Being a woman in politics isn’t always easy, but it is important that if you have the drive and motivation to become a politician, that you go for it. Representation matters, and if you get elected and can be in the room where big policy decisions are made, you can make a huge difference in the lives of all women. Political campaigns can be draining for anyone but can be especially draining if you have to fight harder because you’re a woman. If you want to appeal to potential voters and succeed in the election cycle process, here are five great tips for getting your hustle going in your political campaign.
1. Look the part.
Women are almost always judged on their appearance more than men. However you may feel about this, it’s still important to put a bit of extra emphasis on your wardrobe to ensure you’re taken seriously and people can visualize you being in office. Opt for tasteful but feminine pieces like a pencil skirt paired with a shell blouse or a pantsuit in a bold, bright color. These types of power outfits will also instill confidence in yourself. Dressing the part is an effective way to hype yourself up to succeed in your campaign. Wearing a killer garment as you take the podium at a rally or event is a great way to kickstart and continue your campaign with momentum.
2. Get involved in your community.
If you want to succeed as a person in politics, female or not, it’s important that you get involved in your community and local causes. Show up at council meetings, volunteer at community organizations, and network with other leaders where you live to get your name out there. Sometimes in politics, it’s not as much about what you know as it is about who you know, so it is a best practice to make sure you know the potential voters in your community to up your chances of getting votes.
3. Be accessible on social media.
In the current digital age, being on social media is a must. Being accessible for your constituents online is a great way to prove your capabilities and get your name out there in the political world. You can also use social media to comment on current events and policy issues, which will advertise to potential voters exactly where you fall on the political spectrum.
4. Go for digital campaigning with P2P text messages.
You can reach more voters by using P2P, or peer to peer text messaging, to keep in touch and send reminders about your campaign. Getting a texting program like the one offered by Peerly will allow you to send SMS text messages to large groups of constituents to help you get your platform out there. Political P2P texting offers an experience that is like human interaction and allows you to manage phone numbers, responses, and response rates. Many political organizations as well as both Republican and Democratic campaigns use political texts to help ignite voters. This tactic also keep voters, especially young voters, in the know.
5. Build coalitions and mentor young women after you see success.
One of the most important tips for women in politics is to pass on your success. After you have won elections and completed great political campaigns, you need to invest time in younger women who are coming up with political dreams and need the mentorship in order to be successful in their endeavors. With any luck, your investment and mentorship will be beneficial in getting more women in office and improving gender parity in politics.
