Representation matters. That’s a fact. If you are living with a disability and want to impact change, there’s no better way than to run for office and truly represent yourself and other members of the community who are also living with disabilities.
Sound too intimidating or stressful? GoodGear.TV shares this short list of campaign essentials that can take the guesswork out of running a campaign and help you win yours.
A Catchy and Professional Website
If you want to win an election, you need to connect with as many registered and applicable voters as possible. One of the best ways to do so is with a clean and polished website. Your candidate website should include the following:
- A creative but professional domain name people will remember for the right reasons.
- A compelling logo; you should also use this to help any printed materials stand out.
- Fundraising information and a media page; these should be clearly identifiable.
Not sure how to build a visually appealing website? That’s what freelancers are for! You can hire a freelance graphic designer who can help design the visual aspects of your campaign website. They may be able to help with your logo too. You can also find freelancers to get help with technical aspects of your website, including accessibility.
Every candidate should ensure their website and other campaign materials can be accessed by voters living with disabilities, but this is especially pertinent for candidates with disabilities.
Clear and Concise Plans for Fundraising
Your campaign website should include a dedicated fundraising page. But you may be curious about how you should go about raising money in the first place? Political fundraising can be intimidating for the average person. After all, the last federal election cost $14 billion!
That’s a staggering sum, but you don’t have to raise anywhere near that much! Chances are, you’re thinking of running for a much smaller local office like a city council seat. These smaller campaigns can be funded with as little as $1,000, and there are several ways to secure funds.
Knocking on doors, holding accessible events, and phone banking are all effective ways to fundraise for your campaign. Before you pursue any of these, take a close look at finance laws.
Social media can also help you raise money and awareness to support your bid for office. In fact, social media has become one of the most powerful tools for influencing voters and elections. You should be sure to connect your social media accounts to your new website.
Communication, Confidence, and Charisma
Yes, this tip includes three must-haves for political candidates, but that’s because these elements are so closely connected. Being able to clearly communicate your message and platform to voters is crucial if you want to get them to support you.
In elections, this ability often boils down to having confidence and a bit of charisma. If you need a boost in confidence and social prowess, you can try signing up for the candidate training programs. You may also be able to locate inclusive public speaking groups nearby.
One way you can build confidence is by empowering yourself with knowledge. If you’ve wanted to go back to school to earn your master’s degree, for example, consider enrolling in an online university that allows you to set a schedule you can follow. This way, you can learn a set of new skills that will help you build your confidence and help you during your campaign.
Leading Your Team
With all these tips in mind (creating a website, fundraising, speaking at engagements), it’s no wonder political candidates form their campaign teams as early as possible — there’s no way you can go it alone. In fact, many people seeking public office hire a campaign manager first thing, so they can run things behind the scenes while you appeal to the masses.
A smart strategy is to run your campaign like a business, and that calls for using tools like project management software and time tracking software. One of the most popular products is QuickBooks Time, which not only tracks billable hours but automates the process from your desktop, laptop or smartphone. You and your team can use this app to retrieve, send and approve time remotely, with push notifications that prompt employees to clock in and out.
By running for office as a person living with disabilities, you are representing an often-underrepresented segment of the community. Even if you don’t win your election, being seen and heard can be so powerful! So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and be a force for change.
