At Victory Enterprises, running tough races is part of our job. Our team has navigated through a lot of territory, and just about seen it all. For all candidates, the campaign trail is not an easy path. It is riddled with challenges that could result in wasted time and effort.
If you are a candidate running for office in an upcoming primary or the November general election, we have some simple and free advice for you:
Stay on Message
A mistake often made by political candidates is forgetting to stay on the message they tailored to their audience. You have researched your district and run polls so you know what the district wants to hear. All you have to do is say it. Don’t forget your target audience, and stay on message. Don’t waste time pandering to fringe interests who don’t have an impact on election night, and don’t go on too long. The best message is simple, relatable, clear and short. You will find that voters appreciate that.
Don’t Take Your Friend’s Opinion as That of a Voter
Remember that your friends and family are a skewed sample for voter opinion. They have a bias towards you, sometimes without realizing it, and do not represent the aggregate opinion of the voters you need to woo. Don’t forget who your audience is when you are building and spreading your message.
Sometimes the best way to learn is to be challenged. Set aside time early and have someone (perhaps a friend with a different world-view) pepper you with questions that are difficult or uncomfortable. It’s better to iron out your response to tough questions in private rather than in public where cameras are always rolling.
Being Overly Complex
The average voter is not always college educated and you will not win points by flaunting your degree. Complicated jargon and flowery language isolates you from voters. Your message needs to be clear and concise to appeal to the largest number of people. Everyone from the “average Joe” to the doctor or lawyer in your audience should be able to understand your message.
Your time with potential voters is limited. You want to make the most of that time with a message that can be easily absorbed.
No one will ever run a perfect campaign, but if you find yourself struggling with any of these pitfalls, don’t sweat it. We’re here and we have the resources and experience to help you through it!