Democratic/Progressive

Aping a campaign genius: It’s the message, stupid!

I am a freelance political communicator available and general consultant specializing in messaging. I’ve helped dozens of candidates up and down the ballot get elected, many outspent and outorganized. How? With strategic messaging.

I can help a candidate develop a campaign strategy and a budget. I can help them write an engaging stump speech, a fundraising appeal and a letter to their voters. I can write persuasive copy and combine it with eye-catching design to produce signs, ads, literature and direct mail. Some campaigns have an opportunity for me to help them to earn free media by creating news and advancing it with a press release or advisories to specific reporters. I can also write attention-getting public remarks and message-of-the-day bullet points to keep volunteers and surrogates on message. When winning depends on messaging, every opportunity needs to be leveraged.

Here’s how I work: I speak with the candidate, family, staff and stakeholders to gather relevant details and assess the political atmosphere. A strategy and message objectives are established. Drafts and proofs are exchanged, approvals are obtained, and written products are emailed. Artwork is sent press ready directly to the campaign’s vendor or materials are printed and delivered to the campaign. Direct mail service is available, either to a list provided by the campaign or to one sourced and target for the specific message being delivered.

In many cases my work is done by phone, text, email or Zoom. In others, a hybrid approach is best: I spend an initial day on-site with the candidate and the campaign’s principals. This also provides the opportunity to gather some photos or other media to use in the campaign. In a demanding campaign, it could be important to be on-site on several occasions as the campaign progresses or the candidate requests.

I believe the richest opportunity for Democratic candidates in this cycle’s climate of hyperpartisanship and political tribalism is to reach out to formerly and non-primary voting Republican and ask for their support. I have successfully reached these voters in recent elections. Other candidates only need to engage with their base voters and get them to the polls.

Candidates and organizations interested in discussing the possibility that I can help their campaign are invited to phone or email.