Whether you are running for the State Legislature or your local water board, your campaign must have a strategy for fundraising. It will take some amount of money to win a campaign – you have to be able to tell people you want the job! Each campaign has three basic resources:
• Time – a non-renewable resource. You cannot change the date of the election and each day that passes you can’t get back. Make sure you use your time wisely.
• People – an active volunteer base can offset the need to raise large amounts of money. As soon as you decide to run make a list of all the people you know who can help you out. You may choose to interview and hire a consultant and a campaign manager. If you are running in a highly contested race, start planning early to get first crack at the most talented people.
• Money – You are trying to win an election, so each penny you spend should be used to reach that goal. Many a candidate has lost because they just ran out of money – don’t let that happen to you.
Once you have made the decision to run, sit down and put together your campaign budget. Make sure you are realistic. The chances of raising one million dollars for a school board race is a little farfetched, but what do you think you can raise and whom can you raise it from? Estimate how much it will cost to open a campaign office (or if you even need a campaign office), pay for phones (can you just use a cell phone?), computers, and hire staff (does your race need to have paid staff?). How much do you think you will spend on mail? (A LOT!) On advertising? Once you have developed your budget – STICK TO IT! Many campaigns are lost because the candidate and the campaign got off course.
Some people love fundraising; some people hate it. For women especially, fundraising can be a challenge. You can get over this hurdle by remembering that you are not asking for charity; you are asking people for an investment – an investment in YOU! If you really have problems with the thought of asking people for money, you may want to reconsider running for office. Every candidate has to do it, so prepare to put a lot of time in “dialing for dollars.”
Top Ten Reasons Why People
Contribute To Political Campaigns
10. They like the “perks” of being a donor.
9. They are pressured by their business associates or social contacts.
8. They always give.
7. They believe in the political party the candidate represents.
6. They want to support a winner.
5. They perceive the donation will give them access to the candidate once they are elected.
4. They do not like the opponent.
3. They believe in what the candidate stands for.
2. They are a friend, relative or associate of the candidate.
And the number one reason why people give to a candidate…
1. THEY WERE ASKED!
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