It’s nearly time for midterm elections and that means that we’re going to start to see a plethora of politicians trying to do something we know quite a bit about: market themselves to an audience.
Digital marketing campaigns share a lot in common with running for political office. You’ve got to find the right team and allies and make sure that you’re putting your efforts in the right place (and at the right time!). For both marketing and political campaigns, you’ll need solid data analytics to make sure that you’re making the most of every marketing dollar.
Here’s our breakdown of the trials and tribulations of running any successful marketing (or political) campaign!
Getting Started
Getting started can be the hardest part. Whether you’re a would-be politician running for your first local office or a still-green marketing beginner trying to cut your teeth, you have to start somewhere!
Decide what your goals are: you’ll need to choose a level that aligns with both your experience level and your ambitions. If you set achieveable expectations, you’ll have something to shoot for and have a realistic chance of tasting success.
Planning ahead is also key. Gather your friends, family, or mentors to discuss your new venture and get feedback. Whether you’re looking to become a mayor or a digital marketing guru, having a support network is mandatory.
While you’re getting started and planning, you should also take a good look at your personal strengths and weaknesses. Make sure to build on and promote your best qualities (e.g. “SEO expert!”) and work on your biggest weaknesses (e.g. slow to learn new technologies).
Find Your Allies
After you’ve come up with a plan of action, the next step is building your support system and your team. When you’re hiring staffers or in- or out-of-house technical support, make sure to look for supporters who are loyal and commited to your goals.
If you’re hiring an outside firm for help, make sure to read reviews, find referrals, and talk to other contacts in the same field. You can also consult with your partners to make the most informed decision.
Go Public
When you’re ready, it’s time to go public with your campaign. Whether you’re running for office or trying to get the word out about your business’ products or services, you’ll need to make a lot of appearances (in person or otherwise).
Campaigns need to be highly visible. Set goals for your engagement (and conversion) rates and keep track of your progress towards those goals. This lets you hold your team accountable and continue to modify your plan if things are going worse (or better!) than expected.
Analyze Your Data
The key to success in any digital marketing or political campaign alike is to gather data. Lots of it. You’ll want to collect metrics about your target audience: what do they care about and what are their pain points (things that make them uncomfortable or cause headaches for them)?
Once you’ve got a boatload of data, it’s time to analyze! Analyzing your data allows you to optimize your campaign and get the maximium number of conversions in your audience. It also lets you keep track of how your marketing dollars are being spent. Make the most of your money!
Conclusion
Running a digital marketing campaign can be a lot like running for office. There are plenty of ways that things can go awry, from your partner making an embarassing flub on national TV to your campaign website being a nightmare to navigate.
Take the time to plan out your digital marketing strategy so that you can succeed (and hopefully sooner than 2020!).