Campaign Tip of the Day - Fundraising Fundamentals, Part 1

I am the worst person when it comes to fundraising. I hate asking for money. Don't you feel the same way? Then you are not alone. It is the single most difficult thing any candidate, no matter how seasoned, has to do. And yet, it may be the most essential.

The most important fundraising fundamental is the phone follow up. Yes, you have sent your appeal letters on your attractive letterhead with remit envelope enclosed. You've sent our your eblasts with the handy link to your Pay Pal account. You've Put a "Here's how you can help (Your name here) win" page on your website, and a large Donate button on every page. But the money is not coming in fast enough to keep up with the expenses. Mailings are expensive. Your wemaster wants to be paid, and the post office does not extend credit.

What are you doing wrong?  Simple, all these efforts will net you only a fraction of what they could without the all important follow up phone call.  Listen up! You must, I repeat, must be prepared to pick up the phone and dial the numbers of the people you have reached out to. You must do it yourself. Especially if they are likely to be high donors. In the down ticket race, that is usually $100 or more.

Remind them of the letter or email they received, then ask for what you think they can give.  In our next Tip of the Day, we will go into detail on how to make that all important "ask." Until then, make sure you have entered as many of your potential donors' phone numbers as you can find into your data base, so you are ready to start dialing.

Campaign Tip of the Day: You're on Stage all the Time; dress the part

Amid all the turmoil of government shutdown, allegations of sleaze from all quarters (Democrats not exempt), let's focus on the more mundane. You want to win that down ticket race? You want people to think you are professional and competent? Don't be seen in dirty jeans and untucked shirts, even if stepping out for a quart of milk while you're in heavy preparation for the big debate.

Even if you're coming home from your morning gym workout and just wanted to stop off for a cup of Joe at Starbucks.

Someone will see you. Someone will recognize you and say "wow is she a mess!"  Word will get around.

Take ten minutes and change, comb your hair and tuck in your shirt. Yes, even if you're getting the morning paper from the end of the driveway, at least wear shoes, not bunny slippers and a jacket, not your ratty old terry cloth robe. Spies are everywhere.