Before Starting a Campaign -What Every Staffer Should Know
Starting a campaign is an extraordinary challenge. It is hard work and can be all-encompassing. You don’t get to clock out like you would when working a regular 9–5 job. You’ll find yourself working late into the evening, juggling competing priorities, and being surrounded by some not-so-great food options. Being on a campaign often means putting the rest of your life on hold. But it also pushes you to step outside your comfort zone and grow in ways you may not expect. Below are a few key lessons and tips every staffer should know before starting a campaign.
Start Your Digital Programs Early
We all know how critical digital tools are to modern campaigns. These tools serve as powerful vehicles to drive outreach, persuasion, and GOTV. But to truly maximize their potential, you need to start early. Start by building your social media presence and collecting opt-ins for your email and text message programs as soon as possible. These programs take time to gain traction, but the return is worth the investment. Post consistently to engage your followers and establish your voice early. And remember, having a ton of followers is great, but engagement is just as—if not more—important. Make sure you have a plan to respond to comments, answer questions, and create a conversation so you foster a sense of community in your campaign’s digital work. Engaged supporters are supporters that you can count on to volunteer, donate, and be advocates for your message within their personal networks.
Fundraise, Fundraise, Fundraise
Fundraising is absolutely critical to any campaign. Depending on the size of the race and your role on the campaign staff, you may have varying levels of access to the fundraising operation. You may be sitting down with the candidate during call time, or you may be a step removed from the process. Regardless of your role, it’s crucial to understand that raising money is one of your candidate’s primary objectives—right up there with connecting with voters. If your campaign isn’t raising money, there won’t be resources for paid communication, and you won’t get your paycheck. Fundraising is rarely fun, and it can often feel like a grind, but it really is the engine that powers the campaign.
Even If You Lose, You Win
Political campaigns are a zero-sum game. If you’re not running unopposed, there will be a winner and a loser—that’s just the way it goes. However, it’s important to recognize that, even if you are on the losing side, the experience that you gained on the campaign is still valuable. You shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater; all the skills you have learned on a losing campaign can and should be applied to other future efforts. Most seasoned professionals in politics have been on the losing side of campaigns, and often more than once. Of course, we all want to work on winning campaigns, but you won’t be looked at unfavorably for future employment opportunities if you do end up on the losing side. And don’t lose touch with the relationships that you make on the campaign trail—you’ll be surprised by how small the world of politics is as you progress in your career.
It Will Be Over Before You Know It
As a campaign staffer, the long hours and unreasonable work expectations can seem never-ending. In reality, the campaign will be over before you know it, so make every second count. If you lose by only 20 votes, you don’t want to look back on your experience and think you could have knocked on those 21 doors you were considering skipping and potentially won. While you may be able to procrastinate in a regular job, campaigns don’t give you that option. Every day is an opportunity to get closer to your vote goal, and after Election Day, there’s no going back. Be strategic with your time, prioritize, and delegate. Remember, one person’s iceberg doesn’t have to be yours. A well-connected leader may insist that you focus your voter contact efforts on a specific precinct, but that doesn’t mean their priorities should derail the broader strategy. You have a very finite amount of time to get everything done and a lot of ground to cover, so make sure you’re using your time wisely.
Prioritize To Win
Campaigns are notorious for their high level of pressure and overwhelming expectations. That’s why it’s essential to approach your work strategically and with intention. Before you start the day, look at your to-do list and develop a plan for getting it done. So many young campaign staffers are hungry to prove themselves and think that means doing all the work by themselves. But you can’t do everything alone, and that’s okay. Campaigns are a team effort, so don’t be afraid to use interns or volunteers. At the end of the day, the most valuable staffer on any campaign is always the most efficient one, not the one who does the most work alone. Future employers will be much more impressed by the story of how you managed a tough challenge by being strategic and demonstrating leadership than by hearing that you broke a campaign record for making 700 phone calls in a single day.
Make Sure You Avoid Burnout
Campaigns are a tough way of making a living so make sure you are physically and mentally ready before starting a campaign. Even though the work is important and time-sensitive, you need to make sure you’re prioritizing your physical and mental health—otherwise, you won’t make it across that finish line. Self-care isn’t a luxury in this line of work—it’s a necessity. It might feel selfish to take time for self-care when there are still 1,000 doors to knock or dozens of calls to make. But campaigns are a marathon, not a sprint. You’re doing the campaign a disservice by not being at your best. So, make sure you block off at least some time each week for personal time so you can rest and recharge. Make sleep a priority, even if it’s just a few extra hours here and there. And try to eat something for dinner at least once a week that’s not pizza.
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