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Just weeks ago, former Governor Tim Pawlenty made historical past when he introduced his marketing campaign for the 2012 Presidential election through a Facebook message. He is the first to ever make this announcement on a social networking website. With half of the nation on Fb, how will social networking and online fundraising affect the race for 2012? How will candidates use this new expertise to their benefit?

Asserting his Presidential run was only the beginning. Pawlenty has turned his Facebook web page into his own model of Foursquare, permitting supporters to earn badges and factors for recruiting friends and "liking" his web page on Facebook. Only a few years in the past, online campaigning was considered an extra step, something helpful but not as vital as other campaigning methods. Now it is just as essential as making these journeys to the swing-vote states. In 2008, "Facebook and Twitter have been barely an element," says Pawlenty's media adviser, Mindy Finn. "The massive shift that is occurred since then is the expansion of participation on social networking sites... half of People are on Facebook."

Mobile giving and on-line fundraising are going to have a huge impact. With so many People already on Fb, multiple occasions a day mind you, all they need to do is just click on on a candidate's page and donate to the campaign. In the event that they're at work or walking down the street, they'll donate via cellular apps on their smartphones - which a great portion of the country has too. However, on-line strategies will never change traditional meet and greets, small occasions, and shaking supporters' hands. It's also not going to exchange excessive-dollar fundraisers. But what it would do is hold supporters engaged. They will be capable of follow your every transfer on Twitter, stay energetic, present suggestions, and hopefully recruit friends. When you have online donation software setup on your Fb web page, supporters can simply share the hyperlink and all 200 of their associates can see it.

Not solely do you need to set up on-line fundraising on all your social media websites, it is advisable maintain supporters interested and engaged. Pawlenty is right on target by providing rewards for accomplishments. Everyone has a Fb page, but what makes your web page extra fascinating than the opposite candidate's? Why ought to I stay lively in your web page?

The internet is a great way to achieve a big market. You possibly can't visit every small town throughout the country, but you can attain those areas online. For many who should not have the large fundraising base that others do, on-line fundraising is the best way to stay within the competition. We are able to anticipate a huge surge in the online presence next year because the candidates use the expertise that's right at their fingertips.          


MF