Comments on: The 12 Op-Eds of Xmas (Day 12) http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-12-opeds-of-xmas-day-12-8313.html Our place to talk - an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:46:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: KL http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-12-opeds-of-xmas-day-12-8313.html#comment-75724 KL Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:55:34 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=8313#comment-75724 Martin, I completely agree. In Glenrothes, the SNP ran a campaign very similar in style to ours next door in Dunfermline, obviously learning from us. However, this was also the first election campaign where I saw notes on a number of doors stating "no election literature please" (and some of them not so polite!) Also, in Dunfermline, there was certainly anecdotal evidence that by polling day voters were heartily sick of the amount of literature landing on the doorstep. Don't get me wrong though - it does have its place as the most effective method of getting the message across. However, the message needs to be strong and the policies clear, otherwise it's a bit like running a high-budget advertising campaign for Ratners jewellery. Martin, I completely agree. In Glenrothes, the SNP ran a campaign very similar in style to ours next door in Dunfermline, obviously learning from us. However, this was also the first election campaign where I saw notes on a number of doors stating “no election literature please” (and some of them not so polite!) Also, in Dunfermline, there was certainly anecdotal evidence that by polling day voters were heartily sick of the amount of literature landing on the doorstep.

Don’t get me wrong though – it does have its place as the most effective method of getting the message across. However, the message needs to be strong and the policies clear, otherwise it’s a bit like running a high-budget advertising campaign for Ratners jewellery.

]]> By: Martin Land http://www.libdemvoice.org/the-12-opeds-of-xmas-day-12-8313.html#comment-75571 Martin Land Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:59:22 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=8313#comment-75571 I'm afraid this reads little better now than it did then. The Tory literature I saw in Henley was excellent and well targeted. The only mistake they are making is simply putting out too much of it - but I guess they copied that off us too! Every time I win a council by election someone from ALDC phones up to ask me how many blue-ink letters and good evenings and good mornings I put out etc, etc, and are outraged when I say I didn't. The world has moved on and what is needed to win elections now is well thought out quality literature with a message that does not insult the intelligence of the VOTING public nor of our candidates and campaigners. If the message is strong, targeted and intelligent quality will always win out over quantity. Yes, I accept that the heated environment of a parliamentary by election may well be different (though who knows, we haven't tried and now we have created the monster it would be difficult to slay it.) but in far too many local elections we are stretching resources to the limits by failing to properly concentrate on presenting a quality message rather than just delivering a quantity of literature. A strategy that depends on the number of bodies we can fling at an election has its limits when you are a smaller party with more limited personnel resources. We need to acknowledge our limits and up our game by using more professional marketing methodologies and techniques. Chris needs to acknowledge this - and soon. I’m afraid this reads little better now than it did then. The Tory literature I saw in Henley was excellent and well targeted. The only mistake they are making is simply putting out too much of it – but I guess they copied that off us too!

Every time I win a council by election someone from ALDC phones up to ask me how many blue-ink letters and good evenings and good mornings I put out etc, etc, and are outraged when I say I didn’t. The world has moved on and what is needed to win elections now is well thought out quality literature with a message that does not insult the intelligence of the VOTING public nor of our candidates and campaigners. If the message is strong, targeted and intelligent quality will always win out over quantity. Yes, I accept that the heated environment of a parliamentary by election may well be different (though who knows, we haven’t tried and now we have created the monster it would be difficult to slay it.) but in far too many local elections we are stretching resources to the limits by failing to properly concentrate on presenting a quality message rather than just delivering a quantity of literature.

A strategy that depends on the number of bodies we can fling at an election has its limits when you are a smaller party with more limited personnel resources.

We need to acknowledge our limits and up our game by using more professional marketing methodologies and techniques. Chris needs to acknowledge this – and soon.

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