When President Obama used Twitter, Facebook and YouTube in the 2008 election, it was considered cutting edge. In the 2012 election cycle, it doesn’t raise an eyebrow. But is it being used effectively? Does it have limitations?
Can Social Media in Tampa Sway an Election
The Role of Social Media in Tampa Elections
If Florida is the ultimate swing state, Tampa Bay is its apex. It is hypercompetitive and, at times, pretty scrappy. Social media is the perfect tool for those who are running for office because its castnet is both wide and narrow.
Social Media in Tampa is a FREE Recruitment Tool.
Twitter and Facebook lend themselves to fast response. They are invaluable tools to boost political involvement. It’s as easy as retweeting or hitting Like. Social media in Tampa can also be used to target specific areas. Through geo-location, data bases can be built to target pockets of supporters (and supporters can become volunteers!)
Bonus: It can also track negative comments and then be used to fine-tune a message or reverse the effects of negative ads by an opponent.
Social Media in Tampa Gets ‘Em Talking!
Nothing creates buzz like a viral video or a Twitter frenzy. It gets a candidate’s name out there. While it can’t stop negative campaigning, social media can counter negative attacks with a strong virtual counter-current.
Social Media in Tampa is a FREE Barometer
Political strategy gets a powerful partner in social media. It is a strategist’s most powerful tool, and costs far less than a focus group. Tweets , Facebook and Reddit comments, Pinterest pins – Blogging – and YouTube videos –all are wonderfully transparent! They are right there! They are SO EASY to track!
- A campaign can easily see what the public thinks in real time
- They can see how people are reacting to a campaign development or a hot-button issue
- They can use the information gathered to fine-tune or counter-campaign through the power of conventional media (radio, TV and print ads) as well as social media.
Social Media in Tampa Connects
Enthusiasm is contagious! Research shows candidates are just starting to grasp its importance in spreading the word for FREE. Candidates or campaign volunteers should automatically use social media to:
- Make campaign announcements
- Issue news releases
- Weigh in on a hot button issue (this will attach one hash-tag to another, in effect, cross-pollinating)
- Thank volunteers!
- Answer voter questions in real time
- Pin positive photos or post a video on YouTube
- Make a candidate more approachable, more relatable, more reachable
Social Media in Tampa is Severely Underused!
By some estimates, only one percent of candidates nationwide take full advantage of social media! Just like business owners, candidates for office must get on the social media bandwagon to be relevant and improve connection to the voters. While social media has not replaced conventional media (sorry, those repetitive ads are here to stay), it is now part of the landscape. It is here to stay. It is worth the investment.
Outsource Political Social Media to an Expert
One thing politicians do not have is time. Volunteers may or may not have the ability to do social media for a busy candidate. That is why a candidate should find a social media professional to create the RIGHT KIND of buzz, track responses, and turn support into votes!
For targeted, strategic social media in Tampa, contact Personalized Marketing today. We know Tampa Bay, we know social media. We get results!
