Campaign Plan 08 - Scheduling & Emergency Response
You are almost to the end of your campaign plan! With the plan almost complete, you will need to put together an overarching schedule and timeline for the rest of the campaign. Typically, campaigns operate in three phases which are introducing the candidate, persuading and activating voters, and lastly, getting out the vote. To conclude your plan, put some notes together on how your team will respond to emergency situations and adjust the rest of your plan. Adaptability is key in an ever-changing political landscape.
Three Campaign Phases
Planning for campaign phases should operate as a calendar/timeline for the rest of the plan. The messaging, strategies, fundraising, type of outreach, priorities of the budget, and more, all continually adapt as the campaign progresses. Detail is key. Keeping in mind that campaigns constantly adapt, integrate the message, the outreach, the people, the events, and everything else into what your campaign is doing. Be ready to shift gears instantly and prepare a message in a crisis scenario.
For instance, start your campaign by highlighting the biography and character of the candidate, hosting events, raising money, and pitching your vision for the district. After some momentum, begin to highlight the differences between the candidate and the opponent by telling voters what distinguishes one vision from the other.
Persuasion is the bulk of the campaign as you spread your message and raise excitement for the candidate. Be bold in speaking the truth and highlighting where the candidates differ. Ultimately, it all comes down to the vote, so in the final phase of the campaign, spread the word about election day, reach out to every favorable or potential voter, and focus on turning out every supporter to vote. In the final stage, it is all hands on deck.
Emergency Response: What happens when something goes wrong?
Lastly, plan out your emergency response. You do not want to have a mad-scramble during a major campaign crisis. Although no one can know exactly what an emergency situation will look like, you can prepare by answering a few questions:
- What are some potential areas of risk that the opponent or media will point out?
- What are the best channels to post a response?
- Who is the best person on the team to communicate with the media and to post a response?
- After regular work hours, who is responsible for monitoring the news?
Although you will need to compile more details, also critical, is not overreacting to negative press. There will be far too many comments, accusations, and statements to address, so focus on whether the specific issue is relevant to your campaign, poses a risk, and warrants a response.
If you have followed along, Congratulations! You have now developed a campaign plan! Although these articles are meant to guide you in the right direction, there are far more resources, tips, and notes that could be added to support your efforts. A school board candidate is going to have a much easier plan than a presidential candidate, although both will have the same major elements. Plan accordingly.
God Bless and please respond with any feedback you have on this campaign plan series.
Have any more questions on setting up your political campaign? If interested in learning more and getting involved by running for office, contact us at:roosevelt.tech
June 19, 2023
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