tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39200214506960212412011-04-21T14:10:14.406-07:00The web will transform political campaigns at least as much as TV did. But not until campaigns learn from the business world and make their web presence the hub of the wheel instead of a flat tire. I'm here to help.Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-82293068423783540982008-04-10T09:15:00.000-07:002008-04-12T09:17:17.690-07:00

I was recently listening to some otherwise well informed people discussing online campaigning. All three of them were more or less skeptical of the usefulness of investing in a campaign web site for much more than fundraising. I, of course, wanted to scream.Instead of screaming, let's take a look at a business that's using the web. And hey, just for grins, let's make it a low-tech business with

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-70797963730929851322008-02-29T09:56:00.000-08:002008-04-09T08:22:54.808-07:00

In a recent conversation with a Congressman's campaign team, I realized we were talking about two very different things when we discussed technology. This (old-school and very effective) campaign manager saw his candidate's web site as another campaign check-off item--on the same list as yard signs, direct mail, walk pieces, etc. If the campaign was a car, he saw technology as a windshield wiper-

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-15862787898825144622008-02-21T13:29:00.000-08:002008-02-21T13:49:56.612-08:00

Let me say that again: Treating your web site as an ATM is like using your computer as a typewriter. Sure, your computer makes an excellent replacement for yesterday's typewriter, but you're missing more than you're getting. Think video, audio, email, spreadsheets, databases... and of course the list goes on and on. So too the possibilities for your campaign web site.Is your walk piece on the web

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-46596339026190415632008-01-02T16:39:00.000-08:002008-04-09T08:24:14.119-07:00

I know I'm not going to burst any bubbles when I say not all Americans care about who's running for what; voter turnout stats make that clear.But if you use your web site well--filling it with detailed information and updating it frequently so it shows up high in search results--people who are searching for information about renewable energy in California (for example) will find your site when

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-54416188683603512902008-01-02T16:21:00.000-08:002008-02-29T11:32:13.441-08:00

If we're to judge based on their use of the web, most politicians learned the wrong lesson from the Dean campaign's use of the web. Just like it's not the reply envelope in your fundraising letter that nets a donation, it was not the donate button that made people donate to Dean on his web site.A Dean staffer told me the issues pages got more hits than any other part of Dean's web site. I'm not

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-38970622588439223892007-12-14T14:03:00.000-08:002007-12-14T14:23:03.562-08:00

If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound?If a candidate is stupendous but no one knows it, does it matter that they're wonderful?I'll leave answering the first question to the philosophical types and pounce on the second: no. If voters don't know who a candidate is and how they'll make things better, they will not get elected.This is where marketing comes in.And,

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-3533881908905254402007-09-05T08:58:00.000-07:002007-09-06T12:58:09.365-07:00

Who you hire to drive your web presence depends entirely on what you want/need to accomplish.If you are in the camp of campaign managers who see your web site as akin to a yard sign: "something that doesn't do much good but you have to have because the other side does," you'll probably want someone with strong design skills who you can keep busy on higher priority campaign tasks.If you understand

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-11039691314958861452007-08-30T11:20:00.000-07:002007-09-06T09:29:44.805-07:00

Blogger definitions range far and wide--wide enough, I'd posit, to make the term as useful as calling a writer a penner. Some of the most common definitions of a blogger:Blogger, citizen investigative journalist.Blogger, someone who participates in online discussions.Blogger, someone who publishes recipes and tips online using a blog.Blogger, someone who writes her own blog.Blogger, someone who

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-13113410227835129302007-07-29T13:36:00.001-07:002008-12-11T09:45:25.668-08:00

I'm way behind on reporting on Senator Dick Durbin's collaboration with Open Left to gather input on broadband legislation from the folks on the internet. Sorry about that; I'll try to make up for tardiness with a detailed discussion.First off, it's quite clear that the Senator and his staff are taking this self-professed experiment quite seriously. They have devoted staff time and the Senator's

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-66545609840879524502007-07-24T07:25:00.000-07:002008-12-11T09:45:25.764-08:00

I've got a lot to say about how the Democratic candidates used the web to amplify their debate performances, but for now I'll point to the John Edwards campaign. If you recall, the day after the last debate, they were still touting the "upcoming" debate on their home page and their blog "coverage" was completely uninfluenced by the campaign.Compare and contrast their performance this time:link to

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-67943710666680116952007-07-23T09:49:00.000-07:002007-07-23T10:02:32.735-07:00

A quick glance at Senator Dick Durbin's web site suggests he doesn't quite understand the value of the web as a communications tool--no message apparent on his home page and only one paragraph on the page titled "Working for You". Yikes. But Durbin's recent post on Open Left is much more promising:Today I'm writing to invite you to participate in an experiment -- an interactive approach to

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-14199156110383809832007-07-20T09:54:00.001-07:002007-07-20T12:28:18.573-07:00

The Tom Allen for Senate campaign gets blogger outreach. Almost. [Updated two hours after the original post: Yep, they get it; see below.]The part where they get it: they have a "Blogger Connection" on the campaign web site. Click through and you see:Thank you for your interest in my campaign for Senate. As a leader in the online community, your voice has power and we want to provide you with

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-20499927228196848872007-07-18T07:36:00.000-07:002007-07-19T08:00:13.504-07:00

Sometimes. You wouldn't credential a writer just because she had a pencil and you shouldn't credential a journalist just because she has a blog. And because you're less likely to be familiar with every blog than with other, more established media, you'll need to determine whether to credential blog by blog. But it doesn't end there... there was quite a flap when a self-professed blogger was asked

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-70996592837761500762007-07-14T09:02:00.000-07:002008-12-11T09:45:26.020-08:00

The folks who are running Congressman Jerry McNerney's blog understand marketing and writing for the web. Take a look at the picture above and glance at the headlines in the right column (recent posts). [Well, until I can get Blogger to display the image properly, I'll repeat the headlines here so you can actually read them. They are: McNerney votes for Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act,

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-78591274529543062202007-07-12T08:17:00.000-07:002007-07-13T11:38:45.217-07:00

If only one third of Americans use the web to research political campaigns, why should campaigns invest in a meaningful web presence? (Put aside the value of small-d democracy for the moment; let's focus on winning.)According to a 2004 study done by the Institute for Politics and the Internet (pdf),Online Political Citizens are not isolated cyber-geeks, as the media has portrayed them. On the

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-24696280803111797282007-07-11T10:05:00.000-07:002007-07-12T07:41:05.676-07:00

If you've read very many posts here, you already know I believe campaigns should use technology to serve/amplify their messages. But, because the strategy for each campaign is different, I haven't written much about using the web to inspire/facilitate offline activity. Until now.The John Edwards campaign is using Eventful (a web site that lets users "demand" a visit/performance/whatever) to let

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-66928275156076985212007-07-10T11:24:00.000-07:002007-07-13T22:52:37.408-07:00

Jerry McNerney's team exploited the web to pull off an odds-against win in California's 11th CD and they continue to set themselves apart by updating their web presence regularly while the Congressman serves.What's unusual about this? Well, most campaigns completely ignore their web presence after the election. Many (if not most) don't even change their site to reflect the fact that the

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-26636078970758627912007-07-10T10:15:00.000-07:002007-07-10T12:16:17.953-07:00

As someone who's been working with new media since before it was called new media, I was first surprised by, and then disappointed by the use of the web in political campaigns and elective offices.I approached some candidates/campaigns who could really benefit from a meaningful web presence--the type of candidates who could use the web to win an odds-against election much like Jerry McNerney did.

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-62703047742686160342007-07-09T11:54:00.000-07:002007-07-10T17:32:05.741-07:00

In a US News and World Report article titled "The Internet--It's a potent new tool, but no one's sure how to use it," Kenneth T. Walsh writes:As Barack Obama made clear last week, candidates have discovered ways to raise millions of dollars in contributions from the Internet. The question is what they do with this potentially powerful tool beyond raking in cash.Gone are the days when online

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-70537420283325046722007-07-07T10:28:00.000-07:002008-12-11T09:45:26.329-08:00

There's a lot to like about John McCain's web presence but I'll restrict myself to discussing how they're using the dynamic nature of the web to discern and deliver what visitors want.When you hit McCain's home page you can't help but notice his message (excellent), but what's really interesting is how they're using petitions, polls and free offers to deliver info of interest to visitors. They've

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-35425803729993889942007-07-05T09:29:00.000-07:002007-07-07T11:06:16.971-07:00

The Boulder Daily Camera has started a new "blog" for the 14 city council candidates who are vying for one open seat. The Camera poses a question, requests responses from candidates, and posts everything on their web site. New questions will appear every Tuesday and Friday until the election concludes July 10.This is interesting from a couple of different perspectives. First, it shows that the

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-91461525832247274442007-07-02T12:30:00.000-07:002007-07-10T11:58:13.320-07:00

Just ask (now Congressman) Jerry McNerney's campaign in California's 11th congressional district.The numbers were grim, voter registration in the district favored the incumbent who'd already served 14 years in office:44.39% Republican36.98% Democrat1.88% American Indendent.42% Green16.33% UnaffiliatedBut the McNerney team used the web to take the campaign to the people--and to bring the people to

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-28294710181563608942007-07-01T12:03:00.000-07:002007-07-07T16:16:51.908-07:00

While looking around for resources to link to a client's web site, I stumbled over a site that included: Click here to view HIPAA Privacy Notice in Spanish.Yep. If you really want to make the information available to Spanish speakers, the entire "click here" sentence should be in Spanish. (It would also be nice to warn the reader that they're about to download a file rather than just navigate to

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-31135769800804850462007-06-29T12:35:00.000-07:002007-07-06T14:24:32.410-07:00

When the phone rings in your campaign office do you ask the caller's name, email address and physical location before letting them ask their question or make their comment? Of course not.Whether it's in person, by phone, or online, people approach your campaign with reasons of their own. Think long and hard before you impede them online with an email harvesting splash screen.I so strongly

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-82346691653963345592007-06-29T09:59:00.000-07:002007-07-02T17:56:45.541-07:00

As I watched last night's Democratic debate I saw no clear winner, but comparing candidate web site coverage, I declare Richardson's campaign the hands-down winners.Candidates with debate coverage on their home pageThe goodBill Richardson, debate photo with caption: "Strong Debate Performance" followed by "Governor Richardson showed once again that he is the candidate with the boldest vision and

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-65023142217042637602007-06-28T08:02:00.000-07:002007-07-07T17:15:31.151-07:00

The Barack Obama 08 campaign is using the technology well. Take a look at how they have both video vignettes and audio clips from donors on their front page--in support of their end-of-quarter fundraising/donor push. The videos are straightforward, edited with a light hand and appear to be unscripted; excellent job. But the page as a whole? Not nearly as impressive. I'm sure the page will change,

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-67203175806808489472007-06-26T18:56:00.000-07:002007-06-27T20:37:57.672-07:00

The right question is, "should politicians publicize what they're doing?" (Let's assume we're talking about elected officials who honor the public trust.) The answer to that question, I hope you'll agree, is a resounding yes!So then it's just a matter of deciding how you deliver the message. Press releases?Definitely! But sending them to press outlets puts you at the mercy of the publication--if

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-50605325635167576442007-06-25T17:05:00.000-07:002007-06-29T12:50:44.614-07:00

The medium is not the message. The message is the message. And putting your campaign's message in the hands of the person who's designing or delivering your web site is a big mistake. What you say and how you say it on the web is at least as important as how you say it in person, in your ads and in direct mail. Why do I say at least as important? Because your web presence sticks around while

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-42837038703523878312007-06-24T16:22:00.000-07:002007-06-27T19:33:08.944-07:00

Most campaigns barely scratch the surface of what the web can do for them. They probably have a web site--which means they definitely have a Donate button--but they generally think of their web site as a technology expense instead of a communications investment. Campaigns almost never invest the resources required to use the Internet as an online campaign office: broadening the reach of their

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3920021450696021241.post-22041885629556436852007-06-23T16:59:00.000-07:002007-07-10T15:19:27.398-07:00

1. Stop referring to the past as if it’s in the future.Most sites are not updated frequently (or at all) after the election. At the very minimum, you should give election results and thank your supporters (even if your campaign was unsuccessful). If your campaign was successful, scrub your site of any time-based references so it doesn’t look out of date when you don’t update it. Want extra credit

Louella Pizzutinoreply@blogger.com0