2. Overview of Social Media Impact
Reach endless Voters with little effort
Voters can view content on their own time
Quickly react to competition
Reach voters that will normally not be interested
Open dialog with voters regarding topics of interest
50% of voters age 34-55 are expected to use social
media sites.
Increased communication via message boards and
groups
3. Social Media and Political Campaign Statistics
The 2008 elections
were greatly impacted
by the use of Social
Media. The diagram to
the left illustrates the
increased usage of
Americans using social
media from 2008-2011.
This illustrates the
exponential increase in
users correlating with
the increased audience
for political advertising
via social media.
4. Social Media and Political Campaign Statistics Continued
The illustration to
the left illustrates
the various
methods of using
social media for
political
advertising. The
age breakdown is
also included. The
18-29 year old
population makes
up the largest
while the over 29
age group was the
smallest age group
that used social
media to influence
their vote in the
election.
5. Social Media and Political Campaign Statistics Continued
With 82% of
adults
receiving the
majority of
their news
online
without
social media
presence in
political
campaigns
many
opportunitie
s will be
missed.
6. PA GOP Candidate Tom Smith
Tom Smith is currently a PA senate candidate. Social Media is playing a huge role in his
election. He has a campaign website http://www.pagop.org/resources/candidates/tom-
smith-for-u-s-senate/. On this website there is a bio with many videos and a section
where volunteers can sign up and donate to the campaign.
As you can see on the
screen shot of Tom Smith’s
campaign page social
media is playing a part in
his role with links to his
Facebook, Twitter and You
Tube page.
7. Tom Smith Facebook
Facebook is a very
efficient as well as
interactive way to reach
voters. With the
simplicity of setting up,
and no overhead cost
(other than the pay for
staff to manage the page)
it is extremely effective
and efficient. Tom
Smith has links to sign
petitions for the budget,
pictures showing the
public that he is not just
a politician but a also a caring person. Facebook is an effective way of interacting with
seasoned voters who are into politics and people who really have no clue. Not only is their
information about Tom Smith but the interaction with the public is the most beneficial part.
Users can post on pictures, comment on photos, and have open dialogue. The site is also
manageable so the campaign team can effectively sensor any information that is posted that
is not up to their standards.
8. Facebook Likes
Likes on Facebook are a great way for users to stay in touch and spread the word. When a
Facebook user likes a page they post publicly that they like the page and receive updates
about any postings from the page owner. Mathematically the word can spread quickly; if
the average Facebook user has 120 friends and there are 8,827 likes over 1 million
Facebook users will see “advertisements” for Tom Smith. When you take into account the
minimal cost (if any) to operate the Facebook page the advertising potential is extremely
beneficial.
9. Tom Smith Twitter
Twitter while not as
popular or used as
Facebook is another
great source for
Politicians to stay in
touch with voters.
Twitter has live news
feeds that any followers
receive. Like Facebook
you can follow any users;
receiving new feeds and
real time updates.
Twitter is also a free
service that reaches
millions of users.
As you can see three posts down on Tom Smith’s Twitter page you will find a post for
volunteers. This states that there are only 112 days left to defeat the democratic party and
asks for volunteers. With the use of social media more potential voters and volunteers will
be reached. With the millions of users the advertising for contributions is also much
greater.
10. Tom Smith You Tube
Tom Smith has many videos on
YouTube. You Tube offers a free
service that does not cost anything
to use. Tom has new conferences
as well as advertising videos on You
Tube. This is a great way to visually
reach users on the internet. The
best part about YouTube is these
videos are embedded to Tom
Smith’s site where you don’t even
have to leave the site. With the
videos embedded it also
minimalizes users exposure to
challenging candidates (if they
don’t got to the actual YouTube
site.)
11. Summary
Upcoming Months
With the election coming up in November we expect social media
to increase in popularity leading up to the election day. Social
Media is a fast way of effectively reaching voters. As issues occur
candidates and there teams could react and reach users in real time.
The cost of running television adds could put a strain on the
political funds available therefore social media will be a way of
making the funds go much further.
Is it Working
There are not many hard statistics on the use of Social Media in
winning elections but our perception is that it is working. Daily
users normally check their social media pages and this makes the
news come to them rather than them having to take the initiative to
find what they are looking for. By liking a Facebook page, or
following on Twitter, users will receive updates in real time and
build a perceived relationship with the candidate.
12. Summary Continued
Campaign Contributions
Political contributions have been impacted by campaign
contributions. With more voters being reached
campaign contributions should positively impacted.
Voters will not only be reached but hopefully can better
relate to the politicians with their use of social media.
