Best Tips for Political Content for Social Media
Various social media platforms have come in very handy for politicians that are seeking elective positions. Media influences elections in multiple ways and social media changes how people communicate, engage and share ideas.
Most politicians do use social media to help them in recruiting volunteers and raising money. The use of social media also enables them to widen their political base. It doesn’t matter if you are running for local, state, or federal office; it is possible to achieve a successful social media political campaign.
Below are some of the essential tips to consider for your social media political content.
Engage the public through live video
Live video is taking over the political campaigns on social media.
Live video does serve as an alternative to the traditional newscasts. It enables politicians to break their news and engage their constituents in real-time.
For example, most politicians regularly live stream on different social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, enabling them to interact with their voters. Instead of just talking to the voters, the live video also encourages personable and meaningful conversations.
Fact check your content before publishing
Although it might appear like a no brainer, it is essential to note. Social media does serve as a source of news to a lot of people, with most of them checking their social media platforms several times a day for updates.
As a result, you will have to be very responsible when running a political campaign on social media. Misinformation and false claims are difficult to contain after they have been made. Therefore, it is important to always have an approval process or at least double-check your wording and sources before posting on social media.
Don’t rule out the ‘younger’ social media users
Facebook and Twitter are go-to platforms when it comes to politics. Indeed, when you look at the social media demographics and this makes sense. But don’t rule out social media channels primarily used by Gen Z and millennials, which are growing voter bases highly interested in activism. More and more politicians are today investing in the use of a large variety of social media platforms.
Ensure Your Fundraising Efforts are Front and Center
We are well aware that social media platforms like Facebook represent a high force when it comes to fundraising, political ads are not an exception. Fundraising is still central when it comes to politics and social media.
You can always link up with donors via the Facebook ad library. Apart from running Facebook ads, it is also fair game to consider requesting donations via secure links. For example, many politicians have placed their donation links in their dedicated pinned posts or social bios.
Learn How to handle trolls
Social media managers often experience burnouts. If you are managing social media for political campaigns, you can expect a certain level of harassment and trolling. Unfortunately, spam comments and mass reporting all come with the politics and social media paradigm.
Apart from developing a thick skin, the best advice we can offer is to ignore such comments and trolls. Ensure you always focus on community standards in the comments section and never tolerate distracting altercations.
What you post on the different social media platforms can positively or negatively impact your political campaign. However, with the above tips, you can be sure to positively affect your followers and potential voters on social media.