So You Want To Run For Office?

Steve Goad Media Goal Solutions and Candidate Chuck Smith

For a few years now, I have worked with Candidates running for local office.   For those thinking about public office, here are some simple steps to take that do not require a second mortgage.

First off - does Social Media help a candidate win?  Let’s face it since the 2008 Presidential Campaign Social Media hasn’t been the same.   Once the realm of the lonely geek that you thought was weird in school, Social Media has hit mainstream.   A 2012 Pew Research Survey found that

“….39% of all American adults—have done at least one of eight civic or political activities with social media…”  http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Political-engagement.aspx

While not 100% participation – it still is quick a jump in a very few years.  So what does this mean for those thinking about running for office?  Simply you can’t ignore some sort of Social Media in your campaign strategy.   Look at it like that Civic League or PTA meeting you could; but shouldn’t miss.   
 
Social Media such as Facebook provides an opportunity to share views, pictures of you being engaged in the community.  Not of your supporters will be using Social Media – there will be key community influencers who are.   From experience, I know that these influencers will be using Social Media to support or to attack your campaign.   So here, are some steps you should take: 

·     Collect material - videos and especially pictures of you at that PTA, School Board, City Council, picnic, and/or event.   Make sure you are with someone in the picture; standing alone doesn’t help to convince anyone that you are a leader that listens.  Once you announce your candidacy this material can be used for a variety of Media.  

 

·     Get Social – don’t wait until your campaign starts to setup a Social Media account.   This is the biggest mistake I have seen over the years.   Social Media can help a potential Candidate build a following.   Yes, you can create a page dedicated to your campaign page once you have announced, until then show the community who you are.  Be a leader - get engaged!!!!

·     Don’t be fooled by “experts” who promise hundreds of “Likes” and “Followers” that require costly cash outlays.   Find someone who can help you to understand what’s available and how it can be used to reach your “local” community.  It doesn’t help your campaign if you spend money building “followers” in Eureka, California when you are running for City Council in Caribou, Maine.  Make sure you have an easy and cost effectively means to track and measure how effective is your Social Media strategy.   Facebook is especially good at tracking and is “free” for the moment.   

·     Don’t wait to the last moment to think about how you will use Social Media.  Whether it is print, television, or radio – your Social Media should be integrated into an integrated Public Relations strategy.   

Unlike the national Candidates, most of the local Candidates I have known over the years have had little or no funding.  Where agonizing decisions will need to be made over how many yard signs or handouts to print, you can get started now on building community followers with Social Media with little if any cost.

Steve Goad

President
http://mediagoalsolutions.com/