Local officials keep systems running. It may not be a job with as much press or attention as federal government positions. But it makes a huge difference to the people around you!

The local government helps keep communities strong. Local government impacts economic, housing, and transportation policies. When you help someone run for local office, you’re making a difference in your community.

If you’re new to running a political campaign you may be wondering where to start. Fortunately, there are concrete steps you can take to get started. Read on to learn everything you need to know to make a difference in your local elections.

Define Your Roles

Gather your team together and begin to define your roles. If there are areas you have more experience, you may gravitate towards a certain role. Here are few typical roles you’ll find in a campaign team:

Finances

Ideally, you’ll have someone to do fundraising and someone who is treasurer. If you have a small team, choose someone who is savvy with numbers to help with accounting. They’ll be in charge of campaign expenses as well as tracking donations.

Campaign Manager 

The campaign manager is responsible for the day-to-day of the campaign. They’ll help with fundraising, coordinating with other staff members. They’ll also be responsible for managing the strategy and operations.

Press and Communications

You’ll want someone to take on the work of communicating with the press. They’ll be responsible for setting up interviews and press opportunities. If you have the budget for two employees, someone to work on marketing and social media is a plus.

Build a Solid Political Campaign Strategy

Once you’ve assembled your team and set your roles, you’ll need a strategy. Your strategy will guide you through each hiccup and hurdle. When you’re confused about what to do, referring to your campaign strategy will help you find your way.

That’s why it’s so important to sit together and decide what your goals are for the race.

Also, go over how you plan to fund the campaign. Are there donor relationships you need to build?

How will you know you’re on track? Create a plan to track and make sense of data along the campaign trail.

Campaign Marketing and Branding

During your strategy sessions, you’ll want to come up with an effective slogan. Use your slogan when creating marketing materials. You’ll need to figure out how to communicate your candidate’s main values and promises.

Make sure you don’t overcomplicate your candidate’s messaging. Create a branding guideline. Don’t forget a website.

You may be thinking this is too much to handle if you’re new. Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to make it easier.

You can use pre-made design templates for your materials. You can also work with a political campaign website builder. Your website will look polished and professional with minimal stress for your team.

Changing the World One Political Campaign at a Time

You will make a difference in your community when you run a local political campaign. How to win an election may seem intimidating. But you now know it’s a matter of organizing yourself and strategizing.

You can feel confident that your hard work will make a big impact in your neighborhood and city.

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