The Campaign Workshop Blog

Running for office requires money. There's no way around it. Whether you're running for city council or Congress, you need resources to communicate with voters, build your team, and compete effectively. So, you should know the proven methods for raising those resources and diversify your fundraising approach.

When fundraising, it's critical to use multiple tools and diversify your techniques. Diversifying keeps your asks fresh, reaches different types of donors through their preferred giving channels, and maximizes the total amount you can raise. Relying on just one method means leaving money on the table and burning out the donors you do reach.

This post will break down the four essential candidate fundraising methods, explain why each one matters, and show you how to utilize them effectively. To run a successful fundraising campaign, you should likely be using all four of these methods consistently throughout your race.

Walkcards are one of the most important tools in any field program. They give your canvassers something tangible to reference at the door and are one of the best ways to introduce your candidate to voters in person. Unfortunately, many campaigns—especially local, down-ballot, and small- to medium-sized campaigns—still produce walkcards the wrong way. Below is an updated guide to producing political walkcards that actually work.

With the advent of modern voter file platforms by folks like Catalist, NGP VAN, Targetsmart, NationBuilder, and L2, campaigns now have direct access to the same voter data and models to make strategic targeting decisions. Campaign staff can see the same scores, turnout models, and targeting tools that are used by the professionals.

But all of these scores and numbers can feel intimidating if you’re new to voter data. If this is your first time digging in, here are some practical tips for effective Democratic direct mail targeting.

Staying on message in 2026 and beyond can be challenging and feels like a big game of whack-a-mole. One minute you are being proactive, and the next you are completely reactive. A good campaign message helps a campaign achieve its goals and prevents being on the back foot. Whether you are running for office or running any kind of campaign (candidate, ballot measure, membership, advocacy, etc.), having a clear message makes a big difference. 

For the longest time you could not call cell phones in an efficient way but now Stones Phones has some exciting new technology to make it easier to call cell phones using volunteers or paid phone banks. We asked Marty Stone 7 questions on calling cell phones for GOTV. 

“Signs don’t vote,” is a common refrain in our work, but this summer, boy, signs have been making me feel better. Stickers, lawn signs, flyers, and an NPR button adorning a plant—these signs of resistance and solidarity brightened my walks and occasionally made me laugh out loud. There’s a lot of work to be done (shameless plug: reach out to us if you want to talk about that work in the form of strategic consulting, training, direct mail, or digital content), but for today, I wanted to share some of the safe-for-work signs I’ve seen and (hopefully) add a little bit of light to your day. If you want to see some of the edgier signs, feel free to email me.

When you get into politics, it’s hard to resist the all too common tunnel vision of focusing only on politics. But be careful – binge watching Veep or The West Wing is not going to help you run a better campaign or organization; nor will reading solely political books. So Here are some of our favorite non-political books. 

Nonprofit AIO and SEO are tools to get folks to connect with content. When it comes to strategic communications, we all want the right audience to find our content, but this can be challenging for folks who work at nonprofits. Writing in an accessible way that gets views and engagement does not always come naturally. Instead, we often stay in our comfort zones and talk in a way that is niche-based. This has prevented many nonprofit websites, as well as nonprofit communication, from reaching broader audiences and getting the engagement from advocates and donors that they really need. 

Digital video ad campaigns are a key tool in every political campaign’s toolbox, providing a potent combination of visual storytelling and emotional engagement. Whether it's social media or programmatic, the power of a great video ad cannot be overstated. In the ever-evolving landscape of political campaigns, understanding the nuances of digital video is crucial for a successful digital ad strategy.

Political list building often feels like the "eating your vegetables" part of campaigning. Everyone knows they need to do it, but not many of us actually want to. However, your list is the only communication channel you actually own. Unlike social media algorithms that can change overnight, an email address is a direct line to your supporters. Listbuilding is the foundation of a good digital strategy, so let’s dig into it. 

Campaigns have more options than ever when it comes to political advertising. The medium a campaign chooses depends largely on its strategic objectives, target audience, and, of course, budget. The channel landscape has expanded considerably in recent years, with newer options like Connected TV (CTV), newer SMS features, and in-app advertising joining the more traditional toolkit. Below is an updated overview of the most common modern campaign communication media and some of their pros and cons.

Landing your first political internship can be challenging. A political internship can help teach you important skills necessary for future success in the political field and is a great starting point, but with other exceptional candidates vying for the same internships as you, securing your spot can be difficult. You need to set yourself apart from these candidates to seal the deal and begin your journey into politics. One way to differentiate yourself from the sea of wannabe politicos is to master the internship interview. Here are important tips to keep in mind as you get ready for interview season.

As we approach the upcoming primaries and mid-term election cycle, it’s time once again to take a look at the changes at the USPS and how they can impact your direct mail program.

Join us as Bernadette Butler and Melanie Robledo answer 7 Questions!

We teach a lot about campaign research, and most candidates see the benefits and try to make room in the budget for polling. But although many candidates will research their opponents, many first-time (and second- and third-time) candidates don’t do a self-research book on themselves. Why, one may ask, would I need research done on me? Whether you dedicate your own time, have a campaign team member help, or employ a professional to dig in, here are our top 3 reasons why self-research is much more important than it may seem.

In the modern digital landscape, amid social media storms and viral moments, email remains the undisputed queen of direct political communication. It’s a necessary channel, but its power is contingent on strategic use. The goal is no longer simply to blast the largest list possible, but to cultivate a dedicated, responsive community. Learn more here!

Having a real marketing strategy and sticking to it is a hard thing, and key performance indicators, or KPIs, can really help. However, most folks have a very fractured view of KPIs for marketing. Because good KPIs use cross-team metrics, they usually are not developed and kept in one place, and they can be a real source of siloed and fractured information.

We go into the benefits of clear, combined marketing KPIs for nonprofits, how to choose and refine them, and the benefits of KPIs.

Julie Burkhart is the founder and president of Wellspring Health Access, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing essential abortion and healthcare services. A long-time advocate for reproductive rights, Julie has a deep understanding of the challenges and the importance of ensuring access to care in all communities. She is also the co-owner of Hope Clinic in Illinois, which has seen a 170% increase in out-of-state patients since abortion restrictions went into effect, specifically after the 6-week abortion ban was enacted in Florida. She answered 7 Questions.