11/07/2024
5 Things Entrepreneurs Can Learn From the Harris and Trump Election Campaigns
Let’s talk about five things we learned from the campaigns. We are through the election and no matter which way you voted, this is the most engaged and educated the American public has ever been in a race. As business owners and entrepreneurs, there are things we can learn from the heightened engagement of the American public.
The Kamala Harris campaign has raised a record $1 billion in just three months. Can you imagine pulling that off in your next venture round, and that fast? The Trump campaign kept consistently raising money through his loss and four years of civilian life to the tune of $371.9 million between January 2023 and September 30, 2024. Could you bring that kind of funding to your company if you fail at a major milestone? So what can you glean from the Harris and Trump campaigns for your business? Here are five areas to replicate:
1. Simple messaging
Have you noticed how simple both campaigns’ messaging and slogans are? Harris’s one word: freedom. Trump’s: MAGA. They also have utilized some word choices over and over. For Harris: weird, joy, prosecutor. For Trump: America, great, winning. This means simplicity, repetition, and common words. In marketing your product, follow these tactics so customers understand quickly and simply what you do, what you are selling, or who you are.
2. Use of influencers
Both campaigns have used third-party endorsers to promote their candidacy, from Oprah to Kid Rock to former presidents. They have social-media influencers getting out the vote on TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. Podcasts have also been a major tool. Our trust level is higher with people we already follow or feel local to us. Get testimonials from individuals with large followings, as well as your everyday customers. Make sure you are using social media and related tools to sell your goods on these platforms.
3. Ground game
How much snail mail have you received about local and federal elections? How about yard signs in your neighborhood, or someone knocking on your door to say why they support a candidate? Snail mail, local conversations, and seeing who your neighbors are supporting sways your opinion. Before you go digital-only, think about how to reach deeper into your community with your products. Use posters in community gathering areas, advertisements in local papers, sandwich boards to draw people in off the sidewalk, and direct mail campaigns to high-propensity customers.
4. Consistency
Candidates use the same messaging over and over and over. You will hear patterned points that are made in every speech. Their TV commercials will echo those song sheets. It generally takes us hearing something seven times before it sinks in. Keep your product messaging consistent in all advertising and marketing.
5. Momentum
Have you seen the candidates crisscrossing the country, not letting a day or even an hour go by without a push for their candidacy? Take advantage of blitzes in your business. Use holiday momentum, back-to-school season, and surges in the economy to increase receipts. Don’t ever slow down, and make sure that a day doesn’t go by without a message going out about how awesome your company is.
You might glean other lessons from our future leaders. After all, they are selling a critical product—themselves—and you are their most important customer
