This afternoon, I am posting from the Libertarian State Leadership Alliance (LSLA) Conference in Austin, TX – as a part of my live presentation on Social Media.
For candidates as with marketers, message and connection with the audience is paramount. In the past, candidates had to go through a gatekeeper (news editors) to get their message to the public. If they were lucky enough to do so, there was no guarantee as to what the condition of their message would be as translated by the gatekeeper. Corruption of the message was at risk.
In the past, the most common way to ensure the purity of the message was through paid advertising. This model is dramatically slanted towards well-funded campaigns.
Social media has eliminated the gatekeeper and candidates can enjoy a more authentic dialogue with the voters.
Blogs and websites provide platforms for consistent, thorough, and unedited messaging. Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms can be used to drive supporters to the message (blogs and websites). Money is no longer the key ingredient to promoting one’s campaign.
The focus is now on the issues.
I hadn’t thought this through, but you are clearly on the mark with regard to the value of social marketing to political campaigns. Those candidates that jump aboard now, before voters are overwhelmed, will certainly benefit the most.
This could be a game changer in American politics, if lesser known or under-funded candidates can dial in on the use of Social Media before the traditional candidates.
Yep. Having a well-organized social media strategy, is thought by many, to have been the key in Scott Brown’s victory in MA.
Will be walking on air for the rest of the day
http://is.gd/adWah Thank you @normanhorn #tlot