Obama Camp Got It Wrong: Last Minute Marketing Mistakes

Regardless of how you vote (or if you vote) today, I have a "real life marketing" story about the campaign that demonstrates what COULD have been a great last minute push for a presidential candidate, but instead turned into just so much litter on the streets.

As I sat in my office working on my ezine yesterday, a strange looking, ball cap wearing gentleman approached my home. He walked up to the door, never rang the bell and walked away.

Nervous, I went to the door and saw him descending the stairs and heading down the street. It was not my mail carrier, but I knew that the mail carrier had just delivered, so I opened the door to get the mail out of my box, thinking this weirdo might have tried to swipe my mail.

No such luck. All the bills, letters and magazines were still tucked safely inside my mailbox.

But as I collected the mail and turned around I noticed two things: first, another gentleman was on the other side of the street, pacing this nut job, going from house to house. Second, there was an annoying blue hang tag attached to my door asking me to "Vote Tuesday Nov. 4th for Change".

With no concern as to who or how I'm voting, what matters to me or why, these yahoos are going door to door leaving their yard waste on the front doors of my neighbors, without so much as a knock.

It reminded me of when the kids used to play ring and run. Only not as much fun.

Here's where the Obama Camp got it wrong. First, they're just plastering. I call this "the shotgun approach" to doing business - and say what you want political campaigns are business. They're just throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something will stick.

Never mind looking in the yard to see if there is a political sign or anything. Just hang a tag on every door (there are at LEAST 3 McCain supporters on my street - they've got signs - and these yahoos put hang tags on their doors anyway).

There's a difference between "never pre-judge" and "don't take no for an answer". I would think a yard sign would be a fair indicator of how a person feels.

This morning, there are a handful of these hang tags blowing down the street - several of the houses they posted are vacant.

How could this have been solved?

Ring the bell, folks. Knock on a door. Say HELLO, for pity's sake. You'll have better luck encouraging someone to get out the vote if you take the time to connect with them.

The same holds true in business. CONNECT with your constituents (customers). Build a relationship - at least say HELLO and ring the dang bell.

Otherwise, don't be surprised if they choose your competitor IN SPITE of your actions.

Presidential Candidate Exposed!

You know what they say...

If you want something done right, do it yourself!





Okay, I'm sure you've figured out I'm not REALLY running for President, although I chuckle at the idea of having an old lady tattoo a tramp stamp on her backside with my name on it!

But this viral marketing video is taking the nation by storm and yes, you too can get in on the fun.

Hey Mark! Any chance of seeing you "run for Prez"? You'd get my vote! Maybe if Don Williamson had something like this going on for his campaign, it might stimulate a little more interest.

Hee hee.

Viral marketing is a powerful tool. You can use video - or other means of transference to build a powerful word-of-mouth reputation online and off.
Establishing trust is based in getting people to know you and like you. I've written about this before, but ultimately, it's the measuring stick by which all interactions take place. People have to feel like they know, like and trust you in order to want to do business with you and create what I call an Affirmative Buying Decision with you.

Buying can be anything, essentially it's an affirmative agreement to your offer - whatever your offer is. It could be dining out, it could be a movie, it could be buying a new car.

It could be getting your vote for president.

I don't HEART Huckabee

Okay, I'm all for political campaigning. I think it's important for the voice of the politician to be heard before it's mired in the smarminess of the corruption that's inherent in a power position on Capitol Hill (wow, that sounded almost eloquent!).

I can even deal with the new trend of automated endorsements being sent over the phone lines (Really, I hate that, but in the spirit of marketing, I'm trying to be understanding).

But I absolutely have a dinosaur sized bone to pick with Presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee.

Please STOP CALLING MY HOME!
I swear if he calls me one more time I WON'T vote for him just because of THAT!

Honestly, I've tried hard not to get too close to any of the candidates, their positions, or any of that hoodoo until October. I should vote in the Primaries, I know, but I figure more than half of them won't be in the final run-off anyway, so why get attached? Besides, their positions will appear to have waffled back and forth at least as many times as Hillary Clinton changes her hair.

So why am I so miffed - because someone from Mike's Campaign has called me no less than 3 time today.

Some Representative just called and as soon as he said "Let me tell you why I support Mike Hucka...."

I hung up the phone.

I honestly don't remember the guy's name, but after 2 previous calls this evening, I was not impressed - or amused.

What ever happened to the good old days when people would knock on doors, or at least all in person? Have we gotten so impersonal that a phone call from Dr. Phil will make me sit up and take notice?

I kid you not. Dr. Phil called me today too. Not to promote a candidate (although, I wouldn't be surprised), but to thank me for donating blood and to ask me to donate again.

Obviously he didn't get the voice mail from Red Cross that says I'm scheduled to donate double reds on the 28th. Perhaps he was screening his calls.

I wonder though, how effective this form of marketing is? I know that automated phone campaigns are efficient and generally cost-effective on a per-thousand basis. But do they REALLY think that I believe Dr. Phil would call to talk to me?

The silly thing is, I saw this done at the local level during our mayoral race last fall. Both candidates had local "celebrities" calling to endorse their campaign. The elections were nearly a dead heat. Frankly, I was shocked the defeated candidate didn't ask for a re-count when fewer than 100 votes were the deciding factor.

But then again, they didn't call me every day either - and they most CERTAINLY didn't call me THREE TIMES in one day.

And you know this is serious, because I just did a blog post today. So for me to do another one in the SAME day - whoo. That's saying something!

So now I'm going to enjoy some quality time with my sick kids and my nearly sick husband. Did I mention the eldest has a mid case of pink eye, too? Joy of Joys. But hopefully things around here will be a little more mellow tonight.

Are you listening Governor Huckabee?
You really don't want to test me on this.