Why Automating Your Political Campaign's Social Media Isn't A Good Idea

Social media is supposed to have a social element to it. With all the different ways to communicate with followers via social media, it can become very tempting to automate your posts through various social media tools such as Hootsuite and SocialOomph. While these tools can help save time and streamline your updates, this automation can sometimes work against you.

For example, say you have a carefully crafted press release that announces a large campaign event. A lot of time was spent writing the release so it would catch both the attention of supporters and the news media. Then you then configure your blog or update tool to automatically post the press release update to your followers when it goes live. In doing so, your auto-tweet and Facebook post may end up being little more than a link and a partial sentence without any additional personality or flair.

If you automate the bulk of your social media posts, then you are limiting your engagement with others and potentially making your campaign appear lazy. Simply putting out links and statements without taking the time to craft them carefully will eventually work against you. For example, talking about an issue on Twitter without bothering to use a hashtag could mean that people who are following the conversation will never even know about your post.

A hands-on approach is the best way to handle social media updates. Every social network is different, so don't post the same exact title or headline across the board. For example, Twitter displays content like news headlines. In addition, you only have 140 characters to get someone's attention. By manually tweeting, you can add additional #hashtags and @replies that would not work if you were automatically cross-posting your content.

Facebook allows much more flexibility in your updates. Not only can you can post status messages, but you can also include images or even embed video. Take the time to tweak your link description or add a comment, question or statement about the post.

By customizing your messages to each specific medium, and you will get better exposure and a better audience response.

If you are going to start using social networks, don't wait! Building a successful network takes time and effort. Some campaigns today are now starting social networking efforts a year or more ahead of the elections.

As a final tip, one thing you SHOULD automate is your social media monitoring. If you do nothing else, set up Google alerts for you name, your opponents and phrases related to your campaign.

Online Candidate provides campaign websites for candidates running for local office. Accept donations, recruit supporters, add events and upload files, build your e-mail list, run a poll and more!

View the original article here

It Must Be Political Season Again - Already?

In the spring of 2012 Bill Clinton was interviewed and stated that the Presidency ought to be 10-years not 4 because in the first-term, you were constantly running for office and too worried about doing the business of the people. I am not sure I want a US President for 10-years, but I do believe it is at least one of the problems with our dysfunctional DC.

Now then, maybe we need a 6-year term, and a second term of 4-years to allow the executive branch to finish what they started or change course if they've not done as promised? Hard to say really, however one thing is certain; these never ending political seasons are dividing us not uniting us.

Personally, I am blown away by the insane Mass Media negative news clips, shows, and attempts by TV, Radio, Newspapers to propel chaos and controversy creating more sound and fury pushing unstable people over the top to violent action. I am equally disturbed by the rudeness online in political topics. An interesting article you might wish to read was in the Wall Street Journal on October 2, 2012 titled; "Why We Are So Rude Online," by Elizabeth Bernstein. She's right of course, and it's both sides really.

Consider the blogosphere, online forums, social networks, Twitter, and of course the viral email distribution is out of control. The behavior is outrageous and I can tell all that anger and banter is finding its way into the real world too. If you doubt this just sit in a coffee shop or hang out at the beach, a park, or even a bus stop and listen to the vitriol (acidic) conversations which are eroding our personal politics.

Indeed, upon review of it all, politics seems to be a terrible way to run society. Unfortunately, as many have stated, people are divided on topics and emotional about it all. When it comes to the online virtual world, well this is the content that web surfers are interested in. It's sometimes unfortunate that the online readers seek the most combative content rather than looking to reason, information, facts, and philosophical debate. It is beginning to remind me of the Jerry Springer Show.

Overall, I'd say the more intellectual articles I've read on a few content websites are for the most part not as bad as what I've read in other Internet venues, which I suppose is just as well. However if 90% of the websites including all the comments on the major media sites are entering "the dark web" then obviously we have a bigger and deeper problem.

Is anything being filtered online? Yes, I believe so, but then again we have a free-speech problem when we do that. You see, I even wonder if some search engines are purposely filtering highly negative content against certain candidates, it seems so. Of course, this helps one candidate over another, which is also a problem, and in a way an abuse of power I'd say. Still, many campaigns are out in full force commenting on news articles to make their candidate look better or the opponent worse.

Yes, it is political season. And in the US at least, it seems we are "all in" when it comes to our politics. Maybe it's time to tone it down a little, not for the sake of political correctness, rather for the sake of the future national dialogue and our great nation. Please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Political Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

View the original article here

New Political Strategy - Call The Opponent a Liar, If The Candidate Can't Win a Debate

Well sometimes, I just get so upset at the politics in the United States. Sometimes it just drives me nuts, and I'm sure you'll agree regardless of which side of the fence you are on. Personally, I happened to be somewhat of a libertarian leaning right, not due to religious reasons more so because I believe in free-market economies, and I am vehemently opposed to any sort of socialism for the United States of America. After 30 years of studying the politics, news, and being involved in business I have good reason for my observations and political viewpoints.

The other day someone told me that I shouldn't tell anyone that I am a libertarian because they might think I'm crazy. I'm not, not even a little bit. "There's nothing wrong with my politics, it's everyone else I'm worried about," I told them, and they laughed. Doesn't everyone feel the same way? Now then, recently I was watching the first debate between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama at the University of Colorado. It was clear that Mitt Romney went on the attack demanding the president's explanation for dragging economy, and trillions of dollars of deficit spending in the last four years. Basically Mitt was asking; Mr. President, what do you have saved yourself?

The president didn't have a lot to say that night therefore it was deemed that he lost debate. Because of this the Democratic Party was quite concerned of how to play it. It appears their new strategy was simply to call Mitt Romney their opponent a liar. Perhaps if you say something enough times and keep repeating it, people will believe you. Rather than calling someone else a racist or a liar, or anything else, it might be better to have more legitimate debates at the higher end of the intellectual spectrum. Apparently, that's not happening. It's all about gotcha politics. Still, we cannot have a legitimate national discussion or debate, or maintain positive and respectful dialogue and discourse with all this vitriol.

Calling your opponent a liar is not a viable strategy in American politics, and it just further divides the left and the right. It is dividing our nation, and if we are going to have debates and televise them, then each party should put their best foot forward and make their case to the American people. Calling each other liars doesn't solve the problems or challenges we face as a nation. It turns Americans off towards politics it puts even more distrust of the government. Besides that, one could ask; who's really the liar? If someone calls someone else a liar but they aren't lying, then they are in fact a liar. If someone is a liar and calls someone else a liar, then in that case doesn't it just cancels-out the whole conversation?

If so, why have debates at all? Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Political Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

View the original article here

Is The Mainstream Media Making a Mistake By Pushing Political Agendas With a Divided Public?

It seems to me rather unfortunate that the mainstream media spends so much time spinning and manipulating what was said and debated at the presidential debates in mid-October 2012. What I see as rather curious is how many left-leaning socialist thinking people have been on TV criticizing Mitt Romney for his strategy and plan to get America back to work. In almost all regards they have misconstrued what he has said, rebranded him as a liar, and completely misstate the facts. Over and over again the American people are being told by the media and political operatives for the Obama campaign that Mitt Romney's plan is unattainable, and that the numbers don't add up. Sure they do, and let me explain.

Mitt Romney wishes to aggressively boost domestic energy development and production. That alone would add a tremendous number of new jobs, and with that more people paying taxes into the system, therefore there would be more revenue for the government. This could add 500,000 high paying jobs and lower our energy costs helping small businesses and consumers, allowing them more money to spend - thus, boosting the economy as well.

He also wishes to complete trade deals with South America which have been on hold therefore increasing the number of products we export. That would provide more jobs at home in manufacturing. Further, on that note he wishes to lean on China for their intellectual property theft, and their currency manipulation. That could easily add another 2 million jobs to our manufacturing sector.

He's also us spoken of allowing the states to administer their own job training programs rather than being dictated by the federal government. This is also quite wise because things should be done locally in the regions where those jobs actually exist, or don't exist. It hardly makes sense to train people for jobs which do not exist in those particular states. This is why centralized control over such things never works, as the so-called economies of scale are lost to mismatching. By allowing the states to do their own retraining that means more jobs, again more people paying taxes into the system.

Mitt Romney also says that he wants to reduce the deficit by eliminating inefficiencies, duplication, and nonsensical agencies. That will reduce the amount the government spends. He doesn't wish to increase taxes, he wishes for more people to be paying into the system because they have new jobs. Lastly, he wishes to reduce the regulatory burden on small companies, our small businesses are being barraged by rules and regulations at every level of government. If we can reduce these regulations small businesses will expand and hire more people. When they hire more people more people will be paying taxes into the system.

With all of these new jobs and all of these new people paying into the system, the government won't have to run a deficit, or as it is working itself out of the budget deficits it will have more money coming in. Those who oppose Mitt Romney are only looking at the cost of the government and where the money is going, without looking at the revenue side of the equation, perhaps because they believe that since Obama couldn't create any jobs, then either can't Mitt Romney. But there is a big difference between a free-market capitalist, and socialist style leadership as they have in Europe.

Europe's way doesn't work, free-market capitalism does, and that's the fundamental difference. If the political opposition doesn't understand this (they hardly teach economics in our schools anymore), or quite frankly doesn't care because all they wish to do is a negative things about Mitt Romney, and if the mainstream media continues making a mistake by pushing this political agenda when 50% of our population is against socialism, then the mainstream media will also suffer in the end, not only because socialism ruins business models, but also because the other 50% which believes in freedom, liberty and free-market capitalism is going to tune them out.

Media companies cannot operate without viewership, and without the ratings as they will not pull in any advertisers after the election. Right now, perhaps they are promoting Barack Obama because the amount of money in advertising the Obama Campaign is currently spending with them, but if that is the case that's just another form of crony capitalism, and therefore their opinions and what is stated on their programming, or who they choose to interview cannot be considered unbiased.

In fact one could say they're part of the problem, therefore maybe it doesn't matter if they go out of business, or turn on the economic reality and basic math of this equation. Romney's right, for the right reasons. Please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Political Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

View the original article here

Political Change? Think Bigger

Two primary sentiments are in play this election season: 1) entrenched interests promoting the status quo of easy money (printing and borrowing) and resource redistribution; and 2) a troubled recognition that the easy money and redistribution course is a direct road to disaster. People in the former group don't want substantive change; they've got too much to lose. They find solace with the "steady as she goes, keep the something for nothing train rolling" choices democrats and republicans offer. This election seeks only to determine which special interests are to benefit most. The men and women in the latter group however, realize a major sea change is required to right the course of a once proud and prosperous nation, and real change is nowhere in sight.

America's situation is nothing short of a travesty and a tragedy. Americans are so enamored with a modicum of personal economic security (read entitlements) and so easily persuaded by groundless but attractive sounding promises they willingly cede their personal power to a host of would-be benefactors and rulers: professional politicians and financial and industrial elite. Circumstances have become so unhinged a significant political change is needed to alter our course. We are headed in the wrong direction. It's time to think bigger. It's time to reform the system.

The real problem, which leaders of neither political party will admit to because it serves the parties' interests, is we have concentrated wealth and power in the hands of a few. The system, developed painstakingly over generations, automatically draws resources from the productive core and funnels them to the connected rich to fund lavish lifestyles and the easily manipulated masses to ensure votes. No amount of economic stimulus, no amount of money printing, or ever more gargantuan fiscally irresponsible spending can overcome these two drains on creative, productive enterprise. The special interests have a death grip on the economy. Releasing this hold is the only option to give Americans a fighting chance at prosperity.

This corrupt system has generated a cultural malaise which must be peeled back for real progress to ensue. Power must return to the people - this means freedoms and responsibilities. We must shatter the resource transfer philosophy (unearned shift of wealth to the wealthy and unsecured entitlements to the masses) which is financially and morally bankrupting this nation.

This reform can and must be done by means of three measures: first depose the career politicians and eliminate the burgeoning political class (dismantle gerrymandering and establish term limits); second establish a sound currency and a responsible financial system (disassemble too big to fail financial institutions and end Wall Street's financial shenanigans); and finally get the federal government out the benefits and entitlements businesses (healthcare, education, and welfare).

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. As much as we would like to believe this isn't true - that every day is a holiday and every meal a feast - it just isn't so. Politicians simply cannot handle power. So the less power the people give them, the better.

If you are one of the people who realize the something for nothing philosophy cannot endure, think bigger. Advocate for systemic reform. A major overhaul is the only way to give our children any chance at a healthy, thriving, and productive future. If you want political change, don't buy into the baseless and shallow promises the current slate of political candidates endorse. Think bigger.

Scott F. Paradis, author of "Success 101 How Life Works - Know the Rules, Play to Win" and "Warriors, Diplomats, Heroes, Why America's Army Succeeds - Lessons for Business and Life" focuses on the fundamental principles of leadership and success; http://success101workshop.com/

View the original article here

7 Political Campaign Website Screwups

Having worked on a large number of campaign websites over the years, we've found that the same problems tend to crop up again and again. If you are creating or maintaining a political campaign website, be sure to avoid these screwups.

1) Missing Critical Information - This includes the candidate's name, elected position, election date and so on... You would be surprised how often this information is left out of a website - even on the contact page. And if you want people to vote for you, please, please tell them the election date.

2) Not Enough Quality Content - You may not be running for the biggest position in the land, but you still need to convince enough voters to support you. At a minimum, a candidate should include a bio, reasons why they are qualified for the position, and a request for support.

3) Not Adding Personality - You want your site to be professional, but that doesn't mean that each page of your website copy needs to read like a marketing-department-vetted press release. Personal quotes and stories can help voters get to know and like a candidate.

4) Adding Too MUCH Personality - On the other hand, providing too much character can turn off voters. Being too personal or colloquial can be a negative. Have an unaffiliated outsider read your material in order to provide an unbiased opinion.

5) Not Making the 'Ask' - Every page should have some call to action. Usually, it's a request for a vote on a certain date. On a donation page, it's a request for money. On a volunteer page, it's a request for support. Don't assume people know what you want them to do. Tell them! Also, don't be afraid to ask people to Like your Facebook page or Follow your campaign via Twitter. This can help increase your social activity.

6) Not Linking Out - Websites are not islands unto themselves. If you are engaged in social media, be sure to link out to your profiles. Embed widgets into your site to show online social activity. Cite and link to outside resources and make your site a hub of all your online activity.

7) Spelling and Grammar Errors - This is pretty basic, but pretty important. Would U vot for somone who spell like this? Always have your campaign material double and triple-checked by outsiders for spelling and grammar.

A campaign website should not be a static thing. A site should grow and evolve along with the campaign. If you make your site interesting and informative, you will create more traffic, more interest and more support that will carry through to Election Day.

Online Candidate provides campaign websites for candidates running for local office. For one low price, you can have a quality campaign website designed to help win your election!

View the original article here

Political Fact Checkers Desperately Needed For Hispanic TV Commercials

During the 2008 Elections in Texas the opponents of Barack Obama's campaign committee charged them with putting out false and misleading political advertising on the Hispanic venue radio and TV stations. Obviously, those who are not Hispanic or perhaps do not speak much Spanish do not listen to or watch those states. Some of the hurtful things which were said about John McCain were, well, and this is my opinion, "deeply troubling" and unfortunate to say the least.

Interestingly enough, I met a gentleman who worked for an advertising agency in Houston who assisted the Obama Campaign in the primary vote there. He bragged about how they dialed in the Hispanic vote in the primary, and later during the election. Personally, since I am not a supporter of Obama, I felt it was somewhat problematic that he helped out the campaign in what "I believe to be" an unethical way. Nevertheless, those negative ads did wonders for Obama in TX, and in AZ and NM too.

In the last month, October of 2012, President Obama went to California to the home of Caesar Chavez and called his home a National Monument, unfortunately, he did that on Columbus Day, a day all Americans might celebrate as it was the day Columbus was said to have discovered America, even if he really found some islands nearby. Some might charge the President with political pandering, but it was nice for him to show that he is also with the Hispanic Community, even if there is irony in the date he chose.

Now then, whether or not the President on that particular day was catering heavily to the Hispanic vote or even pandering as his opponents had said, I'd still like to see a reality check this time around on any of the negative ads the Obama Campaign runs on Hispanic media venues. In other words, just as we have everyone running around playing "gotcha politics" and pretend-to-be fact-checkers, maybe we need some Spanish speaking media folks doing a little fact-checking of their own?

Luckily, first and second generation Hispanic Americans are well aware how much bull politicians will throw out and generally they don't trust them much, still, if a barrage of ads are released just prior to the election, very negative ads, there won't be time to set the record straight, and by then all the fact-checking in the world might be, well, too late.

Thus, we need a full-on scrutinizing of those advertisements to make sure they keep it legit and reality based. What I've seen so far isn't, and realize that's only been in the English speaking political ads, is really crossing the border on ethical truth in advertising. Please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Political Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net/

View the original article here