Campaign Desperately Needs a New Media Team with Proper Funding

[BrendanWenzel]

New Media is just another fancy name for internet marketing. Internet marketing is all about systems. You make a system, test it and use those results to make decisions on how to make the system better. Great thing is most systems are already made, tested and proven by experienced internet marketing teams. I believe that if we are going to win this election, the internet and technology will be the most vital and important tool this election, just like the last one was for Obama.

We've proven that as a movement we can do huge things on the internet. Just look at the money the campaign has raised online compared to all other fundraising methods. And I know you guys probably don't know this, but there's been tons of multimillion dollar launches in the internet marketing world using 100% internet marketing. Each of them use the same system that works over and over. We need to be applying every internet marketing strategy and system we can implement. Politics is just like marketing any other product except it's a candidate instead of a product. If this is done right, I promise that this campaign will be viewed as one of the best ever. And I say that with 100% confidence.

One philosophy that I live by in life is that to win you must be willing to do 10 times more than your opponent. It applies to everything, especially internet marketing and politics. We need to be going beyond the major social media sites, Facebook and Twitter, and reach markets our opponents likely won't. If we go above and beyond what the others will do then we are at a huge competitive advantage.

It's important that we don't sit around because the snowball effect really applies with internet marketing. I'd like to point out a few of the largest things I'm seeing right now that bring me to the conclusion that this needs to be done today and not a day later.

Meta Title Tags on RonPaul2012.com - {FIXED}
Right now the homepage title is "Ron Paul 2012 Official Campaign WebsiteRon Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee". This is what shows up on all the social networks when someone shares the link. It's also what Google sees. I'd suggest changing it to "Ron Paul 2012 Official Campaign Website - Restore America Now" Another one is the donation page. Right now the donation page's title tag is "RonPaul". My suggestion would be to make it something like "Help Restore America Now by Donating to Ron Paul 2012". Could go deeper because the entire site is jacked up with shotty title tags, but I'll stop here for the sake of time. Judging from seeing this and looking through a lot of other aspects of the site, the campaign should have someone responsible for SEO and optimizing the site for search engines and social sharing.

LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/ronpaul
According to Alexa, LinkedIn is the 13th most used site in the world. While it probably won't be a main focus, the page should at least be updated with all the current information. Change the links, probably accept incoming connection requests and post business related updates every once in a while. Would also think something similar to http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=campaign08_obama would be helpful because then people can add a Ron Paul banner to their profiles. Would also probably be good to restart the Ron Paul group too. As business friendly as Ron Paul's views, seems like it would be helpful to best the competition on LinkedIn.

Google+ - https://plus.google.com/100261968802862189375/posts
Over 2,200 people are already listening to the account and it's not even being used. With a reported 25+ million users and many more joining, Google+ seems like it would be a good use of a few minutes a day to use it. A Google+ button should also be added to the website. It'll help the site show up higher in the search engines for all kinds of terms because of the new social aspect Google is using with the Google+ button.

Setup a System for GOTV Right Now
I'm envisioning having a custom page for each state with a few features on each page. One major feature will revolve around getting the vote. Here's the basic system I'd like to propose:

The initial pledge will go to a segmented list to update them on huge events in Florida and deadlines to request abesentee ballots, when to mail them back and reminders leading up to voting day. The work here will be well worth it. After they pledge, they can click a link to register as a republican and another link to sign up to volunteer. If they decide to volunteer, you then redirect them to the donation page to capitalize on the moment. It's the same system that internet marketers use on all their high ticket sales processes and I think it'd work perfectly with this application.

 

[evilfunnystuff]

bump

 

[Napoleon's Shadow]

Why not just send your suggestions directly to the campaign instead of criticizing them publicly, AND letting all of the competition see it too?

 

[rp08orbust]

How do I register Replican?

 

[LibertyEagle]

Why not just send your suggestions directly to the campaign instead of criticizing them publicly, AND letting all of the competition see it too?

It's in the Campaign Suggestion Box. Is that not what it is supposed to be used for?

 

[TheDriver]

More funding is the key. But the money is probably better spent targeting "older" known voters by direct mail.

 

[sabu140]

Looks like those with the know how to do this and willing to volunteer should contact Jerry Shidell the national volunteer coordinator.

[email protected]

 

[BrendanWenzel]

Why not just send your suggestions directly to the campaign instead of criticizing them publicly, AND letting all of the competition see it too?

Because I've tried that route and really want them to act on this stuff. It's imperative to the success of this campaign that they don't delay on this one more day. Didn't really put anything up that ground breaking due to it being public. I've got tons more ideas to add to this. It's constructive criticism and don't feel I've caused the campaign any harm at all by posting this in public.

How do I register Replican?

Jacksonville has a link to https://www.voterfocus.com/ws/Pfinder/printvapp4.php?op=appform&county=duval&return= that allows you to do your registration all online. Not sure if that system is statewide or what.
EDIT ADD: LibertyEagle just pointed out to me the TYPO and i fixed it. hah how did i not notice that?

More funding is the key. But the money is probably better spent targeting "older" known voters by direct mail.

Disagreed. Even older people use the internet. We couldn't get my grandma off her computer for more than 10 minutes at a time. Cost of one major direct mail campaign would be close to funding this entire operation for months. And don't forget that with better internet marketing comes more donations. This stuff really does pay for itself. That's the most important thing to remember.

 

[TheDriver]

Disagreed. Even older people use the internet. We couldn't get my grandma off her computer for more than 10 minutes at a time. Cost of one major direct mail campaign would be close to funding this entire operation for months. And don't forget that with better internet marketing comes more donations. This stuff really does pay for itself. That's the most important thing to remember.

Direct mail pays for itself 10-fold, ask Rand Paul.

 

[BrendanWenzel]

Direct mail pays for itself 10-fold, ask Rand Paul.

And I'm saying that for the cost of one direct mail campaign, you can hire a whole team for New Media and you can then raise enough money to do the direct mail campaign as well. Not doubting that direct mail is effective, but would be willing to bet if you gave the same amount of funding to an internet campaign and a direct mail campaign, that the internet campaign would outperform the direct mail campaign. But that would take giving the internet a real chance to get results.

 

[speciallyblend]

And I'm saying that for the cost of one direct mail campaign, you can hire a whole team for New Media and you can then raise enough money to do the direct mail campaign as well. Not doubting that direct mail is effective, but would be willing to bet if you gave the same amount of funding to an internet campaign and a direct mail campaign, that the internet campaign would outperform the direct mail campaign. But that would take giving the internet a real chance to get results.

if someone in the campaign does not already know this? direct marketing and new media? Then the whole campaign should be fired!! I suggest folks start researching candidates outside the gop asap!

 

[LibertyEagle]

if someone in the campaign does not already know this? direct marketing and new media? Then the whole campaign should be fired!! I suggest folks start researching candidates outside the gop asap!

It's a little early for that, don't you think?

 

[BrendanWenzel]

Why do I stress New Media? Check out this video series with Obama's New Media team and how they helped advance the campaign using the internet. These guys knew what they were doing and none of it happened on accident. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAEB77BCA8591E980&feature=viewall

 

[speciallyblend]

It's a little early for that, don't you think?

i guess it is a lil early but i figure folks need a plan b. The gop makes me nervous!!

 

[Blessing_in_Disguise]

Imho

I agree that the website could be better optimized for search engines and social media. I am a web developer, so I understand the importance. Personally, I would love to see some QR codes and a separate mobile site... or at least bump up the current one with responsive web design to allow for small screen resolutions.

Kids are very privy to this stuff, and if it was easy to scan a QR code on a pamphlet with your phone and then be taken to a user-friendly mobile site with a call to action, and given a sense of interaction and accomplishment, the young generation will be secured. And they will fly off the handle to share, tweet, post, dig, blog, etc, with their phones and tablets.

Even a QR code that takes a person directly to one of the GREAT ADS the campaign is rolling out would be AWESOME!

And you can't factor out the chattery adults on the internet also. They love tech too, and to find out that a candidate has a socially engaging site is like candy. This would impress MANY influentials, thus redirecting more attention to Ron Paul's campaign.


So, that's my opinion. Not sure how outdated my profile is, so if anyone is curious, my site is www.artistforleisure.com.


Before too long, I plan to mass print a bunch of business cards with QR codes that will in some way get people to register for the TX primaries. Wasn't there a study that people with smartphones are more likely to vote?

PS: I stopped following Ron Paul on Google+ because he never posts! So sad!

 

[BrendanWenzel]

Main question is "why should we fund a new media team?"

Answer: It pays to fund new media. Most successful internet marketing campaigns are always split testing and improving their sales funnels. It's about making multiple versions of everything and seeing which ones get better results. Imagine if we get 10% more donations on a moneybomb day. The team just paid for itself and more.

 

[Araskaz]

Although Obama used his cunning charm, I'm a believer that his internet focus was a main contributor to his campaign. Brendan seems to have amazing ideas, and I really believe the campaign could go somewhere with his talents.

 

[LibertyRevolution]

Any direct mail I get from candidates goes directly into the trash.
I am not alone on that, everyone I know does the exact same thing.

Any glossy color brochure things gets treated like I treat spam in my email box, trashed before even seeing who sent it.
I mean the crappy pizza place menu gets more attention, at least that may have a coupon before I trash it.

Unless you are over 50 and bored, and lonely, just hoping someone sends you something in the mail....

Most people use the internet and Email now. So I rather have a Ron Paul ad up on Gmail or yahoo than a direct mail campaign.

 

[Napoleon's Shadow]

Any direct mail I get from candidates goes directly into the trash.
I am not alone on that, everyone I know does the exact same thing.

Any glossy color brochure things gets treated like I treat spam in my email box, trashed before even seeing who sent it.
I mean the crappy pizza place menu gets more attention, at least that may have a coupon before I trash it.

You have to look at it to throw it away and to know that you want to throw it away. Therefore you see it before it goes into the trash. To a direct marketer, that is good enough for them.

Unless you are over 50

Most voters are.

 

[BrendanWenzel]

You have to look at it to throw it away and to know that you want to throw it away. Therefore you see it before it goes into the trash. To a direct marketer, that is good enough for them.

Disagreed. Here's what wikipedia has for direct marketing.

Direct marketing messages emphasize a focus on the customer, data, and accountability. Characteristics that distinguish direct marketing are:

1. Marketing messages are addressed directly to customers. With the evolution into digital marketing channels, this addressability comes in a variety of forms including email addresses, mobile phone numbers, and Web browser cookies.
2. Direct marketing seeks to drive a specific "call to action." For example, an advertisement may ask the prospect to call a free phone number or click on a link to a website.
3. Direct marketing emphasizes trackable, measurable responses from customers — regardless of medium.

Based on those three characteristics of direct marketing, how can any direct marketer be happy with someone briefly glancing at something before they trash it? Again, for the price it costs to do a direct mail campaign, the Ron Paul 2012 campaign could hire multiple people for the New Media team and then maybe we can get some of these serious issues with the internet presence finally addressed.