While television has become the advertising medium of choice for well-funded political candidates, the humble button is an important part of nearly every successful campaign, from the race for president to the battle for a seat on the city council.
So why are buttons so important to your campaign? Because they do something not even television can do... they give voters a feeling of ownership and participation. That's what you really want. You want your constituents to take an active role, both before and after the election -- to be part of your team.
Television can't do that. Television is directed at passive voters. People watch the campaign ads, but they aren't part of the campaign. Not so with campaign buttons. When people put those buttons on their T-shirts or jackets, they are making an active statement of support. They are taking ownership. What's more, they are making a conscious decision. When voters watch TV, they see the ads of both you and your opponent. But it's unlikely that they'll wear both your button and your opponent's button. If you can persuade a voter to wear your campaign button, that voter is firmly in your camp.
It isn't hard to convince a voter to wear your button. If you or a member of your campaign staff lets a voter know that his or her vote matters, and that it matters to you, that voter will usually be more than happy to support you and wear your button. What's more, the voter is more likely to show up at the polling place. Unless people feel that their votes are meaningful, they may not vote at all! That button, made for an individual to wear, is a tangible reminder of the importance of each individual's ballot. Furthermore, it's a way of showing your appreciation for their support, or at least their consideration.
There's yet another advantage of the campaign button -- the "conspiracy theory." As a voter yourself, perhaps you've worn a campaign button. You know the feeling you get when you see someone else sporting a button for your candidate. Even without a word passing between you, there's a real sense that you are part of a team, working together to elect the best person running for office.
Now it's time for your constituents to stand together in support of your candidacy, with your name not just flickering on their TV sets, but displayed proudly over their hearts. For a remarkably small investment, you can give them that opportunity; campaign buttons are affordable as well as effective. And who knows, those buttons might be valuable someday -- when your political career takes off, the buttons you distributed when you first started out in public service will be collectors' items!
Links to other political campaign items we currently produce
Dr. Don's Buttons
3906 W. Morrow Drive
Glendale, AZ 85308
(800) 243-8293 or (623) 869-8233
