Download pdf - HOW TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN

HOW TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN

2017


TOP TIPS

1) People vote because they were asked. Talk to students.2) Plan and prep your campaign team3) Be realistic, relevant and representative4) Have a clear identity that highlights your priorities5) Be positive and friendly (no negative campaigning)6) Include voting info on print7) Don’t forget 2nd preferences8) Expect to win, but be ready to lose9) Do not let your studies suffer for the Election10) Get some sleep

MARKETING YOURSELF AND YOUR MANIFESTO

The most effective form of campaigning is face-to-face activity. Marketing activity such as flyers, posters and social media is best used to support talking to students.How do you get students to remember you? 1) Explain why voting is relevant & important.2) Give them a good reason to vote for you.

Things to think about:1) Have a Campaign Plan

— What tactics are you going to use?— Targeted areas or groups?

2) Have a Campaign team/manager— Elections are better with friends— Be clever with your campaign team

3) Make sure you know your voters— Who could you target?— Where do students go/stay/hang out?— Who normally votes and who doesn’t?

MATERIAL AND BRANDING

Manifestos - keep them clear and to the point. Don’t talk in language that students won’t understand (no Union or NUS lingo)T-Shirts - for the campaign team, spray paint and a homemade stencil is quick, easy and cheap way to make loads oft-shirts.Badges/Stickers – get them on students to help spread the message even further than just your teamFlyers - are a great way to give people the basic information; they won’t want to stand a read a two page manifesto.Banners – a simple flat bed sheet and some paint is an easy and cheap way to make a real campus presence.Videos - simple and effective way to spread your campaign, make them informative and fun.Facebook/ Twitter – have it set up ready to go, hub on your campaign, update it as much as possible and send it to asmany people as possible.Make it interactive – have a way for students to interact with the campaign and have their say on what they want youto deliver for them.Brand – have a clear brand for your campaign across all your materials, make sure people know who you are and whythey should vote for you.


MARKETING YOURSELF & YOUR MANIFESTO: SOCIAL MEDIA

— Be yourself. — Your existing social networks are your biggest asset. — Talk with your own voice. — Share your interests. — Have an opinion, but let others have one too. — Don’t take yourself too seriously. — Say something worth sharing. — Give your followers an incentive to like, share, retweet etc. — What kind of reaction do you want someone to have to your post/tweet? — Go for quality not quantity. — Make a schedule so it’s easier to manage when you’re out and about talking to students. — Follow others. — Photos and videos get the best engagement on social media. — Think before you speak. Make sure you are always respectful and do not attack or offend. — One message can make or break your campaign. — Turn off your social media apps if you’re drinking. — Never spam. People are smart and can spot genuine messages. — If you’re not having fun, neither are your followers. — Ask for help. We have staff whose job it is to effectively use social media and they are happy to offer advice.

KNOW WHO’S VOTING AND WHY Below are the voting statistics from previous years:(Please note the percentages are taken from those students who voted)

Why people vote – research shows:72% were asked directly70% had seen a poster or flyer60% knew what the candidate stood for29% had read the manifestos

Show & Tell Vote for Welshy: http://youtu.be/euY72bdJmRAThe Wolf of UL: http://youtu.be/PuG2pUR7z7EFreya Potter: http://youtu.be/qqq6uqRi5nAVote George #1: http://youtu.be/Zju9dNuNREwVote G&T for E&D: http://youtu.be/QGCxHn6HHeo

YEAR CAMPUS NATIONALITY1 — 36.19% FRENCHAY — 79.56% UNITED KINGDOM --- 73.31%

2 — 25.45% GLENSIDE — 8% NIGERIAN --- 2.45%

3 — 19.49% BOWER/CITY — 5.01% MALAYSIAN --- 2.25%