While billions are raised for US Presidential campaign, If you are a state or local candidate, odds are your election won’t reach those numbers. However, even small campaigns can still raise significant money with a smart, aggressive strategy.
Here are some tips to help you raise initial seed money all the way through that last-minute campaign donation drive.
Be prepared to raise and spend
It takes money to raise money in politics. You’ll need to both raise and spend money if you are want to get your message out to the public. To get an estimate of how much your campaign may need to spend, you can check your state election office or county clerk for previous campaign spending reports.
You may also want to reach out to others who have run for similar positions. Knowing how much you may have to budget for lawn signs, direct mail and online and offline media will help you create a detailed budget.
To raise ‘seed money’, put together a list of friends and acquaintances that you can reach out to for initial donations.
Remember that those who give early may well be convinced to give again (and again) throughout the campaign.
[bctt tweet=”Early givers may be convinced to give throughout your political campaign. http://ow.ly/vAyh30gBjqC”]
Gear up online for donations
When you set up your campaign website, a primary focus should be to raise online donations. Strong messaging and information is important. You should have large donation buttons and prominent calls to action. A website can act as the hub of your online and help persuade others to support you.
While it might be tough to get others to write a check to your campaign, online donations provide a quick and easy method to give. Smart candidates start as early as possible and set up a site to accept seed money donations. (Our own website system starts at $149 as a package or just $29 monthly.)
Starting one social media early can also give you a leg up on the competition. Start building followers who can support you throughout the campaign.
[bctt tweet=”Your campaign website should have prominent #donation buttons and CTAs. http://ow.ly/vAyh30gBjqC”]
Use your email list
If you make the effort to build your email list, it can become a powerful tool. Major campaigns invest heavily in email. They test messaging and target specific sub-sets of subscribers by issue. Even if you do not have many resources, any candidate can create an effective email system with attractive signup forms, autoresponder messaging and response tracking.
Just don’t turn your emails into endless money requests. Supporters don’t want to be treated like ATM machines.
Take the the money any way you can – and make it easy
Include your donation link in your Facebook, Twitter, and other social profiles. Add links to your email messages and even let offline donors know where and how they can contribute online.
Clearly state your purpose
When giving money to any nonprofit or political organization, donors want to know what their money is going toward. What is the purpose or point of a particular fundraising push? Even if it’s generic, like ‘to win the election’, there must be a reason why that particular donation ties itself to the donor. “Your donation will help us win and get corruption out of TinyTown…”
Make the call to action
If you want money, ask for it. Don’t say, ‘Support our campaign’. Say, ‘Donate now!’ Don’t assume that the recipient of a letter, brochure or email will know what action to take. Tell them plainly and repeatedly.
[bctt tweet=”Don’t assume that a reader will know what action to take. TELL them what to do plainly and repeatedly.”]
Follow the leaders
Look at how larger campaigns are asking for money. Sign up for email lists of larger campaigns and see what messaging they use to solicit funds and recruit support. Create a swipe file and use it for messaging ideas.
Just remember that borrowing is good, but stealing is bad!
More detailed strategies can be found at OnlineCandidateResources.com. Full access is FREE for Online Candidate Website Package clients:
Read More:
5 Tips To Mix Online Into Your First Fundraising Event »
