Texting has become an essential tool for political campaigns, but using data effectively can take your texting game to the next level. Harnessing the full potential of texting requires a deep understanding of data integration, best practices, and innovative tools. In a recent webinar co-hosted by the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC), experts from Prompt.io delved into the intricacies of using texting for political campaigns and elections in 2024.

Farz Sokhansanj, President, and Brenna Cully, Director of Customer Success, discussed the challenges many consultants run into along the campaign trail. In the webinar, they outlined a strategic approach to starting a smart texting program.

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“What is my biggest tip for texting this cycle? I think I'm going to sound like I'm being a dead horse at this point, but really just sending you as early as possible.” –Farz Sokhansanj, President at Prompt.io

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Challenges and Pain Points in Political Texting

• Fragmented data: Campaign teams often have supporter data scattered across multiple platforms, making it difficult to get a holistic view of their audience.
• Following industry best practices: This includes ensuring data security and complying with carrier regulations.
• Limited reporting: Many texting platforms only offer basic metrics, making it difficult to measure the effectiveness of campaigns.
• Managing multiple campaigns: Running multiple campaigns simultaneously can be challenging, especially if you're using different platforms for each.
• Lack of support: Some texting platforms offer little or no support, leaving campaign teams to fend for themselves.

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[Webinar On-Demand: How to Launch a Smart Texting Program: Harnessing Data & Next-Gen Tools for 2024 Elections]

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Tips for Texting Success in 2024

• Start early: Don't wait until the last minute to start texting your supporters. The earlier you start, the more time you have to build relationships and trust.
• Personalize your messages: Use the data you have on your supporters to personalize your messages. This will make them more likely to read and respond to your texts.
• Be interactive: Encourage your supporters to respond to your texts. This will help you build relationships and get valuable feedback.
• Use a variety of content: Don't just send text messages asking for donations. Use a mix of content, such as polls, surveys, and event invitations, to keep your supporters engaged.
• Track your results: Use the data you collect to track the performance of your campaigns and make adjustments as needed.

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The Smart Texting Program Formula

• Planning Phase: Determine the types of programs to run for different clients, considering factors such as timing and engagement goals.
• Data Needs Determination: Assess data requirements based on program plans, ranging from basic metrics to advanced data points for more sophisticated campaigns.
• Platform Selection: There are many texting platforms out there, and not all of them are created equal. Choose a platform that aligns with data needs and campaign goals. Need help deciding? Reach out to our texting experts to find the right solution for your campaigns.

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How Data Can Help

By using data effectively, you can address all of these challenges and improve your texting campaigns. Here are a few examples:

• Consolidate your data: Use a platform that allows you to store all of your supporter data in one place. This will make it easier to segment your audience and send targeted messages.
• Ensure compliance: Choose a platform that has a strong track record of data security and compliance with carrier regulations.
• Get detailed reports: Look for a platform that offers a wide range of metrics so you can track the performance of your campaigns and make adjustments as needed.
• Simplify campaign management: Use a platform that allows you to manage all of your campaigns from one place. This will save you time and effort.
• Get support: Choose a platform that offers excellent customer support, so you can get help when you need it.

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"Texting is one of the only tools that we have in the political space that gives immediate feedback. You text out, people will tell you exactly what they think." –Brenna Cully, Director of Customer Success at Prompt.io

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Introducing PULSE: Streamlining Campaign Management

The highlight of the presentation was the introduction of PULSE, a new tool designed to streamline campaign management and provide actionable insights. PULSE offers:

• Overview of recent activity, including messages sent and billing metrics.
• Organization-specific views to track performance and manage multiple campaigns.
• Billing portal for easy invoicing based on client spending.
• Registration visibility for monitoring 10DLC registration progress.
• Upcoming features including rolled-up metrics, multi-org broadcast reporting, team management, and usage alerts.

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[Learn More: PULSE - A Platform For 360° Views Of Reporting, Billing, And Analytics]

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Texting, when used strategically and supported by innovative tools like PULSE, can be a game-changer in engaging voters and driving campaign success. 

Check out the full webinar hosted by AAPC. For any questions about getting the most out of your texting program, reach out to one of the texting experts at Prompt.io.

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Watch the Webinar

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