Keep in mind the common mistakes of candidates who lose, because trust me, someone in this thing has to lose (unless of course you’re crazy enough to follow the plan laid out in the chapters of this book).
Losers – Do not in first steps develop a complete battle plan/campaign plan that follows a timeframe and budget outlined as realistically as if you were about to take a company public – because that’s what you will be doing – going politically public.
Losers – Believe the more money spent, the more votes obtained. Therefore, will spend too much of the campaign funding for advertising – a candidate who makes their first advertising/marketing spend on lawn signs will lose.
Losers – Won’t listen to, or honor a prophet in their own land… listen to the people around you first, not the people you have to pay to talk to, because it’s true – they will do nothing but blow smoke. And yes, they will impress, but you want to be surrounded by the people who will vote for you, not those who fly out the day of the election.
Losers – Depend too much on paid media instead of using the time tested earned media route. They allow themselves to become preoccupied with the negative media – print, digital, television, and radio; spending more time listening to the negative about themselves and their campaign than actually following the campaign plan that was the first document to print on day one of the campaign.
Losers – Fail to respond to the negative and shut it down immediately, therefore allowing it to continue. It has to be responded to in the proper way and with the proper words, whether it’s coming from the news media, opponent, or public. Ignoring the negative issue will not make it go away.
Losers – Do not go into a political campaign prepared for the one simple fact – if it’s going to happen it will; be prepared for it whether it happens or not.