The Campaign Workshop Blog

Supply Chain Problems and Solutions for Nonprofits & Campaigns  

Supply chain issues are real for political campaigns and nonprofit organizations. So, if you are running any kind of campaign in 2022 or 2023 be prepared. The supply chain issues will cause stress when it comes to voter and member outreach in 2022. From labor shortages, shipping delays, paper shortages, envelopes shortages and a host of other supply issues. Supply chain and labor issues will impact all tactics. Don't think this is just a direct mail problem. Digital, phones,…

Campaign Job Descriptions To Build My Campaign Team.

Once you’ve decided to run for office, one of the first things you’ll have to do is think about campaign structure. Define your campaign roles— paid and unpaid— and write out campaign job descriptions that will help you build a winning campaign team. A candidate’s campaign staff is incredibly important in making a campaign not only successful, but also more manageable and fun for the candidate and everyone else involved. Naturally, larger campaigns will require a more robust team, but even a…

It Pays Off to Start Signature Gathering in Advance 

For groups and organizations that are interested in getting a measure on the ballot, signature gathering can be a costly, time-intensive, and pain-staking affair. You’ll need to raise the money to pay an expensive field consultant to manage the process for you. There’s a steady unease about hitting your numbers, and all of this is compounded with the stress of knowing that the success of your effort hangs in the balance.  That’s why we recommend starting your signature gathering process early…

Why Opposition Research Should Be on Your Campaign "To-Do" List 

Can I do my own opposition research? You may think opposition research is really only something Independent Expenditures need, but that isn’t the case. Opposition research can serve a purpose on every type of campaign. Although Google searches can provide some insight to an opponent’s background and any news coverage, there are…

Checkout our Complete Guide to Building a Robust Campaign Budget to Help You Build Your Own

Political Campaign Budget Reality Check If there’s one common thread that runs through the progressive movement and Democratic political campaigns, it’s that they are very often operating with a limited budget. This fact makes having a political campaign budget critically important, because you must be strategic with how your resources are spent and get the most out of each dollar. A political campaign budget can go in an endless series of directions…

Start the Day Right with These Top National, Political Newsletters

Political news moves at a breakneck pace, and while following along on social media can be a great way to keep up with the latest blips on the screen, we also like to read a handful of political newsletters before stepping into the office. Sometimes even our own. These newsletters give concrete analysis and offer a little more depth than a tweet, without being quite as long as a full-length article.…

How to Use Coalition Building to Make an Impact 

If you’re a member of an organization that has spotted a need for change but doesn’t know how to make a meaningful impact alone, coalition building may be the answer for you. Though you may know the change you want to make, the hardest part is figuring out how to get started. Do you have enough resources, money and otherwise, to make this happen? Are there people out there who also care about the cause, and is there anyone who might be inclined to work against you? How will you reach all the…

Crypto for Political Campaigns and NFTs: Should My Campaign Accept Cryptocurrency or NFTs?

Is crypto for political campaigns something my campaign should spend time on? For most campaigns, the answer is no. Few folks understand crypto but there is pressure in the world of campaigning when it comes to crypto and NFTs. My focus on NFTs and crypto has mainly been on the non-profit space (501c3s and 501c4s). I think in those instances there are clearer lines on how nonprofits can benefit from them. There are real incentives for donors to donate…

Political Photography- The TCW Guide to Winning Campaign Photographs 

Political photography is a critical element for any political campaign, independent expenditure ballot measure or member engagement campaign. Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words, especially in the world of political communications, where space is limited, and readers’ attention spans are minimal. This means that the images you…

Member Communications: Have a Plan for Endorsement Communications 

But, to do member communications right you need to plan way ahead. In this post we revisit an endorsement process and help define ways to promote and streamline goals for endorsements and recommendations.   Many organizations recommend or endorse candidates – but often it is not clear, why and how they endorse or recommend. Make sure folks know the reason and process by which you endorse. A clear process gives your endorsement more credibility and authority.  How will you…

How to Create a Campaign Plan that Helps You Stay on Track 

While every campaign comes with unknown variables, the more you plan, the better prepared you’ll be to manage whatever comes your way. The best way to be prepared for success is by creating a written campaign plan. This means detailed planning and thinking ahead from the jump. Your best bet is to plan your moves ahead of time and take the process seriously. What Is a Campaign Plan? A campaign plan is a written document that serves as your campaign’s roadmap to getting you across the…

Managing Remote Teams and Being a Remote Company:

Do you work at a remote company? Learn how The Campaign Workshop became a permanently remote company in April of 2020. Like many companies, the pandemic made us rethink our workplace and appreciate the benefits of a remote model. Prior to the pandemic, we were a DC based company with office space and a work from home policy. We transitioned to a fully remote company with better systems that give employees more flexibility and allow us to grow our team. This post explains our evolution to…

Facebook Campaign Strategy - Build a Paid & Organic Plan

Facebook campaign strategy - can be frustrating,  but as you plan for elections you need a strategy to navigate and plan for paid and organic content, especially as Facebook continues to change their rules for targeting. No matter what level of office you are running for, you need a comprehensive paid and organic Facebook campaign strategy to be successful. We’ve written in the past about the…

What is an Advocacy Message and How Do I Get One? 

Advocacy message development can be challenging.  Join us as we go through the basics of developing an advocacy message, as well as more advanced steps to build an advocacy message that goes the distance.   Advocacy message definition:  An advocacy message is a core statement that you use to define your advocacy mission to the public. In a public affairs or public facing advocacy campaign, the message is critical to ensuring folks understand what you are about and what you want to accomplish.…

QR Codes for Politics and Advocacy: Will They Work for my Campaign?

Thinking about how to use QR codes for politics and advocacy? Whether you are in politics, membership, or advocacy spaces and do any kind of targeted communication, you need to think about how QR codes can be useful for your work and what the limitations are. Since the pandemic, QR codes have entered a new wave of popularity to such a degree that they have become ubiquitous–from parking meters to TV ads, they can be found everywhere. QR codes for politics and advocacy are in…