How Accurate is Your Information on Your Audience?

The Government Affairs Strategies team is sitting in a working session on Political Data.  Here are a couple of facts about Voter Registration Lists that gives us pause...

Voter lists have been good about starting to clean up their information within their own state.  However -

• 11.5% of the information on voters is an outdated address
• 5% of the information on voter lists is a duplicate address
• 7% of the information on voter lists include undeliverable, deceased, or other problems in delivering mail

Which comes to almost 1/4 of your data from the voter registration list being wasted.  That means if your data isn't the best and cross matched nationally with other files... you are potentially throwing away 1/4 of your campaign outreach budgeting.

Take the time to make sure your data vendors have the best possible information, unless you are fine throwing away your money!

Quarterly Checkup - Presence

Believe it or not we are already at the end of the first quarter of 2013.  Now is the time to do a quick review of your program so far this year, and take a look at what you need to do next quarter.

Each Friday in March we will look at a different aspect of your government relations shop.  This week its your presence.

PRESENCE WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS -
Each year I send a letter to all the elected officials that represent the areas I cover.  Just a quick intro of the organization, who we are, who we represent, and an overview of the issues we cover.  However I take it one step further.  I give suggestions of how our organization may be helpful to them as elected officials.  Not from a "let's help your campaign" perspective, but what can our organization provide you as you address the issues of your community?

PRESENCE WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS -
Who out there knows you?  Who do you know?  Who do you need to know?  Who do you align with most often?  Who do you oppose most often?

The last one can be one of the most important questions.  Because better than knowing your enemies, is knowing how you can make them friends.  What do you have in common that you can work on with them?

PRESENCE WITH YOUR INDUSTRY -
How aware is your membership of everything you do for them on a regular basis?  Do the leaders know what you are doing on their behalf?  Are you doing what they would want?  Maybe they have a suggestion of what you could do better for them as an organization.  Reach out to them.

For any of these elements that you haven't addressed already this year. Its time to set a timeline for yourself, a few basic goals, and a plan of how to reach these groups.

For those that you have built this presence with, what's the next step?
Elected Officials - Provide them some info and engage them in your community efforts.
Community Organizations - Figure out a few things where you can work together
Industry - Build an outreach program that engages them, and encourages others.

In reading this, if you have any questions, as always, please feel free to give us a call.

Style, Standing Out, and Set Apart

I spend a lot of time in airports these days. And as anyone can tell you who spends a lot of time in airports, you see some weird stuff. Often very weird.

This last week while on a six day seven state trip and leaving Albuquerque I saw this -

Between the length, layovers, and number of appearances of last week's trip, I was certainly caught off guard - mostly with the thought of "I wouldn't want to take that through security..."

So I shoot this pic, send it off to a few friends, and low and behold they recognize him. Turns out his name is Jimmy Cusano and he helps with membership drives for chambers of commerce called Your Chamber Connection.  They make membership drives fun for the members, and they manage to bring some large sustainable success to the organizations with which they work.

But clearly the commitment doesn't stop there.  I had taken the opportunity to dress down to sweatpants and a t shirt because I was just exhausted.  And just like anyone who has to deal with airport security, I wanted it to be simple, easy, and comfortable.

However Jimmy, and by extension Your Chamber Connection, instead deliberately stand out.  They have found a niche, a presence, and a presentation, and given their commitment to that.

So much so that people across this country associate the look with the experience working with Your Chamber Connect when an over-tired travel-weary smart ass in a security line snaps a pic.

The point is this -

What is it that your organization does that makes it stand out?  And how committed to it are you?

Developing an effective presence in today's political environment

In this article (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47969.html), POLITICO explains how the REALTOR Party is the next wave in developing an effective advocacy effort.

As this article explains, "some experts envision a day when industry groups will not only hit up their individual members, but their corporate accounts for campaign cash as well – and then target their spending in ways that have less to do with Democrat or Republican, and more to do with who is pro or con on their big issues."

“The business community is figuring out they need to be their own best advocate,” said Greg Casey, president of the Business Industry Political Action Committee, which helps companies set up voter registration and education programs aimed at their employees. “There is a lot going on. In some cases, the Realtors could be the model.”

Added Jan Baran, a Republican campaign finance expert who consults with corporations: “Realtors, auto dealers, lawyers, they are going to want to be politically effective, and a large measure of their influence is that they are present everywhere.”

“Electing and re-electing REALTOR friendly candidates is an integral part of protecting the industry. During the election, REALTORS were the driving force in triggering the candidates’ understanding that stable and sustainable housing markets are the central component of our economic recovery.”

"The Realtors’ campaign differed from that of such large trade and business groups as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in that it was built around one industry and targeted at a subset of candidates with clear records of advocating on housing issues while serving in Congress, a state legislature or on the job."

Where will GA Strategies be in March?

We are making our way around the country.  let us know if you are available to meet.

12-15 - Washington D.C. - Chip Bryan and Meredith
15-19 - San Diego, CA - Bryan
21-23 - Washington D.C., Chip and Meredith
24-26 - Nashville, TN - Bryan

Don't see us near you?  Invite us out!  Contact us for opportunities.