Differences Between a Political Slogan, Message and Platform

Though they are sometimes used interchangeably, there are substantial differences between a campaign slogan, a campaign message, and a campaign platform.

A campaign slogan is a short phrase that concisely summarizes the campaign’s position on an issue. A campaign message is the intent of the campaign to persuade voters. The platform is a comprehensive statement of what a candidate or elected official stands for.

Here is a quick rundown of the definitions:

What is a political campaign slogan?

Slogans are used by political campaigns to rally their supporters and get them excited about voting for the party’s candidate. The mood of a campaign slogan can be either optimistic or negative. A successful campaign slogan needs to be catchy, short, and easy to remember.The slogan is a short statement or quote that defines the candidate or the mission of the campaign. It is used throughout the campaign to be generally seen by all voters.

What is a political campaign platform?

A political campaign platform is a document that outlines a candidate’s vision and intentions on a series of political topics. It is one of the most important aspects of any political campaign, as it helps set the tone for the candidate’s campaign.

• A campaign platform provides a long explanation of a candidate’s stand on various issues important to voters.
• More comprehensive than a campaign message and involves one or more issues.
• In the end, it’s not read by many voters.

What is political messaging and where do you use it?

A political campaign message is a one-time statement or statement made in a series of statements that is designed to influence citizens’ perceptions of the candidate, their policies, or both. The messages are usually delivered in speeches, printed in pamphlets and brochures, aired in commercials and broadcast on television or radio, posted on billboards, and mailed to potential voters.

• A campaign message is a short statement that lays out why voters should elect you.
• Draws a contrast between you and your opponent(s).
• Tailored to target specific voters or voter segments.

Writing a tagline is easy. Creating a platform is tougher.

A campaign platform requires more detail and should provide potential solutions to real problems. There are several key questions to answer before you can create your platform:

• Who are my targeted voters?
• What issues and problems do they care most about?
• What can be done to address those issues?
• And, finally, what’s in it for the voter?
  

When you run for office, you need to know the issues and your own positions on them. You should also be aware of where your opponent stands on the issues, where you agree, and where you differ. The differences are important. A large part of your overall message is to give voters a reason to vote for you rather than your opponent.

The political campaign platform has been a fundamental component of American democracy since the inception of the country. A good campaign platform is the foundation for all your messaging. It should state your positions, contrast them with those of your opponent, and explain what you intend to do for the voters. Your strengths should be contrasted against your opponent’s weaknesses. Your platform helps shape your overall political strategy, such as what groups you will target, how you will gather volunteers and raise money.

Write down your campaign plan and make it available to your key staff members. This plan should be used by key staff members during the election cycle. It includes what to do when the campaign launches, how to set up a press list, how to find and contact voters on different mediums, and what the most effective messages that can be used are. Use it as a reference to ensure everyone on your team is on the same page when communicating to voters and the media.

Related reading: Political Slogan Examples

Let Online Candidate help you start your online campaigning. From campaign websites to social media setup to candidate intro videos, we can help launch your campaign easily and affordably.