developing effective campaigns

Democracy Matters Campus Interns have developed great campaigns over the years! Check them out at “Action Campaigns” But you should develop your own creative campaigns to add to the list. Think about what would capture the attention of and educate nd/or involve the friend who says “I’m just not that interested in politics!”

Goals

  • Long Term - the long-term objectives of your campaign (e.g. eucate and involve others protect democracy, etc.)

  • Short Term - the short term steps that will achieve the long term goals (e.g. get students to sign a petition, listen to a rap, come to a DM event or meeting; find supportive faculty; outreach to other clubs, etc.)

  • Stengthen DM - ways this campaigns will strengthen your club (e.g. recruit new members, expand leadership group, increase organizing experience, build solidarity, expand into new groups, get your name known)

Tips for Success

  •  Power map your school to identify those likely open to your message, able to attend an event, willing to co-sponsor etc.

  • Create a simple but powerful message with a sound bite that can get repeated everywhere (e.g. get big money out of politics; voting is your voice; stand up for democracy etc)

  • Build a timeline for every task that needs to be done (give lost of extra time for each).

  • Create a timeline for each week - list what needs to be done, which DM member is supposed to be doing it, and how often you or your designate checks in with them to see how it is going.

  • Delegate and supervise ( who is responsible for each task? to whom do they report? who has overall supervision of campaign etc.)

  • Debrief and celebrate - Discuss what went well/what did not; have a party to congratulate everyone involved.

DM’s “S.M.A.R.T” Campaign Model

‍Specific – Measurable – Advertised – Realistic – Time bound

Specific

  • Is your campaign understandable to the average person? 

  • Can you effectively communicate the goal(s) of the campaign? 

  • Is it concrete about who, what, where, and when? 

  • Day and time when is the event going to be? 

  • What groups of students is it going to target? 

  • What issue will it address? 

  • Where will it be held? 

  • Do you want to collaborate with other clubs?

Measurable

  • Will you be able to tell what has been achieved?

  • Do you know what you want to get out of the campaign?

  • How many people do you want to attend? 

  • How long do you want it to last? 

  • How much will it cost?

  • How many people do you need to plan and implement the event?

  • How many email addresses/names/phone numbers do you want to get?

  • How many different kinds of publicity have you used?

  • Did you get coverage from the school or local newspapers?

  • How many people took an action at the event or afterwards?

Advertised

  • Are people aware of your campaign/event and if so are they excited to be a part of it? 

  • Do people know what the campaign is about and how it impacts them?

  • Have you informed faculty,

  • Have you made classroom, club, dorm etc. announcements?

  • How did you use social media?

  • Tabled with flyers and event information?

  • Did you invite community people? How?

Realistic

  • Can it be done with the people, the time, and resources you have? 

  • Can it effectively influence students? 

  • Are you setting standards that are high but that are also achievable? 

  • Is your DM club going to remain committed and dedicated enough to make it successful?

Time Bound

  • Can it be achieved within a specific time frame? 

  • Have you created a time-line from the beginning to thecompletion of each part of the campaign/event?

  • Are the deadlines clear to those responsible for implementation?

  • Never underestimate the power of a deadline to actually get people to successfully act! ‍