Campaign Tip of the Day: Those pesky questionnaires

Campaign questionnaires. You know what I mean.  Every group that endorses in your race is sending you a million questions about where you stand on their particular set of issues, as well as how you will finance your campaign, who's on your team, what your experience is and a dozen other queries.

You are sick of them and tempted to write the shortest answer you can. Well, the last tip did say "less is more," but in this case, just the right amount is right. That is, you don't need to go into long philosophical arguments on your viewpoints on every topic, but do give enough information to let the readers know where you stand.

Yes, you can use the same background information on multiple questionnaires, but take the time to answer the particular questions thoroughly, including any disagreements you may have with certain of their positions, and how you will still keep an open mind.

Word of caution.  Be careful, as you must be in appearances and in your messaging, to be consistent. Don't say one thing to one group, such as telling the Chamber of Commerce you're all for more big businesses opening up downtown, while you tell the Sierra Club it's time for a moratorium on commercial enterprises.

But you would never do that, as you are a thoughtful campaigner with a trusted team of campaign allies advising you. Make sure someone reviews and proofreads the questionnaires and that you always get them in on time. Neatness counts.

Campaign Tip of the Day: Less is More

Big type

Bullets

Pictures


White Space

'Nuff said

Tip of the Day: Campaign Manager? Campaign Consultant? What the heck is the difference?

Many people, including many candidates, don't understand the difference between a campaign consultant and a campaign manager. So let's talk about each a bit.

There are a variety of campaign consultants, some specializing in different aspects of a campaign, such as fundraising, direct mail, media or polling.  What we are talking about here is a general consultant, or GC, who acts as a chief strategist and helps define the campaign's direction, message and budget.  The GC often hires the other consultants necessary or as in my firm, GreenDog Campaigns, performs some, if not all, the functions in-house. The GC does not need to be in the same geographic location as the candidate, but should be able to have a good understanding of the office sought and the needs of the District, as well as the practices of past campaigns, in terms of money spent, important endorsements and the like.

A campaign manager, on the other hand, is someone who works with the campaign on a day to day basis, making sure that local staff are hired, volunteers are in place, the candidate knows where he or she is to be at any given time, often accompanying the candidate to endorsement and other meetings.

The campaign manager is he chief cheerleader and campaign nag, all rolled into one. The GC will rely on the campaign manager for insights into the campaign's doings. If the GC is out of the area, there will often be frequent phone conference between the candidate, the campaign manager and the GC or a member of his/her staff.

Smaller campaigns often do without a GC. Conversely, some GC's also act as campaign managers for their candidates in smaller races, often supplemented by a volunteer coordinator and other volunteer or part time staff.

         Some casual advice from a seasoned campaign consultant at a fundraiser can be very helpful!

One thing I know for sure.  As the old saying goes, "a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client," so too, a candidate who tries to do his own campaign, if not a fool, is surely in for a very tough ride.  Even if your campaign manager is a trusted volunteer and you have no GC, it pays to have campaign professionals design your mail, target your audience and vet your messaging along the way. It could well be the difference between victory or defeat on Election Day.

Campaign tip of the day - Fundraising Fundamentals, Part 2

Making the follow up phone call

So you have your list in hand, and you're ready to make those calls. Here are some tips for making the calls count, and the campaign cash register go ka-ching.

1. Know who you are calling. Have some information about the potential donor. What are they capable of giving? What have they given in the past? What is your relationship with the person?
Is this someone you know well, or a relative stranger who has donated to others in the past but not you yet?

2. Start with the basics, why you are calling, how you know the person (or got their name); if it's a close friend or family member, make some small talk, but not too much.

If it's someone who are "cold calling" get right to the point. You are following up on your fund appeal letter or email, and asking for their contribution to your campaign.

You can add that you are a friend of so and so, or have similar values to so and so whom they have donated to before, or that you are highlighting an issue you know they care about in your campaign to spark their interest. Also mention what you need funds for -a mailing, a poll, some literature to walk precincts with. You want them to know their money will be put to good work.

3. Ask for the specific amount you think the person can afford.

4. Then Shut Up. Wait.

Wait for them to speak next. They may ask for more information, and you will offer it or refer them to your website. They may ask for the letter to be sent again. If so, get it right out with another envelope and a personal note.

They may turn you down cold. If so, ask if you might use their name as an endorser, unless they make it clear they are supporting someone else.

But - and this happens often enough if you are doing it right that you will feel rewarded - they will offer you a smaller amount than what you asked for, but more than you would have got if you never made the call.

5. Thank them profusely, ask to use their name on your endorsement list, and make sure you collect the money in a timely manner.

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.

Oh, those zany Republicans - Once more!

The Reps say “The American people don’t want a government shutdown, and they don’t want Obamacare,” aka, the Affordable Care Act, aka Romney Care (See Massachusetts health care plan under Romney).

So their answer to this contrived issue is to shut down the government    But oh, not for certain things. Just "non-essential services" like Parks, but you may be ok if you're in the military. Probably prison guards get to stay on the job, but haven't seen anything about that.

The mail will get through (Yay for the Postal Union!), but don't try to buy a house. 

Oh and about that pesky debt ceiling? As CNN reports:

                "Like the potential shutdown, this is also a Washington-manufactured                   crisis. And it too is being used for leverage to undermine Obamacare." 

And guess what most of "Obamacare" is funded from taxes, fees and other programs that will not shut down. So talk about your manufactured crisis!  This is all for show, and more political posturing by the GOP.

Oh, those zany Republicans!