The Campaign Workshop Blog is hosted by The Campaign Workshop, an advocacy and political consulting firm. We write about tactics for advocacy, membership, civic engagement, and progressive politics.  We post weekly, and also publish ebooks, host webinars, and The How to Win a Campaign Podcast. Sign up to learn more.   

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Nonpolitical Books

Nonpolitical Books for the End of Summer

by Joe Fuld (He/Him)

When you get into politics, you can have tunnel vision.  Binge watching House of Cards and the West Wing is not going to help you run a better campaign or advocacy organization. The fact is, campaigns are like running a small business.

Jason Mida

7 Questions with Jason Mida | Nonprofit Fundraising

by Joe Fuld (He/Him)

Jason Mida is a seasoned fundraising and political professional, having served in a number of roles throughout his career. His work has been focused in the areas that truly motivate him, including LGBT causes. 

nonprofit content marketing

Nonprofit Content Marketing: Harness The Power of Published Content

by Joe Fuld (He/Him)

Getting your issue out organically through blog posts, videos and infographics might seem like a lift, but most organizations are publishing content all the time - and see themselves as thought leaders. The big issues organizations have with publishing material is harnessing the content they already produce.

campaign strategy books

5 Books to Consider When Shaping Your Campaign Strategy

by Elena Veatch

A summer lull in campaign action means extra time to gear up for the electoral battles ahead of this fall, in 2018, and beyond. As Democrats across the country deliberate party priorities and the best ways to communicate our values after a series of losses, you can sit back and do the same with these porch reads. 

video storytelling

The Power of Advocacy Video Storytelling

by Joe Fuld (He/Him)

Video storytelling is an “it” topic in advocacy and advertising circles. The strategy of delivering a story in the digital age that will get people to engage seems to be the latest goal for many nonprofits. But how can you do it in a consistent, scalable way that achieves your goals? Here are our tips to make an impact with advocacy video storytelling:

snapchat for advocacy campaigns

Why Snapchat is a Valuable Political and Advocacy Campaign Tool

by The Campaign Workshop

Snapchat has created a new way to have conversations—from consuming content and messages to creating and broadcasting it. Through Snap, conversations are held in video and picture form rather than through texts, messages, posts, or speech; making Snapchat not only a creative way to get your political and advocacy campaign's message out but a new way to communicate it to a specific group of people. 

speech for strategic communications
positive social change

6 Political Memoirs to Inspire Positive Social Change

by Elena Veatch

Whether you’re looking for reassurance that things usually work out, validation of your political path, or pure entertainment to help you keep your sense of humor (and sanity) during the Trump presidency, these political memoirs will inspire you to effect positive social change in whatever context you see fit.

trump photos

Sourcing Great Photos of Trump Without Breaking the Bank

by Sophie Thurber (She/Her)

Digital advocacy in Trump’s America means (for many of us) a near unending need for Trump photos. Unfortunately, buying rights managed photos of our fearless Commander in Cheeto means running up an epic tab pretty darn quickly. But fear not (at least with regard to photos… I can’t make any promises regarding the rest of what’s going on at this point) – compelling photos of Trump are still available to those of us who don’t have deep pockets and an unlimited Getty account.

digital advocacy

Facebook and ActionSprout: Integration for Digital Advocacy

by Sophie Thurber (She/Her)

Digital advocacy is about engagement and capacity building—likes are just a starting point. Over the last few years, Facebook’s algorithm has evolved, as has its advertising options, making it easier than ever to capitalize on the audience you’ll find there and turn likes into actions that advance your advocacy goals.

twitter for advocacy

Twitter for Your Next Advocacy Campaign

by The Campaign Workshop

The simple concept of Twitter is to post short thoughts- 140 character thoughts to be exact. In a just a sentence or two, millions of people worldwide (310 million monthly active users) engage in conversations, find information, and express their feelings on a multitude of relevant topics. Whether it be a large event like a presidential debate or a local issue like a ballot measure, Twitter can be a significant social media platform for your advocacy campaign.

digital advocacy

Digital Advocacy Opportunities Under a Trump Presidency

by Joe Fuld (He/Him)

With Trump as president, nonprofit organizations have an opportunity to use digital advocacy to grow engagement and reach donors and constituencies. This doesn't make it any easier to get legislation passed, but it does present an opportunity for growth that may not have existed in the past for your organization.

political data

Political Data: Don’t Let Perfect Be the Enemy of Good

by The Campaign Workshop

One of the biggest benefits digital advertising can bring to a campaign is data. Unlike TV and mail, you can hone in on your targets, pay attention to metrics mid-campaign and adjust as necessary, and analyze what worked and what didn’t when the campaign is over.

Rick Ridder
grassroots

Grassroots Strategies: Relationships Matter

by Joe Fuld (He/Him)

There are many grassroots strategies out in the world, but not all of them work. So when it comes to grassroots, what actually works? The most effective strategies are built around personal relationships with legislators. When organizations build real relationships between their members and elected officials, their engagement lasts longer and their phone calls get returned.

advocacy

Define advocacy: What is Advocacy and What is Not?

by Joe Fuld (He/Him)

According to Mirriam Webster, advocacy is defined as the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. In the time I have worked, the process of supporting causes has changed. From needing lobbyists to meeting with legislators, all the way to how we promote causes, a lot has changed.

kickstarter nonprofit campaigns

How to Launch a Kickstarter Nonprofit Campaign

by Joe Fuld (He/Him)

Ever had a moment when you to launch a Kickstarter nonprofit campaign ( or other online fundraising platform)? Some folks in the nonprofit and advocacy space have been hugely successful with Kickstarter, but it takes a combination of work, timing, and luck.

campaign fundraising

Should I Pay My Campaign Fundraiser On Commission?

by Joe Fuld (He/Him)

Should you pay a campaign fundraising commission? No, but likely not for the reason you think. Campaign fundraisers are worth every penny they get paid, but clarity in a business relationship is critical. It is simpler for finance directors and consultants to get a monthly fee. That way what they make is transparent. 

Social media

Social Media Strategy for Legislators

by Joe Fuld (He/Him)

Last year I spoke to a group of legislators at the Public Leadership Institute. There were a lot of great questions, and the crowd was so much fun that I decided to turn the highlights into this week's post.

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