Win Your First Damn Election

By John Krol

Win Your First Damn Election is your guide to... well, winning your first election. John Krol is your guide in navigating the nuts and bolts of starting a political campaign at the local level and est... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Win Your First Damn Election:

How many episodes does Win Your First Damn Election have?

The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.

Win Your First Damn Election episodes:

June 15, 2020 Social Media strategy and execution
Darcie Sosa only wins elections. She’s a veteran social media manager who has guided countless campaigns to victory with a well-rounded and robust social media offensive. We delve into working algorithms to your favor, balancing your content and making it go further, and more.
...more
21min
June 11, 2020 Bonus* - Converting Protests to Change: Budgets, Policies, Laws
Taking the energy and momentum of a movement to actualize real change in a local budgets, policies, and laws. Organize, focus on a specific goal, lobby elected officials, keep them accountable and be persistent. Don’t be sidetracked by paralysis by analysis tactics and keep elected officials’ feet to the fire. You CAN make change. Be persistent!
...more
15min
June 02, 2020 Supporter Content: Letters to the Editor, Social Media Arena, Surrogates and Dealing with Trolls
E8 Utilize supporter energy into valuable content and expands your message and reach, through an organized letter to the editor campaign, the repurposing of this content and more for a powerful organic social media reach. This includes supporter based content, and also the utilization of your supporters to engage in challenges from your opponent and opponent supporters - and just straight-out trolls. Veteran Political Social media manager Darcie Sosa and veteran campaign consultant Tim Kushi weigh in.
...more
24min
May 10, 2020 BONUS* Episode: State Rep. Paul Mark, Bernie Sanders 2020 Mass. Campaign co-chair
Popular Mass. State Rep. Paul Mark on his first election run, deciding to run, working the ground game, conversations with voters, identifying support, GOTV. Rep. Mark is an unapologetic union member who fights for progressive causes, earning widespread appeal in his sprawling district of 16 different communities as a true representative for the people. He is also the chair of the state's re-districting committee, and has served as a key spokeperson to ensure Massachusetts is well-represented through the US Census process.
...more
27min
May 09, 2020 Fundraising 101 and Planning a Rally
E7 Let's raise the money you need to win. Setup the framework to generate funds through traditional means and through online platforms. How to establish your base of funds through asking your key network of friends and family. The rally/fundraiser event(s) is a key way to bolster more support and generate momentum. Longtime political event planner Christine Auge Yon offers a framework for a successful fundraiser/rally through thoughtful planning and projecting yourself as a winner. Councilor and state Democratic committeewoman Helen Moon offers a schematic on how to get started on your fundraising path.
...more
20min
April 30, 2020 The Conversation (with Voters), Truly Listening to Lead and Coffee Time
Ep6 a deep dive into leading effective conversations with voters, why listening (truly listening) is critical, why you need to “drink the iced tea,” people vote for people they like, the 95/5 rule, and why coffees (or house parties) are incredibly effective in grassroots campaigns. We break it down with some help from State Rep Paul Mark, Councilor Patrick Kavey and former Councilor Mike Ward. #politics #runningforoffice #candidatestories
...more
29min
April 25, 2020 Cutting the Turf, Super Voters and Increasing Voter Turnout
Ep 5 A new candidate needs to identify voter lists that will make his/her time most efficient when canvassing, while also striving to increase voter turnout. This means not only targeting voters who participated in past elections similar to yours, but also finding pockets of voters who you can inspire. This will increase your own support as well as overall voter turnout, which will give a newcomer a better shot if running against an incumbent. This means not limiting yourself to so-called "super voters." Also, services like Votebuilder (with deep historical data on voters) allow you to create lists that can help not only identify likely voters for your race, but also can help you identify pockets possible new voters who may contribute to your support. And finally, we explore why you should think twice before skipping doors that are not on your list and how buzz and word-of-mouth bolsters your campaign.
...more
20min
April 19, 2020 Bonus Episode - Congressional Candidate, Mayor Alex Morse
Holyoke (Mass.) Mayor Alex Morse is running to unseat powerful Democratic establishment Congressman Richard Neal in the Massachusetts 1st District. The race presents a dramatic contrast, as Neal is one of the largest receivers of corporate PAC dollars on Capitol Hill, is the only member of the Massachusetts delegation who has not come out in support of the Green New Deal, is not in favor of Medicare for All. Morse contrasts significantly in all these areas.
...more
39min
April 18, 2020 The Advantages of Being a New Candidate
Ep. 4 What advantages do new candidates have vs. an incumbent? Also, we talk the talk with news reporters and mastering your message. John goes into detail with State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier on the areas where new candidates can have strategic advantages, which includes: The desire for change among the electorate, the ability to critique the record of an incumbent while not having to defend your own, and the ability to put more time into the campaign (often the case for new candidates - but not always). On messaging, you may get tired of hearing yourself speak, as you'll need to repeat your message time, and time, and time again. And reporters are people too, and our ace news reporting contributor Amanda Drane offers ways that new candidates, or really any politician, can build a better working relationship with those who cover them.
...more
19min
March 27, 2020 Bonus Episode - Lawn Signs with Mike Ward
LAWN SIGNS - everything you need to know (and more). Design and create an effective lawn/yard sign and how rolling out lawn signs can show momentum for your campaign. Lawn sign etiquette. Do lawn signs vote? How to secure lawn sign locations and how to gain traction with voters who already have your opponent’s lawn sign in their yard. This is a deep dive with John and former councilor, Mike Ward.
...more
27min

FAQs about Win Your First Damn Election:

How many episodes does Win Your First Damn Election have?

The podcast currently has 13 episodes available.