The Shock and Awe Method of Running a Winning Mayoral Campaign
Excluding New York, Chicago, LA…the race for mayor is a far less glamorous affair. Most of the USA is dotted with smaller towns where campaigns don’t eclipse the $5k-$10k mark in raised funds. Let’s take the imaginary AnyTown, USA. AnyTown has 25,000 residents of which 80% are voting age (20,000 citizens). Typically, voter turnout to elect a mayor is 12% of the voting population (2400 citizens) citizens. Of those 2400 citizens the age of the voter skews heavily toward 55+.
Conclusion:
I need to target voters 55+ because they come out and vote. Focusing here will win me the election because although I’d like the others to vote for me, resources are scarce and I must spend them on what gets votes…and not hope.
Recommended Approach:
- Use shock and awe to overwhelm your opponent.
- Mobilize your ground troops to target 18-40 year old voters.
- Leverage social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, blog, and video to build mini-tribes throughout your community. Sign up for Operation Red State of course to maximize your use of technology in the campaign.
- Conduct town hall meetings and live stream each one using Ustream.TV and promote it like crazy with all available online/offline methods.
- Target any colleges in the area and entice youth with free food in exchange for listening to your message.
- Remember the 48-58 year old voters may have kids in college that come home and vote. Don’t ever decide that because Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are 55 and voting for your competition that you can smoke them by winning John and Jane Juniors’ votes.
- Declare that you are the true “Green Candidate” and avoid the use of direct mail completely.
- Have 500 shirts made that are bold and have your campaign slogan on them. Distribute them liberally before parades and any public event you can to show your overwhelming support.
The bottom line is that you want to drive 5000 people out to vote rendering the past model of targeting voters completely useless.
Do you think the next election cycle will be different now that YOU changed the rules…and changed the game? Congratulations Mr. or Mrs. Mayor. Now go to work for your citizens.
Calling all small local race candidates for Mayor – School Board – City Council
I’ve spoken with many candidates in small races. These folks are becoming pretty sophisticated in their use of data to dissect voters in their towns and target them appropriately. However, few small candidates develop a clear online strategy besides the obligatory “brochure website”, Facebook page, and Twitter account. I don’t want to put too much pressure on you all…but YOU are the future of our nation! Huh?
The local races around this nation serve as a bench for higher office. The leadership and decision making skills you hone, even in a “non-partisan” office, will drive you into contention for other races. Those races including state legislature, Gubernatorial, or even U.S. legislature need your conservative leadership.
So, start early in the game. Develop a clear…and winning online campaign strategy now. Get used to the tools and power of technology so you’re not behind when the big race comes up. Blow your competition away by bringing out voters that were ignored. We can do this…together.
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