BlueBroward.org
These items are from a newsletter from Mandate Media that just turned up in my inbox. There’s a lot of good stuff in here. I particularly paid attention to the items on the value of making confirmation emails meaningful communications with voters, the worst campaign websites of 2006, and legal advice for online politics.
Innovative list-building Flash BlogAd from John Kerry
He may not be running for President, but John Kerry is staying in the game. This week, his was the first organization to debut a Flash ad with BlogAds. And not just any Flash ad — but a well-designed little sign-up form, inviting progressive activists to join his campaign to set a deadline to end the Iraq War.
John Kerry now hiring EIGHT new media staffers
We’re not quite sure what he’s up to, but Senator John Kerry’s campaign team is hiring to fill eight positions in his Netroots Team.
Now that’s a fabulous automated receipt email!
Anytime you donate or sign up online, there’s always that instant and automated response email. Usually, those emails are boring and entirely functional. Of course, since it’s an email that the recipient is actually expecting and hoping to get – it’s a missed opportunity to do a little communications, a little branding, a little relationship-building.
Convio is one of the largest technology providers to large nonprofit organizations (and did some early work for the Dean 2004.) GetActive is a bit closer to the political space – with clients like the AFL-CIO, SEIU, Planned Parenthood, and…
15% of Americans say internet was primary source of campaign news
Some 15% of all American adults say the internet was the place where they got most of their campaign news during the election, up from 7% in the mid-term election of 2002. A post-election survey shows that the 2006 race also produced a notable class of online political activists.
Starbucks defends itself on YouTube
What do you do when you’re getting attacked online? Respond online. I don’t know all the details, but Starbucks is under attack from Oxfam for its business practices in Ethiopia. So, Starbucks has responded with a short video on YouTube…
Joe Trippi on Transformational Politics
Trippi: "My own view is that Television helped kill transformational politics because it took people out of the process and made chasing big money too important. I really believe — indeed have always believed since about the mid-1990′s that the Internet would help herald a new era of transformational politics because it puts back into the process the most essential ingredient of them all in a democracy — the people."
At his blog "How to change the world", tech evangelist Guy Kawasaki has an interview with the authors of a new book – Citizen Marketers: When People are the Message. He’s not talking about politics, but we could all learn a few things from the guy who sold the Macintosh to the world.
Making caucus votes open, transparent, and instantly reported
Over at the Iowa Voters blog, they’re discussing the possibility that the 2008 Iowa Caucus could feature instant online reporting of votes cast at the precinct level.
The confirmation email: a key resource
When someone donates to your campaign, do you send a brief confirmation email? And if so, do you take the opportunity to cement the relationship and encourage them to do more?
Extend the life of your computer
Over at TechSoup.org, the website for nonprofits, John Avellanet has a great roadmap for computer maintenance. In short, he argues you oughta pay attention to your computer like you change the oil on your car.
It seems like we all use "netroots" these days, especially in this business of politics and technology. So, where did it come from? William Safire explains.
The New York Times took note of the large number of domain names being grabbed by squatters in anticipation of the 2008 presidential race. How much are those domains worth? The answer will surprise you.
Over at TechSoup, Leanne Bergey has a great checklist for launching a new website. Everything from the free and easy to more expensive and complex rollout options. Nothing rocket science here, but most promotion stuff isn’t. Check it out….
Worst campaign websites of 2006
Over at CNet, they’ve compiled a slideshow of seventeen of the worst campaign websites in the country.
Organizing Online? Think like a rock band.
Frogloop: "It would be so convenient if launching a viral message campaign, political or otherwise, on a social networking platform were as easy as just adding water. But, the truth is that as with any grassroots campaign, it takes persistence, lots of online and offline effort, and the right tools and the right message in the hands of the right people at the right time. Oh, and a little luck, too. Basically, you need to be scrappy, flexible, and think like a rock band."
Right-wingers talk about the local lefty blogs
Mary Katherine Ham, of major right-wing website Townhall, wrote: "I’ve always felt a little guilty that I’m not better informed about the city council," Ms. Ham wrote. "The folks who do follow and blog that stuff are doing yeoman’s work."…
Legal advice for online political activity
There are always lots of questions about the legal reporting requirements and restrictions on bloggers, campaigns, and other kinds of activism. While the FEC (and state regulators) continue to explore the terrain, the Center for Democracy and Technology has released their Net Democracy Guide.
More, more, more…
Of course, there’s much more over on P&T. New stuff 6-10 times a month. Dig in at PoliticsAndTechnology.com
