When folks started creating targeted communication, sophisticated voter selects were the beginning of microtargeting. Voter modeling was soon to follow, and the age of advanced microtargeting began. These days, voter models are everywhere. No matter the campaign, you have access to voter modeling, but many folks don’t know what to use or how to use it. We’re here to help!

Digital programs are not a "set it and forget it" tactic. The organizations that get the best return on their digital investment are the ones actively monitoring performance, identifying opportunities, and making strategic adjustments in real time. If you’re working with a digital firm, that means learning to read a digital report with confidence and knowing which metrics actually matter for your specific goals.

Power mapping is a very useful advocacy tool, especially when you and your organization have limited time and resources. Power mapping can be used to target the key decision-makers or influencers needed most to achieve policy wins, allowing you to map those with voting and decision-making power over an issue you are advocating for.

It is critical to complete the power map BEFORE you plan out your strategy, including how resources are being spent. Using time, money, and people on the wrong targets often results in a failed campaign. Check out below to learn how!

Every year, advocacy and issue-based groups go to Washington, D.C., or their state capitol for lobby days to connect with legislators and impact legislation. Very often, there can be competition with dozens of other groups for attention, making it hard to stand out. Lobby days can be complicated, but we’re here to help.

Advocacy strategies can be time-consuming to create and difficult to execute. We have often written about the core elements of an advocacy plan, but taking the time to develop your advocacy strategy is an important step. But where do you begin? Try using strategy tools.

The digital landscape has evolved dramatically since the early days of Facebook-only strategies. Today's advocacy campaigns need to meet supporters where they are—across multiple platforms, each with its own strengths, audiences, and engagement styles. From Instagram and TikTok to Facebook, LinkedIn, and Snapchat, understanding how to leverage unpaid digital advocacy effectively can save you thousands on large-scale digital advertising while building a more engaged community.

Self-care is a must after a grueling election cycle. Getting through Election Day is a huge accomplishment, but it can take a toll on your mental health. Late nights, too much pizza, a prolonged, laser-like focus on work—it can leave you feeling drained, foggy, and exhausted. Moral of the story, you deserve to kick back with a good book (or a great crossword, if you’re a nerd like me) and an even better drink in hand. Here are our top 10 tips for treating yourself. 

The process for finding good political candidates doesn’t involve filling out a job application. When a candidate decides to run for office, they may not realize that the time commitment requires hours of work and many more hours in the day. Sadly, the time commitment it takes to be a political candidate is not changing anytime soon.

When planning for an independent expenditure, it’s critical to avoid common mistakes that can drain your budget or even backfire. A strong independent expenditure program should be strategic, compliant with the law, and designed to complement–not harm–your favored candidate. 

Here are three areas to look out for to set yourself and your independent expenditure up for success. 

Looking for summer reading suggestions? Whether you are gearing up for an advocacy campaign, in need of communication tips for your current campaign, or deciding whether to run for office, our eBook collection provides comprehensive guides to help you achieve your goals. Download our eBooks today for campaign and advocacy tips and tricks that suit your needs.