituency: If there is one thing I abhor in this world it’s a political sign where I can’t tell what they are running for. Especially on local races. Often you can’t tell what district they’re running for, is it school board or city council, etc. Tell everyone what you are running for.
Use Icons: Icons can work but again, be careful. Icons can become confusing. If you use icons keep it simple. Here in Iowa my brother has used the State of Iowa as an icon and it works. Don’t have something ambiguous or that just doesn’t make sense.

Anyways, these are their tips (somewhat) on making signs. Yes, I know, this is a technology blog, but let’s be honest, if you aren’t following these principles in the design of your website and bumper/banner ads than you’re messing up. Like I said these tips apply online and IRL. So if you’re running for public office, especially for the first time, you have a new, fresh brand to create. Follow these tips and make the most of your image and good luck in running you political campaign.

Tags: City council, Iowa, local office, local politics, mayor, obama, political signs, public office, running for office, School Board

Top 10 Suggestions On How to Run for Office

June 16, 2009 by Doug Mitchell · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Social Media, local politics, twitter

We’ve been meeting with a lot of upstart campains lately and many are in exactly the same position you are. They’ve decided to run, put up a brochure based website with family photos and a Youtube video, and put a DONATE button on the home page with links to their Twitter and Facebook accounts. ORS is proud that you’ve stepped up but now it’s time to get serious about running for office. No matter the office (school board, mayor, etc.) you need to forget what you think you know…and do the following:

If you’re not on the Wordpress platform, get there.
Focus less on looks and more on generating content at every possible opportunity.
Learn how to engage in dialog on Twitter and reach out vs. use it as a bullhorn.
Understand that the candidate who brings out a large new block of 18-40 year old voters will win and those who count on 65+ (because they’re always been there) will lose.
Learn how to use Google Reader/ Google Alerts to LISTEN out there. Listening allows you to find those who are in the conversation…and now YOU can join them.
Learn how to shoot your own video and remember that 10 “real” videos of you engaging with constituents are better than 1 commercial with the fireplace, the dog, and the family in it.
Get over your fear of social media tools. Without showing who you are and what you’re made of or shrouding it in “political grease” will eliminate chances you have with 18-40 year olds.
Have a Tweetup. Senator Grassley is 75 and he’s held 2 at our offices.
Start a weekly podcast.
Stream a campaign event live using ustream.tv
BONUS: Use an email marketing solution like the number one in the universe called Aweber to gather names and distribute relevant information to your followers.

Tags: facebook, google alerts, local politics, tweetup, twitter, ustream

Government Officials Using Twitter Outside of a Campaign

May 8, 2009 by Steve Schultz @GeniusbyOsmosis · Leave a Comment
Filed under: News

: Image via CrunchBase

Why are local governments using social networking sites to communicate with their residents? What makes it more effective than a news report on television or an article in tomorrow’s local newspaper? Cities all over America are jumping onto the social media bandwagon, but why?

One example of these cities is Santa Clara located in California. Santa Clara city officials have been using Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube extensively to communicate with their residents. Regarding the City of Santa Clara’s activity on social networking sites, PublicCEO.com reported:

“…the City of Santa Clara (@santaclaracity) Tweets everything from notices about RFPs for tennis and sport court resurfacing projects to summer employment opportunities and Swine Flu updates…

Citizens can express opinions, ask questions and get answers in real time.

That immediacy has also proved helpful in getting information out quickly in emergency situations. Whether it is Swine Flu updates, earthquake warnings, missing child reports or road closures, a single post can reach thousands of people quickly and efficiently.

Santa Clarita City Manager Ken Pulskamp has three goals for social media.

‘Social networking allows the city to communicate directly with our residents and business community to ensure that the information provided is accurate, timely and relevant.’”

This is excellent use of social networking by a city. Cities around America should follow suite and use similar social media strategies. It makes sense to send emergency reports or public announcements over Twitter, doesn’t it? When I am at the computer I don’t always have the TV or radio on next to me. I don’t necessarily read the newspaper daily either. This is a great way to inform the residents in your city about an emergency or upcoming event quickly and at a low cost.

One specific item I’ve noticed on Twitter is the use of Amber alerts. Search under the hashtag #amberalert and you’ll find numerous alerts during the day, however, most of these are not tweeted by city officials. Rather, just concerned tweeple on Twitter. Imagine the potential this tool holds if city officials and law enforcement were to use Twitter. The results would be outstanding.

This goes to show that social media is important for more reasons than just campaigning. It provides accurate information quickly to your residents. To top that off, it provides a two-way communication tool. As a mayor I wouldn’t only use these social networking sites to get elected, I would use them to make public announcements and answer questions from my city’s residents.

Read the article here.

Social Networking- An important business tool (ceoworld.biz)
Twitter Flu: Are You Infected? (joshharris.com)
Social Media: Twitter Road Trip Interview (chris.pirillo.com)

Tags: amber alert, local governement, local politics, twitter

Local Politics using Twitter | Miami Herald

May 6, 2009 by Steve Schultz @GeniusbyOsmosis · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Social Media

We all know that Twitter is an effective tool for politicians to communicate with their constituents, but why? What makes Twitter more effective than mailing material or knocking doors? The Miami Herald brings up an interesting point that helps us answer these questions.

The Miami Herald reported that Miami Beach public information officer Nannette Rodriguez said, “I heard this in a seminar once, that it’s better to reach 500 people who want to receive your message than sending to 50,000 people who don’t’ care.” This makes sense. This is exactly why social networking is so effective for politicians. These officials at all government levels are utilizing social media to communicate with people who want to hear from them.

This is the brilliance of social networking. Why waste your valuable time knocking 500 doors in a day when only 100 doors will answer and only some of them might be interested? Talk to the people who want to listen and recruit from there.

Some of you might be wondering how is reaching out to 3,000 followers any different than knocking 3,000 doors? It really comes down to this. Micro-targeting. Social media is similarly as ineffective as door knocking if you are not targeting your following. While door knocking has its place in grassroots politics, utilize tools online to micro-target your following and reach the 500 people that really do want to hear your message.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/1031389.html