The Basics
Fundraising is among the most important factors of the success of your political campaign. It allows people to voice their support in the form of monetary donations, to fund the operating costs of your candidacy (from hiring expert staff to creating well-designed communications), and defines your credibility. Being a proficient fundraiser takes grit and determination when faced with challenging work and maybe even a lack of initial success.
Face it, for most people, it’s hard to ask for money. But if you want to win, you’ve got to do it.
Craft a Campaign Message
The ability to solicit support for your campaign depends on your ability to craft a message that captures the attention of a wide range of people. The probably needs to be in the form of a short “sales” pitch that encapsulates your campaign priorities and how the money will be spent. You need to devise an effective campaign message before you announce your candidacy. The earlier you do this the more effective your communications will be. You will also be smoother when talking to a myriad of people every day. You are fighting for what you believe in.
Change Your Mindset
Do not think of your fundraising campaign as money to be used for yourself. This will be helpful during the initial weeks of fundraising as you will most likely be asking for money from friends and family. Think of your fundraising efforts not as taking money from the people you care about, but as a noble sacrifice necessary to effectuate the change you believe in and are willing to fight for. Having this mindset will remove the guilt when making that ultimate ask.
Conduct Donor Research
It is very important before you ask for money from people that you conduct donor research. You should know where the donor lives, their political affiliation, their voting record, and maybe even their donation history. There are voter databases where you can find this information, which allows you to build a rapport with the donor. Perhaps you know of local businesses or parks that people frequent in the area. Mention them in your call and seek common ground by talking about things that matter to the potential donor.
Effective Fundraising Methods
The most effective way to fundraise is to make calls to potential donors because you can reach a large number of people in a short amount of time. If you’re serious, you must do calls every single day for about two to three hours a day. This sounds grueling, and it is! But with the correct mindset, it will become easier after you create an effective script that anyone can follow. Other fundraising methods include virtual events, in-person town halls, flyers with your website address and information on how to donate, and social media asks.
Create a Budget
It is very important to create a flexible budget for your campaign, with the number of contributions and the operating costs of your campaign. These costs can include paying a campaign manager, utilities for your office, such as paying for the internet, mailers, and costs associated with running campaign events. Your budget can be created using Excel spreadsheets.
Try to spend as little as possible on operating costs and more on communication with voters. If you find your budget is out of whack and you are struggling to make ends meet, you can always make a personal loan and later pay it back using donations received from your fundraising. The number of donations you get is unpredictable, so it is essential that you remain flexible with your spending. Every dollar matters, so be cautious we each of them.