Political Blog

Growing your donor list and increasing your fundraising numbers are a must for organizations in every industry. Expanding a donor base may sound like no-brainer, but organizations often overlook the growing pains that come with having more donors and increased fundraising efforts.

What’s the best way to raise money in politics these days? It isn’t an app from Silicon Valley or a new product from a startup. It’s one of the oldest means of communication. What is this tried and true fundraising method? The telephone.

Political donations are some of the most controversial and trending topics during the election season. There’s little doubt that once the 2016 election cycle is complete, the media and watchdog groups will pour over the contributions made in every election. From the local city council race to an expensive run for congress, exposing political donor data is a favorite topic of the media.

When you tell a potential client or political campaign about telefundraising, they probably cringe or roll their eyes. Using the telephone may seem too traditional in today’s world. Social media ad buys, email marketing, and YouTube videos are modern ways to attract a prospective donor. Many campaigns or candidates probably feel that if it’s not on Facebook, an app, or a mobile device, don’t bother doing it.

Political campaigns are measured through their success and failure when raising money. A great candidate who can raise money builds grassroots support from a wide variety of constituents, donors, and political action committees (PACs). This shows that a candidate is serious about running for public office and has the support to be successful.

Politico says that political campaigns spent nearly $150 million on this type of marketing in the 2014 election cycle. If you guessed social media, you’re wrong. Direct mass mail is still a robust piece of political campaigns. While email marketing campaigns fight spam filters and open rates, a physical mailer is all but guaranteed to end up in a person’s mailbox. And most people only have one mailbox, not a multitude of mobile screens competing for their attention.

At Campaign Now, we have seen it all when it comes to fundraising for political campaigns. Political fundraising is an art and a grind. Most fundraising strategies center on hard work, organization, and dedication from both the staff and the candidate.

Websites and social media pages are often the first or second point of contact between voters and a candidate. Judging a book by its cover has never been truer for campaigns. A website needs a good design and vital information to show that they are a serious contender for public office. Failing to do either one of these could cost the campaign a good first impression, or worse, a vote.

Depending on who you talk to, yard signs are eyesores or an essential part of a political campaign. During an election year the empty lots, street corners, and willing private residents become “breeding grounds” for them.

Messaging for a candidate is one of the most important parts of a campaign. How a candidate’s campaign website is worded, the responses in the media, and the remarks at events all help shape the narrative of a campaign.