The 2008 Presidential Election is the most digitally advanced election cycle in our history. Where else can you find such a rich example of how to use digital media in leadership, change management, recruiting, and fundraising? This is a watershed moment worthy of your attention. Whether you are running an aspiring non-profit, starting an organization-wide initiative, looking for talented students, or reaching out to potential donors, these campaign websites have tangible examples of how to use digital media properly.Here are a few highlights:

• Use What’s There - Barack Obama’s use of YouTube, blogs, Flickr, and other existing web platforms is ensuring that his message is getting out without dilution.
• Make It Easy to Join the Movement - Ron Paul continues his insurgency campaign because of a strong grassroots movement he’s built through his website.
• Be Clear and Direct on What You Want - Hillary Clinton’s main page has a great call to action that gives you “Five Things You Can Do”. 
• Involve Others in Your Story -  John Edwards’ campaign team ran a contest that gave their supporters the opportunity to produce an ad that would run in a major campaign market.
• Talking With, Not To - Mitt Romney’s five sons’ blog and other related blogs are entertaining and engaging, because they allow you to talk directly with those in the inner circle.
• Appeal to the Heart - Check out the emotional video that runs while you fill out Barack Obama’s donation form.

With the presidential primaries racing into Super Tuesday, I encourage everyone to take the time to visit the candidates’ websites while they are still fresh.  Not only those who remain, but those who have folded their tents.(Here are links for many, but not all: Barack Obama, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Mike Huckabee, Fred Thompson, John Edwards, and Rudy Giuliani)Once you look them over, come back and post your thoughts. Which candidate do you think is doing the best job to rally their cause?

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 31st, 2008 at 8:05 pm and is filed under change, fundraising, leadership, recruiting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.