Local Politicos Begining to Harness Social Media and Online Advertising
As summer turns to fall and most temperatures continue to drop, there is one season just now getting started. Yup, you guessed it. The glorious rigour of a campaign.
However, for Maryland State House candidate Shukoor Ahmed, he’s doing things a little differently.
Different for some maybe.
Ahmed, who is CEO of V-Empower, a web and IT consulting firm, is making his second run in the Democratic primary for Maryland’s District 23A House of Delegates seat. And, he plans on making it worth his time (and money)…utilizing every available social media and online advertising avenue
“We will be doing much more advertising online [than in other media] because we can measure effectiveness of online advertising dollars,” Ahmed told Clickz.com – a website dedicated to online marketing news and culture.
Not only is Ahmed serious about his online presence, he’s also hired 19-year old college student Ben Lighter to take over the role as the campaign’s director of social media.
Not a bad gig.
“It’s about keeping people involved in what’s going on in the campaign,” said Lighter, who “It’s not limited to my generation anymore.”
Of course, setting up social media platforms is not enough…so Ben, how do you plan on getting the word out about Ahmed’s campaign?
“We want to be able to connect with teenagers…and be able to mobilize them,” said Ahmed.
That’s a good start.
Here are some of the strategies Lighter is implementing or plans to in the near future.
- While Ahmed is campaigning , such as knocking on doors , he always makes sure to ask if they are on Facebook. Once located, either he Ahmed or Lighter posts a quick thank you note on their wall.
- Video and more video. As Ahmed canvases his district , talks to voters or serves up pancakes (well we aren’t sure if he’s done this yet) Ligther and Ahmed plan on documenting everything they can….with a few endorsement clips and Q&A sessions in the works. Voters are also encourage to send Ahmed’s campaign an e-mail and he’ll create a custom video response.
Even though online marketing seems to be Ahmed’s niche, he hasn’t forgot his roots. Traditional marketing that is. Yes, he does plan on running print ads, sending direct mail and TV advertising…but for now, its all about the Internet.
“We’re looking to spend 30 to 40 percent of our budget online,” Ahmed said,
Well, with 90,000 people in his district and 37,000 of them on Facebook, that will be money well spent.
