MoneyBomb!!! Analysis and Discussion for 2012

[ronpaulhawaii]

I am of the belief that we could be much more organized and methodical this time around. I saw a few different groups last night trying to promote new moneybombs and think we need to get a handle on this. I said something in chat that resonated so will repeat it here:

I had a long argument with a policy wonk in DC last year who, though friendly, was deriding our efforts. While much was simply beltway mentality, one thing they said stuck with me, "You guys are like a bunch of 6 year olds playing soccer... little co-ordination and discipline... the ball goes that way, and the whole team runs after it, the ball gets kicked back and the whole team runs back..."

While that can be amusing when the opposing team is also 6 year olds, we are up against very experienced manipulators...

I hope this thread sparks some discussion on how we can improve our game...

Some questions to start:

What mistakes have we made in the past with moneybombs?

How often can we reasonably have RP2012 moneybombs?, (keep in mind downticket candidates will be wanting to have their own...)

 

[TomtheTinker]

bump

 

[TheDriver]

Money bombs aren't going to shake the earth until nationwide, televised debates, imo. Even then, the stars have to aline.

 

[AlexMerced]

the only other money bomb I'm aware of coming up is ThisJuly2nd.com spearheaded by UtahApocalypse which I think is appropriate timing since that gives a little over three months to get the word out, to compliment his effort I'm organizing a charity bomb (charityforliberty.com) for same weekend but it's all part of one big effort.

As far as organization, a couple of people organized a really decent facebook infrastructure to help coordinate people in a more organized way. I created a quick URL to see their efforts (it links to the forum thread with links to each states facebook group) @ http://facebook.ronpaulisnow.com

Other than that I'm not familiar with any other planned money bombds (there is RunRonPaul.com, but I don't think there is a exact date for that)

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

the only other money bomb I'm aware of coming up is ThisJuly2nd.com spearheaded by UtahApocalypse which I think is appropriate timing since that gives a little over three months to get the word out, to compliment his effort I'm organizing a charity bomb (charityforliberty.com) for same weekend but it's all part of one big effort.

As far as organization, a couple of people organized a really decent facebook infrastructure to help coordinate people in a more organized way. I created a quick URL to see their efforts (it links to the forum thread with links to each states facebook group) @ http://facebook.ronpaulisnow.com

Other than that I'm not familiar with any other planned money bombds (there is RunRonPaul.com, but I don't think there is a exact date for that)

I am on multiple networks, last night I was approached to "admin" competing MBs... I don't know how effective one man arbitrarily picking a date and promoting it with out concensus is. The July2nd date was mentioned by the other group so there is already dissension... While I am all for the free market of ideas, I wonder that we should be more co-ordinated before "going public", making websites, etc...

 

[TheDriver]

July 2nd is a terrible day for a money bomb, as it's on a Saturday. Never do internet fundraising on the weekend.

 

[pmbug]

July 2nd is a terrible day for a money bomb, as it's on a Saturday. Never do internet fundraising on the weekend.

A holiday weekend at that. People are going to be more concerned with hot dogs, beer and the park/beach than political causes.

rph - all I can offer is that times are tight for most people and anyone who's donated to groups/causes in the past are inundated with follow up requests for donations. Moneybombs should be rare events or people get overloaded and begin to tune them all out.

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

July 2nd is a terrible day for a money bomb, as it's on a Saturday. Never do internet fundraising on the weekend.

Yes, that was mentioned by a completely different group... Adding that it is a holiday weekend...

 

[nayjevin]

Well I say we just rock the house for the whole week of independence day. There's already momentum in that direction. After that, one of the big problems last time was the campaign never knew how much to expect, so it was hard to budget.

I say all out on and around independence day - and as much as soon as possible thereafter.

If it can be agreed that the moneybomb concept is on the downswing as to effectiveness of the tactic, I say let the copycat-candidates take the table scraps.

 

[Original_Intent]

I agree with the OP. We need a lot more coordination and discipline than last time. Of course, with libertarian types, herding cats immediately comes to mind. So maybe we need to use that as a strength instead of letting it weaken us.

Sure, they may be able to be more organized because they are half asleep and plugged into the Matrix. But we have creativity and a lot more intelligence on our side, kind of the free market of ideas, we really do let the best ones rise to the top. The other guys are top down and always will be top down because they are waiting to be told what to think.

 

[matt0611]

We need a better, more concrete way of coordination about these things.

Do we have one of these http://www.bettermeans.com?
I've never used it but I've seen people suggesting it.

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

Well I say we just rock the house for the whole week of independence day. There's already momentum in that direction. After that, one of the big problems last time was the campaign never knew how much to expect, so it was hard to budget.

I say all out on and around independence day - and as much as soon as possible thereafter.

If it can be agreed that the moneybomb concept is on the downswing as to effectiveness of the tactic, I say let the copycat-candidates take the table scraps.

I don't know that the concept is ineffective. People love them; watching the ticker, spurring each other on with "match" threads, etc... I do like the idea of Money Barrages and multi day events could be incorporated...

I think dates should be put to a vote...

I, also, think we need to find a way to allay fears of repeat problems with "list-makers" and wonder if RPFs could play a role in that... Josh has a track record of using his list responsibly...

 

[JK/SEA]

The next moneybomb date is actually up to Ron Paul himself. If/when he announces should be the signal....When he announces...they will come...until then... ....>HOLD<

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

The next moneybomb date is actually up to Ron Paul himself. If/when he announces should be the signal....When he announces...they will come...until then... ....>HOLD<

Not sure of that for a few reasons:

1- Ron Paul announcing will create a spontaneous outpouring that cannot really be planned for...

2- It takes time to promote these things, waiting till RP announces will then set the date x amount further down the road

3- Last cycle we got the money to RP too late to be effective...

 

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

I like the idea of a Money Barrage. A two or three day event coinciding with the charity concept could do nicely. Imagine 500,000 Ron Paul libertarians having a nationwide charity drive with the Money Barrage? Local media and National Media..yay/nay?

 

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

We need a better, more concrete way of coordination about these things.

Do we have one of these http://www.bettermeans.com?
I've never used it but I've seen people suggesting it.

Yes, we are on there. Liberty Coalition

It is an awesome tool.

 

[AlexMerced]

The weekend of July 2nd may not be the best time for the money bomb but a weekend is the best time for a Charity Bomb since no ones going to go to soup kitchen when they are supposed to be working.

I do think arguably we have more to gain from a Charity Bomb as far as awareness, good will, and media attention

http://www.CharityforLiberty.com

 

[nayjevin]

Now I'm thinking about this ticker. There's room on it for more RP appearances real soon. Maybe we should have one as soon as possible, like say 20-30 days from now? or sooner? then the announcement bomb would maybe be between then and independence day. at that point, i think as much as possible as soon as possible.

see what it does though is discourage the one time donors from donating now. i'm not sure where the balance falls in the benefits of concentrating effort, excitement etc, and the campaign having that cash on hand. in general i say there's no question the balance was on the side of the moneybomb, but here we are with a half full ticker and what looks like ron's campaign trying to budget and book events.

 

[ronpaulhawaii]

Now I'm thinking about this ticker. There's room on it for more RP appearances real soon. Maybe we should have one as soon as possible, like say 20-30 days from now? or sooner? then the announcement bomb would maybe be between then and independence day. at that point, i think as much as possible as soon as possible.

see what it does though is discourage the one time donors from donating now. i'm not sure where the balance falls in the benefits of concentrating effort, excitement etc, and the campaign having that cash on hand.

I'm not sure if 20-30 days is enough time... but like your thinking...

I remember from '10 a consensus seemed to develop that 1 "major" bomb per quarter is acceptable... We just had a "winter" bomb, next would be spring, then summer... etc... Is that enough?

 

[UtahApocalypse]

I want to address the ThisJuly2nd issue.

I jumped the gun.... I agree that we need to take everything we learned over the past moneybombs and put that to good use. as such i will be keeping the site as is, and the FB group open. I never have announced it as a moneybomb. i don't think it is dead in the water. If another more logical, and effective date is picked for a moneybomb I will fully support that effort. The July 2nd event will transition into a nationwide sign blitz reminiscent of the "paint the town Ron" events of the past. It is very effective to do these type things at the beginning of a holiday as signs are viewed by thousands of travelers, and not taken down by DOT until Tuesday.

One thing to keep in mind though is we will never please everyone. just like the Nov. 5th bomb many people disliked it due to the "Guy Fawkes" theme and reference. It still was wildly successful and put Ron Paul on the map.... and added the term "moneybomb" to the political lexicon.

Some of the most important things we have learned is that we should use time to our advantage. My thought on this is we need at most only one bomb per a quarter. This allows everyone time to promote, and stock up on donations. The other time issue is just like Mike said we can't be late to the party. Ron Paul needs the money sooner than later. If Rand's campaign is any sign of things to come this time around we will be looking at a much more organized, and possessional run. Lets keep in mind important dates, and events and coincide our funding before those occur.

We have many new tools to use. With the LibertypAC bomb I found that Facebook was hugely effective and useful. There are still aspects of that that need to be better taken advantage of in the future.

Here is my analysis of the LibertyPAC Presidents Day Moneybomb