RU running slides - Alex Torpey

ALEX TORPEY Former mayor, entrepreneur,

professor, consultant

@alextorpey | alextorpey.com | [email protected]

R U running your campaign like a startup?

http://alextorpey.com

mailto:[email protected]

Alex Torpey | @AlexTorpey | alextorpey.com


What we’ll coverDeciding to run Now or never?

Starting at zero I have a new wheel and, I promise, it’s great!

Pathway to victory #winning like Charlie Sheen (or Martin)

Post election day WTF do I do now?!?!




A few startup values1) Tangible goals, deadlines and metrics 2) an absurd

ability to triage, structure and focus, 3) while remaining highly adaptable and 4) work = life = passionate team




Before you do anythingVisualize the entire process of structuring a project this complex and large, regardless of the content, ensuring you’ll stick to the

most broad possible components as you develop it.

I. Initiation II. Planning III. Implementation IV. Control V. Close




Deciding to runIs this the right time for you, personally and professionally? Is there a clear pathway to victory? Is this the right time for the

office or community you’re interested in? R U 100% committed?




Starting at zeroBuilding your early team, creating an initial fundraising plan, identifying your pathway to victory, announcing and hitting

the ground running




Your pathway to victorySetting goals, priorities and creating your campaign plan for

things like Digital, Communications, Organizing, Field, Fundraising, Your Team, Your Candidate and ultimately, Winning.




Winning




WinningGet one more vote

than your opponent! (or one more vote above 50%)




DigitalTaking advantage of the limited, but authentic, value(s) of social media, creating a website within your budget and

goals, thinking about digital ads, and using digital to leverage Communications, Fundraising and Organizing & Field.




FundraisingCreating an initial Family/Friends list, setting a guiding budget and raise goals, ensuring ethical practices and

reporting, engaging with donors, using digital, and prioritizing your time.




CommunicationsHow often you’ll be communicating with your audience, with the media, with key influencers and other stakeholders, what data will you collect from it, and how you can help shape the election by being a strong communicator and sticking to a

core communications calendar.




Organizing (engagement)Creating your ladders of engagement, moving people

through them, defining your engagement, collecting the right data, and building your election day GOTV universe.




Organizing (Field)You cannot win without having a strong ground game. On top of other forms of engagement, your direct appeal to

voters, most significantly, in-person, will ultimately drive your Organizing progress and get you to victory.




Your teamEnsuring a clear chain of command, simple but efficient reporting structures, qualified individuals in responsible

positions and giving your team the tools and respect they need to get you victory on election day.




Your candidateHow you prioritize the candidate’s time, prep them for media, debates, door-knocking, and other campaign stresses, create

and drive a brand and personal identity, advance a policy agenda, prep them for what happens if you win on election day and navigate the campaign while maintaining *some*

level of personal stability.




Victory on election dayGOTV.




Post-election dayDid you win? Did you lose? Either way, your life will

dramatically and immediately change and you’ll need to think about what you want to do next. (Hint, it probably won’t be a

vacation)



Please run for office!It is the single most undervalued opportunity to create

sustainable, systemic, authentic change that people desperately believe is needed, advance your own character,

skills and future economic mobility and inspire others towards similar public action.

@alextorpey | alextorpey.com | [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

News & Politics

RU running slides - Alex Torpey