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Political Candidates
GOP Campaign Guide |
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FIVE STEPS TO A
WINNING CAMPAIGN
RESEARCH
STRATEGY
TACTICS
PLANNING
BUDGETING
VARIOUS TYPES OF RESEARCH AND HOW THEY SHOULD BE INTERGRATED INTO YOUR CAMPAIGN PLAN
1. DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH:
a. Know as much as you can about the people living in your district. You need to know the economic status, education levels, social levels, are they conservative, moderate or liberal in their thinking. The more you know the better you will be able to communicate with them.
b. Use information provided by the US Census Bureau. They have already
assembled much of the information you will need.
2. VOTE HISTORY ANALYSIS;
a. Analyze the past ten (10) years of vote history and look for trends
b. If the district where you are seeking election is overwhelming Republican,
then you should target Republican voters. By targeting Republican voters rather that the entire electorate, you can save money.
c. If you are in a district that is 50-50 (Republican-Democrat), you will need your Republican base vote plus some ticket splitters and a few votes from the Democrat Party in order to succeed.
d. (To know how many ticket splitters are in a precinct, subtract the base vote from a highly visible race). You need to know who is voting Republican consistently and who is voting for the candidate or an issue.
3. CANDIDATE RESEARCH:
a. Spend as much time contemplating your own strengths and weaknesses
as you do your opponents
b. Anticipate where you might be vulnerable. (Personally, politically or on any issue)
c. Only use tested opposition research. If it is public record, its fair game, if
its rumor or undocumented, it is off limits.
d. Check campaign finance reports, see who is supporting them and why
e. If your opponent is an incumbent, how effective were they in office
f. What has your opponent done? (Good or bad)
4. WINDSHIELD RESEARCH:
a. Look for roads that need repair or upkeep
b. Be aware of new housing additions
c. Look for depressed areas or areas that need improvement
d. Look for vacant houses or apartment buildings
e. Are the school areas well lighted and safe? People are often
responsive to children's issues.
f. Learn about your entire district rather than your own community. You'll
be surprised at what you don't know.
5. SURVEY RESEARCH: (Three (3) types of surveys)
a. Benchmark Survey: Initial survey to establish issues
b. Follow-up Surveys: A measure against the benchmark survey
c. Tracking Surveys: This is to see if you are on the right track and to see
if the voter would vote for you if the election were held today.
STRATEGY (THE BATTLE PLAN)
STRATEGY IS FIGURING OUT WHAT PART OF THE ELECTORATE IS GOING TO VOTE FOR YOU AND WHY.
THE ELECTORATE TOTAL MUST ADD UP TO 50% PLUS ONE (1) AND WILL NEED TO INCLUDE THE ENTIRE ELECTORATE.
WRITE DOWN WHERE YOU EXPECT TO GET YOUR VOTES AND THE REASON THEY WILL VOTE FOR YOU OVER YOUR OPPONET. USE THESE NUMBERS TO REMAIN FOCUSED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN.
Strategy means looking at some of the things listed below:
a. Build a name ID.
b. Create a favorable impression.
c. Define your message and how you will be communicating it. What approach are you going to use? Shotgun or rifle approach?
d. Create a theme.
e. Define political conditions in your district.
f. Define what media options are in your area.
g. Establish goals, timelines and objectives.
h. Set goals for Voter ID and voter turnout.
i. Make the best use of volunteers.
TACTICS (METHOD OF ATTACK)
TACTICS IS FIGURING OUT WHAT TECHNIQUES WILL
ENABLE YOU TO CARRY OUT YOUR STRATEGY AND OBTAIN THE VOTES NEEDED TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL CAMAPIGN. (50% plus1)
BELOW ARE SOME OF THE TACTICS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO A SUCCESFUL CAMPAIGN:
a. Radio Ads
b. Direct Mail (mass or targeted)
c. Yard signs
d. Billboards
e. Door to door literature drops
f. Newspaper ads
g. Bumper stickers
h. Public forums
i. Utilizing coalitions
j. Earned media
PLANNING
Planning includes every facet of the four main resources in every campaign.
TIME…MONEY…PEOPLE…TALENT
PLANNING IS ALSO WHERE RESEARCH, STRATEGY, TACTICS AND BUDGETING ALL COME TOGETHER.
PLANNING IS: Putting together a timeline that will encompass your entire
campaign.
Telling how all tasks will be accomplished.
Telling who will do the work.
Telling when all the elements are going to take place.
Telling how are you going to pay for all the expenses?
YOUR CAMPAIGN PLAN MUST BE :
a. Comprehensive
b. Objective
c. Measurable
d. Written
e. Accountable
f. Dynamic
g. Win-oriented
h. Functional
i. Unique
Constantly refer to your plan. Keep your cash flow chart current and make adjustments to your income and expenses as you enter the peak of your campaign. Do not engage in impulse spending! Don't forget to incorporate "in kind" contributions into your financial plan.
BUDGETING
Budgets should not be based on guesswork! Your budget should not be based on what you think you can raise or what you think you will spend.
Build your budget by costing out your strategy and the cost of the tactics you will be using to develop a successful campaign. A budget should contain complete details of your income and expenses. It should tell you when the expense will occur, what the expense is for, how many items and the unit price, the total cost and the cost of the personelle to make all these things happen. Be sure you know when the invoices are to be paid. Many companies want money in advance (particularly the media). Some companies require deposits and others may give you thirty (30) days to pay the invoice. Always plan for you big expenses first. These are the ones at the end of your campaign and work backwards.
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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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