• This episode focuses on showing rather than just talking about a graph
• First, ask if the chosen graph type (line, bar, stacked bar, etc.) is the best fit
• Decide on the emotion you want to evoke in your target audience (surprise, outrage, curiosity, etc.)
• For this example, the goal is to create curiosity and encourage the decision-maker to ask questions
• To simplify and clean up a graph, remember LLC: Lines, Labels, and Colors
  • Lines: Remove unnecessary lines, including grid lines, to reduce visual clutter
  • Labels: Simplify labels on the X and Y axes, remove data labels, and label data directly when possible
  • Colors: Use consistent coloring on the graph and labels
• These steps make the graph more persuasive and easier to understand quickly

Check out the one-page PDF for a visual representation of these tips.

Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion.

For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

• Data can be boring, but turning it into a mystery can make it interesting and memorable
• To persuade effectively, remember: One Person and One Point
  • One Person: Imagine a single listener and their context
  • One Point: Decide the main point you want them to remember a week later
• To create mystery numbers:
  • 1. Start with intrigue about a number
  • 2. Reveal part of the answer
  • 3. Reveal a little more
  • 4. Summarize the mystery number and the one point
• Example: PA education spending interview
  • Use 8 (PA's rank) and 4 ($4,000 more per student) as mystery numbers
  • Engage listeners by having them hold up fingers
• Mystery numbers make data memorable and persuasive

For more tips, refer to the one-page PDF accompanying this episode.

Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion.

For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

• Data is subjective and a snapshot of the past
• Use intuitive tools from phone photography to judge if you're being persuaded by bad data
• Five tests to evaluate data:
  • 1. Selfie Test: Is the data self-reported or from an objective 3rd party?
  • 2. Zoom Test: Would zooming in or out change the interpretation?
  • 3. Crop Test: What context is missing or excluded?
  • 4. Video Test: Would a data series provide better context than a single data point?
  • 5. Like Test: Are you less skeptical because you want the data to be true?
• Be cautious when you have a strong positive reaction to data
• Apply these tests to prevent being persuaded by numbers and gain the winning edge

For more insights, check out the accompanying one-page PDF.

Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion.

For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

• Persuasion requires both an emotional response and supporting logic and facts
• Too many facts can cause people to lose interest
• Three key ways to persuade with numbers:
  • 1. Have a Translation Sentence
    • Provide context for numbers, like translating a foreign language
    • Example: Explain the state budget deficit in relatable terms
  • 2. Round and Make Concrete
    • Be memorable and directionally accurate rather than precise and forgettable
    • Example: "For every 10 unemployed people, there are 17 open jobs"
  • 3. Make it Human Scale
    • Convert large numbers into relatable, human-scale figures
    • Example: Translate a percentage increase in electricity bills to a dollar amount
• Applying these techniques will give your data the winning edge

For more information, refer to the one-page PDF.

Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion.

For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

• Mother Teresa, despite working with the poor, didn't have a poverty mindset when fundraising
• She would sit in first class to raise thousands more than the ticket cost
• The poverty mindset involves negative thoughts about fundraising, such as:
  • Feeling unworthy of donations
  • Thinking you're interrupting donors
  • Believing donors won't give if asked
• Effective fundraisers adopt the Partnership Mindset instead
• In the Partnership Mindset, both the donor and candidate are equal partners working together for change
• Identify where you might have the Poverty Mindset and reframe it through the Partnership Mindset
• Remember, donors want to see you succeed and make a difference
• Embrace the Partnership Mindset, make the ask, and give yourself the winning edge

For more insights, check out the accompanying one-page PDF.

Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion.

For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

• Fundraising efficiently is crucial for a successful campaign
• Imagine filling a wheelbarrow (fundraising goal) with a spoon (small donors) vs. a shovel (major donors)
• Major donors contribute over 80% of funds in most campaigns
• Asking for larger donations saves time, which is finite in a campaign
• Ask for a range of donations, as some donors may give more than expected
• Focus on major donors to fund a campaign with just a few dozen contributors
• Three key donor groups:
  • 1. Previous donors (highest response rate)
  • 2. Friends and family
  • 3. Known political donors in the district
• Prioritize the "shovel" approach to fundraising for the winning edge

Check out the one-page PDF for more insights on effective fundraising strategies.

Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion.

For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.

• Fundraising is a learnable skill crucial for winning elections
• Donors typically have three questions:
  •   1. Who are you?
  •   2. Why are you running?
  •   3. How are you different?
• Introduce yourself and share your background to build trust
• Answer "Why are you running?" using the formula: 
  • State the Problem + The Status Quo + Your Solution
• Stand out by having a plan and making a promise
• Make the ask for a specific amount or range
• Pause and wait for the donor's response
• Develop a simple 90-second script and practice it often

For more information on effective fundraising strategies, be sure to check out the one-page PDF companion resource available for this episode.

Winning Edge gives you the tools you need to lead and influence in the political and policy arenas. Every other week, Winning Edge releases short (approximately 5-minute) spots—or “snacks”—focused on one of four areas: fundraising, media, policy, or persuasion.

For more, visit our website: www.thecommonwealthpartners.com.