Political Candidates
 GOP Campaign Guide


THE CANDIDATE'S MARKETPLACE
WHO DOES THE CANDIDATE HAVE TO SELL TO WIN THE CAMPAIGN?

THE PARTY ORGANIZATION

DONORS

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

MEDIA

VOTERS





MEDIA TIDBITS


1. People are more likely to believe what they see than what they hear

2. Use action pictures rather than head shots

3. Use all the "good" earned media you can get

4. Know all your local media contacts. Start early in the campaign so they will know you as a person and not just as a candidate

5. There is no such thing as "off the record"

6. Never use the media to settle a dispute, this usually comes back to bite you

7. Watch what you say and how you say it. Think before you speak.

BOTH THE PRESS AND THE POLITICAL PARTY CONNECT WITH THE CANDIDATE AND THE VOTERS, BUT IN VERY DIFFERENT WAYS.

BOTH OF THESE SOURCES INFORM VOTERs.

      POLITICAL PARTY
Stable force linking the party base to the voter
Sets Policy
Issues Positions
Addresses Leadership
Builds Message
Sets Qualifications/Skills

      MEDIA
Stresses events
Concentrates on Competition
Scenes of Action
Addresses Personal Style


DO'S AND DON'TS WHEN DEALING WITH THE MEDIA

1. Never Lie

2. Be accessible

3. Don't be Shy

4. Be Consistent

5. If you have a problem with the way a story was written, talk to the reporter. Do not air your problem on the air or in the printed press.

6. Don't call a press conference unless you have something to say that is noteworthy.

7. Be aware of media deadlines. Make it easy for them to cover your events.


EARNED MEDIA

Earned media is really planned earned media. To get in the news and gain publicity requires aggressiveness, planning, patience, time and hard work.

Let's take a look at a couple of questions, what's the goal and how do we make it happen?

Why earned media:
    a. To gain name ID
    b. To advance key issues
    c. To compare our candidacy with the opponents
    d. To attack the opponent
    e. Defend against an attack
    f. To enhance a positive image

Decide what voters you are trying to reach. This will tell you what type of earned media is necessary to gain their attention.

What message are you trying to convey? Earned media needs to make a statement. It needs to tell the voter something about you. Are you wanting to improve your image, talk about an issue or are you making a comparison statement?

Time Management and Timing are very important in a campaign.
If your wife waits until you have eaten a delicious well prepared meal to tell you about the fender she dented. That's time management.

The media outlets may be interested in helping you get earned media if:
a. There is an element of conflict
b. Controversial issue
c. Local appeal
d. Emotional
f. Involves celebrities or someone important
g. There are local folks involved
h. The event is newsworthy and merits coverage
i. The timing is right for your campaign and the media deadline

To get the media's attention it is important to know them personally or attention can be gained by sending a news release. ALWAYS BE PREPARED FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE MEDIA MAY ASK.



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Floyd County Republican Party - Floyd County, Indiana 2008
This website paid for and authorized by the Floyd County Republican Central Committee
Dave Matthews, Chairman
 

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