The Campaign Workshop Blog

In a time of a 24-hour news cycle and deep mistrust in government, breaking through the noise to reach targeted communities, including voters, requires more than just a well-funded paid media program. For issue-based organizations and progressive campaigns, earned media, “free” coverage in news outlets, remains a necessary tool for building credibility, shaping narratives, and communicating with key audiences. Unlike paid media, which can be dismissed as biased messaging, a third-party endorsement from a reputable journalist validates your message and delivers it to audiences who are increasingly tuning out traditional advertising. But navigating the modern media landscape can feel very overwhelming. 

This blog will help demystify the process and offer a roadmap for campaigns or advocacy efforts of any size to harness the power of press coverage.

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. If you are looking for our list of state blogs, go here. If you are looking for Substacks we love, look here. 

2025 has been a wild, largely unpleasant ride. There are many big questions left to tackle, and many that probably can’t be fully answered. However, one small piece of the puzzle, I think, is examining some practical changes we can make when considering direct mail and its role in influencing voters. Some of what I’m going to say here is anecdotal, and some of it is supported by testing; however, all of it represents changes that I believe are worth serious consideration if we want to work effectively within the current climate.

The Campaign Workshop is proud to launch season five of our podcast, How to Win a Campaign, this fall. The season is filled with powerful conversations about what it takes to confront and overcome roadblocks in a political environment that’s constantly evolving. Whether you're leading a nonprofit, running for office, organizing in your community, or just trying to stay true to your values when the road gets rough, this season is for you.

TCW offers a uniquely integrated strategy under the umbrella of our print shop, aligning your designs and communication style with our expert production strategy. 

As many groups and campaigns consider leaving X, formerly known as Twitter, in the wake of recent events, we discuss the implications of this decision and where they can go instead. Before you go, plan the next steps and consider the impact on your organization or campaign. 

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. 

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital advertising, Meta (Facebook and Instagram) remains a powerful platform for political campaigns, advocacy groups, and nonprofits to reach targeted audiences. However, Meta’s stringent policies on political and issue-based advertising have created challenges for advertisers looking to leverage these platforms effectively.

Understanding these restrictions—and how to work within them—is crucial for any organization running advocacy or political campaigns. Here’s what you need to know.

If you make use of USPS for political direct mail, there are some important changes happening with the United States Postal Service (USPS) beginning in January 2014. The biggest change is that Full-Service Intelligent Mail is now required for automation pricing (automation pricing gives you discounted postage rates) for First-Class and Standard letters and flat mail as well as Periodicals and Bound Printed Matter.

Political blogs as a news source can seem very 2004, but finding local- and state-specific perspectives on politics and communications is hugely important—it can help you develop a much-needed local perspective. Here at The Campaign Workshop, we enjoy reading national- and state-based political blogs to learn about local politics in states across the country and stay up to date on cutting-edge campaign innovation (during breakfast or otherwise!).

If political job hunting at any stage in life is a daunting process, searching for your first-ever political job as a young person can be completely demoralizing, especially in today's climate. While you may not be able to avoid all the headaches and meltdowns that accompany your transition into the "Real World," these tips for your first political job hunt will at least help you breathe more easily (and maybe even sleep at night) as you navigate.

Every year, campaigns are looking for cheap campaign staff who are willing to work long hours for low wages.  If you want to enter the field and you're smart and driven, you should be able to find a job. To be clear, it will likely take some time, and your first political campaign job might not be the exact job that you wanted. You will probably be required to travel, eat bad food, sleep in a house with way too many people, and work in an office that should have been condemned long before you arrived. Sound like fun? Then get on the road!

Here are some tips to begin your search for a campaign job.

A campaign job is a great way to gain political experience and responsibility quickly; however, not all campaign jobs are the same, and being a staffer is hard work. Whether you are looking at a long-term career in politics, using it as a stop on the way to grad school, looking for more meaningful work, or other paths, becoming a campaign staffer can be an important steppingstone. Below are some core choices folks make in the world of campaign jobs.