As the campaigns hit the home stretch in the presidential race between President Obama and Mitt Romney, it’s interesting to see the various tactics both campaigns are using to get to the finish line. The Obama team is clearly focused on a very sophisticated and get out the vote (GOTV) strategy with very clear microtargeting. The Romney team is focused on an avalanche of television ads. Strangely the Romney campaign held back on TV ads for a long time, underspending the Obama team. Also, they seem to pay a lot more per ad based on some highly questionable purchasing strategies coming out of Boston.
Then we have the old-school tactics. The Romney team seems much more invested in yard signs, based on what I’m hearing from some sources. The Obama team has just released their plan in the form of a 20 page brochure to counter the Romney attack that Obama has not focused on a positive agenda. Some in the media have criticized this move for a lack of new ideas, but they will be mailing this to over 3 million voters.
Many campaigns will be focusing on these old school tactics with brochures, posters and yard signs, using online printing options to reduce costs, if they’re smart, like shopping for brochures at UPrinting. The key with these strategies involves efficiency and plenty of volunteers. The new wave stuff, like social media and online advertising, still eludes some of the smaller campaigns. That’s where they can really make a difference between winning or losing.
