This all sounds great, but I worry that the supporters just don't have passively informed people in their networks. People know others like themselves, so it seems like the supporters (who are information seekers) and passively informed won't know one another - i.e. supporters won't be "trusted others" of the passively informed. If that's the case, how will supporters deliver talking points to the passively informed in organic contexts? I'm hoping this is something you'll address in a future post! Thank you!
That's a very good point. Even as a political professional, I have extended family, neighbors, and I tend to talk to people while standing in line at the grocery or the TJ Maxx. Most active political volunteers are highly engaged in their communities in other ways too. Sororities and Alumni clubs, churches, their kids are in schools, etc. Using visibility is one key. A t-shirt or lawn sign can talk when you can't. Geographic segregation is a bigger challenge. You are asking the right question. I have some ideas, but it really requires rethinking a lot of the way we do campaigns.
Great newsletter, Antonia! Among the things that stood out to me:
“For more than a hundred years, the business world has studied how advertising and marketing change thinking and motivate behavior. Their financial investment in behavioral psychology makes ours look like the change you find in the sofa.”
One thing I never understand is how far political communication is from advertising techniques. It’s like nobody ever read a book about advertising. In 1968 people were shocked that the president was sold like a product; now I’m shocked that he isn’t.
This all sounds great, but I worry that the supporters just don't have passively informed people in their networks. People know others like themselves, so it seems like the supporters (who are information seekers) and passively informed won't know one another - i.e. supporters won't be "trusted others" of the passively informed. If that's the case, how will supporters deliver talking points to the passively informed in organic contexts? I'm hoping this is something you'll address in a future post! Thank you!
That's a very good point. Even as a political professional, I have extended family, neighbors, and I tend to talk to people while standing in line at the grocery or the TJ Maxx. Most active political volunteers are highly engaged in their communities in other ways too. Sororities and Alumni clubs, churches, their kids are in schools, etc. Using visibility is one key. A t-shirt or lawn sign can talk when you can't. Geographic segregation is a bigger challenge. You are asking the right question. I have some ideas, but it really requires rethinking a lot of the way we do campaigns.
Great newsletter, Antonia! Among the things that stood out to me:
“For more than a hundred years, the business world has studied how advertising and marketing change thinking and motivate behavior. Their financial investment in behavioral psychology makes ours look like the change you find in the sofa.”
One thing I never understand is how far political communication is from advertising techniques. It’s like nobody ever read a book about advertising. In 1968 people were shocked that the president was sold like a product; now I’m shocked that he isn’t.
Very informative! Makes sense of several things I've wondered about for a long time. Found you via Chop Wood Carry Water Substack.
Ditto
I think yours may be my favorite newsletter. (:
Incredibly clarity. Please post again monthly throughout the campaign cycle for refreshers, so we stay on point.
Very useful. Our group of Democrat's meet recently (40 of us) and I've decided to share it. Thank you.
This is incredibly useful information. Thank you SO much!!