When you think of a political campaign, what comes to mind? Do you imagine the candidate standing behind the podium and waving at the crowd? Maybe you see signs on telephone poles or lawns proudly displaying the candidate’s name, or TV ads announcing their stance on certain issues. While those are all important aspects of modern day political campaigns, there’s another element that not many people think about—the offline political campaign.
Understanding how political campaigns work
Political campaigns are essential to getting elected, so it's important for those running for office to understand how these campaigns work. A political campaign has two primary goals: raise money and gain votes. The former, done through fundraisers and house parties, helps fund a candidate's activities. The latter is all about spreading your message to potential voters in an attempt to gain their support.
Political campaigns tend to begin months before the election and reach their peak in the few weeks before voters go to polls. During this time, campaigners will go door-to-door, send out direct mailings and do media interviews. On election day, a campaign may even distribute last-minute leaflets telling people who they should vote for.
Types of political campaigns
There are two primary types of political campaigns: a grassroots campaign, and a commercial campaign. Grassroots campaigns often rely on social media or volunteers to get out the vote. Commercial campaigns use TV and radio ads, sponsored messages on Facebook and other online sites, and direct mailings to potential voters. There are downsides to both types of political campaigns; grassroots campaigning is cheaper in theory but can be time-consuming if done successfully, while commercial campaigning can backfire with people feeling attacked or offended by advertisements.
Fundraising during political campaigns
Fundraising is a part of a lot of political campaigns, and it's important to know what kind of money your campaign will need. Try to map out an early budget for your campaign by looking at similar past campaigns in your area. For example, if you're running for state office, research and see how much recent gubernatorial candidates have spent during their runs. This can help give you a general idea about what kind timeframes and fundraising targets are reasonable for you to aim for.
Since this is often the most challenging aspect, try connecting with local businesses or entrepreneurs who might be interested in supporting your campaign in other ways such as investing in goods or services that they'll provide once elected--which is totally legal under current election law!
Strategy behind a political campaign
A successful campaign needs to combine a number of elements. These may include: rallies, fundraising, and debates. For example, a rally can draw media attention, help activists meet potential supporters in person, and empower volunteers who go home with a sense that they can make change happen. This is particularly effective because it builds enthusiasm and gives people something to do. More importantly, an effective political campaign has opportunities for participation at all levels—from phone banking to door knocking—to encourage maximum engagement. And these activities are more than just a means to an end; as Martin Luther King Jr. said It is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to stand before you tonight and say 'I'm going from here to lead this riot.' I'm not saying that we need violence.
Ground War vs. Air War
In every election campaign, there is a lot of focus on what people see and hear on TV. While this helps build up excitement around candidates and key issues, it's important to remember that a significant amount of campaigning takes place offline--in person, in communities. In election campaigns where volunteers work at the local level to get out the vote, their work can be even more valuable than when it is done online.
