Eggnog is gross

Friends,

There are fewer than 82 days until Super Tuesday, and I haven’t even started my Christmas shopping yet! My guess is I’m not alone, and you too are concerned about how campaigns will use December to build meaningful and lasting infrastructure, strategic and realistic campaign plans as well as all the other commitments that come with the holidays.

The daunting task of starting a campaign from scratch can be overwhelming. (So can delivering presents to good children around the world in one night, so let’s put it in perspective.) And if you just filed you might not be thinking of all the small tasks that need to be completed. Without an extra set of hands to take some of the load, you might act like me with holiday shopping: avoiding it.

That really isn’t the answer.

I describe campaigns as a combination of a schedule and a budget. Both items reflect the priorities laid out in the campaign and media plans, with the limited time to get it all done before Election Day. This way of thinking forces a campaign to take advantage of the calendar, treating the imminent holiday check-out as a time to complete other tasks.

Here is how we would advise a candidate heading into the lull.

1. Build – There are a lot of things you can build during a down week, but the one thing that comes to mind is database management. Have you rolodex’d yourself? Have you built out your email list or the content for an end of the year fundraising ask? Do you know how to log into NGP? These tools will help down the road, so prep them now.
2. Plan – Nothing gets done unless it’s on paper, which is why we encourage any size campaign to have a trackable plan. This planning process begs that you have a campaign team built because you want experts weighing in on field strategy, research and message development.
3. Create – Create some space for you to catch your breath. If you are considering running, understand the commitment it takes. It should be something you think about morning, noon and night because that’s the kind of commitment a successful race takes. Also get some cookies, if you like that sort of thing.
   The slow season, as a lot of the politically lay world knows it, is a wonderful time to recharge your batteries. Get some great food and see friends and family. Whatever it is that grants you space to clear your head, take it. But don’t use it as an excuse to forget about your campaign.

We will be resting too, enjoying a cookie or three, and perhaps glancing at a paid media budget.

Warmly,
Michael

P.S. If I can be helpful, send me an email at Michael@CN4partners.com!