If you’re running for local office and are a political newcomer, you’ve got a steep learning curve ahead of you. Launching any grassroots campaign has its own challenges on top of entering into a political race, and there are times when you’ll undoubtedly feel overwhelmed. Even so, if you have a strong stance and are passionate about getting into law and public policy, a career in politics might be right for you.
Thankfully, technology has a powerful role to play in any politician’s campaign and is an affordable way to even the playing field between you and the incumbent. Here are just a few tech recommendations that can take your campaign to the next level.
Pick the proper web hosting solution
There are countless options when it comes to finding a hosting solution for your campaign’s website, and you likely have been thinking about making the decision based on price instead of features. While that’s understandable if you’re a political newcomer without much support or money behind you, finding the right web hosting platform should come down to more than just your budget. For example, investing in DDOS protected dedicated servers can help ensure that your campaign website stays up and running, even if bad actors try to sabotage your company.
A DDOS attack is when hackers try and overload your server, rendering your website unusable until the attack stops. Especially if you’re in a critical moment of your campaign or are trying to raise more money, losing access to your website can be incredibly damaging. By picking a web hosting service that lets your website run 24/7 without any concern of interruption, you’ll have the peace of mind that you can always rely on your website.
Create compelling content for social media
Nowadays, the right message can go viral—if it has good production value. Thankfully, smartphones are constantly improving their video quality, making it possible to even shoot a feature-length film on an iPhone! Spending time on your video content to make sure it’s well-rehearsed without looking forced or disingenuous is another way to increase the quality of your social media content.
When it comes to platforms like Instagram, an app like Canva can help you make consistently branded content with just a few clicks. You don’t need to know how to use fancy software like Adobe Photoshop or InDesign in order to create dynamic content. Apps like Canva are accessible and straightforward, allowing you to spend the most time on honing your message and connecting with others in the real world.
Stay in touch with donors using P2P communication
Peer to peer texting is ideal for short messages to your constituents and donors. A platform like peerly.com gives you all the tools and features you need to succeed. For example, with Peerly’s P2P solution, you can send SMS messages out at scale and then have volunteer agents continue conversations with recipients in a one-on-one format. This makes P2P texting a powerful tool for raising funds and getting the word out about upcoming rallies since it offers a personal communication approach that reaches your audience wherever they are on the device they use most often.
At its heart, every political campaign is about inspiring others with your message. Look no further than Barack Obama’s successful presidential run to see how a strong message and brand can help someone find success in the political arena. In order to build a coalition of voters, you need to have people know who you are and what you stand for, so harnessing technologies that help support and protect your communication efforts are crucial. From peer to peer texting to servers with increased security, the above technologies can help you get your word and the vote out.
