How to run a successful campaign
This is a short guide to winning elections; any candidate can win if they make their message smart and put in the effort. This isn’t definitive but should help guide some of your planning.
MMUnion’s top tips
1. Posters and flyers are the LEAST effective way to communicate with students
2. Going out and talking to people is the best way to make sure that they vote –
and most importantly, vote for you
3. Make your campaign SMART
SMART stands for
Simple
Voters want to know who you are, what you’re promising and why they should vote for you. If you keep it simple, people will be more likely to engage with your message. DON’T leave out anything important that you want to say but DO make sure that your posters are to the point, your speeches are clear and your campaigners know what to say.
Memorable
Make your campaign something to remember. Go for a gimmick, come up with a catchphrase, get yourself known! If you don’t have anything that grabs people’s attention, the chances are that they won’t feel the need to vote for you! Make sure that your manifesto, campaign and volunteers stick in the mind of voters for the right reasons though – not just because you were dancing in fancy-dress!
Ambitious
People want to vote for something that they believe in. Try and bring a bit of the Obama magic to MMU! Take some time to think about what your message to students is. No-one wants to vote for someone with a ‘mild improvement plan’ or a candidate who will ‘slowly review progress’. Why not start a campaign to get marks back in a week, libraries open 24 hours or canteen prices cut in half?
Realistic
However, don’t be silly. Students can spot candidates who haven’t spent time thinking about what they’re doing a mile off! If you promise something you don’t think you can do because of time or money or other reasons, then voters will know. They won’t elect someone who will spend their year doing nothing – they want action!
Topical
The most important point about any election – it’s about your fellow students! Think about what matters most to them. It’s natural for people to vote for what they care about. If you go out and talk to students about what you care about, they probably won’t respond. Make it personal to voters and they will reward you.