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Would flyers work for a new political party?

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We are in the process of launching a new political party here in the U.S. and I'm wondering if flyers would work to get new volunteers, donations, members, etc. We have a website and, ideally, want to drive traffic to the website, but we need real-world engagement, not just website visitors. Is it possible that flyers or door hangers would help to make this more tangible and help to get people involved or would that just be a waste of time and money? Thanks in advance for any tips or advice!
#door hangers #flyers #party #political #work
  • Profile picture of the author hannahlist
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    Flyers are too expensive.

    Your best bet would be to use social media and give out digital 'flyers' in the form of highly viral quotes that people can share on their FB walls or retweet.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
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    Who are you targeting?
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    • Profile picture of the author webmarketer
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      The "shelf-life" of a flyer handed me is the time I cover the distance from where it was given to the garbage can at the end of the block.

      Door hangers go straight to the waste can.

      On a bright note, I always accept them to help out the person, who distributes these marketing materials, get rid of the junk sooner.
      • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
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        Originally Posted by webmarketer View Post

        The "shelf-life" of a flyer handed me is the time I cover the distance from where it was given to the garbage can at the end of the block.

        Door hangers go straight to the waste can.

        On a bright note, I always accept them to help out the person, who distributes these marketing materials, get rid of the junk sooner.
        Why be so emphatic? If flyers didn't work, there wouldn't be so many businesses (and families with lost pets) who use them.

        If the content of the flyer spoke directly to an unmet need of yours, chances are you wouldn't be so quick to throw it out.

        The challenge for people who use them would be targeting the most likely populations to have that need, without wasting the paper on the masses.

        Like any marketing, all you really need is a percent or two to make a campaign worthwhile.
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        • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
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          In order to make a new political party viable, you are going to need millions of entrants. The only way you are going to accomplish that is through the viral aspects of social media, obtaining free national publicity and an army of volunteers.

          That's why these projects never get off the ground. It's not like you have a brilliant, new idea. This has been tried dozens, if not hundreds of times. You've never heard about them - and that's my point. Highly unlikely that your fate won't be similar. That's not being negative. It's called reality.

          Cheers. - Frank
        • Profile picture of the author webmarketer
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          The link below shows UK stats on leaflet distribution/flyers, which may give you an indication--only.

          Leaflet Marketing: The Good, The Facts & The Stats | Direct Letterbox Marketing

          Originally Posted by BullMoose View Post

          We are in the process of launching a new political party here in the U.S. and I'm wondering if flyers would work to get new volunteers, donations, members, etc.

          Because that's how I feel about flyers'/leaflets' efficacy--probably because I'm not the targeted audience. Still, in fairness, the numbers from the DMA say otherwise--IF I live in the UK. I have provided the link above for the OP.


          Originally Posted by Jack Gordon View Post

          Why be so emphatic? If flyers didn't work, there wouldn't be so many businesses (and families with lost pets) who use them.

          If the content of the flyer spoke directly to an unmet need of yours, chances are you wouldn't be so quick to throw it out.
          • Profile picture of the author Cali16
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            I'm not a fan of flyers - personally (hate them) and in general, because I care about the environment and hate using a medium that wastes trees, since 99% will likely end up in a landfill rather than recycled. Every political flyer or mailer I've ever received has gone directly into the recycling - unread.

            For this lofty (and likely futile, sorry) endeavor I'd absolutely recommend the social media route over flyers any day of the year. What you need is to create a huge social media buzz. If it's ever going to take off, you need it to go viral. That's going to take a tremendous amount of work.
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    • Profile picture of the author BullMoose
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      Originally Posted by Jack Gordon View Post

      Who are you targeting?
      Voting age, middle class Americans who are fed up with both of the two main political parties, Democrats and Republicans.
      • Profile picture of the author JosephC
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        Hey Bullmoose, just make sure you do not have any copyright issues with that name. Theodore Roosevelt might sue!

        • Profile picture of the author discrat
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          Hey Bull,
          If you can really get Flyers printed out for dirt cheap then yes it can be an effective part of your Marketing Mix.

          Back in 1999 for 4 years I ran a one man full time business out of my house, and it was solely predicated on Flyers as my only Marketing tool !

          Do not underestimate their power



          - Robert Andrew
          • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
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            Originally Posted by discrat View Post

            Hey Bull,
            If you can really get Flyers printed out for dirt cheap then yes it can be an effective part of your Marketing Mix.

            Back in 1999 for 4 years I ran a one man full time business out of my house, and it was solely predicated on Flyers as my only Marketing tool !

            Do not underestimate their power



            - Robert Andrew
            I am a fan of direct media like that as well, which is why I didn't discount it outright. But it sounds like you don't have a geographic target. That will make the use of flyers a big, expensive and unfocused project. If you can identify specific geographic hotbeds of attractive targets, it may be your most powerful tool there.

            What else have you considered?
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  • Profile picture of the author hannahlist
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    You should seriously consider getting a massive list of political forums and blogs and posting/commenting on those places.

    Considering what's going on in the US (the rise of 'outsiders' like Sanders and Trump) there's a 'silent majority' waiting to be tapped on both the right and left side of the political spectrum.

    If you don't know where to start your research, hire a VA to find sites/forums and create accounts.
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    • Profile picture of the author @tjr
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      Originally Posted by hannahlist View Post

      Considering what's going on in the US (the rise of 'outsiders' like Sanders and Trump) there's a 'silent majority' waiting to be tapped on both the right and left side of the political spectrum.
      In your stated context: Silent majority/loud minority, potato/pot-ah-to, LOL.

      This ain't the forum for that discussion, so I'll just point out to the OP to be wary and look deeper into the current political climate before jumping to conclusions in a primary season. Remember, the Tea Party was supposed to run the country once upon a time.

      Edit: speaking of the Tea Party, there's a contemporary example of what you're trying to accomplish (new political movement). Study them, emulate what you can, and for the love of God do it better please.
  • Profile picture of the author Jack Gordon
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    The thing about movements is that they rarely start out as a national explosion.

    They start as small, localized gatherings of people with ideological zeal, and it spreads virally.

    You can do that on paper, or through social media, or through radio waves, or through soapboxes on street corners.

    The medium is not as important as the targeting and relevance of the message.

    Once you gain traction with a small, ideologically homogeneous group, you can start to worry about the best way to grow.

    Before that point, it is simply dreaming.
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  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
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    Originally Posted by BullMoose View Post

    but we need real-world engagement,
    This statement alone is disturbing in the current state of the world... online IS real-world engagement. Flyers are not your salvation and the determining factor of growth of your movement.. Social Media is. Until you grasp that concept, you are stuck
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  • Profile picture of the author sandalwood
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    Originally Posted by BullMoose View Post

    We are in the process of launching a new political party here in the U.S. and I'm wondering if flyers would work to get new volunteers, donations, members, etc. We have a website and, ideally, want to drive traffic to the website, but we need real-world engagement, not just website visitors. Is it possible that flyers or door hangers would help to make this more tangible and help to get people involved or would that just be a waste of time and money? Thanks in advance for any tips or advice!
    It is my humble opinion another political party would be a waste of time. I believe you will get more press and more feedback and more volunteers and more money if you create a group around a very topical theme. Once you form your group go out and tackle the central issue. Believe me, the news people will find you.

    Here is one to learn from: 300menmarch.com. I am not associated with this group or the other 2 I will mention. They were formed in Baltimore to solve Baltimore problems. Read their 5 part plank and tell me you have one that is as good and would get as much attention.

    Also pay attention to Black Lives Matter. They are not a political party either but receive almost as much press as The Donald.

    Here's another one: The Guardian Angels. Another non-political party but one that still grabs a ton of press.

    These are real organizations with real goals. You don't have to like them, agree with them or join them but you should pay attention to how they set themselves up and are running their respective organizations.

    If you only get emotionally involved with the above, forget starting a party. Take the emotion out of the equation and pay attention to the underlying principles then you won't have to hang flyers or door knock.

    In the alternative, get enough people to become Libertarians and take over that party. They are already established so the leg work is done. Plus, it would take only a small number of people to completely take over and voila you are now a political party sans all the grunt work.

    You can laugh at this idea but I invite you to take a look at how that was accomplished in the past within the 2 established big name parties that dominate the news today.

    These are just opinions and food for thought from a guy who has run for both national and state offices. I also sit on a Central Committee in my county.

    Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author socialentry
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      Originally Posted by sandalwood View Post

      It is my humble opinion another political party would be a waste of time. I believe you will get more press and more feedback and more volunteers and more money if you create a group around a very topical theme. Once you form your group go out and tackle the central issue. Believe me, the news people will find you.

      These are real organizations with real goals. You don't have to like them, agree with them or join them but you should pay attention to how they set themselves up and are running their respective organizations.
      What if the issue is more discretionary? E.g. foreign policy.

      And what if you're coming as a complete outsider? I am satrting to get involved with a group that represents a diaspora. and while relative to our size, fundraising is doing pretty well, we are dwarfed by more established diasporas in Canada e.g. the Jews or the Ukrainians.

      Or what if the issue is very small and unlikely to get people riled up, e.g. trying to get one organization to give money to charity?

      For myself, it is hard to get the whole truth about an organization unless I knew someone that trusted me 110% on the inside. Usually, when I ask direct questions, I get the party line. It's understandable, in both professional and political settings, the CYA attitude prevails, but beside the mole method, what can I do to find out more?

      What would be a good way to probe for pain points while not being as overt as on a sales call about it and coming in as an outsider?

      Mind you, I've never been very good at interpersonal relations and I doubt I would be able to schmooze my way inside.I very much sympathize with the Ugly American.
      • Profile picture of the author sandalwood
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        Here are my thoughts:

        What if the issue is more discretionary? E.g. foreign policy.

        "I would assume from the question you would have a small audience and probably a small organization to start with. That being the case, it is how you frame your message. Your message takes it from discretionary to actionable."

        And what if you're coming as a complete outsider?

        "Do you mean to the group or to the public at large?"


        Or what if the issue is very small and unlikely to get people riled up, e.g. trying to get one organization to give money to charity?

        "I have to assume here also that if it is an issue, small or otherwise, there are people who are concerned. If it is only 10 people then you won't have any interest from the public at large. If it is 100, now we are talking. Then you can use the this can happen to you approach so you need to get involved approach."

        For myself, it is hard to get the whole truth about an organization unless I knew someone that trusted me 110% on the inside. Usually, when I ask direct questions, I get the party line. It's understandable, in both professional and political settings, the CYA attitude prevails, but beside the mole method, what can I do to find out more?

        "Does this organization have any type of history? If so, you can reach out to those involved in the past. You can also do some leg work around its meeting place. Talk to people who "have heard" such and such does this and that. I have to assume you have a filter and can process the real from the just talk remarks you will hear."

        What would be a good way to probe for pain points while not being as overt as on a sales call about it and coming in as an outsider?

        "Again, what is the purpose of the organization. Usually an organization such as the one you mentioned tells you their pain points in their mission statement."


        Mind you, I've never been very good at interpersonal relations and I doubt I would be able to schmooze my way inside.I very much sympathize with the Ugly American.

        "If you aren't good at interpersonal relations learn how to become good if you are serious about becoming involved. It seems to me that if you are the least bit interested in this diaspora you would want to become a relatable individual. As for the Ugly American, well, what can I say. Ever see an Ugly Canadian. Looks just like an Ugly American. Funny how that happens."
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  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
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    Originally Posted by sandalwood View Post

    "I would assume from the question you would have a small audience and probably a small organization to start with. That being the case, it is how you frame your message. Your message takes it from discretionary to actionable."
    Yeah in Canada it is very small. It's an outgrowth of an overseas political party. But I wouldn't call it grassroots, the bulk of the membership in Canada are educated professionals. Overseas, it is already a mass movement.

    Therein lies the problem: They don't have much leverage with the canadian parties, but they need western support to achieve their political goals abroad.

    The cause they are pushing is very similar to what Israel was experiencing after their war for independance. She has a very successful but small diaspora. It was nationalist in nature and started from a position where almost no countries were willing to provide her with tangible support.

    How did such a group come to have unwavering support in the States? Is it true that to go against Israel's interests is to invite career suicide as a politician?

    My understanding of the Jewish lobby is that they do it by controlling large amounts of donor money but do you have any alternatives?

    If I wanted to have the ears of let's say the Conservative Party of Canada, how would I go about it?

    "Do you mean to the group or to the public at large?"
    Both. But more of the former.

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