Top Ten Tips to Make Your Campaign a Success

1)                  People need to feel like they know & like you – be approachable. Make it easy for them to contact you and talk to you.

2)                  See as many people as you can face to face. People will like the fact that you make the effort to meet them. When you go around to visit folks in person, it makes a lasting impression.

3)                  Give them something! Anything! A small token of good will goes a long way. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. A pen. A magnet for their refrigerator. Just a little gift to remind them of you.

4)                  Think positive, not negative! Don’t directly attack your opponent – sell yourself instead! If you focus on what you have to offer and what areas you would try to improve, you can still make your point, but will seem much more of a doer and go-getter than if you directly focus on your opponent’s shortcomings. The positive approach may take a bit more time and effort, but it will give folks a much better impression of you.

5)                  Do a mailing to the constituents telling them why they should vote for you. A post card on a colored stock could do the trick or you may prefer to send a newsletter or a multi-piece mailing with a small gift inside.

6)                  Signage Strategies:

A.     Strategically place your signs at intersections and high traffic areas. Well-known constituents’ yards will also draw more attention.

B.     Surprise attack – put your signs out all at once to make a bigger impact/impression.

C.     People will notice your signage more if you change your sign messages and appearance over the course of the campaign period. For example – put flags up, attach balloons, put special messages on them like Vote September 13th and Vote November 8^th.

7)                  Get support from people who will spread the word – promote you – referrals are an excellent marketing tool. Give your proponents promotional items to wear to campaign for you. Campaign hats, t-shirts and buttons will get a lot of attention.

8)                  Go to community events and promote yourself. Bring plenty of literature and goodies to give out.

9)                  Donating to prominent local groups (such as the fire dept., community groups and community parks or schools) will often sway group members and affiliates to vote for you.

10)              Don’t make campaign promises that you can’t keep. Once you are in office people will expect you to follow through on those promises – make sure that you can! (ie – empty promise - “I’m going to cut taxes.” Instead say “I will work towards tax stabilization.” Another empty promise – “I’m going to change the way the government operates.” Instead say “I believe in changing the way the government operates.”)