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Community Oriented Political Outreach
How does a candidate with a small budget standout in a crowded field? Innovation. Seeyew Mo is running to represent S.F. Assembly District 19 at …
Keep an eye on trolls activity and report harassment to Twitter. New apps make it easier and more affordable to monitor trolls. Who is behind the Twitter bots attacking …
Triage voters for better results
Photo by Online Marketing on Unsplash Doctors triage patients. They divide patients into those who don’t need treatment, those beyond hope, and those they should …
Pledge To Vote Cards Go Digital
Canvassers improve voter turnout with pledge to vote cards. Digital pledge cards work even better than printed ones. DemLabs and Deliver My Vote are testing digital Pledge …
Five Free Apps For Better Canvassing
Trying to find the right campaign app when you’re tight on money and not tech savvy? Checkout the DemLabs site with over 110 solutions and Solution Guides like the …
Podcast Training Retreat For Women Changemakers
Millions listen to podcasts but not enough are hosted and produced by women. How can we fix this? An exclusive Be Your Change workshop will train fifteen women to …
Mission Accomplished – The Sequel
“Those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it,” George Santanya. This parody video shows the similarities between the start of the last Iraq …
Moscow Mitch Explains Impeachment In Russian
Spoof videos are weapons of mass persuasion. They convert popular movie clips into political messages disguised as satire. The videos are inexpensive to make, but get millions of views as …
Image: Banksy Issues can be complicated. Relationship maps strip away the BS to show what’s really going on. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) overturned a prior ruling making …
Photo by Mubarak Show on Unsplash There are two ways to hold onto power. Get more people to support you, or silence those who don’t. One way is …
Three Free Apps To Create Campaign Videos With Just A Laptop
Fast news cycles demand a rapid response. Short videos work best, but how does a campaign with little money, time and video skills create a …
Three Free Apps To Create Campaign Videos With Just A LaptopRead More »
Five Free Online Training Platforms To Training Volunteers And Organizers.
How do you train volunteers and staff the skills to be better activists and organizers? Especially when a range of skills have to be taught …
Five Free Online Training Platforms To Training Volunteers And Organizers.Read More »
Impeachment Web: Data Analytics Applied To Trace The People, Connections, Favors And Money.
Too much information is worse than too little. Facts get lost. Connections get overlooked. Data analysis converts information into meaningful insights. Background The impeachment hearings …
Black Voters Matter Fund Innovates To Get-Out-The-Vote In Louisiana’s Election For Governor.
Getting out the vote is a campaign’s final drive push. The Black Voters Matter Fund ran a fast, frugal get-out-the-vote campaign in Louisiana’s election for …
Supreme Court To Decide Future Of DACA. StoryMap Explains What’s At Stake.
Ending DACA and deporting 700,000 Dreamers will devastate families and cripple communities. People should understand what’s at stake as the Supreme Court reviews President Trump’s …
Supreme Court To Decide Future Of DACA. StoryMap Explains What’s At Stake.Read More »
App Immediately Translates Impeachment Testimony Into Videos In Different Languages.
Language should not be a barrier to knowing the facts. New software quickly and affordably translates and captions video clips for mass distribution. Background Most …
App Immediately Translates Impeachment Testimony Into Videos In Different Languages.Read More »
The Beginner’s Guide To Running A Low-Budget, Geo-Targeted Political Ad Campaign.
Reach voters on their phones even if you don’t have their phone numbers with geo-targeting. Tips on running a smart, frugal campaign. Background “Bhuwan Pyakurel is …
The Beginner’s Guide To Running A Low-Budget, Geo-Targeted Political Ad Campaign.Read More »
Map The Battlefield, Before You Launch Your Campaign.
Activists fight with limited resources against well funded political incumbents. They have to pick their targets strategically. Good mapping software can be the equalizer. Which …
Map The Battlefield, Before You Launch Your Campaign.Read More »
Online Training For Activists On How To Frame Issues To Build Support.
How do you get someone with very different beliefs to support your cause? Frame the discussion to align with their existing beliefs. Framing is an …
Online Training For Activists On How To Frame Issues To Build Support.Read More »
How Was Your Voting Experience?
Long lines. Not enough ballots. Broken voting machines… Voter suppression thrives in the dark. How often is voting related mischief reported after an election? Why is it that …
Does Your Congressperson Support The Impeachment Inquiry? Ask The Common Cause Chatbot On Facebook.
Politicians can run, but they cannot hide from where they stand on the impeachment inquiry. Common Cause’s new Facebook chatbot tells voters where their congressperson …
Fighting The Good Fight? Make Sure To Pick The Best Apps.
Magic is a long shot. Bet on innovation instead. Technology is the equalizer against bigger, better-funded opponents. Winning campaigns innovate faster. What holds back …
Fighting The Good Fight? Make Sure To Pick The Best Apps.Read More »
The Iowa Caucuses: Analyzing What, Where And When The Candidates Doing?
Campaigns have to make the most of limited time, money and staff. What events should be held? Where? When? What are the other campaigns doing? …
The Iowa Caucuses: Analyzing What, Where And When The Candidates Doing?Read More »
And The Award For The Most Creative Voter Suppression Scheme Goes To …
Creativity should be recognized. Even if it is evil and killing democracy by suppressing votes. DemLabs is partnering with voting rights groups on ‘Voter …
And The Award For The Most Creative Voter Suppression Scheme Goes To …Read More »
Grassroots Group Uses Radio Ads, Chatbots & Mobile Apps To Arrange Rides To The Polls For The Needy.
Why do those with the most to gain from change, face the most hurdles in voting? Living in remote rural areas, a lack of transport, …
Wrong Polling Location Info Can Devastate Voter Turnout.
Mapping apps easily guide people to their destinations. Why then do voters often get sent to the wrong polling location? Bad data on polling …
Wrong Polling Location Info Can Devastate Voter Turnout.Read More »
Trying To Understand The Impeachment Inquiry? Use A Relationship Map Follows The Money.
Tracking a complex case of corruption? Use a relationship map to follow the money. How to map a swamp It’s easy to get lost …
Trying To Understand The Impeachment Inquiry? Use A Relationship Map Follows The Money.Read More »
New App Lets Progressive Volunteers Find Free Lodging With Local Supporters.
Volunteers donate their time and energy to canvas and get-out-the-vote. But often they’re cash-strapped and need a place to stay. Supporters have lodging to …
New App Lets Progressive Volunteers Find Free Lodging With Local Supporters.Read More »
Betrayal Map: Why Are The Kurds Being Abandoned?
One day you’re a loyal American ally. The next you’re cannon fodder. What explains the sudden change in American policy towards the Kurds? Democracy Partners …
Impeachment Inquiry Timeline. ‘Cut To The Chase’ With An Infographic.
Some issues are intentionally made confusing to distract people from the truth. Infographics cut to the chase. They combine facts, events, and videos into simple visuals …
Impeachment Inquiry Timeline. ‘Cut To The Chase’ With An Infographic.Read More »
Bet On Winning Posts For Better Facebook Political Campaigns
Campaigns can’t avoid Facebook’s power to influence people. How can cash-strapped campaigns harness this power to reach more people? Follow the money: Facebook thrives on ad revenue. It keeps people engaged for …
Bet On Winning Posts For Better Facebook Political CampaignsRead More »
Black Voters Matter Uses Clips Of Policing In Video Campaign To Encourage People To Vote.
The outrage from incidents shared on social media soon disappears. People are jaded and don’t vote because the outcome doesn’t improve their lives. How can social …
Black Voters Matter Uses Clips Of Policing In Video Campaign To Encourage People To Vote.Read More »
Activists Innovate With Free Apps To Alert Supporters Of Rallies, Town-Halls And Canvassing Drives.
Coordination makes all the difference – especially when time and resources are tight. Thousands of people taking part in hundreds of events, organized by dozens of groups. Where …
Persuasion To Go. Voting Rights Group Uses Billboards To Get Out The Vote In North Carolina.
Billboards work. They’re persuasive and cost effective. Here’s how Center For Common Ground used billboards in North Carolina-3 to increase voter turnout in the recent special election. Results Cost of …
Lessons From Black Voters Matter Geofenced Get-Out-The-Vote Mobile Ad Campaign In NC.
Geofenced mobile ads reach more people with better precision for less. Black Voters Matter campaign in North Carolina’s special election put the approach to good use. African American voters are important …
Lessons From Black Voters Matter Geofenced Get-Out-The-Vote Mobile Ad Campaign In NC.Read More »
Grassroots Group Harnesses Consumer Spending To Local Businesses Supporting The Community.
Money talks. And it walks. Every purchase is a vote of support for that business. A consumer boycott is a vote against firms that live off the community but give …
How Small Adversaries Overwhelm Superpowers With Cyber Warfare And Disinformation Campaigns.
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” – Sun Tzu. Instead of the bullets and tanks used in conventional war, …
How Indivisible Michigan Uses Advanced Software To Coordinate Activities To Flip Swing Districts.
Planning makes all the difference – especially when you’re underfunded. Grassroots groups make a bigger impact with better software. StateWide Indivisible of Michigan (SWIM) is …
Multimedia App Explains Money At Play In Blocking Gun Control Reform.
Short TV segments don’t explain complex issues well. How can sustained public support for gun control be built, when mass shootings are soon forgotten and politicians obfuscate? It’s …
Multimedia App Explains Money At Play In Blocking Gun Control Reform.Read More »
New Artificial Intelligence (AI) Powered App, Coaches You To Become A Better Public Speaker.
A very few of us are naturally, gifted public speakers. The rest of us need to practice. Technology can now coach activists, organizers and candidates to become …
A Free Canvassing App To Get Out The Vote When You Have No Budget And Limited Time.
Native American voters are the margin of victory in many key races. Vast distances, scarce funds and a legacy of voter suppression makes it hard to get …
A Free Canvassing App To Get Out The Vote When You Have No Budget And Limited Time.Read More »
App Helps Florida Residents Track Hurricane Dorian And Explains How Cuts To FEMA Will Hurt.
App tracks storm in real-time to help Florida residents prepare for Hurricane Dorian. How will the $155 million cut to FEMA disaster-relief funds hurt? What is behind the cuts? …
Personal Data: Political Persuasion. How Consumer Data Is Sold To Campaigns To Better Target Voters.
Collecting and selling personal data to businesses is a big industry. Political campaigns are increasingly using the same data. Campaigns rely heavily on voter files for targeting. Many …
How To Enrich The Voter File With Other Data Sources For Better Results.
Use the best tool(s) available. It’s no different in campaigns. Enrich the Voter File with other data sources for better results. Smarter targeting and canvassing. Better results in fund raising and finding unregistered …
How To Enrich The Voter File With Other Data Sources For Better Results.Read More »
What’s In Common Between The Contaminated Water Crisis In Flint, Newark And Baltimore?
What do Flint, Newark and Baltimore all suffering from lead-contaminated water have in common? Their disasters are distinct, but share a common thread. How can the cause be explained vividly in order to …
What’s In Common Between The Contaminated Water Crisis In Flint, Newark And Baltimore?Read More »
Worried About Your Child’s Well Being If You’re Deported? There Is An App For That.
How will your children be taken care of if you’re deported? How should a community prepare for an ICE raid? What are the latest …
Worried About Your Child’s Well Being If You’re Deported? There Is An App For That.Read More »
American Soybean Farmers Suffer From Tariffs On China. StoryMap Explains The Issue.
Why would the Chief of the US Department of Agriculture mock farmers hurt by trade wars as ‘Whiners’? A volunteer research team found that farmers’ suffering was both real and widespread. “Net …
American Soybean Farmers Suffer From Tariffs On China. StoryMap Explains The Issue.Read More »
Disinformation Primer: Using The Overton Window To Change What’s Acceptable.
Banning muslims? Putting kids in cages? A president for life? How is the public manipulated to tolerate such extreme steps? How can the range of …
Disinformation Primer: Using The Overton Window To Change What’s Acceptable.Read More »
Companies Profit By Hiring Prison Labor & Undocumented Workers.
“Hundreds of Their Workers Were Arrested in Mississippi ICE Raids, But No Employers Have Been Charged Yet.” – TIME reported. Important issues are skimmed and soon forgotten. Most …
Companies Profit By Hiring Prison Labor & Undocumented Workers.Read More »
App Converts Phones Into Walkie-Talkies. Ideal For Managing Rallies Without Cell Service.
Large crowds can swamp cell tower capacity. Natural disasters and other groups can disrupt cell coverage at a rally. Rally organizers need to plan for all contingencies. They need a …
App Converts Phones Into Walkie-Talkies. Ideal For Managing Rallies Without Cell Service.Read More »
Group Mounts Social Media Video Campaign To Block Redevelopment Of African-American Community.
Make the Road Nevada is fighting in solidarity with Windsor Park residents as the City of North Las Vegas is proposing to sell 80% of the land …
Time Lapse Map Shows The Growing Epidemic Of Mass Shootings And Domestic Terrorism.
The true horror of mass shootings is lost as the media moves to the next tragedy and politicians stall with platitudes. The outrage dissipates. How can the danger from gun …
Time Lapse Map Shows The Growing Epidemic Of Mass Shootings And Domestic Terrorism.Read More »
Volunteers Crowdsource Research On Moscow Mitch’s Connections, Contributors And Foreign Friends.
Why would the Senate Majority Leader block a measure to strengthen US election security? A small team of volunteers researched possible forces behind Moscow Mitch’s decision. They researched publicly available information to uncover …
Mobilizing Citizens To Prevent Cuts To The Food Stamp Program. Technology For A Rapid Response.
The Trump administration is planning to cut the Food Stamp program. This would eliminate SNAP benefits for 3.1 million individuals and take free school meals away from the children …
A single image often captures the truth better than dozens of reports. Technology now makes it easy to design network maps that reveal the motives and connections behind an action. We …
As State Close Down Clinics, ACN Uses New Apps To Help Women Find The Nearest One Still Open.
It’s becoming increasingly difficult for patients to get care as more and more reproductive healthcare clinics are forced to shut down. Families are being forced to travel further, spend more, and take more …
Who Profits From The Private ICE Detention Center Boom? Mapping This Swamp To Expose Money’s Role.
Dangerous creatures hide and thrive in swamps. It isn’t easy to understand what goes on in swamps – real or political. Details are concealed. Motivations are masked. People …
Who Profits From The Opioid Epidemic? Free App Maps Connections & Contributions To Follow The Money.
“Follow the money”, Deep Throat advised reporters investigating the Nixon Watergate scandal. The advice is still apt and applies to many issues including the opioid crisis. But it’s harder …
Rapid Response To ICE Raids In Las Vegas With Community Sourced Video Campaign.
A rapid community response is needed for imminent threats. Make The Road Nevada (MTRN) a grassroots group, decided to ask community members for video comments about a single …
Rapid Response To ICE Raids In Las Vegas With Community Sourced Video Campaign.Read More »
Western Native Voice Uses Free App To Organize Native American Communities.
Organizing Native American communities is challenging. Tribal lands span hundreds of square miles often without internet or cell coverage. Community members often use mailboxes instead of a street address …
Western Native Voice Uses Free App To Organize Native American Communities.Read More »
Think Outside The (Mail)Box. Virginia Candidate Uses Voter File For Targeted Mobile Ad Campaign.
People respond more to their phones than letters. It’s time for campaigns to think outside the (mail)box. An insurgent campaign in Virginia is innovating to try to unseat the …
New Map Highlights ‘Hard To Count’ Communities That May Be Left Out Of The Census.
The 2020 census will be different. It’s counting on more people to complete census questionnaires online to reduce the need for field workers. This hurts communities without dependable internet …
New Map Highlights ‘Hard To Count’ Communities That May Be Left Out Of The Census.Read More »
Ten Security Tips From Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Protestors For Activists In The ‘Land Of The Free’.
Protestors in Hong Kong have shown that it is possible to organize in a tightly monitored and censored environment. They offer ten practical security tips a free online handbook. …
Free canvassing app for voter registration & census turnout – works without internet access.
Many rural communities suffer from a lack of connectivity. It’s harder to stay informed, benefit from online services, locate polling locations, vote and take part in the census. Organizers struggle to …
Free app simplifies canvassing and makes it affordable for even small grassroots groups.
Some people drive fancy cars. Others bike. It all depends on your destination and budget. Canvassing is the same. A lack of funds holds back some campaigns from …
Free app simplifies canvassing and makes it affordable for even small grassroots groups.Read More »
Skill For Good: Matches digital storyteller volunteers with non-profits using an ‘Uber-like’ model.
Ride-sharing services like Uber make it convenient to get a ride by quickly matching passengers with nearby drivers. Why is it so hard to match …
How can grassroots energy be harnessed to win elections? How can collaboration between different organizing groups be maximized for greater impact? Hundreds of grassroots organizers …
How does your audience feel? Find out with an instant poll using the free DirectPoll app.
How does your audience feel about an issue or candidate? A quick poll is best way to find out but hard to manage in a noisy, densely packed room. A count of hands is easy but error-prone. Paper questionnaires …
How does your audience feel? Find out with an instant poll using the free DirectPoll app.Read More »
“In November, a supermajority of Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to former felons who’ve completed their sentences. Florida legislature advanced a bill that will strip …
A Free Peer-To-Peer Canvassing App. How To Use Existing Apps For Fast, Frugal Innovation.
Personal connections make a big difference. Especially in peer-to-peer canvassing where volunteers encourage their friends to register to vote. How can volunteers be equipped to easily collect details for …
A Free Peer-To-Peer Canvassing App. How To Use Existing Apps For Fast, Frugal Innovation.Read More »
Rapid Response. Virginia Candidate Uses Current Events To Focus Attention On What Really Matters.
A gunman walked into a government office building in Virginia Beach, Virginia on Friday, May 31 and murdered 12 people. The incident quickly faded from the news as …
Advocates install a ‘breathing billboard’ to rally public support for curbing air pollution.
How do you draw public attention to a deadly, but invisible killer? Jhatkaa works on social justice issues including how to build public support to curb air pollution. Their recent campaign …
As Alabama Legislators Close Abortion Clinics, Chatbot Jane Sees Surge In Searches Out-Of-State.
Lawmakers Vote to Effectively Ban Abortion in Alabama “These bills essentially ban abortions after a heartbeat is detected, usually about six weeks into pregnancy, a …
Photo of Leisha Evans taken by Jonathan Bachman for Reuters from Wikipedia A powerful image can tell a full story without a single word. Organizers, however, often lack the skills …
Harness public outrage through Facebook petitions to fundraise and build lists.
Public outrage is both powerful and fleeting. Convert the outrage to also fund raise and build lists for long term change. It is simple with apps that combine the reach of Facebook petitions and the …
Harness public outrage through Facebook petitions to fundraise and build lists.Read More »
Get Your Message Heard Without Breaking The Bank. A Workshop For Underfunded Campaigns.
Necessity is the mother of invention. So is lack of funding. Underfunded campaigns need new ways to compete against better funded opponents. Technology can level the playing field, but awareness …
Get Your Message Heard Without Breaking The Bank. A Workshop For Underfunded Campaigns.Read More »
Lessons From How The NRA Quickly Mobilizes Its Members For Maximum Political Power.
“The NRA activates its membership when elected officials are facing gun-related legislation, resulting in phone calls and emails and letters to Congress”, reports NBC: “How …
Lessons From How The NRA Quickly Mobilizes Its Members For Maximum Political Power.Read More »
Get your actions more publicity with highlight videos made from the Facebook Live stream.
Organizers use Facebook Live to stream videos of their actions, but their audience is often limited to just those who can watch it all. Short highlight clips make …
Get your actions more publicity with highlight videos made from the Facebook Live stream.Read More »
Virginia Candidates Create Issue-Specific Campaign Videos With Free, Innovative App.
“There is an 80% increase in the time spent on watching videos … 45% of the people surveyed in North America said they expect to watch even more videos …
Virginia Candidates Create Issue-Specific Campaign Videos With Free, Innovative App.Read More »
Target ads with geographic info on people’s movements and the places they’ve visited.
Farmers use digital tags to monitor their livestock. Advertisers have it easier. People voluntarily carry tags that constantly report their position and activity: mobile phones. Geomarketing …
Target ads with geographic info on people’s movements and the places they’ve visited.Read More »
Up your game with this library of free campaigning and organizing ‘how to’ guides.
Grassroots organizing changes constantly with new tactics and apps. How can the lessons learned on one campaign be quickly shared with other progressive groups? Blueprints for Change converts know-how from campaign organiziners …
Up your game with this library of free campaigning and organizing ‘how to’ guides.Read More »
Make Your Point Clear. Create Infographics Easily With This Free App.
It’s hard to quickly explain the scope of corporate welfare and how to bring it under control. How can the case for reform be presented in a simple, engaging manner? Infographics convert complex …
Make Your Point Clear. Create Infographics Easily With This Free App.Read More »
They only listen to their own voters. Use geocoding to mobilize better and focus supporters’ energy.
Elected officials only listen to their own voters. So it’s essential for campaigns need to direct their supporters to lobby the right official. How can this be done with …
Campaign videos made easy. Free app includes thousands of video clips, photos & soundtracks.
Video campaigns on social media are proven effective. But many candidates can’t afford them due to the high costs and specialized skills needed to produce good …
Create Your Own Campaign Videos LEGO-Style. It’s Fast, Flexible And Free.
Image by Bruno Glätsch from Pixabay. “LEGO®is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies”. Cars at the turn of the century were custom made …
Create Your Own Campaign Videos LEGO-Style. It’s Fast, Flexible And Free.Read More »
Let Voters Tell You Directly What They Care About With Real-Time Crowdsourcing.
Sean Frame is running for Congress in CA-4 against a well funded incumbent. He’s trying a new way to engage voters and raise funds. He is …
Let Voters Tell You Directly What They Care About With Real-Time Crowdsourcing.Read More »
Midwest Academy Online strategic campaign training for Organizers.
The Midwest Academy has trained over 25,000 grassroots activists. Heather Booth founded the Academy in 1973 to train leaders fighting for social, economic and racial justice. It has played …
Midwest Academy Online strategic campaign training for Organizers.Read More »
Who are they, really? Find out with these free apps.
Campaigns can be devastated by opponents pretending to be volunteers and donors. These ten free background research services help reveal the truth. It’s advisable to first test the …
Who are they, really? Find out with these free apps.Read More »
David vs Goliath. Rookie Virginia candidate uses free apps in challenge to powerful incumbent.
In a modern day version of David vs Goliath, a rookie candidate uses high tech stones to challenge a powerful incumbent. The ending has yet to be written… Herb Jones a …
Is your campaign a gas guzzler? Cut costs and go further with free apps.
“Fundraise! Money is like gas for your campaign”, candidates are advised. How many miles to the gallon (MPG) does your campaign get? Are the funds you work hard …
Is your campaign a gas guzzler? Cut costs and go further with free apps.Read More »
The Camera Is Mightier Than The Sword. Nine Progressive Film Makers Revealing The Truth.
The truth shall set you free. A good video cuts through noise to show what’s really going on. And to inspire people to take action. …
The Camera Is Mightier Than The Sword. Nine Progressive Film Makers Revealing The Truth.Read More »
Two Free Mapping Apps To Better Target Campaigns
Winning campaigns want to focus their resources and efforts to maximize impact. The challenge is where to focus for the most votes and what issues to …
Beware Of Free Gifts. How Hackers Use Social Media To Profile And Trick Their Victims.
Who says there is no point in reading the classics? North Korean hackers adapted the Trojan Horse to hack Chile’s entire ATM network. An unsuspecting employee at a company …
Beware Of Free Gifts. How Hackers Use Social Media To Profile And Trick Their Victims.Read More »
Use this free app to create your own high-quality campaign videos
We love solutions that let more deserving candidates run for office. We really love apps, that are free and easy-to-use. Candidates struggle to produce campaign videos when they are tight on time and money. …
Use this free app to create your own high-quality campaign videosRead More »
How To Find And Mobilize Voters With Geo-Fenced Mobile Ads
Where and when someone goes reveals a lot about them. Savvy marketers use these clues to target their ads. Mobile apps report their user’s location so they can …
How To Find And Mobilize Voters With Geo-Fenced Mobile AdsRead More »
Build opt-in text lists by helping people with their issues.
There is no red poverty. Nor blue poverty. Campaigns can engage more people by addressing the issues that really matter to them, and collect information about them in the process. Campaigns …
Build opt-in text lists by helping people with their issues.Read More »
Enough of old, male and pale. Let’s train more campaign staff of color.
Genny Castillo & Ashley Robinson – Co-founders, The BLUE Institute. “Lack of minority staffers threatens to hobble 2020 Democrats. If you don’t have any people …
Enough of old, male and pale. Let’s train more campaign staff of color.Read More »
Innovations For Persuasive Digital Storytelling.
No one gets it right the first time. It’s how fast we learn and adapt that matters. DemLabs partners with campaigns to innovate better ways of digital persuasion. Following is the process we …
8 Highly Effective Training Resources for Organizers
Photo by Miguel Henriques on Unsplash “Change requires more than righteous anger. It requires a program and organizing, which is the only way to bring about lasting change”, …
8 Highly Effective Training Resources for OrganizersRead More »
Work with the news cycle for better press coverage.
Photo by Kristel Hayes on Unsplash Sailors know sailing with the wind and tide gets them further with less effort. Aligning your story with the news cycle can …
Work with the news cycle for better press coverage.Read More »
Making friends and influencing people in Silicon Valley? Use a local connector.
Local connections make all the difference. Especially in Silicon Valley. Get a head start with a local partner to guide you and create connections. Innovation …
Making friends and influencing people in Silicon Valley? Use a local connector.Read More »
2020 Census: Let’s count everyone.
Who do you trust for advice? Probably someone you already know who shares your values and concerns. How can such trust encourage more people to take …
A smart way to find addresses of people to persuade.
Ready. Aim. Fire. Accurate targeting matters. That’s why businesses spend billions for the best data to target their outreach. It’s the same with campaigns: data quality will …
A smart way to find addresses of people to persuade.Read More »
Free resource to locate potential swing voters (and more)
Finding swing voters is hard. Locating people with specific traits, has typically required money, time and technical skills – putting it out of the reach …
Free resource to locate potential swing voters (and more)Read More »
Speaking truth to power – Through digital storytelling.
Powerful corporations hire marketing experts and lobbyists to push their agenda. How does a small community group get the truth heard in such an uneven fight? Here …
Speaking truth to power – Through digital storytelling.Read More »
See something, say something using technology to report voting problems
The midterm elections showed the need to expose voter problems in real time, on election day, in time to do something. We need a new …
See something, say something using technology to report voting problemsRead More »
‘Sí, Se Puede’. Spanish-Speaking Chatbots Offer Voter ID Advice.
Voter ID regulations can be confusing – especially when English isn’t your first language. They vary by state and often change at short notice. How can …
‘Sí, Se Puede’. Spanish-Speaking Chatbots Offer Voter ID Advice.Read More »
See something. Say something. Especially at polling centers.
“See something – Say something”. We see this at airports and on public transportation. So why not do the same while we are trying to …
See something. Say something. Especially at polling centers.Read More »
Uber can immediately match passengers with drivers nearby. Their technology works. So why is it so hard to easily find out about rallies and events …
Use the news cycle to amplify your marketing
Winning marketing campaigns successfully surf the wave. The message goes further with less effort. Marketing campaigns aligned with the news, increase the odds of getting picked up …
Many people don’t vote because they can’t get to their polling center. Several groups offer rides, but requesting a ride is often the bottleneck. Many rural voters have neither internet access nor …
A better way to collect videos for your campaign
Personal stories cut through indifference and can drive people to act. They’re especially powerful when shared as videos on social media. This Everytown For Gun Safety video is compelling – and …
Customized campaign videos made simple
Campaign videos work, but many campaigns have neither the budget nor the expertise to create their own. Ideally a single campaign video could be adapted for …
It’s ironic: the same technology companies use to slash their workforce is also being used to organize workers demanding fair treatment. Automation is eliminating jobs …
How many Facebook discussions are hijacked by trolls? Bots flood discussions with hundreds of messages, drowning out real participants. How can conversations be kept civil in …
Attention spans are shorter. Complex issues have to be simplified and told persuasively to get people to act. Videos are engaging and informative, but they aren’t interactive. Infographics …
Uber does it. Lyft does it. Send drivers to where there’s known demand – rather than going to the same old locations as many cabs do. …
“GoFundMe raises thousands to place billboard of Trump’s anti-Cruz tweet in Texas”. Where exactly should you place a billboard to reach the people you want to target? …
Just as with any interaction, people respond better when you speak their language and reply personally to their questions. How’s this done online with thousands …
What I learned at DEFCON about voting machine hacks
Hackers, corporate IT professionals, and three letter government agencies all converge on Las Vegas every summer to absorb cutting edge hacking research at DEFCON. The Vote Hacking Village with a focus …
What I learned at DEFCON about voting machine hacksRead More »
Don’t talk to strangers. Especially if they’re sending you phishing emails. Hackers trick you into opening phishing emails by pretending to be from a trusted source. This often starts …
Five million Native Americans live in battleground states such as Arizona, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada and North/South Dakota. They could have a big impact in the midterms – if they voted. But …
DC and Silicon Valley are thousands of miles apart – in more ways than one. But when the two connect, good things happen. Voter Participation Center …
“An Arizona women was suffering a miscarriage and her pharmacist refused to fill her prescription because he decided that his beliefs were more important than what she …
Donations are just one way to support the causes you believe in. Programmers with more creativity than cash, can support their values by restricting how their software can …
Phishing attacks have blown up many Democratic campaigns and are still widely used to steal log-in credentials. Consider Google’s free Advanced Protection service to safeguard your data. And if you still think you’re safe, …
Alexa, what ID do I need to vote?
Over 25 million eligible voters lacking the right Voter ID may be prevented from voting. And getting an acceptable ID in thirty four states with Voter ID laws is both confusing and …
The Supreme Court just ruled aggressive purging of voter rolls. “States can now kick people off the rolls if they skip a few elections and …
When you have a solid track record of results, let the facts speak for themselves. The Tester campaign just launched an interactive StoryMap to highlight …
Join The Search Party For Fifty Million Unregistered Voters
There are FIFTY million unregistered voters in America! The number of voters is being threatened with voter roll purges and restrictive voter ID policies. Every …
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All Votes Count. Some Just Count More Than Others.
The right to vote is under attack. Confusing requirements and other hurdles are designed to discourage specific groups from voting. And turnout drops with voter suppression, as the 2016 election …
All Votes Count. Some Just Count More Than Others.Read More »
You’re suddenly stopped for questioning…
People get stopped for questioning anywhere these days – speaking Spanish in Montana or resembling someone in Oregon. Others encounter sexual harassment, racial discrimination, voter …
11% of voting-age U.S. citizens don’t have a current government-issued photo ID. That’s roughly 25 million voters in 34 states who don’t have an acceptable …
When Super Bowl ads are more compelling than campaign messages, we have a problem. How can we appeal to people’s values across the political spectrum? …
Training new campaign volunteers is hard. They’re often remote, pressed for time and difficult to schedule. Online learning platforms are affordable and offer training on demand. Campaigns struggle to train volunteers as in-person training …
FedEx does it. Uber does it – optimize delivery routes with better software.How can campaigns up their game so canvassers spend less time walking and more time talking with people? …
Attention spans are short. Your call to action has to be clear and compelling. You should both show & tell. Story Maps can help. They combine facts, figures and timelines into a …
Good oppo research requires experience and manpower – two things in short supply. A new group meets these needs by combining the savvy of campaign veterans with the energy of online volunteers. This lowers …
Why is it so hard for some seniors to vote? Could the locations of polling centers be influencing turnout? You make the call. Case Study We decided …
There is a better way. But it’s hard to find when you’re busy. That’s where DemLabs comes in. We test new apps in campaigns and …
Getting Arms To The Front Lines
Why do so many progressive campaigns in the real world still use yesterday’s technology? Campaigns over-spend on out-of-date software. Startups struggle to get new apps to …
What Your Campaign Can Learn From Starbucks
The success or failure of a new store depends on how close it is to its best customers. In the “old days”, the placement of …
2018! It’s finally “midterm election” year and DemLabs is geared up with some New Ways to Win! We are excited to introduce you to a …
How to Use Facebook to Nudge Low Propensity Voters to the Polls
Low-propensity voters are an elusive target, but they’re often the margin for victory. Could sales techniques on social media be applied to increase LP voter …
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Open Media Project Increases Government Transparency with Technology
A naive and idealistic man is appointed to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. His plans promptly collide with political corruption, but he doesn’t …
Open Media Project Increases Government Transparency with TechnologyRead More »
How Tech Activists Harness Purchasing Power to Bring About Change
Money talks. Companies listen when millions of customers boycott their products and services. Peaceful, economic mass-protests aren’t new. Gandhi and Martin Luther Kings Jr. used …
How Tech Activists Harness Purchasing Power to Bring About ChangeRead More »
Is Open Source the Transformative Solution for Activism?
Organizing public rallies really is rocket science. A successful launch needs careful planning and good software. Especially when highly vocal users are involved! How well …
Is Open Source the Transformative Solution for Activism?Read More »
Resisting? Running for office? Get trained online, you will.
Darkness is in the air. The Rebel Alliance is hopelessly outmatched. The Empire terrorizes the galaxy. The rebels train to fight back. The ‘force’ is …
Resisting? Running for office? Get trained online, you will.Read More »
Designing a Facebook campaign to advocate for better opioid care
It’s 1943 and the German air superiority has devastated the Allied forces. The Allies lack the planes to fight the Luftwaffe directly. The U.S. Army Air …
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The Revolution Will Not Be Televised – It’ll be Computerized
Imagine that you have millions of supporters eager to help your cause. You only have a few weeks to get organized and hardly any existing …
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised – It’ll be ComputerizedRead More »